Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) treatment duration exceeds 1-6 months. Addiction is a chronic condition, and because of that, we recommend long-term use of buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone). Research shows that patients who stay on buprenorphine long-term are more likely to be opioid-free.
Conversely, studies demonstrate that within one month of stopping buprenorphine treatment, more than 50% of patients relapse to illicit opioid use. Our program at Bicycle Health is a long-term, continuous program that supports patients over months-to-years. One-month or otherwise short-term Suboxone treatment is not something we do or support.
Dr. Rollston is a Family Medicine Physician at Cambridge Health Alliance, Affiliate Editor-in-Chief of the Harvard Primary Care Blog, and Founder of Doctors For A Healthy US, LLC. She earned her Medical Degree from East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine and her Master of Public Health from The George Washington University. Her professional interests focus on social influencers of health & health disparities, addiction medicine, sexual & reproductive health, homelessness & supportive housing, and rural health.
