Medication for addiction treatment (MAT) with buprenorphine or methadone is critical to prevent overdose and death. Research shows that with MAT, 75% of patients will still be in recovery one year later. Conversely, studies demonstrate that more than 50% of patients relapse to illicit opioid use within one month of stopping buprenorphine treatment.
Thus, we do not recommend patients stop taking buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone), as it is a key component to addiction treatment. If you do decide to wean off buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone), though, our providers at Bicycle Health can work with you to develop a treatment plan that best meets your goals for recovery.
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.
