The Outpatient Buprenorphine Program (BP) is long-term, outpatient treatment that combines opioid replacement therapy with 12-Step recovery skills to help clients recover from opioid dependence, regain functioning, avoid relapse, and improve the quality of their lives. The program adheres to the philosophy that opioid dependence is a chronic, incurable, and often lethal disease, living with which demands an individualized, comprehensive program of recovery that includes pharmacological, behavioral, psychological, and spiritual interventions. Lastly, while no single treatment approach or medication is effective in all cases, maintenance therapy is safe and effective for those who are unable to maintain abstinence.

Program:

Long-Term – Over 6 Months
Low Intensity – Group, 1 Hour Per Day, 1 Day Per Week; Individual Counseling, 1 Hour Per Day, 1 Day Per Week
The BP Is Integrated into Outpatient offices hours, which are open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

BP Treatment Comprises:

· Initial One Hour Psychiatric Evaluation
· Psychosocial Assessment
· Comprehensive Treatment Planning
· Initial And Random Drug Screening
· Consent To Talk With All Other Doctors, Counselors, Officials And Involved Family
· Medication Induction With 2-3 Daily Visits In The First Week Of Treatment
· Weekly To Monthly Prescriptions Written During Individual Or Group Sessions
· Weekly To Monthly Bupe Grupe Attendance
· Weekly To Monthly Individual Counseling
· Weekly 12-Step Program Attendance

Participants:

BP program participants comprise men and women who are over 18 and actively addicted to opioids, currently in methadone maintenance, or at high risk for relapse. Federal law limits the number of people in treatment to 100 patients, which typically results in a long waiting list, and preference is given to residents in Windham and Windsor Counties. More specifically, the BP treats patients with opioid dependence and co-occurring disorders, such as:

· Adjustment Disorder
· Anxiety Disorders
· Mood Disorder
· Personality Disorder
· Psychotic Disorder
· Substance Use disorder

Referral:

Referrals to the BP are welcomed from medical, mental health, drug and alcohol, and EAP professionals, as well as clients.

Cost:

As for payment, many third party payers, including private insurers and Medicare and Medicaid, cover the cost of the program. BP staff verifies benefits and completes pre-authorization for treatment. Individualized financial arrangements are also possible.

Staff:

The program Psychiatrist and Addictionologist, William Grass, MD, works with Sandra Cotter, LADC.

For More Information:

For more information about the program, please call Darlene Coffey at The Rockingham Medical Group
at (802) 463-9000, ext. 451.

Rockingham Medical Group
The Health Center at Bellows Falls
1 Hospital Court
Bellows Falls, VT 05101
802-463-9000, ext. 451