Suboxone Protocol Question And Effects On Depression

My doctor issued a letter to all his subox patients this week saying that we have to up our usual monthly urine tests, to weekly!! And that its mandatory! PLUS, that we must go to either group or private therapy on a regular basis.Out of our own pockets of course. Is this true? He tried doing this a while back too. Same letter basically. It stated that if you don't comply, then you are kicked out of the program. It was never enforced & eventually never heard another word about it, until now that is. I have NEVER failed a single urine test & follow his instructions to the letter. I know it's really not supposed to be taken long term, but Subox not only stopped me from abusing opiates & took away any cravings I likely would of had. But it actually helped me with pain from a bad car crash,which was how I became addicted to begin with. And most important to me, its the only thing that has ever worked, other then the opiates, for my depression. And trust me when I tell you I tried every anti-depressant out there coupled with extensive talk therapy for many years. Studies have shown, however unorthodox it may be,it has helped patients with severe depression when all other avenues have been unsuccessful. But this new protocol is ridiculous & a waste of time for those who are compliant & have remained stable for some time .I could 100% understand these new demands being placed upon those who are struggling or have failed any monthly tests or not complying in any way. So, I need to know if this is a TRUE new protocol my doctor has been made to to enforce, or if he's just greedy & getting a kick back from the overpriced lab he uses. I've seen what this lab has been charging my insurance company, its almost $1000.0 every month! For a test that can't be THAT much more then the 1 I used to buy @ CVS when I suspected my son was smoking pot. I feel like his patients are just these cash cows @ his mercy that he's milking for all that he can @ this point! If anyone knows if this is an actual new protocol that he does in fact have to enforce like he's claiming. Or some kind of new federal mandate, or even a state requirement (I live in CT),whatever the case may be, idk the terminology used. I would greatly appreciate any info and love it if you could provide me with a link or something I can print out. I already pay him enough as it is, and I have a good re-pore with him & all, so I would be upset to find this is a matter of greed. I truly don't have the extra time or the $ for all this! Between a pay cut I got & my husband being transferred an hour away for work, as is most of our country, I'm struggling financially. The xtra gas alone every week will be more then I can handle. Methadone doesn't require counseling of any kind. And I'm sorry, it's just another opiate that's easily abused, not to mention gets you high. Unless you're willing to stick a needle in your arm, & most are not, Suboxone is the healthier way to go. I pray it won't become unobtainable due to greed or have the stigma that Methadone clinics have.

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I have not heard of any changes to the federal Drug Abuse and Treatment Act of 2000, that specifically governs Suboxone treatment. As far as I can tell, CT, as well as most other states have adopted the federal laws for compliance.

The drug counseling is required under the law for Suboxone treatment. However, it does not have to be something that costs you anything, it can be a free program provided by your church, or a program such as Narcotics Anonymous. You just have to provide the doctor with a statement/proof of your attendance.

As to the drug testing, the law only requires that to be done for each appointment you have, before your given more Suboxone or the prescription for it.

However, he can intensify his own requirements, at his discretion and there really isn't anything you can do about it. If you don't comply, then he can drop you as a patient, if he so chooses.

The thing you have to remember, when you have a relationship with any doctor and are undergoing any type of medical treatment, be it for high blood pressure or drug addiction, is that if you are not in life threatening danger and are stable, then they are not required to continue treating you.

Just as it is your right to change doctors, at any point and for any reason you see fit, it is also their right to stop treating you, for any reason. So yes, as tough as his new requirements may be for you to meet and as unfair as the weekly testing may seem, he can do that and get away with it.

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Suboxone/­

My guess here would be that he probably received a warning from the government, because he wasn't requiring his patients to receive counseling, which as I said is required under federal law. If he doesn't comply, he can lose his waiver to treat addiction and prescribe Suboxone.

It's probably made him want to tighten down everything, to avoid this and, that is his right.

Are there any other questions?

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