substitution in tc's

Who :Individuals undergoing a methadon treatment program or other substitution drug, (e.g. buprenorphin, Subutex ®), and who still engage in heavy drug use, or are socially and professionally in jeopardy.

How :

Programs targeting a complete withdrawal from all drugs, including from substitution drugs

After entering Dianova's residential program, the individual immediately begins a long term withdrawal process from their substitution drug, under on-site medical supervision administered by an attending physician.

Complete withdrawal is achieved during a medium-to-long-term process, with a weekly decrease of the prescribing drug dosage. Dosage may also be increased during a week or two if recommended by the attending physician.

Programs involving maintenance of the substitution drug

These programs also utilize every tool available in the therapeutic community for achieving a discontinuation of drug use. However, unlike those previously described, these focus on managing the use of the substitution drug without attempting any decrease in use, based on a medical evaluation of the individual and the physician's assessment of the individual’s ability to tolerate a reduction or cessation of the drug.

Why :

Among those undergoing substitution drug treatments, many wish to break the habit and give up a drug which is perceived as a restraint to a satisfying quality of life that is often identified as a "crutch".

Maintenance programs aim at mitigating the negative issues related to the person's lifestyle, such as blood-borne and sexually-transmitted infections (STI), delinquency, abuse of other drugs, and others.