Posted by Nancy Barmashi on Jul 8 2007 7:57AM - Following is information for those who are misusing opioid medications or heroin, and have become addicted about getting help in putting addiction into remission.

If you are interested in any further information please visit us at naabt.org

naabt.org has a Free Confidential Nationwide Service that Matches Opioid-Addicted Patients with Physicians Offering In-Office Treatment available 24/7

As of July 8, 2007, 3,992 patients have been matched with at least one of the 1217 participating certified physicians nationwide.

Non-profit Buprenorphine Treatment and Opioid Addiction education awareness organization NAABT uses technology to help connect patients to certified physicians treating opioid addiction using buprenorphine.

The National Alliance of Advocates for Buprenorphine Treatment’s (naabt.org) confidential Patient/Physician Matching System helps connect people addicted to opioids to doctors able to provide medical treatment with buprenorphine in the privacy of their office. The free-of-charge online service is available 24/7, and allows patients to reach out for help anytime and with complete privacy. It serves as a non-intimidating first step for those seeking treatment. With over 1,000 specially certified participating physicians, some patients are matched within minutes. Prior to its national launch on September 1st 2006, many patients and their loved ones who wanted help, didn’t know where to find this specialized help. Now with internet technology, patients are finding physicians who better match their needs.

How it works:
The patient registration process is simple and can be completed in less than three minutes. It consists of a short list of questions that helps match patients to physicians who have the appropriate experience. All patient information is confidential and resides on a secure server. After a patient submits the application, alert emails go out to physicians. Once an area physician has the capacity to treat an additional patient, the NAABT National Patient/Physician Matching System allows the physician to contact that patient confidentially by email to discuss treatment availability. Counselors can register on behalf of patients without computer access.

About the Treatment:
Buprenorphine is a state-of-the-art medication, combined with psycho-social therapy, to treat the medical condition of opioid addiction in the privacy of a physician’s office. FDA approved in late 2002, this treatment has improved the quality of life for patients and provided dignity to opiate addiction treatment. Buprenorphine is sold under the brand name Suboxone® by Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals.

For more information on the National Patient Matching System:
naabt.org/patient_doctor/waiti ng_list.cfm
To register on the Matching System:
naabt.org/patient_doctor/patie nt_login.cfm
For information on Buprenorphine Treatment:
naabt.org

ABOUT NAABT, INC. The National Alliance of Advocates for Buprenorphine Treatment is a non-profit organization with the mission to:

• Educate the public about the disease of opioid addiction and the buprenorphine treatment option.
• Help reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with patients with addiction disorders.
• Serve as a conduit connecting patients in need of treatment to qualified treatment providers.

naabt.org is listed as a resource on websites such as buprenorphine.samhsa.gov; the HBO “Addiction” Series website, JoinTogether.org and many more.

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