Dealing with Negative or Disruptive Behaviors of Opioid Dependent Patients
Some health providers particularly those who work in primary care are concerned that substance dependent patients will disrupt their practice or cause trouble in the office. However, this is largely a myth related to the stigma of addiction and stereotypes about substance-dependent patients.
Patients in buprenorphine treatment are usually stable, compliant, and not disruptive to other patients in a general medical setting. They typically look just like the patient sitting in the next chair, and there is no reason to expect them to be "troublemakers".
However, it is still important to set ground rules and expectations with patients who are entering into buprenorphine treatment.
Inform patients about rules and expectations regarding the following:
- Office rules/protocols
- Procedures for prescriptions
- Urine testing protocols
- Patient responsibilities in treatment
- Consequences for noncompliance/problematic behaviors (tapering and stopping the treatment could be included as an option)
Related Resources:
Setting Rules and Expectations
Description:
Discusses the importance of setting guidelines for patients in an office-based buprenorphine program and gives examples of the types of procedures and protocol that should be set and agreed upon prior to beginning treatment. Perhaps the most obvious thing that the physician and patient need to address is the functioning of the office-based buprenorphine program.
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Setting Rules and Expectations
