Buprenorphine treatment: factors and first-hand experiences for providers to consider.

The viability of using buprenorphine to treat opiate dependence was well documented prior to federal approval in October 2002. What has been lacking in the literature is "hands-on" experience of providers from a clinical management and practice management perspective. This article adds to the knowledge base by providing information about buprenorphine treatment as well as anecdotes from patients treated by the authors, leading to a detailed list of factors worth considering for the treatment provider contemplating adding an opiate-addicted population to an existing treatment base.