Opioid dependence most likely destroyed your life like it has destroyed the lives of thousands of Americans and the families who love them. Treating opioid addiction with medications like Suboxone is a long and painful process. Successfully overcoming your opioid addiction may seem difficult, but it is not impossible. Yet, you will likely experience a relapse if you abstain from opioids through a detoxification process. Relapsing can be life-threatening as it can lead to an accidental fatal overdose.
Substance abuse counselors and doctors commonly use Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) to treat opioid dependence. There are many medications used in MAT, including Methadone, Buprenorphine, Lofexidine, and Suboxone. These medications require you to get a prescription from a specialized drug treatment center or your physician. Suboxone has become a popular treatment for opioid addiction. Here is some information you need to know about this medication.
What is Suboxone?
Suboxone combines buprenorphine and naloxone to reduce long-term dependence on opioids and to decrease the severity of opioid withdrawal. This medication helps minimize the need to get a high from opioid use while lowering the uncomfortable mental and physical drain when you stop using opioids. Using Suboxone can help you cope with the stress and pain of opioid withdrawal symptoms when it is a part of your personalized treatment plan.
Suboxone as Part of the Recovery Process
Suboxone is one part of a holistic approach to help you beat opioid addiction. Your carefully monitored treatment and medication regime should include substance abuse counseling and primary care follow-ups with your doctor. This treatment plan will help to ensure your mind and body recovery is heading in the right direction.
Your journey to recovery is unique from everybody else. Suboxone may not be the right treatment plan for you. You should discuss your treatment options with your substance abuse counselor and primary care doctor to plan out a proper treatment plan for your situation.
Suboxone usage
Suboxone is used to treat an addiction to short-acting opioids like heroin and prescription painkillers. There are two forms of Suboxone that you can take. You can take Suboxone as a tablet or a sublingual film if MAT with the use of Suboxone is appropriate for your treatment plan. Both forms of Suboxone dissolve in your mouth and have the same results.
Suboxone usage starts during the withdrawal phase when withdrawal symptoms are at their highest and most dangerous. This medication can help to alleviate or eliminate these symptoms. As you move out of the withdrawal phase, you will move to the maintenance phase under your doctor’s supervision. Your doctor may start to reduce your dosage and eventually eliminate the usage of Suboxone as you complete the treatment regimen.
Suboxone and Addiction Treatment
Only your doctor can prescribe Suboxone as part of your overall substance abuse treatment plan. Using this medication is becoming a popular and effective way to reduce withdrawal symptoms and opioid relapse-related hospitalizations and deaths.
Suboxone is a depressant. The positive side effects of taking this medication that will help to reduce or eliminate withdrawal symptoms include:
- Pain relief and relaxation
- Improved overall well-being and a sense of calmness
- Reduced stress levels and sense of panic
Using Suboxone needs to be carefully monitored by your doctor and substance abuse counselor because it can lead to dependence like using any other medication. You need to consult with your doctor before you stop taking Suboxone. Adverse side effects and opioid-like withdrawal symptoms can occur if you stop taking Suboxone without your doctor’s supervision. Some of these symptoms include:
- Muscle and joint pain
- Insomnia, irritability, and jittery feeling
- Diarrhea and stomach pain
- Flu-like symptoms and vomiting
Suboxone can also have negative side effects when taken with other medications, supplements, or herbal remedies. Talk to your doctor about any medications and supplements you are using before you start taking Suboxone.
The goal of an addiction treatment center is to help recovering addicts stop their substance abuse and strengthen their physical and mental health. There is no reason why someone cannot receive the help they need to end their opioid addiction and turn their life around. Do not hesitate to call us today at 844-844-3463 if you or someone you know needs help from opioid addiction. Our counselors are available 24-hours a day to take your call.