Many people who are struggling with heroin or cocaine addiction eventually start to wonder – what is suboxone used for in drug treatment? Suboxone is used in reversing the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms of short-acting opioids, including cocaine, heroin, and prescription painkillers. Suboxone consists of two components: Naloxone and Buprenorphine. Here at NC Wellness Center – High Point, we offer a Suboxone treatment program as part of our medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program.
How Does Suboxone Work?
Doctors use suboxone to treat addicts hooked on opioids—prescription or illegal. Buprenorphine, which is a component of Suboxone, works by blocking the opiate receptors and reducing the addict’s cravings. The other constituent (Naloxone) helps in reversing the severe withdrawal symptoms of opioids and other addictive painkillers. These medicines work together to prevent opioid withdrawal symptoms.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), Suboxone is less addictive than methadone and doesn’t need prescription licensing, so your doctor can prescribe it. You can use suboxone at the beginning of your treatment, but also in long-term management and recovery. Your physician or therapist will help you to design a custom-made treatment program for your addiction.
What Is Suboxone Used for in Drug Treatment?
Health experts often prescribe suboxone for addiction on short-acting opioids, but many rehabs are unlikely to use it on long-acting opioids.
The withdrawal phase is the initial stage of suboxone use; it’s the stage where opioid withdrawal symptoms are the most painful and potentially risky. Suboxone helps to relieve and possibly stamp out the pains associated with quitting substance use.
With your doctor’s supervision, you’ll graduate to the next stage—the maintenance phase. Your physician might begin decreasing dosages until your body no longer needs the prescription.
For a holistic approach, therapists use other treatment programs alongside suboxone, including:
- Medically-assisted detox
- Partial hospitalization program
- Intensive outpatient program
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Aftercare therapy
Suboxone has sedating characteristics; hence, it slows your body down instead of speeding it up like a stimulant. When you take the medication, you’ll experience relaxation, pain reprieve, tranquility, and general well-being. Other users also report seemingly fewer anxieties and decreased stress levels.
The Administration of Suboxone
Only a medical professional can prescribe suboxone. Follow your medic’s explicit instructions while taking each dose as a tablet or the suboxone film. When taking the drug in film form, you’ll need to place it under your tongue to get the right quantity of medication. While the film is melting, it’s vital to remember not to swallow or chew as this may hinder the medicine from working correctly. Furthermore, talking while the film is still in your mouth affects your body’s absorption rate.
What Are the Side Effects of Suboxone?
What is suboxone used for in drug treatment, and what are the potential side effects? Even with its effectiveness in managing addictions to opioids, it’s significant to recognize that suboxone can be addictive as well. You’re more likely to develop a dependence on suboxone if you have a previous or current narcotics addiction or are unaware of the impending hazardous side effects.
Quitting the use of suboxone without the guidance of a health professional can lead to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Furthermore, the use of various products can lead to medical complications if they’re combined with suboxone.
Seek emergency treatment if you see signs of harmful effects of suboxone withdrawal. Inform your healthcare provider about any medications and other substances you take while on suboxone.
Medications that can interact with suboxone include:
- Cholesterol-lowering medications
- Acetaminophen
- HIV-treatment drugs
- Fluoxetine
- Oral contraceptives
- Niacin
- Verapamil
Find Support at NC Wellness Center – High Point
So what is suboxone used for in drug treatment? A suboxone prescription is not a single solution to all your substance use disorders. While suboxone is crucial in treating addiction, you’ll need to combine medicine with other treatment programs for long-term sobriety. Contact NC Wellness Center – High Point at [Direct] today to speak to a mental health expert.
