Suboxone Treatment: What to Expect

This article discusses suboxone treatment and what to expect. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to treat opioid and alcohol addiction. Research shows this “whole-patient” approach helps to successfully treat addiction, prevent opioid overdose, sustain recovery.

Suboxone, which contains the ingredients buprenorphine and naltrexone, is approved by the Food and Drug administration (FDA) to treat opioid addiction.

This article will discuss about:


Symptoms of opioid dependence

The first step toward recovery is recognizing that you have a problem with opioids. The signs and symptoms of substance abuse can be physical, behavioral, and psychological. One clear sign of addiction is not being able to stop using the substance. It is also not being able to stop yourself from using more than the recommended amount.

Major Symptoms includes:

  • Unable to quit using opioids despite problems with health and relationships.

  • Shallow or slow breathing rate.

  • Poor decision making.

  • Abandoning responsibilities.

  • Taking more opioids to achieve the same effect.

  • Withdrawal symptoms (sweating, shaking, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, body aches, anxiety, irritability, runny nose) in the absence of opioids.

  • Spending a majority of each day using and/or seeking opioids.

  • Inability to decrease the amount of opioids used.

  • oss of interest in activities that used to bring joy.

  • Lowered Motivation.


Is Suboxone Right For You?

Speaking with a professional medical expert is the best way to determine if Suboxone is good for you. He or she will evaluate your requirements by reviewing your medical history and doing a physical examination, then working with you to develop a specific treatment plan that will help you succeed in recovery.

Suboxone may be an appropriate treatment option for those who:

  • Are interested in treatment for opioid addiction.

  • Have no risks to Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) treatment.

  • Can be reasonably compliant with medication-assisted treatment.

  • Understand the benefits and risks of Suboxone treatment.

  • Are willing to follow safety precautions for buprenorphine treatment.

  • Agree to buprenorphine treatment after a review of treatment options


How Does Suboxone Treatment Work?

Buprenorphine is the main ingredient. It is an opioid partial agonist. That means that it acts like an opioid, just like oxycodone, heroin, or methadone, but in low to moderate doses. Think of the opioid receptors in the brain as a door. Your brain throws the door wide open for most opioids but only partly open for Buprenorphine.

Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that blocks opioid receptors from the effects of an agonist. So, it acts to counteract the high you might otherwise feel from the Buprenorphine.

These two ingredients work together effectively when administered in doses that are slowly decreased over time. This enables a person to work through recovery while leading a more normal life without the intense pain and suffering of opioid withdrawal.

Suboxone was developed to ease the severe symptoms of opioid withdrawal. If an individual has a strong desire to stop taking opioids but is powerless to get through the withdrawal symptoms, then that person may be a candidate for a monitored and regimented Suboxone program.

Benefits of Opioid Addiction Treatment

  • Therapy alternatives — At Addiction Help, we provide a variety of therapy options, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy, as part of our treatment.Therapy might assist you in addressing and overcoming the root reasons of your addiction.

  • A comfortable and judgment-free atmosphere — Our staff attempts to create an environment where individuals feel free to communicate openly and honestly.

  • Compassionate support - We're a group of devoted addiction treatment specialists that will be there for you during your recovery's toughest days.


Safety Precautions

People should use the following precautions when taking buprenorphine:

  • Do not take other medications without first consulting your doctor.

  • Do not use illegal drugs, drink alcohol, or take sedatives, tranquilizers, or other drugs that slow breathing. Mixing large amounts of other medications with buprenorphine can lead to overdose or death.

  • Ensure that a physician monitors any liver-related health issues that you may have.

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

  • Prevent children and pets from accidental Ingestion by storing it out of reach. For more information, visit CDC’s Up and Away educational campaign.

  • Dispose of unused methadone safely. Talk to your MAT practitioner for guidance, or for more information on the safe disposal of unused medications, visit FDA's disposal of unused medicines or DEA's drug disposal webpages

  • Do not shared your buprenorphine with anyone even if they have similar symptoms or suffer from the same condition.

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