Do you know there are ways to help individuals with their abuse of opioids? Have you ever heard of medication-assisted treatment (MAT)? MAT is provided for individuals who want help with their drug use. MAT comes in various forms. From oral tablets to injections. Let me say it does not matter how you get clean if it comes from MAT to using a 12-step program.

Several different forms of medication can be used to help individuals. The first that most are familiar with is methadone and suboxone. Several others can be used. You need to go with your doctor and see what will be best for you. Other options for MAT are buprenorphine, naltrexone, and zubsolv. 

Do not be afraid to open up to your doctor. I can tell you it is the best thing that I ever did. I decided I had had enough, went to my doctor, and got the medication I needed to beat my drug addiction. Medication is not the only thing I used; I also chose to do counseling and look for effective treatment support. I can tell you it was the best thing that I did. Remember this, just because you use a medication does not mean you are sober.

Also, remember that you might not need to take this medication for life. It depends on the work you put in for your recovery.  

You are worth your recovery, and someone is cheering you on. One day at a time. Let us take the first step!

References:

CDC. (2021). https://cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2021/20211117.htm 

Written By: Melissa Pena

In an effort to get off dangerous opioid drugs like heroin or prescription painkillers, weaning techniques can be used. Prescription medications like Suboxone can be one tool to aid in the ending of a dangerous addiction. Unfortunately, however, it also creates the potential for a secondary addiction. It is just as important to learn how patients can begin getting off Suboxone in order to live their lives free from all addiction.

Understanding the Addictive Nature of Suboxone

Suboxone is a prescription medication with two primary ingredients: Buprenorphine and naloxone. The first ingredient, buprenorphine, is a synthetic opiate substance. On its own, it would be a potent drug similar to many prescription painkillers used for medical or recreational purposes.

The second ingredient in Suboxone is naloxone. This is a substance that essentially reverses the effects of the opiate ingredients. Naloxone is a vital component of Suboxone because it ensures that the users won’t get high or experience any unintended side effects or euphoria after opiate consumption.

Unlike many other opioid prescription drugs, or street drugs like morphine and heroin, Suboxone won’t get users high. However, it can still be addictive. It still contains opioids, and it still changes the way the body and brain function.

If a person who is dependent on Suboxone tries to stop consumption suddenly, withdrawal symptoms would appear. Suboxone can be a tool in the fight against addiction, but it has to be administered carefully and always monitored under the direct supervision of a medical professional.

Tapering Suboxone Use

Ending an addiction to any opioid substance is a challenge, Suboxone included. For those who struggle with a Suboxone dependence, one approach can be tapering. This is a form of weaning where patients consume increasingly smaller amounts of Suboxone over time until their bodies no longer need the substance.

Suboxone use can be consumed in many ways. When administered properly in a medical environment, Suboxone is usually in the form of a film or a tablet that gets placed under the tongue. To taper, smaller doses would be administered in this format.

Some individuals crush or snort Suboxone for recreational use. In these cases, patients should never be encouraged to continue with the drug in this format, even if they are trying to taper. If Suboxone is not taken appropriately, even reduced dosage poses too many risks.

Withdrawing From Suboxone

Whether individuals taper off Suboxone slowly or they cease consumption all at once, they are likely to face a period of Suboxone withdrawal. This is often done in a detox or addiction treatment facility. When this happens, the body will begin to adjust without a regular dose of opiates.

Although Suboxone has valuable medical uses, withdrawing from it is similar to withdrawing from any other prescription opioid painkiller or even potent opiates like heroin. The body will often face serious discomfort for several days as this adjustment period takes place.

Many patients who are withdrawing from Suboxone will note emotional, psychological and physical symptoms. Thankfully, these are not permanent conditions. Symptoms tend to peak at about 72 hours into the process, and they may be over in as little as a week.

In a treatment program specifically for those recovering from addiction, withdrawal symptoms can be eased greatly with targeted medical attention. Pharmacological treatment, proper hydration and emergency care can ensure that patients are well taken care of and as comfortable as possible given the circumstances.

Alternatives to Opioid Medication

In many cases, Suboxone was intended as a short-term replacement for opioid pain medication. Individuals who suffer from chronic pain may not feel that they can live their lives comfortably without relying on a strong medication. Thankfully, there are alternatives out there that can replace the effects of Suboxone and contribute to a better, healthier life.

Some of the most popular alternatives to consider in the treatment of a Suboxone addiction are behavioral therapies. Therapy can help patients to be more mindful of themselves and any pain, and it can actually reduce how patients feel and respond to both emotional and physical pain. The three most common types of behavioral therapy include ACT, DBT and CBT.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, encourages mindfulness and acceptance strategies. It teaches patients how to increase their psychological flexibility, changing their behavior in pursuit of happiness. ACT employs a range of exercises designed to help patients change how they respond to certain feelings.

Another form of therapy is DBT, or dialectical behavioral therapy. DBT is all about understanding triggers, stress and emotions and how best to respond to them. By creating healthy coping mechanisms, patients can do more than just avoid harm. They can actually improve their quality of life.

CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy, is the third form of behavioral therapy that can help in treating a Suboxone addiction. CBT is especially help in the prevention of a relapse. It aims to teach patients how to self-evaluate and change negative behaviors before it is too late.

These therapeutic approaches take time and effort. However, they can greatly improve quality of life. They are also an effective way to reduce pain and improve outlook for patients who deal with chronic pain or discomfort.

Planning for Recovery From Suboxone

In order to benefit from the therapy, assistance and medical supervision necessary during recovery, patients will want to participate in a formal addiction treatment program. There are several options available, and formats can vary. Many patients getting off Suboxone can also benefit from coverage made available through their health insurance providers.

In many cases, a residential program will be ideal. This is a 24/7 approach where accountability and supervision are readily available. However, some patients may prefer partial hospitalization programs or even intensive outpatient programs. Family involvement and support system availability can help when making this decision.

The process of recovery won’t necessarily be quick. It may take several weeks until patients are comfortable without a daily dose of Suboxone. However, following through with the right program can grant patients a life of health and sobriety once and for all.

What is Suboxone?

It’s important to note that Suboxone, while it can certainly be abused by some individuals, isn’t an illegal drug. It has a legitimate medical purpose, and it can be used for the overall health and wellness of patients in a number of cases.

Suboxone is made up of two active ingredients: Buprenorphine and Naloxone. The first, Buprenorphine, acts similarly to an opiate. Naloxone, however, blocks the euphoric side effects of Buprenorphine. By blocking receptors, the brain can’t experience a high.

The Need for Suboxone in Drug Addiction Treatment

Suboxone can be an integral part of addiction treatment for patients who are addicted to opiates. Trying to withdraw from heroin or prescription painkillers is incredibly difficult, and doing so can result in uncomfortable and even painful withdrawal symptoms. In order to combat things like extreme sweating, nausea, depression and even hallucinations, Suboxone can be used.

Suboxone isn’t just replacing one drug with another. Continuing to use something like heroin will do more than just keep withdrawal symptoms at bay. It can also lead to major health failures, the risk of a fatal overdose, criminal activity and financial stress. Suboxone, while it may be addictive, gives users back cognitive control. They can make better decisions, strengthen relationships and improve their health, highlighting the clear advantage of using Suboxone in detox and rehab facilities.

How Suboxone Can be Abused

While Suboxone clearly has some important benefits in the treatment of drug addiction, it can also lead to abuse. In a small percentage of patients, Suboxone can deliver a small high through its opiate component. If this happens, patients are supposed to report it to their medical professional immediately and seek a different course of treatment. Unfortunately, many exploit Suboxone and begin to abuse it.

Suboxone is often abused by first tampering with the drug in some way. Some individuals might crush the pills, hoping that breaking down or dissolving the medication in liquid will increase its potency. Others dissolve Suboxone into water and inject it directly into their bloodstream. Sometimes, however, the opposite effect will happen when these methods are used. Since the blocking component of Suboxone, called Naloxone, also hits the body faster, it can actually result in a painful and immediate withdrawal.

Suboxone can also be abused even if it’s taken as intended. Some patients are supposed to wean themselves off of Suboxone, but will continue to take the drug long after their prescriptions have ceased. Others combine Suboxone with other drugs, stimulants or alcohol in an attempt to increase or alter their effects.

The Rise of Suboxone Use in America

There is one clear, overarching reason behind the use of Suboxone in America and elsewhere around the world: the rise of opiate use. As prescription painkillers are administered increasingly often, individuals are becoming addicted. Sometimes, individuals develop severe addiction to the painkillers, and other times they move on to drugs like heroin to continue or even enhance the high.

As opiate use continues to grow, and opiate addiction continues to be a growing concern, Suboxone use will also increase. Remember that Suboxone can be incredibly helpful for those patients who use it properly and then wean themselves from it slowly throughout rehab. However, Suboxone use must be monitored closely, and patients as well as medical professionals should be well aware of the risks and potentially addictive properties of drugs like Suboxone.

Symptoms of Suboxone Abuse or Overdose

Some patients, even those who are prescribed Suboxone, may abuse the drug. Physically, those who are abusing Suboxone may begin to have less energy, sinking into a depression or just a feeling of extreme lethargy and a lack of desire to socialize. Abusing Suboxone can also be spotted when patients have slow, labored breathing and suffer from reaction times that are slower than normal.

Suboxone addiction and abuse can also lead to even bigger health problems. In serious overdose cases, patients may fall into a coma. Or, they could suffer from hallucinations and a lack of cognitive awareness. These severe symptoms highlight the importance of avoiding Suboxone addiction, as well as the need for medical professionals to be on the lookout for addiction among patients.

Rehab for Suboxone Addiction

Since Suboxone is often used medically in rehab and detox facilities, many individuals are surprised to learn that there are also rehab programs dedicated to ending addictions to Suboxone. Detoxing from Suboxone can be challenging, since the opiate withdrawal symptoms may be pronounced. However, without the traditional opiate high, Suboxone detoxes are considered to be far less challenging than heroin or prescription painkiller detoxes. Many patients choose to wean themselves off of Suboxone under medical supervision, instead of going cold turkey, for a more comfortable experience.

Rehab for Suboxone will be similar to any other drug rehab program. Patients can choose from outpatient programs, intensive outpatient programs or residential, inpatient programs. Dual diagnosis is key in order to address any mental health issues, which may be even more common when patients are replacing one addiction with another. Group therapy, behavioral therapy and various other evidence-based treatment methods can help patients free themselves from a Suboxone addiction.

As opiate addictions rise, so too does Suboxone use. Although Suboxone can have legitimate and beneficial medical purposes, it can also become addictive. Abusing Suboxone can lead to serious health problems, which makes it important for individuals struggling with this addiction to seek help at appropriate detox or rehab facilities.