Suboxone Vs. Methadone

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Methadone and Suboxone are prescription drugs that help to combat a wide array of addictions. With so many similarities and intricacies in their usage, we take a look at a comparison between the two.

What do Suboxone and Methadone Treat?

Suboxone is a special kind of medication that was developed to help combat dependence on certain drugs. However, while its brand name is Suboxone, it contains a combination of two medications; naloxone and buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is a mild opiate that helps in abating pain, while naloxone is an opiate antagonist that blocks opioid agonists and helps with treating overdoses.

A combination of these two underlying ingredients helps people who have developed addictions to prescription drugs to develop a safer way to stop abuse.

Methadone is another popular drug that is usually used in treating narcotic addiction. It was once considered to be the industry standard in painkillers, but it has undergone much more evolution from World War II days. Now, it helps with treating narcotic addiction and reducing about a painless, much safer way.

What do Suboxone and Methadone Have in Common?

Both Suboxone and Methadone are opioids. They can also both be used by people in getting through the detoxification (detox) process. Essentially, a detox is the process that occurs when the body tries to cleanse itself of a drug. During this process, certain symptoms arise as a result of the body trying to acclimatize to an absence of the drugs in question. Most detox withdrawal symptoms aren’t life-threatening, but they’re still uncomfortable and can cause much pain to the patient.

This is where drugs like Suboxone and Methadone come into play. Using them in their appropriate dosage will help reduce your cravings for these drugs and ease the process of detoxification a great deal.

Even though both of these drugs were manufactured to treat certain forms of withdrawal symptoms and ease the transition from addiction to sobriety, there is a potential for misuse with the two of them. Misuse of the two drugs would create addiction symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms of the drugs are also quite similar, with the most common being nausea, dizziness, headaches, and sweating.

Addiction to many drugs comes with certain forms of treatment. For some drugs, the patient needs to stop usage all at once and other drugs need to be weaned from the system. Detoxing from most addictive drugs can be eased with certain medications.

When it comes to both Methadone and Suboxone, the rule of thumb when treating withdrawal is usually to seek professional help. This is because withdrawal is traditionally handled by tapering the victim off gradually. This should be done in the presence of a professional, who will be able to measure progress and prescribe resolutions.

How are They Different?

While the two of them are usually manufactured and are taken to treat withdrawal symptoms, it is worth noting that the types of withdrawal symptoms differ a little bit. Methadone helps with the treatment of narcotic withdrawal symptoms, while Suboxone specializes in opioid withdrawal symptoms.

You can get a Methadone prescription from various federal clinics, while Suboxone is usually prescribed through a local pharmacy, as long as you get a signed prescription form from a licensed health care practitioner.

Suboxone provides partial agonist action, while Methadone is a full opioid agonist. Essentially, this means that Suboxone will most likely have less of an impact on the cognitive abilities of the user, as well as fewer general opioid effects, than Methadone.

Generally, Suboxone is considered to be a much safer alternative to Methadone as far as opioid addiction treatment is concerned. However, the choice you make between the two is a personal one and it should also depend on the recommendation of trained and licensed medical practitioners.

The dosage forms for these drugs also differ a bit. While Suboxone is usually taken in doses of thin film and tablets, Methadone has a much wider range of application, with dosage forms, including liquid, tablets, and suspensions.

Both Suboxone and Methadone are opioids, which means that they are capable of providing symptoms of withdrawal. As a Schedule II drug, there is a much higher tendency of Methadone being misused than Suboxone which is a Schedule III drug. Also, the symptoms of withdrawal from methadone usually last from three to six weeks, while those of Suboxone last for several months.

If You’re Considering MAT, How Do You Find Out Which is Right For You?

If you’re considering Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) and you’re stuck between a choice of Suboxone or Methadone, your decision should depend on a consultation with a doctor.

Medical practitioners are a crucial ally in the treatment of addiction withdrawal symptoms, especially with the use of medications. They will help determine the right kind of medication for you, as well as the level of dosage that will be able to help in keeping your addiction under control. Your doctor will also be able to direct you to the right facilities that will provide you with the medications and the kind of counseling that you need to improve your condition.

Also, you should know that in most cases the mere administration of drugs won’t be sufficient in treating withdrawal symptoms. The journey is one you take with mental health experts and doctors if you hope to get off effectively.

 

Sources

[1] Buprenorphine vs methadone treatment: A review of evidence in both developed and developing worlds. (2012, January). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3271614/

[2] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). How effective are medications to treat opioid use disorder? Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/medications-to-treat-opioid-addiction/efficacy-medications-opioid-use-disorder

[3] Science Direct. (2012). Chapter 4 – Drug Antagonism: Orthosteric Drug Effects. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123848567000045

Guide to Finding a Suboxone Doctor

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Find a Suboxone Doctors – What to Look for

An addiction to opioids can take over your life very quickly. Many people start taking opioids for the right reasons and become addicted to them accidentally. They may have taken them more frequently than their doctor advised them to or taken more of them than they were prescribed. Being able to give up the drugs can sometimes be harder than people think.

Many addicts find that it’s more than just mind over matter that they need in order to overcome drug addiction. The physical and mental addiction to the drugs often have such a tight hold on people that quitting on their own isn’t possible. Fortunately, there is help available to them. Suboxone is a medication that people can be prescribed to help minimize the withdrawal symptoms that occur as they detox.

Suboxone mainly contains naloxone and buprenorphine and must be prescribed by a doctor to ensure that it is taken properly. Finding the right doctor is important, though. Learn the steps to take to find the right suboxone doctor if you need to overcome an addiction in the guide that follows.

Where to Start if You’re Looking for a Suboxone Doctor?

In order to gain access to suboxone, you need to work with a doctor who has been certified to prescribe. Just because someone is a licensed doctor, it doesn’t mean that they can prescribe suboxone. You need to consider if you want to go for inpatient or outpatient treatment before choosing a doctor to see. Some doctors specialize in outpatient treatment with others specialize in inpatient treatment. A few factors need to be considered to determine which option is right for you though.

Inpatient Treatment

  • Ideal for addicts who face a lot of temptation to do drugs in their daily life.
  • Ideal for addicts who have easy access to opioids.
  • Ideal for addicts who have tried to quit in the past unsuccessfully.
  • Ideal for addicts who don’t have access to suboxone treatment locally.

Outpatient Treatment

  • Ideal for addicts who feel they can resist the presence of opioids during their recovery.
  • Ideal for addicts who have already been through an inpatient treatment program.
  • Ideal for addicts who had a momentary relapse but are trying to get their life back on track.

How to Use Our Order Directory to Find a Doctor

When you are ready to get help for your addiction, you need to find the right doctor to provide you with the care that you need. You aren’t going to go to a doctor, get prescribed suboxone and be able to go on your merry way. There are other treatments that must be used in conjunction with suboxone in order for it to be as effective as possible.

You can use our order directory to find local doctors who can give you the treatment that you need. You need to consider where you want to go for treatment before choosing a doctor though. There are some people who choose to move to a different area in order to get treatment because they are fearful that they will release when they finish the treatment if they are surrounded by the people that they hung out with when they did drugs. You could go to stay with friends or family in a different area where you don’t know anyone if you want to try to get clean without all of the emotional triggers or temptations from your past surrounding you.

Once you know where you want to go for treatment, you need to know what form of treatment you want to get. You can use our directory to find out what type of treatment each doctor specializes in and set up an appointment to meet with one or many of them to discuss your specific situation. There are many times when people go for addiction treatment that they don’t realize the severity of their addiction and assume that they can go for outpatient treatment when in reality they need inpatient treatment in order to be as successful as possible.

Things to Consider When Finding a Doctor

When it’s time to choose a doctor, you need to be sure that you choose someone who you feel comfortable talking to. There will be times when you will need to discuss intimate things with the doctor and if you don’t feel comfortable with him or her, you won’t be able to be as open and honest as you need to be.

It’s important to realize that the doctor isn’t there to be your friend. They are there to provide you with the support you need to get clean. When you meet with him or her, you need to feel like you can trust them enough to talk to them about important things, but you shouldn’t expect them to talk to you like you are best friends. They aren’t required to sugar coat things with you or try to be delicate with you. Tough love is often the best approach when it comes to addiction treatment and having a doctor that is persistent, confident and trustworthy is going to be far more beneficial for you in the long run.

Conclusion

Only you can really choose to make a change in your life. Nearly half of the people who get clean from drugs end up relapsing because they don’t take the time to treat their mental addiction to drugs. You aren’t just addicted to the way that the drugs make you physically more than likely. You will need to go for continuing treatment long after you are no longer physically addicted to the drugs. You want to be sure that you create a support system that allows you to talk about the way that you are feeling and provides you with advice when tough issues arise in your life. Being able to take suboxone will make physical addiction easier to overcome, but the long-term effects of drug addiction require intense mental and emotional care.

 

Sources

[1] Buprenorphine. (2019, 7). Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/treatment/buprenorphine

[2] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). Treatment and Recovery. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/treatment-recovery

Suboxone: The Difference Between Addiction and Dependence

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The difference between addiction and dependence can be difficult to understand, however, it is still important to understand. Medication-Assisted Treatment has been proven to be one of the most effective methods in the fight against opioid addiction. However, heavy stigma is still alive and well today with the belief that people will fall into suboxone addiction

Understanding key differences helps to break down this stigma. In order to continue working against the opioid epidemic and helping addicts get clean, this understanding needs to be recognized across the board. Your brain plays a substantial role in this equation.

Addiction and dependence actually affect different parts of your brain. Addiction follows the reward pathway, while dependence follows the brain stem to the thalamus.

Addiction can occur without physical dependence and vice versa. Modern evidence-based treatments center around this understanding that addiction and dependence are in-fact different. In order to become more self-aware and receive the best treatment possible, it is imperative that an addict understands this concept too.

What is Addiction

Having an addiction is classified as having a disease. An addict is a frequent drug or alcohol user, going to great lengths to obtain such drugs. Addiction causes the person to have uncontrollable cravings, which can lead to compulsive drug use. The uncontrollable cravings are the result of the addict’s brain becoming altered. This makes it difficult to stop using the drug.

People with an addiction may know they are causing harm to themselves and others, but are unable to stop. They may experience social and mental or physical health problems. These could include loss of their job, increased family tension, severe anxiety, and kidney failure. Mental illnesses can arise after extended drug use or may be made worse.

The common symptoms of people experiencing addiction are:

Social problems. An addict will experience an increase in social related problems. Since they are willing to do anything for drugs and alcohol, this may put themselves, friends, or family in danger. Family members and friends may not know how to handle the addict or may become enablers, causing tension. Addicts may give up hobbies they used to enjoy to use drugs or alcohol instead. They may lose their job or drop out of school, due to missing days or arriving under the influence.

Uncontrollable use. The addict is unable to slow down or stop drug and alcohol use. They may have attempted and failed. An addict can feel out of control and feel as though the addiction is running them.

Risk-taking behavior. An addict will sometimes do anything for their next fix. They may find themselves in risky situations that could lead them to harm. Their bodies and mental state may start to deteriorate, but the addict will not stop.

Treatment

Addicts should consult a medical professional about their condition, as each case is unique. Addicts usually become enrolled in a treatment center or rehabilitation. This provides them with one on one support, peer counseling, and different treatment options to get sober.

What is Dependence?

When a person’s body is reliant on a drug in order to not experience physical symptoms of withdrawal, it is referred to as dependence. In normal circumstances, the body can produce enough endorphins to minimize withdrawal effects. However, this changes if the body’s tolerance is heightened. The body will soon become reliant on the substance. The body merely adapts to the drug and requires more of it to produce the same effects. This is also called building tolerance.

Physical dependence can be associated with many drugs, not just opioids. However, physical dependence usually accompanies opioid addiction. A body can be physically dependent on caffeine, nicotine, and prescription drugs.

Physical Symptoms

The key factor to physical dependence is the physical symptoms a person will experience when they stop taking a substance. Withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe, with some even being life-threatening. A person who drinks three cups of coffee every morning may suddenly decide not to have any coffee one morning. That person will most likely experience withdrawal from the caffeine, usually resulting in a headache. While it depends on the type of drug, a person may experience withdrawal symptoms like difficulty sleeping, sickness, and fatigue.

Treatment for Suboxone Dependence 

The goal of addiction treatment is to change how the brain is wired when associated with addiction, but this does not always solve physical dependence. To receive optimal results, doctors treating dependence will suggest tapering off approach. Medications will be given to the person in order to maintain the dependence, but minimize the symptoms. This helps to slowly rewire the brain and helps to eliminate the tolerance associated with the substance.

Conclusion

It is important to recognize the difference between addiction and dependence, not just for the addict’s benefit but also for the healthcare providers’ and the general public. Becoming familiar with the distinguishing factors of both addiction and dependence will help to eliminate the stigma surrounding treatment. An addict suffering from addiction will experience more behavioral changes that can lead them down a path of harm. A person going through dependence may be experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms. Addiction does not have to exist with dependence and vice-versa.

Suboxone for Teens: Is it a Good Choice?

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Opioid addiction is a debilitating phenomenon that’s affecting a wide range of individuals from different nationalities, ethnicities, and age groups. One age group that’s been affected significantly is teenagers.

Research found that between 1997 and 2012 the rate of hospitalization due to opioid poisoning nearly doubles in children and adolescents in the United States.

If you know a teenager that’s dealing with opioid addiction, now is the time to be proactive and help them overcome it through Suboxone.

Suboxone is one of the most effective medications utilized to treat opioid addiction. Suboxone consists of two main ingredients: buprenorphine and naloxone.

Together, they can prevent the painful withdrawal symptoms of opioids. This gives an individual a better chance of overcoming their opioid addiction since they don’t have to deal with those debilitating withdrawal symptoms.

The Phases of Opioid Withdrawal

The first phase of opioid withdrawal, entitled acute withdrawal, often includes abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, agitation, and insomnia. These symptoms can last anywhere from one week to one month depending on the seriousness of the opioid addiction.

The second phase of opioid withdrawal, entitled post-acute withdrawal, can last up to two years. These symptoms include disrupted sleep, mood swings, struggles to concentrate, and low enthusiasm.

These symptoms can be a lot for adults to deal with, so you can only imagine how these symptoms would affect a child.

Suboxone has helped thousands of adults across the nation combat their addiction to opioids. But, what you may not be aware of, is that Suboxone has been approved for use for teens over the age of 16. If a teen is addicted to opioids, then Suboxone should be considered to help them overcome their addiction. Suboxone can be used in a variety of different ways in order for a teen to work through their addiction.

It doesn’t have to be a long-term medication that a teen would have to work into their daily routine for the rest of their lives. It can also be used during a short time period to help a teen detox from opioids. This stops the teen from experiencing the harmful effects of opioid withdrawal. Suboxone is prescribed to cater to the specific needs of the patient, especially when dealing with a teen.

Suboxone is Becoming More Available for Teens

Currently, suboxone is becoming more accessible and being recommended more frequently for teenagers. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that medication-assisted treatment is appropriate for adolescents with opioid use disorders. Additionally, they stated that pediatricians should consider offering medication-assisted treatment to their adolescent patients.

Suboxone can be a great option for teens who are dealing with opioid addiction. When a teen uses Suboxone, it doesn’t completely stop their life. They won’t have to take time off from school or work. A teen can use Suboxone and live their life as they normally would, as long as they cater to the doctor’s wishes. Additionally, using Suboxone is less expensive than putting your loved one in a rehab facility.

Parents can be very involved in their teen’s recovery and help them make that next step, through using Suboxone. If you think that your teen is abusing opioids, you may feel as though you’ve lost control. Introducing a medication-assisted treatment to your child can help you gain some of that control back and put your child on the right path to success.

Medication Assisted Treatment Can Be Useful Harm Reduction for Teens

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that drug overdose death rates for adolescents aged 15-19 more than doubled from 1999 to 2015. The CDC also found that the majority of drug overdose deaths for male and female adolescents were done accidentally. Research has found that intervening with medication-assisted treatment, like Suboxone, reduced harm for teens. This gives the teen a chance at living and thriving through an opioid-free lifestyle.

When a teen takes Suboxone, they’re given a better chance at recovery. If they choose to stop using opioids “cold-turkey”, they would have to deal with a painful detoxing period. This often takes them away from work or school and cause them to get behind in some areas. When using suboxone, the teen is able to look at their life aside from their addiction and understand truly why they’ve been abusing opioids.

Therapy Should Always be a Part of The Recovery Equation

Therapy can be a great option for teens who are recovering from opioid addiction and using Suboxone. There are many different types of therapy to take part in including group, individual, and family.

Group therapy is beneficial because it allows the teen to learn through other people’s experiences and gain valuable information about opioid addiction. Individual therapy gives the teen much needed one on one time and may be more comfortable for the teen, depending on their personality. As for family therapy, It’s very important for parents to get involved and for the whole family to get a better understanding of their teen’s addiction. Addiction doesn’t just affect one person, it affects the whole family as well.

Each type of therapy offers its own benefits, but all will give the teen key information and valuable coping skills to help them stop using Suboxone for the long term.

Misconceptions Surrounding Suboxone

A common misconception surrounding using Suboxone is that it’s just “trading one addiction for another.” It’s important to realize that’s just not the case. Addiction isn’t just a bad decision gone wrong, it’s a disease. In order to cure a disease, you often need to fight back with some sort of medication. Suboxone is a medication that has helped thousands of people beat their addictions. Recovery looks different for every person, but it may be the chance that your teen needs in order to get a second chance at life.

Conclusion

Suboxone is a valuable option for any teens who are dealing with opioid addiction. It alleviates the symptoms of opioid withdrawal so teens can focus on their recovery and have a better chance of beating their opioid addiction for good. Research has proven Suboxone as a viable choice for individuals who have opioid addiction, including late teens. If you’re a parent with a teen who you may suspect has an opioid problem, you should consider Suboxone. Allowing your child to use Suboxone could save their life in the long run.

Suboxone and Pregnancy: A Guide for Expecting Mothers

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Many people make the mistake of assuming that a pregnant woman can stop using drugs the second she finds out that she is pregnant because a maternal instinct takes over and her body automatically no longer craves the drugs she is addicted to. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. It’s important to learn about suboxone and pregnancy.

There are many women who try to stop using drugs but aren’t successful with their efforts because their addiction is too strong. When this happens, babies can be born addicted to the drugs and the mother will need to go through treatment in order to be able to overcome her addiction. Suboxone is often used to help make battling an addiction easier.

Below is some useful information to know if you are battling an addiction and want to use suboxone while you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Suboxone and Pregnancy: About the Medication

Suboxone is a controlled substance that must be prescribed by a medical professional. It contains Buprenorphine and Naloxone. The Buprenorphine helps to reduce an addict’s urge to use, while the Naloxone reverses the effects the opioids cause.

When the two are taken together, they help to minimize or even prevent the withdrawal symptoms that are common when detoxing from opiates. Buprenorphine is classified as a Category C medication by the FDA because of the chances of their being adverse effects from taking it.

It’s ideal for anyone who has wanted to quit using opioids but hasn’t been able to overcome the addiction on their own.

Studies About Suboxone and Pregnancy

Many people avoid taking suboxone while they are because they fear that it will have an adverse effect on their baby’s development or cause mental defects. If you do drugs while you are pregnant, the chances of your baby having something developmentally wrong with them are very high.

Studies have shown that babies who were exposed to suboxone while they were in the who had no significant differences when tested from babies who were not exposed to it. There are cases where babies who were exposed to suboxone neonatally did go through neonatal withdrawal though.

Neonatal withdrawal typically becomes obvious within up to eight days of birth. Some infants suffer from neonatal agitation, tremors, seizures, respiratory depression, bradycardia, apnea and more. Doctors closely monitor any babies who are going through neonatal withdrawal to make sure that they are given the care that they need.

Many babies who are suffering from withdrawal symptoms do stay in the hospital longer than infants who are not going through withdrawal because they need to be monitored so closely.

Suboxone and Breastfeeding

Studies have shown that breastfeeding is of the best ways to provide your baby with the nutrients that they need early in life. It’s important to ensure that your diet is safe for your baby. Mothers who are taking suboxone to overcome addiction are often fearful to breastfeed while they take the medication because they are worried that it will cause adverse side effects for their breastfeeding children. It’s important to know that suboxone is ingested through breast milk.

Less than 1 percent of the dose that the mother takes is passed through her breastmilk though. It’s important to monitor your baby closely when you are breastfeeding and taking suboxone though. You want to be sure that he or she is eating well, gaining weight, not lethargic and not sleeping constantly.

If you notice any of these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor right away.  Suboxone doesn’t inhibit to lactate either. You can still produce the same amount of milk when you take suboxone as you would if you didn’t take it. Freezing the breastmilk is also safe when you are taking suboxone. The suboxone will not become more potent from being frozen.

Please Discuss Suboxone and Pregnancy with Your Doctor

Suboxone has been shown to be very beneficial for many pregnant or breastfeeding mothers because it helps them regain control of their life and be the best mother that they can. It’s important to talk to your doctor about your particular situation so that he or she can help you develop a plan for overcoming your addiction.

You want to be sure that you talk about any worries that you have and discuss what side effects are possible so that you can make an informed decision about if suboxone treatment is right for you.

Once you start using suboxone to treat your opioids addiction, it’s important to take the medication as prescribed. If you are fearful that you may take it improperly, you may want to try to enroll you in an inpatient treatment program so that you can get the help you need to stay on track and reach your overall goal of sobriety.

You cannot stop breastfeeding abruptly while you are taking suboxone. Even though Suboxone is ingested in such small amounts by your infant, stopping abruptly could cause the baby to go into withdrawal and experience symptoms that you don’t want them to experience.

If you feel that you are ready to stop using suboxone or that it is time to stop breastfeeding your little one, talk to your doctor about the situation.

He or she can help you learn how to wean your little one from breastmilk in a safe way or walk you through the process of how to minimize the doses of suboxone that you are taking over time so that you and the baby can slowly stop taking it.

If Suboxone Can Help You, There is No Need to Be Ashamed

Living with a drug addiction can be very difficult. Trying to take care of a baby and overcome drug addiction can be even harder. Getting professional help for an opioid addiction while pregnant or after having a baby can help you to provide yourself and your baby with the life that you both truly deserve.

It’s best to find out what options are available to you as quickly as you can. The longer you take drugs while you are pregnant or breastfeeding, the more damage you could be causing to your little one. The long-term side effects of infant exposure to opioids can be severe and life changing so getting help right away could save your baby from a lifetime of complications.

 

Sources

[1] Observational study of the safety of buprenorphine+naloxone in pregnancy in a rural and remote population. (2016, October 1). Retrieved from https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/6/10/e011774

[2] FDA.gov. (2010, August). Suboxone Label: Highlights of Prescribing Information. Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2010/022410s000lbl.pdf

[3] What’s the Best Breastfeeding Diet? A Guide for New Moms. (2019, February 18). Retrieved from https://www.pregnancyhealth.net/whats-best-breastfeeding-diet-guide-new-moms/

heroin withdrawal symptoms

Heroin Holdout: What Are the Main Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms?

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More than 130 people die every day in the United States from opioid overdose. That’s one of the thousands of reasons we’re overjoyed that you or your loved one has made the courageous, life-saving decision to give up an addiction to heroin.

We want to support you fully in this decision, so we’ve written this guide to help you through the first stage of treatment: detox.

When detox treatment begins, the most immediate problem to deal with is withdrawal symptoms. Heroin withdrawal symptoms are often compared to an intense flu, plus powerful cravings to start using again.

To learn all you need to know about heroin withdrawal symptoms and how long they last, read through this list.

What Causes Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms?

Withdrawal symptoms are a result of your body’s natural adaptability.

When certain substances that have a powerful effect on the mind and body, such as heroin, are used regularly, the body builds up a tolerance for them. That means your body gets used to receiving the substance and reconditions itself accordingly.

In other words, your body gets itself ready to keep receiving the substance. It now recognizes the use of the substance as “normal.” To keep things “normal” it will signal you when it “needs” more of it to maintain balance.

So now, according to your newly-conditioned body, ceasing use of the substance is regarded as “abnormal.” When you stop using the substance completely, your body is then missing something that’s “supposed” to be there.

It can’t function the way it “normally” does and many bodily processes are interrupted. Then it’s forced to adapt once again to learn how to function in a substance-free environment.

Withdrawal symptoms are the result of your body trying to figure out how to function under extremely different circumstances than it’s used to.

How Long Does Heroin Withdrawal Last?

The good news about heroin withdrawal symptoms is that they don’t last very long, only about a week.

Heroin is a short-acting opioid. This means it takes effect quickly and also wears off quickly. And so do the withdrawal symptoms.

Patients usually begin seeing symptoms within 6-12 hours of the last dose taken. These symptoms will peak in about 2 or 3 days and then begin to fade.

The total duration of withdrawal symptoms will normally last only 5-7 days. Withdrawal symptoms from more extreme heroin addictions may last up to 10 days.

Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms

Here’s a general overview of heroin withdrawal symptoms followed by a timeline of when they occur.

Mild withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Abdominal cramps
  • Nausea
  • Chills
  • Sweating
  • Goosebumps
  • Runny nose
  • Tearing
  • Muscle and bone aches
  • Excessive yawning

More moderate symptoms include:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Fatigue
  • Tremors
  • Restlessness
  • Agitation
  • Trouble concentrating

The most intense symptoms are

  • Strong drug cravings
  • Insomnia
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Difficulty feeling joy or pleasure
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Hypertension
  • Impaired respiration
  • Muscle spasms

In general, the effects of heroin withdrawal tend to be the opposite of how the drug affected the individual. If the use of the drug caused elevated mood, reduced heart rate, and calm, then withdrawal will likely cause low mood, rapid heart rate, and anxiety.

In very extreme cases, unsupervised withdrawal can cause coma and/or death. It’s always safest to have the detox process monitored by medical professionals.

Heroin Withdrawal Timeline

The specific timeline of withdrawal symptoms varies from person to person. To give you a rough idea, here’s what an average heroin withdrawal timeline looks like.

Days 1-3

Most heroin withdrawal symptoms begin within 24 hours of the last dose taken. It’s very important to the recovery process to remember that these symptoms will pass soon. Within one week, the heroin and the dependence on it will have completely left the addicted’s body and brain.

Most patients begin experiencing excessive sweating, tearing, yawning, and a runny nose in the first 3 days of detox. Other early symptoms are insomnia, muscle aches, loss of appetite, and stomach problems.

Mood-related symptoms begin in this phase as well. Irritation, aggression, anxiety, and panic attacks are all common during the first 3 days.

Symptoms should peak on or by the third day.

Days 3-5

By this point, symptoms should be waning. Some residual stomach problems often occur including diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea, and vomiting. Less intense muscle aches may also remain.

Chills, shivers, and goosebumps are also common during this phase, as is fatigue and pupil dilation.

Heroin Withdrawal and Detox Medications

So what effect do detox medications have on these symptoms? It depends. Let’s look now at the various medications rehab professionals may prescribe to aid the detox process.

Methadone

Methadone is a long-acting opioid that affects the same brain receptors as heroin. Methadone acts as a substitute drug and fills your body’s “need” for heroin. When successful, taking it greatly alleviates symptoms and reduces cravings.

But like heroin, methadone is habit-forming. The treatment itself may become a new addiction. The main risks associated with methadone treatment are methadone addiction and overdose.

Suboxone

Suboxone treatment has a very high rate of success among heroin detox patients. It’s now the preferred detox medication for heroin. It’s so effective that, in many cases, it stops symptoms and cravings completely.

Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. The first drug, buprenorphine, reduces heroin cravings by blocking the appropriate opioid receptors. The other, naloxone, helps to remove the effects of heroin from your body.

However, it is not without its side effects. Like methadone, suboxone is also habit-forming. Although, an overdose of suboxone is somewhat less dangerous than methadone overdose.

Naltrexone

An alternative treatment method is a naltrexone. Rather than aid the initial withdrawal period, it is administered after detox to help keep patients from relapsing.

If a detoxed patient uses heroin again while taking naltrexone, naltrexone blocks the effects of heroin to prevent the habit from reforming. This reduces cravings and prevents the body from reforging a dependence on heroin.

Best of all, naltrexone is non-habit-forming.

Get Help For Heroin Withdrawal and Detox

Quitting heroin is a decision only you can make. But that doesn’t mean you have to go through withdrawal alone, and you shouldn’t. It’s important that those who are detoxing from such a powerful addiction receive professional supervision and treatment.

Attempting to handle heroin withdrawal symptoms on your own will make recovery even more difficult for no reason. Why not make it easier instead? When you’re ready to detox, get the professional help you need from a detox center near you.

Not sure if your loved one has a problem? Read about 10 Opioid Addiction Signs Families Should Know.

heroin addiction treatment

Hope for Heroin Addicts: The 5 Top Heroin Addiction Treatment Programs

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At the moment, opioids and fentanyl are stealing the spotlight for drug-related deaths. Yet, these narcotics don’t negate the terrors that come with heroin addiction. In fact, nearly a million people still abuse heroin — and this number is on the rise.

Even though addiction is progressive, it’s possible to stop the downward spiral before it’s too late. The medical profession has a more comprehensive understanding of this condition than ever before.

If you or your loved one are looking for heroin addiction treatment centers, we can help. We’ve gathered a list of the top five heroin treatment programs in the United States. Whether you’re looking for a classic 12-step program or one offering yoga therapy, we’ve got you covered.

1. Hazelden Betty Ford

The Hazelden Betty Ford Center is probably one of the most recognizable treatment facilities in the country. Best of all, they’re scattered all across the country. You’ll find locations in Minnesota, California, Oregon, Illinois, Florida, Washington, and New York.

They rely heavily on the proven 12-step program while also offering specialized programs for patients battling mental disorders. Most patients stay for a minimum of 90 days to achieve success.

The Hazelden Betty Ford Center boasts an 80 percent rate of recovery. Patients benefit from small group sizes and a low patient-to-counselor ratio.

Betty Ford also offers aftercare services and sober living options. They’re focused on individualized care and go so far as to offer specialized programs for nurses, physicians, families, and children.

2. Phoenix House

Phoenix House is a wonderful option. It was founded in New York City in 1967 by six heroin addicts who were trying to stay clean. Now, it features 11 treatment centers across the country in California, D.C., Florida, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia. They offer both inpatient and outpatient treatment options.

Phoenix House takes a holistic approach to recovery. Each patient receives care from a multidisciplinary team, including psychiatrists, social workers, substance abuse counselors, and other professionals.

Known for being one of the more affordable treatment centers in the country, they understand that addiction is a lifelong, ongoing chronic illness that requires continual support.

3. Ocean Breeze Recovery

This is a lovely option for a luxury rehab facility. Located in South Florida, Ocean Breeze Recovery provides individualized treatment plans for all their clients. They aim to heal every individual, including body, mind, and spirit.

Here, you can explore inpatient or outpatient treatment as well as other enticing offerings, such as yoga therapy. Like Betty Ford, they offer specialized programs for patients who are also battling mental disorders.

The good news is that for such luxury treatment, you’ll find Ocean Breeze accepts most forms of insurance. The staff here understands that addiction is a life-threatening condition affecting the brain. As such, they work hard with health insurance companies to secure the maximum amount of coverage possible.

4. Benchmark Recovery Center

Formerly the Mark Houston Recovery Center, Benchmark Recovery Center offers a 90-day program that relies heavily on the 12-step program. Located in Austin, TX, their 90-day program also focuses on the development of life skills and fitness regimes.

Benchmark boasts a 74 percent recovery rate and is split into two separate facilities: one for men and one for women. Patients benefit from the individualized treatment they receive as it only provides for 58 patients at a time.

Even after patients leave the facility, they receive 12 months of aftercare monitoring. Keeping those in recovery engaged in this way increases the likelihood they’ll maintain their sobriety.

5. Sober Living by The Sea

As for the west coast, Sober Living by the Sea is one of the best facilities in the state of California. They’ve been around for over 25 years and combine a traditional and holistic approach to this disease. You or your loved one can explore their detox program, residential treatment program, partial hospitalization program, or outpatient program.

The staff at Sober Living by the Sea words hard to uncover underlying mental disorders that may trigger patients’ struggles with substance abuse. As treatment continues, patients enjoy therapy that’s paired with an array of activities, including hiking and swimming.

To start, you can call them for free insurance verification. They work with AETNA, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Optum, United Healthcare, and other insurance providers.

Heroin Addiction Treatment Starts Today

Heroin addiction treatment can begin today for you or your loved one. Addiction is a serious condition with devastating effects. That means a patient should be cared for in the same manner as someone battling cancer or any other healthcare crisis.

With the support of medical professionals, a rehab facility, and loved ones, this problem can be conquered.

Here at Suboxone Near Me, we believe in the healing powers of Suboxone. It’s a safe drug that was approved by the FDA in 2002. When taken as prescribed, Suboxone is safe and effective. It allows you to recover from heroin addiction without going into withdrawal; you must, however, work closely with a physician.

When you or your loved one has their initial intake with any one of these rehab centers, ask if their medical staff administers suboxone or any alternative medications that ease the withdrawal symptoms.

Recovery starts today. Why not walk through these steps in the company of not only trained professionals but also others who are fighting the same battle?

Where there is hope, there is progress. We hope you’ll begin today.

heroin withdrawal

The 3 Things You Must Do When Dealing with Heroin Withdrawal

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Heroin withdrawal symptoms are an agonizing ordeal–if you try to handle them by yourself, that is. If you’re willing to accept the help of others, your withdrawal period will be far more bearable and how long does it take to sober up.

If you’re wondering where to start, we can help. We’ve listed the 3 major tips for managing heroin withdrawal in detail below. Specifically, it’s a list of all the help you’ll need when recovering from a heroin addiction.

You may disagree with these steps or have your own ideas of how you’d like your treatment to go. But isn’t going it alone what got you into this in the first place?

If you truly want a successful recovery, it begins with giving up control and relying on others. Start by seeking the help you need according to this list.

1. Get Professional Help

The first thing you must do to get clean is to get an assessment by drug rehab professionals. Licensed medical professionals who specialize in drug rehab are the only ones who can prescribe a proper withdrawal management strategy.

They’ll describe your various treatment options, their predicted rates of success, and which strategies are best for your situation.

Outpatient Care

Even if you’re set on detoxing at home rather than an inpatient setting, you must still go in for an intake assessment. There you can negotiate a personalized treatment plan with the doctor.

Further, you must keep medical professionals in the loop regardless of if you decide to detox at home. You’ll still need their ongoing help as you voyage the uncharted waters of life without heroin.

Rehab professionals will track the treatment’s success, monitor your mental and physical health, and assess your fluctuating needs during this life readjustment.

Inpatient Care

It’s always best to detox in an inpatient setting.

Inpatient care provides the cleanest, safest environment for detox. You’ll have no heroin available during inpatient care so there’s no chance of relapse while detoxing. You’ll have a much higher chance of a successful detox in a professionally controlled inpatient setting.

If you do need anything at all during your debilitating withdrawal period, it will be provided for you. You’ll be offered medication that can relieve your physical symptoms and cravings. And you’ll be provided expert counseling or therapy for mental or mood-related symptoms.

Most of all, this makes inpatient care your safest option. If the mental or physical symptoms of heroin withdrawal put you in any kind of physical danger, the surrounding doctors and healthcare professionals will immediately come to your aid.

Ongoing Treatment

By checking into a rehab center, you acquire a team of dedicated health professionals who will monitor the progress of your treatment and offer personalized assistance through the entire process.

Most importantly, full recovery from heroin addiction takes more than detox treatment. That’s only the first week. Learning how to cope without heroin and how to prevent relapse may require additional treatment for months or years to come.

After detox, you’ll likely need training on coping strategies through cognitive behavioral therapy or other psychotherapeutic treatment. You may also benefit from long-term medication-assisted treatment with drugs like methadone or naltrexone. And most recovering addicts enjoy the understanding and encouragement that comes from engaging with a support group.

Checking into a rehab clinic links you to all the services you’ll need for ongoing recovery treatment.

2. Get Support

As we’ve just pointed out, heroin detox should never be managed alone. And, in addition to medical professionals, it’s also important to get support from more personal relationships.

When you know someone cares about you personally, you truly believe they want what’s best for you. Because of this, you’ll care about their feelings as well.

The support of such a person during your recovery adds meaning and significance to this struggle. Their love and compassion will carry more weight than the impersonal words of your physician.

Friends and Family

Ideally, the deep personal connections you’ve already made (i.e., friends and family) are the best choice for personal recovery support. Unfortunately, a history of drug abuse often makes this problematic.

It’s very often that one’s drug abuse habits have a hurtful impact on one’s family. An addict may steal from their family to pay for a fix.

They may lie to their family and say they’ve cleaned up and need a place to stay. Then they continue the abuse and bring their dangerous habit with them into the home.

Such family relationships may be too damaged for the time being to offer appropriate detox support.

Any of your friends who are still abusing heroin or other drugs are also not a suitable choice for personal support. Even if they’ve already cleaned up or are receiving detox at the same time you are, your memories of past drug use with this person can trigger cravings and make staying clean more difficult.

Like it or not, this person is now automatically associated with your past drug abuse habits in your mind. Seeing them during detox or other early stages of your recovery may make things more challenging.

But if you do have any sober friends and family you’ve never used with before, and they’re willing, invite them to support you.

Support Group

If you know no one who fits the above description, there’s still hope.

Narcotics Anonymous and other support groups like it exist to help recovering addicts make new relationships that can support them. And since the members of these groups share your struggle, they may be more understanding than any of your friends or family anyway.

You will all help each other and share genuine care and compassion for one another. Together, you will belong to something significant, something even bigger than your own recovery. And that’s a big deal.

3. Assess Co-Occurring Disorders

Here’s another reason why professional help is essential to the success of your recovery. And it’s one that’s far too often overlooked.

When receiving your intake assessment, the doctors may discover an underlying mental health disorder co-occurring with your heroin addiction. This phenomenon is usually referred to as a dual diagnosis. And knowledge of any such co-occurring disorders is crucial in providing you effective treatment.

For one thing, the underlying mental health disorder could be the main reason you were self-medicating with heroin. The separate conditions of a dual diagnosis both feed off of and strengthen each other in this way.

If the addiction is treated while the other disorder remains untreated, any progress you make in addiction recovery is unlikely to last. The other condition will continue to cause cravings to self-medicate and usually result in relapse.

Secondly, certain heroin withdrawal treatments could negatively affect the other condition.

If you have or suspect you have any co-occurring disorder, make sure you get co-occurring treatment for it as well. Talk to your rehab doctor about dual diagnosis treatment.

Get Help For Heroin Withdrawal

Maybe you can detox without help. But why would you? Why wouldn’t you accept the help that’s offered you?

There are so many of us who want to help you. You have no reason to try and do this alone.

If you truly want to be clean, you’ll take any steps necessary to increase your chances of success. If you’re ready to quit, seek the above help for heroin withdrawal.

For related help, read your guide to understanding addiction treatment options.

suboxone treatment

Help with Heroin: The 7 Big Benefits of Suboxone Treatment for Addicts

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Throughout the world, approximately 9.2 million people abuse heroin on a regular basis.

Do you have a loved one who is having a difficult time giving up heroin? Are you yourself addicted?

Heroin is a highly addictive drug and can be incredibly difficult to give up. One of the most effective solutions for overcoming heroin addiction, though, is Suboxone.

Read on to learn more about Suboxone and the benefits of Suboxone treatment for folks struggling with heroin addiction.

What is Suboxone?

Suboxone is a prescription drug that physicians prescribe to treat those suffering from heroin addiction. It may also be prescribed to those who are suffering from addiction to other opioid drugs, such as prescription painkillers.

Suboxone is a combination of two drugs: naloxone and buprenorphine.

Buprenorphine provides patients with a very small dose of opioids (much less than what they would consume when using heroin or other drugs). This small dose allows them to wean themselves off the drug without experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms.

Naloxone shuts down the opioid receptors so that the patient does not experience any kind of euphoria when they consume Suboxone. This helps to minimize the likelihood that someone will abuse Suboxone.

Benefits of Suboxone Treatment

Are you interested in trying Suboxone or recommending it to a loved one? If you’re still on the fence, learning more about its benefits might change your mind.

The following are some of the most well-known benefits of Suboxone treatment:

1. Minimize Withdrawal Symptoms

One of the greatest benefits of Suboxone is its effectiveness at reducing withdrawal symptoms.

Opioid withdrawal symptoms are serious business. Some of the most common ones include:

  • Agitation and anxiety
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Watery eyes
  • Runny nose
  • Insomnia
  • Profuse sweating
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Dilated pupils
  • Chills and goosebumps

For many people, these symptoms can be debilitating and even life-threatening. Suboxone helps to modulate them some addicts can work through their recovery and focus on getting better.

2. Allows for a More Normal Life

Suboxone must be prescribed by a physician.

It’s not exclusively available to those who stay in a rehab facility, though. This means that individuals who cannot afford inpatient treatment or do not have the time for it can still get the help they need.

As long as they have a physician who’s willing to write them a prescription, they can work on overcoming their addiction while continuing to go to work, attend school, or care for their families.

3. Convenient and Private Treatment

Taking Suboxone is highly convenient. You can take it from the comfort and privacy of your own home. With the exception of your physician, no one even needs to know that you’re taking it if you don’t want them to.

4. Lower Risk of Abuse

Thanks to its unique formulation, there is less of a risk that someone will abuse Suboxone.

Remember, it contains Naloxone, which shuts off the opioid receptors and minimizes the euphoric feelings one experiences when they consume opioids.

There is still some potential for abuse, of course. It’s way less than it is with other drugs designed for opioid addicts, such as methadone.

As long as you’re taking it at the dosage that your physician prescribed, your chances of developing an addiction to the Suboxone are quite low.

5. High Success Rate

Folks who take Suboxone to help them overcome an opioid addiction have a very high success rate compared to those who use other medications or no medication at all.

The results of one study of 600 people showed that 49 percent of participants were able to reduce their opioid abuse after at least 12 weeks of Suboxone treatment. When Suboxone use stopped, only 8.6 percent of the participants were successful.

6. Affordability

A lot of people who struggle with addiction avoid seeking treatment because they think it’s too expensive. In some cases, it definitely can be. That’s not true of Suboxone treatment, though.

Suboxone is much more affordable than other medications meant to help those with opioid addictions. Many insurance policies will even cover a portion, if not all, of the cost of Suboxone, so it’s accessible to lots of people regardless of their financial situation.

7. Fewer Side Effects

Suboxone also comes with fewer side effects than some other medications.

When they first start taking the drug, some people report experiencing feelings of drowsiness or as though they’re moving very slowly. These symptoms tend to subside as the treatment continues, though.

Suboxone also does not cause feelings of aggression or changes in personality the way some drugs can. In fact, it appears to help minimize these feelings and help those who take it to feel more calm and rational.

What Suboxone Treatment is Like

As you can see, there are plenty of benefits that come with using Suboxone treatment. You might be wondering what it’s like, though.

Everyone’s experience with Suboxone is slightly different. Generally speaking, though, it tends to go something like this:

  • The first day of treatment is the longest, as your physician needs to figure out the appropriate dosage for you
  • Most people need to see their physician twice a week at first, then they can transition to once a week after taking the medication regularly
  • Suboxone treatment is most effective when you combine it with other types of treatment such as individual therapy or support group attendance

It’s important to note, too, that you need to be in the early stages of withdrawal before you can begin using Suboxone. When you’re in mild withdrawal, more opioid receptors sites are empty and the buprenorphine can occupy them more easily.

Find Suboxone Treatment Near You Today

Suboxone is a safe and highly effective tool for those who are suffering from heroin addiction.

Now that you know more about Suboxone treatment and its benefits, are you ready to get help? Or, do you have a loved one who needs help overcoming their addiction?

Either way, the first step toward experiencing the benefits of Suboxone treatment is to find a clinic near you that will write a Suboxone prescription.

Check out this article today to learn how you can find clinics like this in your area.

na meetings

Do NA Meetings Really Help to Keep You Clean After Heroin Addiction?

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The most recent Narcotics Anonymous membership survey found that of those working the program, 58% of members had been sober for more than five years. And research shows that if a patient remains clean for three years or more, they are more likely to stay off of narcotics for good.

Although research tends to be conflicted on whether or not NA meetings works, one thing is clear: if you work the program then it should work for you.

So do NA meetings really help after heroin addiction? Or are you better off skipping them?

Read on to find out.

Defining Addiction

Addiction is a brain disease. It manifests itself as compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences. An addict has such an intense focus on using that substance that it tends to take over their life.

Addicts may be aware of their substance abuse problem but they’ll find themselves unable to stop using – even if they want to. Addiction tends to cause a variety of problems – from health problems to work problems to family problems and everything in between.

Addiction can have impacts not just on your behavior but also on your cognitive function and your emotions. It leads to a lot of changes in how your body works, acts, and thinks.

What Are NA Meetings?

Narcotics Anonymous is a global network of recovering addicts with 67,000 weekly meetings in 139 countries. NA meetings don’t focus on one particular drug – instead, the focus is on getting clean and staying clean while dealing with the trials and triumphs of addiction and recovery.

Much like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous is a 12-step program. The whole goal of NA is to create a community of addicts who can help each other and draw strength and wisdom from one another.

Meetings have addicts at all stages of recovery, from just a few days to years upon years of being clean.

NA uses a primary text called the “Basic Text” which is a guide for recovery from drug addiction. However, no part of NA is compulsory.

There are two types of meetings: “open” and “closed”. Open meetings are open to anyone, including visitors who are not addicted. Closed meetings are for members and prospective members only. All meetings are free, although there is a voluntary collection that helps to keep the meetings running and self-sustaining.

Anonymity and confidentiality are the cornerstones of NA meetings. Members agree that what is said in a meeting and whomever they meet in a meeting both remain confidential. This allows members to feel safe and clear to share honestly and openly.

The Arguments Against NA Meetings

The main argument against NA meetings is that the abstinence-only model makes it hard for addicts who are using drugs like methadone or suboxone to help get them lean. It can lead to recovering addicts feeling attacked or less-than.

However, the NA program can still work even if these drugs are being used because, once again, there is no part of NA that is mandatory or compulsory.

Why NA Meetings Really Work

Narcotics Anonymous is a 12-step program that outlines the step-by-step journey that leads from active addiction to recovery and sobriety.

One of the main steps of the NA program is admitting that you are responsible for your actions – for the things you did when you were high or using – and taking steps to amend the hurts caused by those actions. This is especially important because it helps to repair your relationships and one of the most important parts of recovering from an addiction is making sure you have a support system in place.

NA also builds on a reliance on a higher power. This doesn’t necessarily mean a god – just that there’s something out there that’s bigger than all of us. This is helpful because one of the hallmarks of addiction is a sense of hopelessness.

The idea that there is a higher power out there makes it feel like you’re not alone.

Additionally, the community that is built by NA helps with those feelings of isolation and hopelessness. It shows you that you’re not the only one struggling with this and that there are others out there who are willing to help you and support you on your journey.

Finally, NA meetings place a huge focus on helping others and giving back to your NA community. This can be done by supporting others during meetings and sharing time – or even by becoming a sponsor to other addicts once you’ve been clean for a while.

This can help to reinforce the notion of sobriety for you in particular. Because if you’re helping another person work the 12 steps then it helps you remember the philosophies so they’re never far from your mind.

Myths About NA Meetings

1. Marijuana Doesn’t Count as a Drug

This depends on who you talk to within the AA meeting. Some will call it a drug that opens you up to the risk of relapse. A drug is a drug is a drug, they say.

However, there are those who think that marijuana is okay when used for medicinal purposes – and as prescribed.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what works best for you and your recovery. But many will insist that marijuana is a drug and should not be used.

2. I Don’t Need a Sponsor

Again, this comes down to what is best for you and your recovery, but almost all NA members will encourage you to find a sponsor within your first 30 days of recovery.

This is because your sponsor will help guide you through the 12 steps and will be a touchstone for you when things get hard or feel out of control

3. I Don’t Have to Do the 12 Steps

One more time, no one can tell you how to do your recovery and there is no part of NA that is compulsory. But that being said, for anyone who is a severe addict just attending meetings doesn’t seem to be enough.

The 12 steps provide direction and guidance and help you on your journey of recovery. It gives you a direct path to follow and will keep you in line.

The Brass Tacks

If you work the program and follow the steps, keep up with meetings, and find a sponsor then the program should work for you. It’ll help with cravings and accountability and keep you on the right track after you get clean.

Do you need help getting clean first though? We can help with that! Contact us for help finding a suboxone clinic or doctor near you.