Is Suboxone Right for Me?

Introduction

Finding the strength to seek treatment from addiction is difficult to say the least, especially an addiction to opioids. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, every day more than 130 Americans die from an opioid overdose . With so many lives at risk, new treatment drugs have been developed to increase rehabilitation rates, including suboxone use for patients.

Suboxone treatment

One of the reasons that opioid use is so hard to stop is the effect of the drug on the brain. Suboxone treatment involves using an opioid to treat opioid addiction. This type of treatment should only be done under a doctor’s supervision and along with therapy and aftercare support.

What is Suboxone?

Suboxone is a prescription drug used to treat opioid addiction. It uses two different drugs- buprenorphine and naloxone to control the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Suboxone affects the brain in two ways:

Buprenorphine gives a small dose of opioid to help manage withdrawal symptoms. The highs are much lower than what would be experienced with opioid use but allow the user to slowly wean themselves off of their opioid of choice.  While buprenorphine activates the opioid receptors in the brain, naloxone shuts them down. It can cause withdrawal symptoms in those currently abusing opioids.

Suboxone Withdrawal

A study in National Institute of Health found that those who used suboxone had better outcomes. In the study it was found that those who used the drug were less likely to use both opioids as well as other drugs. It also assisted in the retention of concepts introduced to the patient during rehabilitation.

Treatment Delivery

There are several different ways suboxone patients can take the medication: by swallowing a pill, by dissolving the medicine or through injection. Many health practitioners suggest delivering suboxone through a dissolvable pill or suboxone film as it is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and has immediate effects.

Suboxone for Pain

While suboxone was created to help opioid dependent individuals stem their addiction with minimal withdrawal symptoms, there are some that question if the drug should also be prescribed for pain management.

A study by the U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institute of Health  has found that suboxone does not provide effective pain relief for chronic pain sufferers and also has too high of a risk  suboxone abuse or even suboxone addiction.

Suboxone Side Effects

Suboxone can only be administered by a medical professional as it can have many adverse side effects and can be fatal. In individuals who are abusing opioids, suboxone can produce withdrawal symptoms including irritability, mood swings, nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps and diarrhea. Those who have been chronically addicted to full opioid agonists (heroin, for example) could develop seizure or respiratory failure.

Conclusion

While many hail suboxone as a safer alternative to methadone, it still presents its own set of risks. If you are seeking treatment for opioid addiction, you can speak to your health care professional so see if a suboxone treatment center could be the right fit for you. For a treatment center near you, check out www.findsuboxonenearme.com.

Will Suboxone Get My Loved One High?

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Painkillers and heroin are major opioids whose addiction affects about 2.5 million Americans, according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine. To help with this, the Food and Drug Administration approved two products to treat the disorder; Subutex (which is buprenorphine), and Suboxone (a mixture of buprenorphine and naloxone).

What is Suboxone?

Suboxone is a man-made drug that helps to treat opioid addiction. While the drug is pretty impressive, it’s the included ingredients that grab all the headlines.

  • Buprenorphine – Buprenorphine is a component that has already been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, which sees it as a low-risk alternative to methadone. This approval has made it easy for doctors and medical practitioners to prescribe the medication to patients who are looking to do something about their addiction to opioid drugs. While methadone requires strict medical supervision, buprenorphine is a bit more liberal in its dosage and administration.
  • Naloxone – Pharmaceutical companies added naloxone to buprenorphine to create a drug that had less potential for abuse than methadone. Ideally, the naloxone in suboxone will prevent the patient from just crushing the medication open and taking the buprenorphine in it (whether by injecting it or by sorting). Anyone who still chooses to crush the drug will end up wasting valuable time, as the naloxone will simply prevent the opioid receptors in the brain from acting on the intake of buprenorphine

Suboxone and methadone reduce the cravings people have for opioid prescription drugs like heroin. In addition to that, suboxone also eases the psychological and physical symptoms that are experienced by people who are struggling with withdrawal symptoms.

Treatments like suboxone are much more important for people who have developed a physical dependence on opioids. The medication bonds with the opioid receptors in the brain, helping the brain to release dopamine and helping the patient to return to normalcy.

A lot of people who have sought medication-assisted treatment options that include suboxone have had a lot of success (at the very least, much more than methadone, the previous standard for helping patients with tapering off the withdrawal symptoms that they face).

However, despite the numerous success stories with suboxone, there has also been an increase in the number of reports of people abusing the drug and getting addicted to it.

At the end of the day, it’s kind of ironic; the same drug that was meant to help people find a painless,  safe way out of addiction ends up getting abused by the very same patients who were looking to change their ways.

How Suboxone Can Get a Person High

Suboxone is quite addictive, although its rate of addiction is much lower than that of other opioids. An average suboxone user might not get high from it, but it could easily influence a person who develops an incredible dependence to it.

The drug was designed as a drug that prevents addiction. However, it is possible for individuals who receive the prescription of the drug to overcome addiction to end up abusing it instead. In other instances, people who have never actually taken an opioid before can stumble on the suboxone prescription with friends, pick it up and develop an addiction from there.

What Could Cause This?

The cause of methadone addiction is not farfetched in the United States. According to the National Drug Intelligence Center, it is common for the buprenorphine medically assisted treatment to lead to illegal use eventually.

The report also claims that there have been several cases of addiction reported with suboxone, since it was approved in the country. Areas of high opioid abuse, such as the Northeastern part of the country, have seen exceptionally high abuse rates of suboxone.

Investigators found that some people can bypass the naloxone inhibition in the drug by injecting it directly into their veins, dissolving the drug into strips, and snorting the drug in its pill form. However, the agency also noted that abusing suboxone is much stronger in people who have used low doses of opioids, as opposed to those who used higher doses.

Another major cause of suboxone’s abuse seems to be as a result of the physicians who prescribe the drugs. According to an article published in the New York Times, over 1,000 doctors who prescribe buprenorphine (out of 12,780) have been sanctioned in one way or the other due to their opioid-prescribing practices in the past.

In addition to this, a report by the Courier-Journal of Louisville, Kentucky, revealed that officials from the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure claimed that many doctors reported to opening suboxone-prescribing clinics after the state saw a reduction in “pill mills” that prescribed excessive quantities of painkillers.

The analysis of the Journal revealed that 14 percent of the overseeing doctors in these clinics had a history  of unethical standards involving their profession and had one way or the other been sanctioned by the medical board.

The Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure says that most of the new clinics run cash-based systems, and they fail to administer any checkups after they deliver the suboxone prescriptions which is dangerous and highly illegal to do.

In another piece that was published by WKTY, it was noted that law enforcement officers were clamping down on physicians who had the ability to prescribe suboxone legally by traveling from various parts of the state and giving out prescriptions in jurisdictions outside of their home clinic.

 

Sources
[1] American Society of Addiction Medicine. (2016). Opioid Addiction 2016 Facts & Figures. Retrieved from http://www.asam.org/docs/default-source/advocacy/opioid-addiction-disease-facts-figures.pdf

[2] Information about Medication-Assisted Treatment. (2019, February 14). Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/informationbydrugclass/ucm600092.htm

[3] Intelligence Bulletin: Buprenorphine: Potential for Abuse. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs10/10123/index.htm

[4] Addiction Treatment With a Dark Side. (2018, October 19). Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/17/health/in-demand-in-clinics-and-on-the-street-bupe-can-be-savior-or-menace.html?_r=0

[5] Addiction medicine Suboxone now being abused. (2014, July 3). Retrieved from http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2014/07/03/addiction-medicine-suboxone-now-abused/12153725/

[6] Combs, M. (n.d.). WKYT Investigates: Law enforcement officials express concern about doctors traveling to prescribe Suboxone. Retrieved from http://www.wkyt.com/content/news/WKYT-Investigates–368093891.html

Supporting Your Loved One in Suboxone Treatment

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Do you have a loved one who is suffering from an opioid addiction? Don’t give up even though it might seem like they have a long and never-ending road ahead of them. There are options they can go through to get their sober life back. Learn more about how suboxone treatment and counseling can pave the way to regaining their sobriety, and how your support can reinforce their motivation to get the help they need.

The Mixed Emotions You Might Be Feeling

Are you finding it difficult to remain calm when it comes to dealing with your loved one’s addiction? Well, you are not alone. You might not feel like you can be supportive all the time because you’re overwhelmed with emotions while helping them get the help they need to recover.

You could be having mixed emotions on whether suboxone actually works or not. There are always positive and negative effects on people who have gone through different types of treatments. Having the best one for your loved one might be what has you worried about them using suboxone. Making sure that your loved one has the best treatment to fs

Do you have some concerns about suboxone becoming a substitute for their other drug addiction?

It’s normal for you to have doubts about treatments that don’t make sense to you. Addiction is a disease, so taking suboxone for addiction is much like a diabetic taking insulin to keep their diabetes under control. Your spouse, sibling, or child who has this affliction will still be clean and sober when they are taking suboxone because it is medication prescribed by their doctor to help them get through their detox and help prevent relapses.

So, what can you do? Doing some thorough research on suboxone could make you feel more comfortable in allowing your loved one to be treated with something that really works. If you are questioning the effects of suboxone, read the following information about how it is one of the best choices in treating opioid addicts.

How Suboxone Works

You might be wondering: how does this medication help? Suboxone is an excellent choice in helping drug addicts get their life back. Why is this? According to Mental Health.gov, when someone takes suboxone during their detox, they will not feel high. This is because their brain is tricked into thinking it’s receiving the opioids their body is used to and stops the withdrawal symptoms. Suboxone is also a partial agonist, which means it isn’t as strong as some medications like methadone in treating addiction. Therefore, it also reduces the risks of your loved one getting addicted to it.

One of the significant signs that your loved one is becoming addicted to a drug is craving it. Suboxone can also help reduce the cravings, or the doctor can adjust the medication for them, so they don’t crave the drug. Having cravings when they are detoxing can be detrimental to their recovery process. Therefore, this treatment can prevent relapses from occurring during this stage of their recovery.

What to Expect From Suboxone Treatment

For those who decide to take their suboxone treatment at home, they will have to see a doctor who will give a thorough examination. The physician will ask several related questions concerning their health to make sure this medication is right for them. Everyone’s body is different, so your loved one might not be able to handle this type of treatment.

Before they even start to take the prescription, a person has to be experiencing the withdrawal symptoms. As reported by The National Alliance of Advocates for Buprenorphine Treatment, taking it before the start of detox will make the withdrawal symptoms more severe than it should be.

Like with any medication, it should be taken precisely as prescribed by the doctor. Make sure you remind your loved one that taking more than prescribed will not make them feel better faster because that’s not how medicine works.

After taking this medicine, they can return to work by the second day. According to The National Alliance of Advocates for Buprenorphine Treatment, your loved one will feel like they never took any drugs by day 5. It’s hard to imagine your loved one feeling like they never abused those drugs, but this treatment is excellent at helping them feel like they can stay sober.

After a couple of weeks of feeling normal, your loved one might think they are cured, or they no longer need suboxone. However, remind them that this process won’t be so easy or fast. They will have to be patient when it comes to being able to remain drug-free without the assistance of suboxone.

However, they will still need counseling with a professional therapist to ensure they remain sober. This is a disease that will not go away or be cured with one suboxone treatment. By continuing their counseling sessions, they can maintain their sobriety and still live a normal life with you.

The therapist can also assist them in figuring out when they no longer have to rely on suboxone to stay sober. Also, NA meetings can help them get further support from those they can connect with others who are going through similar situations.

How to Be Of Support When Your Loved One is in Suboxone Treatment

Keeping your judgment and opinions to yourself might be hard when supporting your loved one who is in suboxone treatment. You can seek Nar-Anon meetings or your own therapy sessions to help you get through your own emotions and feelings on the matter. These are both ways you can express your anger, pain, and impatience that you might feel more comfortable communicating with people who can relate to your side. This can enable you to remain healthy and supportive for your loved ones.

Do you know what type of suboxone treatment is right for them? Inpatient and outpatient rehab treatment centers are also available for opioid addicts. You can both figure out which is better suited for their needs, while still taking finances into account.

Your Loved One May Need Extra Help

If you think your loved one can’t handle their detox alone or take their medication exactly as prescribed by their physician, you might want to encourage them to get treatment at a rehab facility. The doctors at rehab facilities can monitor them and make sure they only take the prescribed amount. This can reduce the chances of them abusing the drugs or becoming addicted to it.

Meanwhile, you can encourage your loved ones to share their experiences with you so you can be a shoulder for them to lean on. It’s essential to stay supportive through their recovery process. Your love might be the most powerful motivation for them to stick with the program and remain sober.

 

Sources
[1] the facts about BUPRENORPHINE. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/providers/sud/docs/english_buprenorphine_facts.pdf

[2] What Buprenorphine treatment is like for the patient, induction maintenance withdrawal. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.naabt.org/education/what_bt_like.cfm

Sublingual Suboxone: A Guide to Pills & Film

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In the midst of an opioid crisis, Suboxone is a medication used as a treatment for addiction to heroin and other opiates. The medication comes in both a sublingual pill and film form. Suboxone contains both buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine acts as a partial agonist which attaches to the receptors in the brain that are affected by using opioids.

This stops the effects of the drugs. Naloxone is added to buprenorphine to combat opiate withdrawal symptoms. It is also added to lessen the likelihood of Suboxone being broken down and injected. If this is attempted, the user will likely go into immediate opioid withdrawal.

Suboxone is meant to be administered under the supervision of a physician and used as part of a treatment plan that also includes counseling and other behavioral therapy.

The film is available in four dosage strengths and is meant to be taken by placing under the tongue or in the cheek. It has quickly become an essential part in successful recovery by helping people overcome the hurdles that are withdrawal and drug cravings.

How to Take Sublingual Pills & Film

Once your physician decides on the right dosage, the choice of pill or film form of Suboxone is decided. The film can be taken either sublingually or buccal.

If taken sublingually (under the tongue), take the following steps:

  • Hold the film on the outside edges
  • Place the film under the tongue on the left or right side near the base
  • If instructed to take 2 films at a time, place the second film on the opposite side of the first film, avoid the films touching
  • If instructed to take 3 films, do so on either side after the first 2 films have dissolved

If taking the film on the inside of the cheek (buccal administration) do as follows:

  • Hold the film on the outside edges
  • Place the film on the inside of either cheek
  • If instructed to take more than one film at a time, place the second film on the opposite cheek
  • If instructed to take 3 films at a time, place the third film on either cheek after the first 2 have dissolved

While waiting for the film to dissolve do not talk as it may affect how well the medicine is absorbed.

Also, chewing or swallowing the film before it is completely dissolved will cause the medication to not work as well. If a dose of Suboxone is missed, take the medicine as soon as you remember, unless it is close to the time of your next dose. If this is the case, skip the missed dose and continue taking medication as prescribed. Do not take 2 films at once unless instructed to do so. Always check with your doctor if you have any questions about doses.

If you are taking the sublingual pill:

  • Do not crush, chew, or swallow it
  • Place the pill under the tongue and allow to dissolve
  • If instructed to take more than one pill at a time do so by placing each pill under a different part of the tongue
  • Do not eat or drink until the pill is completely dissolved

The pills take 4 minutes to dissolve while the film takes 3 minutes. Many people believe that Suboxone is orange flavored because of the color of the pill and films, but it is actually lemon-lime flavor. The flavoring is added in an attempt to mask the bitter taste of the buprenorphine. Patients typically describe the taste as unpleasant. Drinking water before taking the medication will help with the medicine dissolve quickly.

Why Sublingual Pills & Film Can Be Beneficial 

As opioid addiction became more and more of a problem for people, a solution was created in the form of buprenorphine/naloxone tablets. However, not long after came the problem of diversion and misuse of the tablets, as well as the concerns of the unintended exposure to children. The sublingual films were introduced as a way to address those concerns.

Due to the sometimes-euphoric effects of buprenorphine, typically in people not dependent on opiates, there is a desire for the illicit use of the drug. The lack of access to treatment also creates a demand for diversion. Suboxone often times is administered in an office setting under the supervision of a physician to limit the frequency of misuse of the drug.

The quicker dissolving time of the film is beneficial as it typically dissolves one minute faster than the pill. Another key difference between the film and pills is that a partially dissolved pill can still be removed from the mouth, while the film quickly becomes unable to be removed once administered. According to this study, these are key factors in preventing misuse.

As more Suboxone was prescribed, the number of unintended exposures increased. Exposure to children became the most concerning as the side effects were more severe for them. The accidental exposures eventually led to the sublingual pills being discontinued in 2012 since almost all of the reported exposures were involving the pills, not the film. Each dose of the film comes in an individual child-resistant package.

Two child-resistance trials have been conducted with this packaging, each having high passing rates. Another positive of the film is that each individual film package has its own 10-digit code which allows for better tracking and discouraging diversion.

If a patient is being transitioned from the pill form to the film, there are not many differences. The conversion ratio for up to 4 mg is 1:1. This means the bioavailability is the same and no necessary dosage changes are required. Alternatively, the reported bioavailability of the 8 mg and higher doses of film is higher than that in the tablets. A lower dose may be required when switching from the tablets to the films in these cases.

Other Options for Taking Suboxone

For many years Methadone was the only option for the treatment of opioid addiction. With the introduction of buprenorphine, the access to treatment has been significantly increased.  Unlike Methadone, which can only be distributed in a highly structured clinic, Suboxone is allowed to be dispensed in a physician’s office or other settings.

This makes Suboxone more appealing to those unable to access a methadone clinic or who would prefer to receive treatment elsewhere. Buprenorphine is available in the following ways:

  • Bunavail (buprenorphine and naloxone) buccal film
  • Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) film
  • Zubsolv (buprenorphine and naloxone) sublingual tablets
  • Buprenorphine-containing transmucosal products for opioid dependency

Buprenorphine is also available in an implant. The implant has been created for those who worry about taking their medication every day or possibly losing it. A small implant is placed under your skin in the upper part of your arm. This can be done at your doctor’s office or similar settings by those qualified to do so.

The implant releases buprenorphine into your body for six months. After the six months the implant is removed. A need for another implant will be assessed by you and your doctor. There are many options out there for addiction treatment that can be tailored to you. Reach out and find help today.

 

Sources
[1] A retrospective evaluation of patients switched from buprenorphine (subutex) to the buprenorphine/naloxone combination (suboxone). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2453114/

[2] Graham, R. L. (2014, January). Buprenorphine for opioid dependence: Are there really differences between the formulatons? Retrieved from https://mhc.cpnp.org/doi/full/10.9740/mhc.n186952

Suboxone vs. Subutex – Which One is Right for You?

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Opioid addicts and their families know the struggle of trying to stop, whether cold turkey, in rehab or other forms of treatment. The number of people in the US who suffer with opioid use disorder is estimated at over 2.5 million, and the mortality rate due to opiates has contributed to lowering the overall life expectancy of the US.

How Both Suboxone & Subutex Came to Be

Scientists and doctors have been searching for the best treatments since the 1960s and so far, the best successes have been achieved with buprenorphine. First on the market as an analgesic in 2002, it was approved for use in narcotic addiction, though physicians are limited in how much they can prescribe, with the most being to 100 people at a time.

If you are addicted to any sort of opioid, whether it’s heroin, fentanyl or a prescription painkiller, then you may have tried to quit and failed. Some may be too concerned about withdrawal symptoms to try. Subutex and Suboxone offer a way to come off those addictive drugs and, along with therapy, begin to build your life again.

These drugs offer a lifeline that wasn’t there before. They are far less likely to be abused than methadone, and they appear to be suitable for long-term use, allowing opioid addicts to recover. Also, because they completely get rid of withdrawals, there’s less chance of relapsing and potentially overdosing.


The Details about Suboxone

Suboxone can only be prescribed by a doctor and is usually taken in sublingual tabs that you place under the tongue. It’s not used as a pain medication. Suboxone is purely a brand name for two drugs combined, buprenorphine and naloxone, sometimes prescribed as Bunavil or Zubsolv. The buprenorphine is the partial opioid agonist in the tablet. This stops you from getting cravings or withdrawing from other opiates.

You may feel slightly euphoric, but it isn’t anything like the disorientating high you get from other opioids. The naloxone reacts if you try and abuse this drug in any way. If you inject it or crush it up and snort it, then you won’t get a high, or even pain relief, as the naloxone prevents this.

Of course, there is the potential for abuse, but it’s much lower with Suboxone than say, methadone. The naloxone also makes abusing it pretty pointless as it could put you into a nasty withdrawal. If you have a co-occurring addiction with alcohol or another drug, then it may not be safe to take Suboxone because it could be life-threatening. You shouldn’t drink alcohol or take sleeping pills whilst taking Suboxone.

 

The Details about Subutex

Subutex was the first approved partial opioid agonist drug to be used to treat opioid addiction, before Suboxone was developed. The main difference between Subutex and Suboxone is the lack of naloxone in the former. When you come off another opioid and are in a clinic or your doctor’s office, then it’s likely that you will first be given Subutex, and then may move on to Suboxone for maintenance.

People who have been abusing drugs such as heroin for years will have built a high tolerance for opioids, so they are unlikely to feel a high from it, even if they inject it or crush it up. However, because it’s an opioid there have been cases of Subutex being sold on the streets for people to get high, usually people who haven’t a long history of drug use.

But going on Subutex is not trading one addiction for another, as some people like to claim, it’s very effective as part of ongoing therapy for people who have come off other, more destructive opioids.

 

Which One Is Right for You?

If you are entering a detox or rehabilitation facility, then you will initially take Subutex, probably within a day of your last fix. This will ensure that you do not go into full withdrawal and can be managed by the medical professionals that are at the clinic.

After you have gone through intensive therapy, you might continue on Subutex, particularly if you’re confident that you won’t be in a situation where you’ll be offered other opioids, or if you know that you won’t abuse it.

However, Suboxone is the safer bet, simply because of the naloxone in the tablet. So, even if you think about getting high, the thought of the withdrawal that naloxone will plunge you into, should be off-putting enough, and if you go as far to try and abuse the drug, you will go into that very unpleasant withdrawal.

You could try one and then move to the other, as a study in Finland found that, with the right planning, this was an effective way to prevent addicts from abusing Subutex. The point is that neither should be undertaken without a therapeutic approach, and should be a maintenance therapy for your sobriety, helping you whilst you solve the other issues surrounding your addiction.

 

Sources

[1] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). Effective Treatments for Opioid Addiction. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/effective-treatments-opioid-addiction/effective-treatments-opioid-addiction

[2] Buprenorphine. (2013). Buprenorphine. Retrieved from https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_chem_info/buprenorphine.pdf

[3] A retrospective evaluation of patients switched from buprenorphine (subutex) to the buprenorphine/naloxone combination (suboxone). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2453114/

What if Your Family Doesn’t Support You In Suboxone Treatment?

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Does your family support your treatment plan? Some families are not always supportive with their loved ones getting Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) with medications like Suboxone even if they are desperately trying to recover from opioid addiction. For some, suboxone is their best bet to catapult them into long-term recovery.

Regardless of whether or not suboxone is used short-term or long-term, studies in large cities with a high crime rate show that it has helped many sustain long-term recovery.

It’s essential to research how MAT can be useful for opiate addicts to reassure them that this method of treatment works. Read on to learn more about how MAT can help and about some misconceptions your family members may have.

What is Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)?

Some of you might be wondering “What is MAT and what does it have to do with my opioid addiction?” MAT stands for Medication Assisted Treatment, which means those suffering from opiate addiction can get help from medications prescribed by their doctor. Suboxone, Subutex, and methadone are used in these types of treatments. They are meant to help you get through detox and stay clean while you are still vulnerable to another relapse.

How MAT Helps Addicts in Treatment

Are you curious why Medication Assisted Treatments are so beneficial? Using medications like Suboxone can be sufficient for those who use them as prescribed by a doctor. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, using medications like methadone and Suboxone can actually “restore balance to the brain circuits.” While an addict is using their prescriptions, they are able to heal their brain and can focus on their recovery process. Therefore, during their detox, it can reduce a patient’s cravings and withdrawal symptoms. This is essential in helping an addict stay sober since, without MAT, some people might give in temptation because they don’t want to continue experiencing those withdrawal symptoms.

Get More Intensive Help if You Need it

It’s always recommended to seek medical care during detox because medical professionals can oversee your condition. If you don’t trust yourself in taking the precise number of pills your doctor prescribes, an inpatient rehab treatment center might be the best solution. They can help monitor your pill intake and can also keep you away from temptation.

However, this medication will only work along with an exceptional therapy program and support groups to reinforce your successful recovery. You will still have to share your experiences and past behaviors dealing with opioid drugs. An excellent therapist can help you figure out the reasons why you started using drugs in the first place.

This doesn’t mean everyone has to have MAT to recover from an addiction. You should always consult with your doctor to make sure any type of treatment plan will work with your health condition and if it will benefit your kind of addiction. Some are able to live a drug-free lifestyle without the additional help of Medication Assisted Treatments.

Is Your Family Being Supportive?

Not every family will support their loved one through treatment. Some people merely forgo researching the positive and negative aspects of using medication as a treatment option for opioid addiction. You might not always gain their support in this, but you need to do what’s right for you. The primary goal is getting sober and staying that way. As long as you take the medication correctly, you shouldn’t get addicted to your MAT. However, you should be aware that you can become dependent. It’s important to understand the difference between addiction and dependence.

Why Don’t Families Always Support MAT?

Not all family members think MAT will work, but this could all come down to their ignorance in what MAT really does. This is why research is so crucial in understanding if MAT is right for each opioid addict.

Financial Reasons

When a drug addict tries to seek help and recover from their addiction, sometimes they are too young to support themselves financially. Some addicts have lost their jobs due to their actions while they were high on opioids. Whatever your case might be, you might be depending on family or friends to help support you in rehab. This might cause you to depend on their help to pay for your treatment, as well.

Some families might not agree with specific rehab programs because the of the cost. According to Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, it might take several treatments, medication switches, changes to your life choices, and continued family support to get to a place where you are able to recover from your addiction. Most families know how expensive treatments are and it could be one of the reasons they might not support you participating in MAT. However, if you are able to afford it yourself, you and your doctor can decide what your best options are best.

 

Misconceptions Concerning MAT

There are a lot of misconceptions about using medications to help opioid addicts recover in rehab facilities. Most families think it’s switching one drug for another. However, that’s so far from the truth. Your parents or siblings might worry that these medications could make you high and aren’t any different than the opioids you are addicted to. As reported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, when you take the dosage precisely as prescribed by your doctor, these medications won’t let you experience any kind of high from it. In simple terms, it really just cancels out the effects the opioids had on your body.

Addiction is a disease. It’s treated as such in a rehab treatment center. Everyone recovers from diseases like diabetes and heart disease in different ways, whether it’s going on a strict diet or using medication prescribed by their doctor. Every person’s recovery process is different just like those with other diseases won’t always need medications to live a healthier lifestyle. Therefore, getting MAT from your doctor or in a rehab treatment center is similar to those who are receiving medication for their diabetes.

However, you should know that there isn’t a cure for this type of disease. Therefore, you will always have to maintain your sobriety and continue getting support from NA meetings, family, and therapy.

Your family might change their minds on not wanting you to use MAT when you start to make smarter choices. Some people can begin to live their lives again by going back to work or school and making healthier choices. Don’t be discouraged by your family, because they only want what’s best for you and might be blinded by what that is by being too overprotective.

Knowing more about MAT can help you and your family feel more comfortable using this type of treatment. There are always some adverse side effects in taking any medication, but there are several positive ones when you use this type of treatment. All you can do is educate your family on the benefits MAT can have with those with opioid addiction. They could change their minds when they have detailed information about how this treatment helps.

Remember; always consult with your doctor before deciding MAT is for you. On top of Suboxone, there are many other options to successfully overcome an addiction to opioids. Your overall health is vital to living your life again!

Sources
[1] Sittambalam, C. D., Vij, R., & Ferguson, R. P. (2014). Buprenorphine Outpatient Outcomes Project: can Suboxone be a viable outpatient option for heroin addiction?. Journal of community hospital internal medicine perspectives, 4(2), 10.3402/jchimp.v4.22902. doi:10.3402/jchimp.v4.22902 Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3992357/

[2] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). Effective Treatments for Opioid Addiction. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/effective-treatments-opioid-addiction/effective-treatments-opioid-addiction

[3] Is My Son Really in Recovery if He’s Taking Suboxone? (2019, January 28). Retrieved from https://drugfree.org/parent-blog/is-my-son-really-in-recovery-if-hes-taking-suboxone/

Does Insurance Cover Suboxone?

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The opioid epidemic continues to devastate America. So much so that it is likely that you or someone you know has been affected by opioid addiction. As a response, addiction treatment has been much more sought after in recent years. One of the more popular treatment methods is the use of Suboxone. Even though it is in high demand, access to and affordability of Suboxone can be an issue for some.

What is Suboxone and How it Helps Treat Addiction?

Suboxone is a medication commonly used to treat opioid addiction. The medication consists of buprenorphine and naloxone, which work in tandem at curbing withdrawal symptoms and cravings as well as preventing patients from using it to get high. It typically is used under the supervision of a doctor as part of a treatment plan that consists of medically assisted treatment as well as behavioral therapy.

What Does Addiction do to the Brain and Body?

Drug addiction has a huge effect on the user’s brain. In the case of opioid addiction, it changes the way the receptors in your brain react to opioids. Over time, you build up a tolerance and a need for the opioids. The tolerance causes the user to take more drugs to recreate the original euphoric effects.

A physical need for the drugs causes the user to go into withdrawal if they do not use. Withdrawal symptoms resemble a terrible flu, symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, body aches, chills, and sweating. This fear of withdrawal is what motivates a person to keep using despite any negative effects it would have on their life.

How Can Suboxone Help?

Suboxone works to block the effects of opioids as well as stop withdrawal symptoms. Blocking the high created by opioids aids in one’s recovery by breaking the cycle the brain has of positive reinforcement. If the drugs will not have an effect, you are less likely to use them. Stopping withdrawal symptoms helps people stick to treatment plans because they are not in pain and desperate to alleviate the symptoms.

Peer support and therapy help deal with the emotional aspects of drug addiction and are strongly suggested as part of a maintenance treatment program. The habit of drug use can be very hard to break, therefore, the typical length of a Suboxone treatment plan is generally one year. This time can be very beneficial for a person to build the foundations to their sobriety.

Suboxone vs. Methadone

Medically assisted treatment is not a new invention. Suboxone was approved by the FDA in 2002, previously methadone had been the treatment medication of choice. Even though methadone has been around for a long time, Suboxone is quickly becoming a safer, more successful option.

One advantage Suboxone has over Methadone is that due to the low risk of abuse, patients are allowed to take home their doses and only have to go to the doctor monthly. Whereas methadone carries a higher risk of abuse and dependence as well as the risk of overdose causing it to only be administered in supervised clinics. Need for a daily dose requires patients to travel to the methadone clinic daily, while Suboxone being prescribed in a doctor’s office is not only more convenient, it also greatly increases accessibility. With a 40-60% success rate, it is easy to see why Suboxone is the superior choice for medically assisted treatment.

Even with great advancements in the medication available, there is still a decline in people who use medically assisted treatment. Some factors as to why are:

  • Negative opinions about trading one drug for another
  • Discrimination against MAT patients
  • A lack of training for physicians

Paying For Suboxone

Suboxone can be very costly, the typical cost is usually $1 per milligram. Doses of Suboxone range from 12-24 mg per day. Without insurance, they could quickly get extremely expensive. Cost of Suboxone is attributed to the following factors:

  • Pharmaceutical manufacturer
  • Insurance
  • Health plans or prescribing clinic
  • Retail pharmacies

The price of the medication isn’t the only thing to consider when receiving medically assisted treatment. Office visits, therapy, and other required tests should be accounted for in treatment costs. Thanks to recent changes in insurance coverage, most companies now cover Suboxone treatment.

While most insurance companies now offer policies that cover treatment, it is important to know just how much is covered. Any portion of the treatment not covered by your plan will be your responsibility to pay out of pocket. Other factors to consider are time limits for treatment if a referral is needed and if you must receive the prescription from an in-network provider. If help is needed to pay for Suboxone treatment, look for programs that offer payment assistance. Your income will be considered when determining how much treatment will cost. Medicaid also offers coverage for treatment.

Information About Doctors Prescribing Suboxone and Accepting Payment

Although coverage is available that does not always mean accessing treatment is easy. Any doctor interested in prescribing Suboxone has to meet many legal obligations. In order to prescribe Suboxone, a doctor must be certified. There are also strict regulations on how many patients a doctor can treat every year. Thirdly, the DEA requires strict monitoring of the prescriptions. Those three factors may limit the number of available physicians who are currently accepting patients for Suboxone treatment.

Doctors may also choose to not accept insurance and require cash payment, leaving you to cover the upfront cost of treatment. In these cases, you may submit a claim to your insurance company to be reimbursed. Another downside is that due to our free enterprise system, doctors can decide what they are going to charge. Change is coming; however, many states have passed laws requiring insurance companies to cover addiction treatment. That being said, thorough research is best to find the right doctor and insurance company.

Find What’s Right For You

Treatment is not one size fits all, doing adequate research is vital to finding the perfect plan for you. Knowing your options and what to consider is an integral step in your analysis. Once the conversation is started, many companies will work with you. Take the time to examine your financial situation and the cost of care. Most importantly reach out. There is someone out there to help you navigate the road to treatment.

 

Sources
[1] Does Insurance Cover The Cost Of Suboxone? (2019, January 29). Retrieved from https://www.rehabcenter.net/insurance-cover-suboxone/
[2] Suboxone Addiction and Abuse Treatments. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://americanaddictioncenters.org/suboxone
[3] S.A. Health. (n.d.). Buprenorphine/naloxone for opioid dependence. Retrieved from https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/resources/buprenorphine+naloxone+for+opioid+dependence+important+points+to+know+about+buprenorphine+naloxone+suboxone

Is Suboxone Just Trading One Drug for Another?

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Living with a drug addiction can make you feel trapped. There are many who want to get clean from their addiction but have a hard time doing it because they want to keep their addiction hidden from the world. Suboxone is one of the proven treatment methods for opioid addiction. There are many times when suboxone is scrutinized and written off as trading one drug for another. This can make them fearful to let anyone know that they have an addiction that they need help to overcome.

If you are battling an addiction to drugs, it’s possible to discreetly get the help that you need. Trying to overcome the addiction cold turkey can be dangerous and difficult to do on your own. When you are ready to get help for your addiction, use the following guide to learn how to discreetly get the help that you need in a safe and welcoming environment.

Don’t Beat Yourself Up

Many people feel like they were weak, or something was wrong with them for them to become addicted to drugs. This isn’t the case, though. Some people become addicted to drugs accidentally. They may have been in an accident or gone through a surgery that required them to have to take pain medications. Over time, the body builds up a tolerance to any medication. This often requires people to take more of it or to take it more frequently, while can lead to an addiction.

Don’t be ashamed if you have become addicted to a medication accidentally. The best thing you can do is talk to your doctor openly and honestly about what you are going through. He or she can help you by referring you to a rehabilitation center where you can get professional help to battle your addiction.

Talk to Your Insurance Company

Once you have a referral from your doctor, you can contact your insurance company to find out what coverage is available to you. Most people don’t know that their health insurance often includes recovery care. There are restrictions as to which centers you can go to, what steps need to be taken in order to get approval for the care and stipulations about how much you will have to pay for the care out of pocket though. The agent can help you determine exactly what your cost will be for the care so that you can plan accordingly.

Improve Your Chances of Long Term Success

When you go to a professional rehabilitation center, there are medications that can be given to you to minimize your cravings for the drugs and help to minimize your withdrawal symptoms, as well. Suboxone is a commonly prescribed drug used to help overcome an addiction to opioids. Some people assume that suboxone is just trading one drug for another drug, but that isn’t the case.
Suboxone is designed to be taken over an extended period of time. It helps to minimize the risks of relapse because it blocks your draw to the opioids that you have been craving.

Treatment Can be Anonymous

Many people are fearful to get help for their addiction because they are fearful that having other people find out will ruin their life. They think that people will assume that they are untrustworthy, weak and lazy. It’s important to know that you can go to treatment without anyone knowing about it. If you have a job where you have acquired a lot of leave time or are in between jobs, you can go to the rehabilitation center without anyone knowing about it.

If you have a job that you don’t want to lose but need to take time away from in order to do the treatment you need, you are protected by the FMLA. The Family and Medical Leave Act ensures that your employer cannot fire you for getting help with your addiction. You do have to let them know that you are going in for treatment, though, but they cannot hold it against you.

There Are Many Facets to Rehabilitation Treatment

Some people are naive when it comes to drug rehabilitation treatment. They assume that they can go into the center, take some medication and come out within a week or two and create an amazing life for themselves quickly and easily. That isn’t the case. Nearly 40% of all addicts who try to get clean end up relapsing because they don’t take the time to treat their addiction from every angle.

Not only do you need to beat the physical addiction you have to the drugs, but you also need to overcome your mental addiction. Whether you realize it or not, you are addicted to the way that the drugs make you feel. Going to counseling while you are in the treatment center and when you get out helps you to battle the mental addiction that you have. You need to be willing to face the truth about your addiction and find productive ways to handle temptations and hardships when they arise.

Ongoing Treatment Improves the Chances of Success

Your battle really starts when you get out of the treatment center. Triggers and temptations will surround you constantly. It’s best to ensure that you don’t go around the things that make you want to use drugs or remind you of how it felt to use the drugs or there is a good chance that you could end up relapsing. Most centers recommend that you go for regular, outpatient treatment to ensure that you stay committed to your sobriety. There are group meetings that you can go to on a regular basis. You’ll hear stories from other recovering addicts and be able to get the encouragement you need to stay on the right path. The meetings are secure, and all information shared within the meetings isn’t shared with anyone after the meeting is over. This ensures that you feel free to talk about any and everything that you need to talk about to stay clean.

You don’t need to wait for intervention or for everyone around you to figure out that you have an addiction to get help. You can take control of your life at any moment and get things back on track so that you can have the most productive life possible right away.

 

Sources
[1] Family and Medical Leave Act – Wage and Hour Division (WHD). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/

[2] Information about Medication-Assisted Treatment. (2019, February 14). Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/informationbydrugclass/ucm600092.htm

[3] 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 Side-Effects: A Comprehensive Guide

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According to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 70,200 people in the U.S. are estimated to have died from drug overdoses in 2017, making this the worst year of overdoses in U.S. history. But medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can help wean people off these deadly drugs. Suboxone, in film form, is one option. It’s classified as a schedule three prescription drug. This means that it has an accepted medical use, but it may cause physical or psychological dependence. Becoming educated on the medication and the potential side-effects is imperative to a safe withdrawal process.

What is Suboxone?

Suboxone is a brand-name prescription drug. It’s the combination of Buprenorphine and naloxone and it’s a controlled substance. There are also versions of the medication that just contain Buprenorphine. Both medications are usually taken under the tongue.

  • Buprenorphine’s Role: Buprenorphine is in a class of medication called opioid partial agonist-antagonists. In simple terms, it helps people reduce or quit their use of heroin, opioid drugs, and narcotic pain killers. The effects of Buprenorphine can last as long as 24 hours.
  • Naloxone’s Role: Naloxone is classified as an opioid antagonist. This means it blocks the effects of opioid drugs. It’s included in Suboxone solely to help prevent abuse of the medication. Naloxone is designed to prevent you from experiencing a high from other opiates.

The combination of buprenorphine with the opioid antagonist naloxone further increases its safety and decreases but does not eliminate the likelihood of diversion and misuse.

Studies from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) show that Suboxone is effective for reducing opioid misuse. The medicine reduces cravings and the pain of withdrawals. This combination drug is used as part of a treatment program that typically includes counseling, lifestyle changes, and other interventions. How well Suboxone performs is partly assessed based on how long people stay in treatment.

Under the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA 2000), qualified U.S. physicians can offer buprenorphine for opioid dependency in various settings, including in an office, community hospital, health department, or correctional facility.

What Are the Side Effects of Suboxone? 

Although your healthcare provider should run tests before you start taking and while you are taking Suboxone, mild or serious side effects can occur. Some of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they become more severe over time or don’t go away, talk to your healthcare provider. According to the CDC, some of the most common side effects are:

  • Headaches: This is one of the most common side effects and generally goes away with continued use of the medication.
  • Constipation: Studies show this occurs in 12 percent of people taking Suboxone. Constipation is common and should not last after continuous use of the medication. If it does, consult your healthcare provider.
  • Sweating: On average, sweating occurs in 14 percent of people taking Suboxone and gradually goes away with continued use of the medication.
  • Insomnia (trouble sleeping): Lack of sleep can lead to dizziness and problems with coordination.
  • Fatigue: Despite the fact that the drug causes insomnia for many users, it can also cause fatigue.

Serious side effects from Suboxone aren’t common but can occur. Consult your healthcare provider right away if the following occurs:

  • Respiratory Problems/Depression: Respiratory depression is a condition in which breathing becomes too shallow or slow, causing a lack of oxygen in the body. Respiratory depression is perhaps the most severe of the side effects. Misuse or overdose of Suboxone can increase the chances for severe respiratory depression. Respiratory problems are more likely when Suboxone is used together with other drugs such as alcohol, Ativan, Valium, or Xanax.
  • Liver Problems: You may be experiencing liver problems if your skin or the white part of your eyes begin to turn yellow. You may also have stomach pain, dark urine, and lighter stools. Liver problems are the most monitored by physicians.
  • Allergic Reactions: If you develop a rash, hives, swelling of the face, or you start wheezing, you may be allergic to the medications.
  • Decrease in Blood Pressure: You may have low blood pressure if you feel dizzy when you get up too fast from sitting or lying down.
  • Fertility Problems; Long-term use of Suboxone may cause fertility problems in males and females. If this is a concern, talk to your healthcare provider before taking the medication.
  • Physical Dependence: Unfortunately, Suboxone can be addictive for many people. Suboxone has opioid effects, including mild euphoria, and long-term use of it can lead to physical and psychological dependence. Suboxone dependence can cause drug-craving and drug-seeking behavior, which may lead to misuse and/or abuse.

What Precautions Should Be Taken?

Before taking Suboxone, inform your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions and all the medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Do not begin new medications without consulting your health care provider.

SAMHSA indicates in all their studies that Suboxone should not be injected. Injecting the medication will trigger immediate opiate withdrawal symptoms which are extremely uncomfortable. You should not drink alcohol while using Suboxone, as it can lead to loss of consciousness or even death.

Suboxone film isn’t for occasional or “as needed” use. Do not stop taking the medication without talking to your healthcare provider first.

Conclusion

These are not all the possible side effects. Consulting your health care provider for medical advice about side effects is imperative to ensure a safe dosage of Suboxone film.

Sources
[1] Understanding the Epidemic | Drug Overdose | CDC Injury Center. (2018, December 19). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/epidemic/index.html

[2] Controlled Substance Schedules. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules/

[3] Buprenorphine Sublingual and Buccal (opioid dependence): MedlinePlus Drug Information. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a605002.html

[4] U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2004). Clinical Guidelines for the Use of Buprenorphine in the Treatment of Opioid Addiction. Retrieved from https://www.naabt.org/documents/TIP40.pdf

Can You Do Other Drugs on Top of Suboxone?

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Every prescription medication comes with warnings and side effects. It is important to heed these warnings, as to not risk dangerous and even fatal consequences that could occur. This is why your doctor or a medical professional at a treatment facility will ask you if you are on any other medication. Suboxone is a drug that is a combination of Buprenorphine and naloxone. It contains an opioid, used to induce an opioid-like high without the rewarding effects. Suboxone is primarily used to help with opioid withdrawal. Since it contains an opioid, it can be life-threatening if you choose to take other drugs.

Drugs That Have Especially Bad Interactions With Suboxone

You will want to avoid these drugs specifically if you are on Suboxone because they have the most life-threatening risks associated with them.

  • Benzodiazepines – People with an anxiety disorder will most often be prescribed a “benzo”. They are prescribed to slow down the central nervous system. Buprenorphine also functions as a depressant, meaning the increased sedation can cause a coma, seizures, or even death.
  • Cocaine – Cocaine is a stimulant, which means it works the opposite as the Buprenorphine in the Suboxone. It can cause withdrawal symptoms to appear and counteract the drug. Another, much more dangerous risk is that someone taking cocaine and Suboxone have a greater chance of overdosing.
  • Alcohol – Alcohol also depresses the central nervous system. Alcohol poses one of the greater risks because it is readily available to almost anyone and drinking can sometimes be seen as a “normalized” behavior. However, since taking alcohol and Suboxone doubles a user’s depressant intake, it can cause fatal side effects such as respiratory failure.

Talk To Someone About Your Cravings

While suboxone can alleviate some withdrawal symptoms, you may still notice that you crave other drugs or even alcohol. If you notice these cravings persisting, it is important to talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor may need to reassess your needs and move you to a different prescription. You can also call local outpatient centers or support groups to drop in for a few meetings. These support groups will give you personal insight and guidance to stay on the right path.

Do Not Smoke, Snort, or Inject Suboxone

In pill form, Suboxone works by satisfying the addict’s need for a high and also renders opioids ineffective to the brain. When Suboxone’s form is changed, the drug itself changes and produces different results. Crushing, dissolving, or injecting Suboxone stops the Buprenorphine from working properly. The naloxone will be released, completely neutralizing any high received and make the drug not function properly. When Suboxone is not taken as prescribed, users can experience swelling, difficulty swallowing, facial pain and muscle spasms and could even overdose. Always use Suboxone as prescribed by your doctor.

 

Sources

[1] Warning: 3 Dangerous Suboxone Interactions to Avoid. (2019, May 14). Retrieved from https://drugabuse.com/warning-3-dangerous-suboxone-interactions-to-avoid/

[2] Snorting Suboxone. (2018, November 25). Retrieved from https://drugabuse.com/suboxone/snorting/

Suboxone Myths: Learn The Truth

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The nation is facing an epidemic of monumental proportions. The concern surrounding addiction is not new but is growing. Addiction can tear at familial seams, create other mental health problems, stir up personal problems, and even lead to death.

More people today are dying from opioid overdoses than any other accidental death. Substance abuse treatment centers, support groups, and medical centers are all designed to help curve an addict in the hopes of keeping them clean. However, relapse rates still remain high.

One of the top abused drugs is heroin. Suboxone, a drug originally formulated for pain, was approved under the Drug Treatment Act Of 2000 to be used to help treat opioid addiction and help addicts recover.

Myths Surrounding Suboxone

  • Suboxone Treatment is More Dangerous than Other Alternatives for Treating Pain: Suboxone is actually quite a simple treatment. A treatment facility or medical center can create a treatment plan for an addict incorporating suboxone. Suboxone is no more dangerous than any other prescription treatment for opioid addiction and chronic pain. A medical professional will monitor usage and keep tabs on your progress. Any adjusts that need to be made will be made.
  • Use of Suboxone is Just Replacing One Evil with Another: Unfortunately, there is a stigma surrounding addiction treatment. Suboxone is a prescribed medication used to treat addiction and won’t cause a new addiction if used properly. Most of the time these myths are spread by people who are not educated about prescriptions used to help treat addiction and assume Suboxone serves as a gateway drug. In reality, medication-assisted treatment is common for opioid use and is FDA approved.
  • Rehabilitation is Proven to be More Effective than Suboxone: There is no evidence suggesting that rehabilitation and detox are more effective than prescription medication for overcoming drug addiction. Medication-assisted treatment does not replace rehabilitation, however. Consult with a medical professional to find a treatment plan that is right for you. Most patients on the road to recovery find that a mix of both medication and support groups or therapy help them to remain sober.
  • Getting a Prescription for Suboxone Takes Too Much Time: Obtaining a Suboxone prescription is as easy as visiting your local medical center or treatment facility licensed to prescribe Suboxone. The medical professional will ask you standard questions regarding your chronic pain and run laboratory tests. This process is no longer than any other procedures to obtain medication for drug addiction.
  • Suboxone Gives the Same High as Heroin: A common misconception surrounding Suboxone is that it can produce the same euphoric feelings or “high” that heroin produces. However, it is very rare that a patient will experience any euphoric effects and if they do it will feel very weak. This is because a patient will work closely with their doctor to find a dosage that will work for them.
  • It’s Easy to Overdose on Suboxone: A very dangerous myth that surrounds Suboxone is that it is easy to overdose on it. This prevents a lot of addicts from ever considering Suboxone as an option. In fact, when compared to other opiates, it would be really difficult for an addict to overdose on Suboxone. Suboxone is designed to work as a weakened opioid. Suboxone contains naloxone, which is activated when the drug is attempted to be misused. It causes symptoms similar to withdrawal. It helps to prevent people from overdosing and from abusing the drug.
  • Suboxone is Frequently Abused: It’s a common misconception that Suboxone is frequently abused. Any prescription medication has the possibility to be abused. Since Suboxone is designed for opioid abusers, it has ingredients that help to prevent abuse and overdose. This is a deterrent to addicts who may want to abuse the drug and makes abuse of the drug a rare case.
  • Suboxone Should Only be Used for a Short Period of Time: A medical professional will be able to determine just how long an addict should remain on Suboxone. Every addict is different and therefore every addict’s treatment plan will vary. A detailed plan along with a prescription will be given to the patient. These guidelines must be followed to achieve maximum results.

Medication-Assisted Treatment & Rehabilitation

These myths surrounding Suboxone and medication-assisted treatment options can have dangerous repercussions. They can overshadow the success of Suboxone and turn addicts away from a medication that could help them stay clean.

Suboxone has been regarded as being superior to Methadone in quite a few factors, while they have the same retention rate. Suboxone reduces the rates of overdoses and drug abuse cases while prescribed the drug, as well as significantly improved the quality of life for several individuals.

While Suboxone is an option to talk about with a healthcare professional, it is also important for an addict to remain involved with treatment centers or support groups.

Suboxone cannot replace the positive social and cognitive benefits of support groups and rehabilitation centers, as they both offer very clear positives. The use of Suboxone should always first be discussed with a primary doctor or treatment facility where the addict is located.

 

Sources

[1] Suboxone: Rationale, Science, Misconceptions. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5855417

[2] Primary Care and the Opioid-Overdose Crisis? Buprenorphine Myths and Realities | NEJM. (2018, July 4). Retrieved from https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMp1802741