Suboxone Treatment – What is It? New Life Explains
Suboxone – What is it?
Suboxone is a prescription medicine that is used in treating people who are addicted to opioids, and it is comprised of two other drugs: Buprenorphine and Naloxone. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist which blocks a patient’s opiate receptors which then reduces their urge for the drug. Naloxone, the second component, acts to reverse the effects of opioids on the body. Working in concert with one another, these drugs work to prevent withdrawal symptoms associated with the cessation of opioid use.
In recent years, Suboxone has become the preferred treatment medication for opioid addiction and has become one of the main replacements for earlier generations of drugs like methadone.
The doctors at New Life Medical Addiction Services prescribe Suboxone to patients who are suffering from the symptoms associated with opioid withdrawal. Although Suboxone can be very effective at helping to manage the symptoms of withdrawal that come from quitting opioids, we strongly recommend that patients engage in the full range of recovery therapies available from New Life.
Uses
New Life’s doctors may prescribe Suboxone to patients who have formed a dependence on short-acting opioids like heroin and prescription painkillers. Suboxone is typically not recommended for long-acting opioids so, in these instances, we may employ a Buprenorphine-only medication.
Suboxone is often used in the initial withdrawal phase where a patient’s symptoms are most uncomfortable. At this stage, the drug helps alleviate the worst of these symptoms and allows our doctors to facilitate the transition from the withdrawal phase to the maintenance phase. Once treatment has been completed, our doctors may begin reducing a patient’s doses until they no longer need the medication.
Role In Substance Abuse Treatment
Suboxone is a flexible therapeutic that can be used during various stages of addiction treatment and offers a long-term solution for managing an opioid addiction. When included as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, Suboxone can eliminate opioid cravings altogether.
Since it is a depressant, it slows you down rather than speeding you up like a stimulant. Those who take the medication may experience some or all of the following:
- Relaxation
- Pain relief
- An increased sense of well-being
- Reduced stress levels
Continual physician monitoring is very important in ensuring a successful recovery while on Suboxone.
Side Effects
Despite its strong efficacy in helping wean patients off their opioid dependence, it’s important to know that using Suboxone can lead to dependence on it as well.
Furthermore, patients who are prescribed Suboxone should not discontinue use of the drug without talking with their doctor first. Stopping treatment immediately can cause adverse effects and potentially lead to symptoms of opioid withdrawal such as:
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Joint and/or muscle pain
- Dilated pupils
- Anxiousness
- Diarrhea
Some patients can also experience side effects from this therapy. The patient’s physician should be contacted if they experience any of the following symptoms:
- Sweating
- Vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms
- Stomach pain
- Low energy
- Headache
Interactions
Some supplements and medications can cause adverse effects when taken with Suboxone. These include:
Oral contraceptives
Acetaminophen
Cholesterol-lowering medications
Fluoxetine
HIV-treatment drugs
Niacin
Verapamil
Depending on a patient’s symptoms and the depth of their addiction to opioids, the doctors at New Life may prescribe Suboxone along with other therapies.
To learn more, call us at: 856-942-3700 or send us a Text Message.
