Suboxone Treatment for Opioid Addiction

About 2.7 million Americans are struggling to overcome opioid dependency, and many of them became addicted after being prescribed drugs like hydrocodone, oxycodone or fentanyl to treat chronic pain.[1] Only three medications have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat opioid addiction, and Suboxone is one of them.[2] Suboxone reduces the cravings for opioids and relieves withdrawal symptoms, and most of the people who take it experience only mild side effects.

This article will explain how Suboxone works and how it can be incorporated into a treatment plan for opioid addiction. It will also explore Suboxone’s effectiveness and side effects and provide guidance for those seeking treatment for opioid dependency.

What Is Suboxone?

Suboxone is an FDA-approved drug that is used in medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction. Suboxone’s two active ingredients are buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that reduces opioid cravings and eases withdrawal symptoms. Partial opioid agonists bind to opioid receptors in the brain, but they do not generate the same response as full opioid agonists like methadone.[3] Naloxone binds to opioid receptors to block and reverse the adverse effects of opioid drugs.[4] It is included in Suboxone to prevent misuse.

Suboxone is taken orally and dissolved under the tongue. Sublimgual films and tablets are available. Most of the patients who take Suboxone prefer the film strips because they are easier to use and dissolve more quickly, and there is also limited evidence that suggests using film strips may prevent misuse.[5]

How Does Suboxone Work?

Suboxone works by binding to and partially activating the brain’s opioid receptors. When these receptors are occupied by Suboxone, opioids like oxycodone and fentanyl are blocked. This prevents the euphoria associated with opioid drugs, and it also eases withdrawal symptoms. Suboxone can make opioid detox both more bearable and safer. By partially activating the brain’s opioid receptors, buprenorphine reduces the cravings for addictive drugs. If Suboxone is abused or taken with opioid drugs, naloxone will block and reverse the effects to prevent an opioid overdose.

Suboxone can be part of a long-term treatment plan for opioid addiction. The medication can be taken once a day for as long as medical professionals feel is necessary, and its side effects are usually mild.

Benefits of Suboxone Treatment

Suboxone is becoming an increasingly popular treatment for opioid addiction because it is effective, safe and easy to use. Overdose risks are lower with Suboxone than they are with full opioid agonists like methadone, and patients do not have to visit a clinic to take the medication. When taken as part of a holistic approach to opioid addiction that includes therapy and lifestyle modifications, Suboxone significantly improves the chances of long-term recovery. The benefits of Suboxone treatment include:

• Reduced euphoria: Suboxone is less likely to be abused because it binds to the opioid receptors in the human brain without causing euphoria.
• Lower dependency risks: The risk of dependency is low with Suboxone, which is why the medication can be taken long term.
• Eases withdrawal symptoms: Suboxone is often taken during opioid detox because it reduces cravings and eases withdrawal symptoms.
• A flexible option: Suboxone can be taken at home by placing a pill or film under the tongue. Visits to outpatient facilities are not required, and the medication only has to be taken once per day.
• A cost-effective solution: Suboxone is a cost-effective treatment for opioid addiction because it is effective and the patients who take it rarely require hospitalization.
• A safer option: Suboxone is considered a safe treatment for opioid addiction because the naloxone it contains prevents misuse and overdoses.

Potential Side Effects of Suboxone

Suboxone is considered a safe medication, and those who take it rarely experience serious side effects. Common side effects associated with Suboxone include:

• Nausea
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Sleep disturbances
• Sweating
• Dry mouth
• Constipation

Individuals who are hypersensitive to either buprenorphine or naloxone should not take Suboxone as doing do could lead to serious adverse reactions including anaphylactic shock. Buprenorphine is metabolized in the liver, so it should not be taken by patients who suffer from serious liver diseases.

Serious side effects after taking Suboxone are rare, but patients who misuse the drug can develop respiratory depression. This causes breathing to slow down and become shallow, which prevents the brain from getting the oxygen it needs.[6] Suboxone can also cause precipitated withdrawal if it is taken too soon after using opiate drugs. Precipitated withdrawal is marked by the rapid onset of symptoms including vomiting, abdominal cramps, nausea and body aches.[7]

Is Suboxone Addictive?

Any medication that affects the brain’s chemistry has the potential to be addictive, but the chances of developing a dependency are far lower with Suboxone than they are with more powerful drugs like methadone. When Suboxone is taken under the supervision of an experienced physician, the chances of forming an addiction are low. Suboxone is a treatment for opioid dependency, and most of the patients who take the medication find that they are less susceptible to the cravings associated with addiction.[8]

Who Is a Good Candidate for Suboxone Treatment?

Suboxone is usually a good choice for individuals who are struggling with opioid addiction and would prefer a medically-supported recovery. The medication can also reduce cravings and ease withdrawal symptoms for those who have started an opioid detox program and need a maintenance treatment. Suboxone is also taken by individuals looking for a safer and more discrete alternative to methadone treatment.

Suboxone is not recommended for individuals who are still taking opiates as combining the medication with drugs like oxycodone or fentanyl could lead to precipitated withdrawal. Individuals who are hypersensitive to buprenorphine or naloxone or suffer from serious liver conditions should also avoid Suboxone.

Suboxone vs. Other Medication-assisted Treatments

How to Start Suboxone Treatment

If you are struggling with opioid addiction and would like to learn more about including Suboxone in your treatment, the first thing you should do is schedule an evaluation with a medical professional to determine whether the medication is right for you. If you and your physician decide to include Suboxone in your medically-supported recovery, your treatment will go through the following three phases:

• The induction phase: The induction phase will begin after you enter an opioid detox program and start to experience withdrawal symptoms.
• The maintenance phase: After you complete opioid detox, you will take Suboxone once a day during the maintenance phase to reduce cravings and prevent relapse.
• The tapering phase: During the tapering phase, the amount of Suboxone you take each day will gradually be reduced under the supervision of your physician. This phase is not always necessary.

The Role of Suboxone in Long-term Recovery

Suboxone can ease your withdrawal symptoms and reduce your cravings during your recovery from opioid addiction, but your chances of success will be far greater if your treatment plan includes therapy, support and lifestyle modifications. Opioid addiction is a powerful foe, so you will need all of the help you can get. A successful treatment play may include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy: CBT helps patients to recognize how their thoughts lead to actions. Negative thoughts lead to negative actions, which can make recovering from opioid addiction extremely difficult.
• Traditional therapy: During traditional therapy sessions, you will explore your motivations and how they influence your perceptions of reality.
• Support groups: Discussing the day-to-day challenges of opioid recovery with others who are in the same situation can be extremely therapeutic. Group sessions are especially useful for patients who do not have a strong network of family members and friends to support them.
• Lifestyle modifications: Avoiding people and places associated with opioid addiction can be very difficult, but it is a crucial part of the recovery process.

Finding Suboxone Treatment at Garden State Detox

Garden State Detox can help you on the road to recovery from opioid dependency by offering you compassion, understanding and an individualized treatment plan that includes medication, therapy and aftercare. Our experienced healthcare professionals could prescribe Suboxone to help you deal with cravings and withdrawal symptoms during opioid detox, and they will be committed to your long-term success.

Take the First Step

Suboxone is an FDA-approved medication that is an effective addiction treatment option for opioid addiction when used correctly within a comprehensive treatment program supervised by medical professionals. You should seek professional help if you are struggling with opioid dependency because it is something few people can manage effectively on their own. If you’re ready to learn more about the benefits of Suboxone and other available treatment options, contact the helpful and friendly professionals at Garden State Detox to schedule a medical evaluation today.

FAQ

References:
[1] https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/medications-to-treat-opioid-addiction/overview
[2] https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-generic-versions-suboxone-sublingual-film-which-may-increase-access-treatment
[3] https://www.healthline.com/health/partial-opioid-agonist
[4] https://www.dea.gov/onepill/save-lives#:~:text=Naloxone%20is%20a%20medicine%20that,because%20of%20an%20opioid%20overdose.
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK599974/
[6] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/respiratory-depression
[7] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2094723/
[8] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6728888/