When it comes to addiction treatment, there are several therapies and medications professionals use. Quite often, medications are utilized during detox to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Detox and successfully completing treatment are extremely important; however, preparing addicts for long-term sobriety is of utmost importance for guaranteeing a successful recovery.
For years, Methadone has been the main treatment for individuals with opioid addictions. Over the past few years, the use of Suboxone has increased. The rise in popularity is due to the fact that it is a partial-opioid agonist and it is less likely to cause adverse reactions in patients as they taper off from it.
To understand the success of Suboxone, one must first consider how opioids affect users. When an individual uses an opioid medication or heroin, the drug latches on to the opioid receptors in the brain and causes a release of dopamine. When this occurs, the user experiences a sense of euphoria and no longer feels pain. As an individual continues using these substances, it rewires how their brain responds, generating cravings for the drug and adverse reactions if users do not have it.
Suboxone, which is also referred to as buprenorphine, works by binding with opioid receptors in the brain. It uniquely suppresses pain while blocking opioid receptors in the brain when given in high doses. Through Suboxone, medical professionals are able to help addicts ease withdrawal symptoms without forming a new addiction as it generally blocks a user’s ability to get high from other opioids.
Suboxone offers numerous benefits to addicts undergoing detox. Typically, a user who does not have any drugs in their system will begin experiencing withdrawal symptoms within a few hours. These symptoms often include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Muscle aches
- Anxiety or depression
- Problems sleeping
- Increased heartbeat
- Excessive sweating
Suboxone is administered to patients at the first sign of withdrawal. This medication is given to a patient slowly in order to avoid triggering withdrawal systems prematurely. Over a course of three to four days, patients will continue to take the medication in order to alleviate symptoms as their body detoxes.
There are typically three phases of Suboxone use.
These include:
- The induction phase – this is when patients are introduced to Suboxone and administered their initial dosage.
- The stabilization phase – this is the phase after the individual stops using their substance and no longer craves it.
- The maintenance phase – this is when the patient continues receiving a low dose of Suboxone for a length determined by their medical advisor.
While Suboxone is often believed to be a beneficial option for short-term detox, more studies are finding long-term benefits for continued use. Patients who remain on a low-dose of Suboxone are more likely to continue sobriety past the 12-month mark. Additionally, studies find that these individuals are generally healthier overall and have an increase in social function.
At Asana Recovery, we have a specialized MAT program designed to help patients recover from their opioid addiction. Trained medical professionals monitor patients on a 24-hour basis through detox in order to ensure they are safe and comfortable as their body rids itself of these harmful drugs. If you or someone you know is dealing with an opioid addiction, contact us at (949) 329 – 5479 to see how we can help.
