What is Suboxone Treatment?

America is currently experiencing an epidemic of opiate addiction. Opioids are some of the most addictive drugs in existence, and therefore the hardest to quit. Quitting cold turkey isn’t possible for most people, and even if they do, fewer than 25% can remain clean for a year. Thankfully, there are new and improving treatment options out there to effectively treat opioid addiction. Methadone is one of the most common, but there is an improved version of this type of medication, called Suboxone. Suboxone treatment is safer and more likely to work for overcoming an addiction than Methadone. Here is everything you need to know about Suboxone treatment with regards to opioid addiction.

What Are Opiates?

Opiates, or opioids, are a class of drugs that include the illicit drug heroin, as well as prescription pain medication like oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, and fentanyl. Opiates are highly addictive because they interact with the opioid receptors in the brain and nervous system. These receptors are what control pleasure and pain in the body. This is why morphine is used in the hospitals and oxycodone is given for pain management. However, when not properly supervised they can lead to addiction as people chase that feeling of euphoria.

Opiate Addiction

There is an opiate crisis in America right now. Almost every day we’re greeted with news about people overdosing. In fact, drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the US, with opiate addiction driving the epidemic. That’s not surprising considering the number of people addicted, and how readily accessible both legal and illegal opioids have become.

There are over 2 million people with prescription painkiller addictions, and close to 600,000 people using heroin. These numbers continue to grow. Often, people develop an addiction from legally prescribed pain pills after surgery or an accident. When they are unable to refill prescriptions they start abusing heroin as a substitute, which is also much cheaper. Statistics estimate that around 23% of individuals that use heroin develop an opioid addiction.

The good news is that this doesn’t have to be you. While challenging and a long process, there is addiction treatment available for substance abuse. Many medical providers with experience in addiction medicine have begun utilizing opioid replacement medications, such as Suboxone, with excellent results.

Treatment Options

Medication-assisted treatment typically involves the use of methadone, naltrexone, or Suboxone, to compliment counseling and other behavioral aspects of addiction. These medications help with withdrawal and the cravings that many people experience during addiction that leads to relapse.

What is Suboxone Treatment?

Suboxone is one of the medications available for opioid addiction. The FDA approved it in 2002 as an alternative to Methadone treatment. Suboxone is the combination of two medications, buprenorphine, and naloxone. Suboxone works for opiate addiction since it suppresses withdrawal symptoms and cravings, doesn’t cause euphoria, and blocks the problematic opioid use for at least 24 hours.

There have been high success rates for Suboxone. 40-60% of individuals that receive Suboxone treatment either retain treatment or sobriety. These results are much higher than its more well-known counterpart, methadone. Because Suboxone blocks other opiates, if someone uses heroin or painkillers while on Suboxone, they won’t feel the “high”. This gives them a second chance at recovery.

Suboxone comes in a tablet or a filmstrip, the filmstrip being the most recommended as it can’t be crushed and abused. Because it is long-lasting (24 hours) it only has to be taken once a day. Treatment is quick, effective, and long lasting.

Suboxone Treatment vs. Methadone

Methadone has been the leading treatment option for opiate addiction for years. While it works, there are some downsides to it. Methadone clinics are highly regulated by the government, which means that in order to receive this treatment you have to be enrolled in the federal program.

One of the big dangers to methadone is that it produces a euphoric feeling similar to the opiates people are trying to stop abusing. This means there is a danger that people will become addicted to the medication that is supposed to help them. Suboxone won’t produce this “high” no matter how much is taken.

Addiction can be overwhelming and all consuming. With options like our Delray Beach Suboxone treatment center and addiction counseling, there is hope for recovery. Contact us today to get these treatments or to discuss other options available.

Dr. Raul J. Rodriguez

Dr. Raul Rodriguez

DABPN, DABAM, MRO

Existing patients, please text 561-409-7296 for follow-up appointment requests or if you have medication concerns please text 561-409-7296.

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