An Overview of Suboxone Treatment: What You Need to Know
Suboxone treatment is an important part of managing opioid-based addictions and dependency. Suboxone treatment is an effective, cost-efficient way to access medical help and be successful in controlling addiction. In this article, we will discuss what is suboxone treatment, who is it for, how it works, how to access suboxone treatment options, and how to ensure successful suboxone treatment.
What is Suboxone Treatment?
Definition
Suboxone is a brand name for a combination drug that contains buprenorphine and naloxone. It is prescribed by a doctor as part of a medication-assisted treatment plan intended to help individuals with opioid addictions or dependencies manage their symptoms and the overall effects of their addiction or dependence. Suboxone treatment can be used to treat opioid use disorders such as fentanyl addiction and heroin addiction, as well as painkiller addictions like oxycodone (Oxycontin) and hydrocodone.
Different Forms
Suboxone comes in two different forms: a pill taken by mouth or a film strip that dissolves under the tongue. The pills are generally round and light orange with “SUBOXONE” inscribed on one side, while the film strips are white with “S8” printed on one side.
Benefits
Suboxone treatment helps people with opioid addictions reduce their cravings and withdrawal symptoms, which makes it easier for them to remain abstinent from opioids over time and stay in recovery from opioid addiction. Suboxone also blocks the intoxication effects of other opioids, meaning it makes it impossible for people to get high if they use opioids while taking suboxone treatment. Additionally, suboxone also helps reduce the risk of overdose because it has a ceiling effect — meaning that there is a maximum potency level of the drug that cannot be exceeded.
Who is Suboxone Treatment For?
Opioid Dependence
Suboxone treatment is most commonly used to help people who are dependent on other opioids (such as heroin, fentanyl, OxyContin/oxycodone, methadone, and hydrocodone). It works best when combined with talk therapy and other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
Other Substance Abuse
Suboxone can also be prescribed off-label for treating addictions to other substances such as alcohol or benzodiazepines (Xanax/Klonopin). However, it should only be prescribed in these cases when all other options have been exhausted and only in combination with individual or group therapy programs that address the underlying causes of addiction.
How Does Suboxone Treatment Work?
Buprenorphine and Naloxone
Suboxone contains two active ingredients: buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is an opioid agonist that works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain which reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings for opioids without producing the same intoxication effects associated with other opioids like heroin or fentanyl. Naloxone helps prevent misuse of buprenorphine by blocking its effects if injected; this means that if someone attempts to inject suboxone they will not get high from it since naloxone blocks its effects when injected.
Dosage
The dosage of suboxone varies depending on patient need but generally starts at 2mg/0.2mg per day (buprenorphine/naloxone). This dosage can then be adjusted depending on patient need; some people may require higher doses while others may require lower doses in order to achieve optimal results from the suboxone treatment plan. Generally speaking, higher doses are more likely to produce positive outcomes like reduced pain levels or fewer episodes of craving while lower doses can be more successful in terms of reducing misuse risk or preventing overdose if someone takes too much of the medication intentionally or unintentionally. It’s important to work with your doctor to determine what dose is right for you before starting any sort of suboxone treatment plan.
Side Effects
The most common side effects associated with suboxone treatment are constipation, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, dry mouth, sweating, weakness/fatigue, insomnia/sleep difficulty, and blurred vision. In rare cases more serious side effects may occur including changes in heart rate/rhythm, breathing difficulty (especially when lying down), confusion/anxiety/agitation/irritability/depression/mood swings, muscle twitches/tremors/seizures/hallucinations/delusions/suicidal thoughts & behavior changes in appetite/weight gain or loss/changes in sexual desire & activity can also occur but are less common than the above mentioned milder side effects associated with suboxone treatment plans. Be sure to speak with your doctor if any serious side effects occur while taking suboxone so they can adjust your dosage accordingly if necessary or find alternative treatments if necessary.
Accessing Suboxone Treatment
Doctors & Treatment Centers
In order to begin a suboxone treatment plan you must first set up a consultation with a qualified doctor or seek out a specialty addiction center for help managing your addiction or dependence issues through medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Depending on where you live there may be different requirements for accessing MAT services so it’s important to check your local regulations first before seeking out medical assistance through MAT providers specifically trained in providing support services related to MAT plans using suboxone specifically as part of those plans if that is your desired method of care for addressing addictions issues you have been facing due to opioid abuse specifically.
Insurance Coverage
The good news is that most private insurance companies will cover some aspect of MAT services using suboxone although coverage levels can vary greatly from one provider and policy type to another so it’s important to check with your insurer first before seeking out services related directly to MAT care costs associated with any specific provider you may have chosen already. You may also qualify for certain government-provided assistance programs regarding costs associated particularly with medications required per specific MAT-based care plans.
Cost
For those without insurance coverage, specific costs associated with MAT care utilizing suboxide treatments can vary greatly between providers so we strongly recommend shopping around before settling on any particular provider(s) related especially to MAT care costs associated directly with administering Suboxide treatments per specific plans they utilize within their scope of care relating specifically the administering medications related directly the MAT care systemically.
Successful Suboxone Treatment
Psychological Support
In order for suboxide treatment plans to work effectively, it’s important for individuals taking them to participate in some form of psychological support program designed specifically to address the underlying cause(s) related directly to their addiction–such as group sessions, individual counseling & peer mentorship programs all potentially effective ways addressing emotional issues individual faces tied specifically their chemical dependency problems & substance abuse based issues which may provide valuable insight & skills needed managing any issues experienced related within their specific experience MAT & Suboxide treatment plans long term.
Risk Of Relapse
It is important to note that relapse rates for people participating in MAT plans utilizing Suboxide treatments are actually lower than those not receiving any sort of formal MAT-related care regimen, indicating that even though relapse rates still exist for those pursuing this form MAT based care systemically risks associated with relapse are significantly lower than not receiving any form of therapeutic assistance whatsoever., which indicates at least some potential success found utilizing medically assisted treatments alone addressing chemical dependency & substance abuse based related issues.
Long-Term Solutions
Although Suboxide-based treatments provide a vast range of benefits achieving short-term successes in tackling chemical dependency problems, it is critical to note however that they should be seen primarily just part of broader care plans addressing underlying emotional & mental health-related issues contributing towards such dependencies long term. Without any additional psychological support accompanying the individual’s course either individual counseling sessions, group therapy meetings or additional peer mentor programs provided outside scope direct MAT relationship patient’s overall long-term success rate drastically declines significantly decreasing long-term prognosis related to successfully tackling these core issues chemically dependent persons face addressing underlying causes their substance abuse has precipitated over time.