Opioid addiction is a complex, multifaceted problem that can feel inescapable for those suffering from it. However, treatments are available to help opioid addicts find a way out of their affliction.
Suboxone is one such treatment that has become increasingly popular over recent years due to its ability to provide long-term relief from opioid withdrawal and cravings.
This blog will explore the facts surrounding Suboxone, including how it works and the potential benefits of using medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for treating opioid addiction.
Whether you’re just beginning your journey to recovery or have been opiate-free for some time, understanding the role of Suboxone can be pivotal in achieving sustained sobriety. Let’s get started.
Is Opioid Addiction a Disease?
Opioid addiction, or opioid use disorder (OUD), is a chronic form of substance abuse. It is characterized by compulsively seeking opioid-based drugs such as heroin, morphine, prescription opioid medications, and fentanyl despite any consequences.
OUD develops from the misuse of opioids over time, especially when taken in higher doses or more frequently than prescribed.
Signs of opioid addiction include:
- Physical dependence on opioid substances
- Increased tolerance to opioid substances
- Unsuccessful attempts to quit using opioid substances
- Preoccupation with finding ways to obtain opioid substances.
Opioid addiction, like any other type of addiction, is considered a disease by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. That is because it is a complex disorder that affects an individual’s brain chemistry, behavior, and social functioning and therefore needs to be treated with comprehensive care.
What Causes Addiction to Opioids?
Addiction to opioids can be complex and challenging to understand, as it has many contributing factors.
One major cause can be traced to prescription opioid medications, often over-prescribed by doctors and easily obtained by patients.
People may also become addicted after trying opioids to cope with physical pain or emotional distress. Additionally, some people voluntarily experiment with opioids without understanding the risks involved.
Once opioid use begins, ongoing use can quickly lead to addiction due to the powerful craving opioids can cause in some individuals.
With opioid addiction comes many dangerous consequences, so all individuals must understand the causes and risks to make informed decisions about drug use.
Symptoms of Opioid Use Disorder
You must be aware of the signs and symptoms of opioid use disorder so you can receive the help you need. Some common indications of opioid use disorder may include the following:
- An intense craving for opioids
- Continued use despite negative consequences
- Ingesting larger amounts over time to achieve the same effect
- Financial or legal problems related to drug use
- Changes in behavior or mood, such as agitation
- Withdrawal from activities they used to enjoy
- Neglecting personal responsibilities such as work or bills
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, seek help immediately. The longer someone goes without treatment for opioid use disorder, the more likely they are to suffer from long-term consequences such as an overdose or even death.
Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
Opioid use disorder treatment can be divided into two broad categories: medications and therapies.
Medications used for treating this disorder restore the body’s natural balance of hormones, such as endorphins, and block any additional opioids from binding to the receptors in the brain.
Therapies may involve the following:
- Individual counseling
- Group therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral
- Contingency-management approaches
- Peer-recovery support programs
- Other psychosocial services.
Because many with opioid use disorder also suffer from co-occurring mental health disorders or severe stressors, counseling can provide skills to cope with triggers while helping them achieve a more balanced life away from opioid use.
With proper care and treatment tailored to a patient’s individual needs, those suffering from opioid use disorder can have successful long-term recovery.
Below, we’ll explore the various medications and treatment programs used to treat opioid use disorder in more detail.
Medication Options
Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine can help treat opioid use disorder. It works by blocking the effects of opioids while reducing withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and drug-seeking behavior. Buprenorphine can be combined with naloxone (Suboxone) to reduce the risk of misuse or overdose.
Methadone
Methadone blocks the effects of opioids, reducing withdrawal symptoms and the desire to use. Methadone is typically taken in a supervised setting, such as a clinic or hospital.
Naltrexone
Naltrexone blocks the effects of opioids, making it difficult to get high off them. It can help people stay away from opioids and focus on their recovery.
Medical Detox
Medical detox refers to the process of safely withdrawing from opioids and then preparing to enter addiction treatment. This step is crucial, as it can dramatically reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms and make the transition and treatment much easier to manage.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a comprehensive approach to treating opioid use disorder that combines medication like Suboxone with counseling and other therapeutic services. SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) considers MAT the gold standard for treating opioid use disorder due to its holistic approach and proven efficacy.
MAT may last several weeks or months, depending on the individual’s progress and stability. During MAT, a patient will take Suboxone to reduce cravings while attending counseling sessions and other therapy programs. This combination of medication and therapy helps individuals achieve sobriety more effectively than either treatment alone.
The ultimate goal of MAT is for patients to become stable and eventually maintain sobriety without needing medication or therapy.
Role of Suboxone Against Opioid Addiction
Suboxone is an FDA-approved medication that combines buprenorphine and naloxone to treat opioid use disorder.
Suboxone reduces cravings and the euphoric effects associated with opioid drugs, making avoiding them easier. Because of this, Suboxone can be used to help people gradually stop using opioids entirely.
Even more importantly, Suboxone reduces the risk of overdose because it contains buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine, an opioid partial agonist, reduced cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Naloxone, on the other hand, blocks the effects of other opioids.
Suboxone is often prescribed as part of MAT in combination with counseling and other therapeutic services to help those struggling with addiction achieve long-term recovery.
Since its conception in 2002, Suboxone has become vital to treating opioid addiction due to its effectiveness, safety, and accessibility. Suboxone is available as a tablet or filmstrip, making it easy to take and more convenient for those who need it.
Suboxone Treatment Center Near Fall River, MA
Nowadays, it’s easy to find a Suboxone treatment center near you. At Fall River Suboxone Doctor, we offer comprehensive MAT for opioid use disorder that combines Suboxone with counseling and other therapeutic services.
Our programs are tailored to meet the individual’s needs, and our team of compassionate professionals is dedicated to helping each of our patients achieve lasting sobriety and success.
If you are looking for a Suboxone treatment center near Fall River, MA, please contact us today to learn more about our programs and how we can help you in your journey to recovery.
