Suboxone
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Back in 2002, the Food and Drug Administration approved Suboxone. The medication was meant to help in the treatment of opioid addiction. As a controlled substance, this drug is accepted for medical use, but it can also have its risks, one of them being the risk of addiction.
Over time, many people have become addicted to Suboxone as a result of their treatment. However, some individuals also started using it illegally, even though they did not have any medical issue that required Suboxone treatment. Suboxone may be effective at reducing opioid cravings, but it can be addictive itself.
Even though it is not as addictive as other similar medications (methadone, for example), Suboxone addiction is still something that should be prevented. On top of that, if anyone ends up with an addiction, they must take all the necessary steps to treat it in a rehabilitation center.
What is Suboxone?
Suboxone is the brand name of a prescription drug used in treating opioid drug dependence. Two substances are used to create it, respectively naloxone and buprenorphine.
Naloxone is known to help block opioid effects, whereas buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. Together, both of them can work to block the opiate receptors of a person and reduce their cravings, while reversing opioid effects. Suboxone has been used for medical purposes since 2002 after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it.
Nowadays, Suboxone is preferred in the treatment of opioid addiction, mainly because it has some extra benefits. For example, it is not as habit-forming as Methadone, so it is more widely used.
Usually, the drug is prescribed by a doctor or from a specialized treatment center. The medication is used mainly when someone starts their addiction treatment, but it is also effective in recovery.
Suboxone Uses
Suboxone comes in two different forms. It can either come as an oral tablet or as an oral film. The similarity between the two is that they are both administered orally.
The oral film is put under someone’s tongue or between the cheek and gums. As it stays there, it will dissolve.
Suboxone is great for decreasing opioid misuse, and it can also work in keeping someone in treatment when they have been dealing with opioid addiction. Usually, Suboxone will be part of the treatment for 24 weeks.
Side Effects Of Suboxone
Suboxone may be very useful for treating opioid addiction, but that doesn’t make it perfect. In fact, some side effects may appear in people who use the medication. The symptoms may be mild or serious, depending on the case.
The most common side effects include:
- Anxiety
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Opioid withdrawal symptoms
- Sweating
- Constipation
- Depression
- Back pain
- Fatigue or weakness
- Redness inside the mouth
- Burning tongue
- Back pain
After a few days, some of the side effects may start to go away, but for certain people, this might take a few weeks. It is essential to consult a pharmacist or a doctor if the symptoms are very intense and don’t get any milder with time.
Serious side effects may also occur for some people, despite being less common. Such effects could include:
- Coma
- Dependence and abuse
- Bad allergic reactions
- Liver damage
- Breathing issues
- Hormone issues
- Bad withdrawal symptoms
Call 911 if you or anyone else is dealing with severe side effects or if the symptoms seem to be life-threatening.
Dealing With Suboxone Addiction
While it is not that likely to become addicted to Suboxone, there is always a small chance of it happening. Using it long-term may result in addiction, which will manifest as drug-seeking behavior and drug cravings. This can make a person misuse the medication or abuse it.
Suboxone abuse may be very dangerous and may even be deadly in some cases. This is mainly the case when the drug is used in combination with alcohol, benzodiazepine drugs, opioids, or other substances.
You know addiction has developed when the person feels like they cannot live without taking Suboxone. They may slowly start to neglect every aspect of their life, such as their job, family, school, or anything of the sort. However, they cannot stop, despite being aware of the consequences.
Suboxone Withdrawal
Suboxone contains Naloxone, a medication that reverses opioid effects. Therefore, using Suboxone after consuming any opioid drugs can result in immediate withdrawal symptoms.
At the same time, Suboxone itself can cause withdrawal effects if someone has been addicted to it and suddenly stops taking it. Common withdrawal symptoms associated with Suboxone use include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Chills
- Fever
- Cravings
- Irritability
- Headaches
- Sweating
- Difficulties concentrating
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Can You Overdose on Suboxone?
When one uses too much Suboxone, they risk overdosing on it. Dosages should only be taken under supervision, or else the user may end up ingesting too much.
Suboxone overdoses will bring symptoms like:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Upset stomach or pain
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Burning tongue
- Hard time breathing
- Decreased touch sensation
- Coma
- Chills
- Fatigue or weakness
- Death
Treatment For Suboxone Addiction
If someone is dealing with a Suboxone addiction, they have the chance to get better. Many rehabilitation centers help people recover from this issue safely and effectively.
Detox is recommended in many cases as Suboxone withdrawal tends to be quite intense. The detox process is medically supervised to ensure the best results. Also, before starting any treatment, the patient will be examined by the doctor and addiction staff members to figure out whether they should start with the detoxification or start offering someone therapy.
A combination of detox and therapy is usually recommended. It can be more effective, especially if the person has any underlying issues that encourage the addiction.
Why Choose Us
Real Deal works very hard to improve the life of patients who have been dealing with an addiction and want to get better. Out rehabilitation center provides an effective detox program, as well as therapy.
Moreover, we offer sober living homes for anyone who wants some time away from their life and is looking to keep any temptations at bay.
Suboxone addiction can be dangerous, so don’t hesitate to call for help. It may prevent an overdose, so contact us immediately.