In most rehab programs, clients abstain entirely from any addictive substances. Sometimes, however, milder forms of a drug are used to ease the worst of withdrawal symptoms or cravings. Many medical detox centers offer medication-assisted treatment to help alleviate the symptoms of withdrawal. One of the more popular drugs that addiction experts us is Suboxone. If you are wondering what is Suboxone and how is it used, we have the answer. This is one of the drugs some treatment centers prescribe for clients with opioid addiction. Because Suboxone is a drug, too, its use is carefully monitored.
What Is Suboxone?
Suboxone is a combination of naloxone and buprenorphine. Medical professionals may prescribe it to someone during treatment for opioid addiction. While buprenorphine is also an opioid, naloxone blocks the euphoric effects.
Not every rehab facility uses Suboxone, and most will consider whether or not to use it on a case-by-case basis. Some people will be able to deal with heroin or painkiller addiction without additional drug intervention, but others may benefit from it.
What is suboxone best used for? For someone with a severe addiction, it will reduce the intensity of withdrawal symptoms. Because a user’s heroin cravings can be intense, medications may be beneficial in a gradual tapering protocol. Under supervision, a person may use it until he or she has successfully overcome addiction to another opioid.
Is Suboxone Safe?
Because Suboxone is a drug, medical detox staff do not prescribe it randomly. Unfortunately, even when used correctly, some people end up becoming dependent on it. Merely prescribing Suboxone without providing other treatment options is not the best plan. In that case, it is just replacing one drug with another.
If someone is wondering what is Suboxone and can it help my opioid addiction, the answer is it should accompany therapy and changes in lifestyle. It is not enough to just use Suboxone with no other treatment components in place. Much like any other treatment method, it takes more than just going through the motions.
Some people take Suboxone as a means of getting high. They may do this if they do not have access to heroin or other opioids. While the effects of Suboxone are milder, they are still enough for users who crave the euphoric feelings that opioids produce. This substance abuse can lead to addiction if left unchecked. It is important to be aware of the risks that come with taking the medication.
If someone abuses Suboxone, she or he will experience Suboxone withdrawal when she stops using it. The long-term effects are similar to those of other drugs, such as depression, anxiety, and isolation from family and friends.
Whether it is heroin, Suboxone, alcohol, or some other substance that you or a loved one wants to break free from, there is help available. The first step is getting into a quality detox program.
Setting the Stage for Recovery
Serenity House Detox & Recovery is a drug and alcohol detox located in Houston, Texas. We offer a safe, supportive environment where clients can go through detox. You will be monitored and made to feel as comfortable as possible. We offer a number of detox programs to help people struggling with different substance addictions. Some of the programs we offer include:
- Heroin detox program
- Alcohol detox program
- Meth detox program
- Prescription drug detox program
- Opiate detox program
Once you recognize the need for addiction treatment, you can begin a new phase of your life. Start with detox, and we will help you build a solid foundation for the rest of your recovery. Call Serenity House Detox & Recovery at 866.516.8356 for more information about the programs that we offer.