Suboxone is a medication used to help people with opioid addiction. It contains two active ingredients: buprenorphine and naloxone.
Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that binds to the brain receptors like opioids such as heroin, oxycodone, and fentanyl. However, unlike these drugs, buprenorphine does not produce the same euphoria or high, making it less addictive.
Naloxone is also an opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of opioids. It is added to Suboxone to prevent people from misusing it by injecting it, which can lead to overdose and other serious health problems.
Role of Suboxone in treating opioid addiction
Suboxone is usually given as a sublingual tablet or film, placed under the tongue, and left to dissolve. It is typically used as part of a comprehensive Suboxone Treatment plan that includes counseling, support groups, and other forms of therapy.
Studies have shown that Suboxone can be an effective treatment for opioid addiction. It can help people to stay in treatment longer, reduce the risk of relapse, and improve their overall quality of life. It is also associated with lower overdose rates and other negative outcomes compared to other treatments.
Since opioid addiction is a serious concern in many parts of the world, high-end rehabs like WhiteSands Addiction Treatment Centers have separate programs for treating opioid addiction.
Steps taken by WhiteSands Rehab to treat opioid addiction using Suboxone
Medical and addiction treatment experts at WhiteSands believe that counseling therapy, along with Suboxone, is an ideal way to treat opioid addiction. They offer inpatient and outpatient treatments, depending on the patient’s addiction severity. It takes place in the following steps:
Patient assessment
During the patient assessment, medical experts conduct a comprehensive and psychological assessment of the patients before beginning the treatment. This is the first step in treating opioid addiction using Suboxone, which helps determine the severity of addiction and identifies any co-occurring mental health disorders.
Medication-assisted detox
WhiteSands Rehab uses Suboxone as a medication-assisted treatment to help individuals manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings for opioids during detox. The patients are generally under a 7-14 day detox period. The medication is prescribed by a physician and is administered under close supervision. They are also medically assisted by nurses and doctors 24/7, who often check their vitals every few hours.
Individualized treatment plan and group therapy
An individualized treatment plan is developed based on the unique patient’s needs and circumstances. The plan typically includes medication-assisted treatment using Suboxone, individual therapy, and other evidence-based treatments.
It also offers group therapy sessions as part of its addiction treatment program. These sessions are led by trained therapists and allow individuals to share their experiences, learn from others, and receive support from their peers.
Counseling and behavioral therapy
Once the patient is under therapy and detox for a fixed duration, they undergo different therapy sessions to help individuals address the underlying issues that may have contributed to their addiction. These sessions are typically conducted with a licensed therapist and may involve cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and other evidence-based approaches.
Aftercare planning
WhiteSands Rehab provides aftercare planning to help individuals maintain their sobriety after leaving the facility. This may include referrals to support groups, ongoing therapy, relapse prevention at sober homes, trigger management, coping skills, and other resources.
Benefits of Suboxone for opioid addiction
Some of the benefits of Suboxone for opioid addiction include:
- Reducing withdrawal symptoms: Suboxone can help to reduce the symptoms of opioid withdrawal, which can be very uncomfortable and make it difficult for people to stop using opioids.
- Lowering the risk of relapse: Suboxone can help to reduce cravings for opioids, which can help to lower the risk of relapse. It can also help to reduce the euphoric effects of opioids, which can make it less likely that people will continue to use them.
- Improving the overall quality of life: Suboxone helps people to function better in their daily lives by reducing the negative effects of opioid addiction. It can help to improve mood, increase energy, and improve cognitive function.
- Lowering the risk of overdose: The presence of buprenorphine in Suboxone can help to lower the risk of overdose by reducing the number of opioids that people use.