If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid addiction and wants to find a solution, then suboxone may be the treatment for you. Suboxone is used for addiction treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) and helps people stop using opioids by managing withdrawal symptoms and reducing cravings. How does suboxone work? Let’s look!
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What is Suboxone and How Does Suboxone Work?
Suboxone is an FDA approved prescription used to treat opioid dependence. Although suboxone is itself an opioid, it is safer than other drugs in this classification. Suboxone works by blocking the receptors in the brain that are “craving” opioids. This stops the brain from sending the signals that cause withdrawal symptoms. It can be used as a maintenance medication to help in recovery from opioid use disorder. It can also be used as an induction agent to stabilize a person going through withdrawal during a medical detox.
This drug contains a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is an opioid medication that is sometimes referred to as a narcotic. It helps to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Naloxone blocks the effects of opioid medication like pain relief or feelings of well-being that could lead to opioid abuse. The combination of these two helps patients
- find relief from withdrawal and protect against relapse
- decrease dependency and cravings of opioids
- regulate brain chemistry
- decrease or prevents overdoses
- experience less severe withdrawal symptoms
It is also important to note that suboxone can be used to treat chronic pain, but research is still determining its effectiveness. It is mainly meant for opioid addiction including heroin, fentanyl, codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, and methadone. Suboxone won’t be used for addictions like meth or alcohol.
What are the Side Effects of Suboxone?
Suboxone may cause some unwanted side effects, however, not all of these side effects may occur. The most common side effects are:
- nausea or vomiting
- headaches
- sweating
- insomnia
- constipation
Other, less common, side effects include diarrhea, cramps, anxiety, and irritability.
Is Suboxone Effective and is it the Right Treatment for you?
Yes, suboxone is effective, but not on its own. While the prescription can be a great option for helping those fighting addiction, it should not be the only treatment in the recovery plan. Suboxone is part of a medication assisted treatment (MAT) that requires other types of treatment including the combination of counseling and therapy, to help sustain recovery.
Modern Psychiatry Medical Detox Program
Every patient is different, that’s why we strive to help our patients’ quality of life and guide them to recovery through our medical detox program. We will work with each individual and provide a plan that is unique and best suited to their individual goals. Our team will assess, prescribe, and monitor patients during the withdrawal process. Check out our medical detox program to learn more.
