Suboxone: When to Use and The Dangers of It

Understanding Suboxone

Suboxone is one of the many methods of treatment for opioid addiction withdrawal. It’s generic and more commonly known name is buprenorphine-naloxone. Suboxone works as an opioid agonist to block withdrawals and cravings while also securing opioid receptors.
Suboxone addiction is possible because suboxone does have advantages as well as disadvantages. With many users, suboxone is taken long term and can still cause dependence.
Can you get addicted to suboxone? This may be a question you are asking yourself. To know if suboxone is the right method towards recovery for you, you must weigh out the positives and negatives that come with using suboxone.
Another question commonly asked is how long does it take to get addicted to suboxone? Suboxone addiction can occur rapidly when being misused. In the next few paragraphs, we will discuss all things suboxone so you can get a better understanding of its process as well as its advantages and disadvantages.

The Good and The Bad of Suboxone

Suboxone can be beneficial in terms of helping you get over your withdrawal easier and can really aid in your recovery process when used correctly but, is suboxone an addictive drug? It is definitely possible to become addicted or dependent to suboxone. Here is a list of suboxone addiction symptoms:

• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Itching
• Heart racing
• Severe drowsiness
• Weakness/ poor coordination
• Blurred Vision
• Slurred Speech
• Stomach pains
• Shallow breathing

Now, there are also positive aspects of suboxone. What does suboxone do for addicts?

Suboxone administered and used correctly relieves withdrawal and acts as a safer alternative to methadone, which can be very addictive. Suboxone is meant to help you get off of opioids and is given as a prescription in the form of a film that goes under the tongue or inside your cheek.
Suboxone can be a positive benefit when used appropriately with help by licensed professionals and in conjunction with group therapy, behavioral therapy, as well as psychological therapy.

How Suboxone Works

Suboxone addiction therapy starts with medical detoxification through a treatment facility with substance abuse professionals who are with you every step of the way whether you decide on inpatient or outpatient treatment.

How addictive is suboxone?

Suboxone contains buprenorphine and naloxone which act as a team to relieve your withdrawal symptoms from opioids. Buprenorphine acts as a partial opioid agonist that gives off mild opioid effects and this helps you with the symptoms and cravings that occur when detoxing.
Naloxone acts as an opioid receptor agonist that when used with buprenorphine, prevents buprenorphine addiction by starting up opioid withdrawal symptoms (if it were being abused).
Naloxone by itself has been used to save lives when presented with someone who is having an overdose, which can potentially be deadly.
Suboxone is not only prescribed as an opioid withdrawal medication but is also used for alcohol addiction. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be extremely hard to manage on your own so this is generally why medical professionals will prescribe suboxone for alcohol addiction.

Signs of Suboxone Abuse and Misuse

It’s important to understand that abusing suboxone especially when using an opioid in addition to suboxone can be dangerous and possibly lead to death. When abusing suboxone and opioids together, your respiratory system drops to low levels that may potentially be life threatening.
Some of the more drastic symptoms of long time suboxone abuse can include losing your hair, being unable to control your thoughts and emotions, being unable to respond to stress in a normal way, and a loss of interest in sexual activity.
If you are showing signs of any of these symptoms it may be time to consider suboxone addiction detox therapy, get medications for drug addiction as well as for suboxone addiction and receive therapy and participate in support groups for addiction.

Treatment Centers for Suboxone Addiction

If you are considering rehab for suboxone addiction, there are many facilities that will take you in and give you the best care for your needs. Most suboxone addiction facilities start with an inpatient program with round the clock care.
Below is a list of treatment facilities around the world that specialize in suboxone addiction detox:

1. Drug & Alcohol Detox Rehab Treatment Center Los Angeles | Revive Detox (revivedetoxlosangeles.com)
2. Methadone and Suboxone Treatment |HomeTexas Treatment Services LLC.
3. Help for Drug Addiction | Rehab Help is Here (718) 571-8658 (nycaddictioncenter.com)
4. About – 2nd Chance Treatment Center: Addiction Medicine Gilbert, Phoenix, Surprise, and Glendale, AZ

If you or a loved one is seeking information on addiction or mental health resources please call (888) 564-4780.