Suboxone is a medicine for treating opioid use disorder (OUD) by decreasing drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It is a form of medication-assisted treatment administered by drug treatment centers. With traditional addiction treatments such as drug detoxification and group meetings, there are higher risks of relapse and physical problems caused by withdrawal. Medication-assisted treatment such as suboxone enhances patients’ recovery by reducing withdrawal symptoms and encouraging them. Keep reading to learn more about this treatment.
What is Suboxone& How it Works
Suboxone is a prescription drug used to stabilize opioid-dependent individuals during drug detoxification. It maintains their withdrawal while providing treatment for substance abuse disorder. Suboxone treatment contains two drugs, buprenorphine, and naloxone. Both serve a crucial role in a patient’s recovery by treating OUD while keeping them stable. Here’s how they work:
Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, also known as a narcotic, that satisfies the opioid cravings in the patient and helps manage severe withdrawal symptoms, encouraging recovery. One of the most challenging parts of drug recovery is withdrawal. It can be mild to severe depending on the drug dependency. When patients can manage their withdrawal symptoms, they have more chances of a safe recovery. Buprenorphine is an FDA-approved opioid medication with mild opioids producing weaker effects than other opioids like oxycodone, heroin, and fentanyl. Buprenorphine works by blocking the effects previous opioid abuse had on a person’s brain and nervous system with its high binding affinity. As a result, individuals feel fewer cravings for the drugs. Also, it is a partial agonist, meaning it has an upper limit to its opioid effects and doesn’t activate opioid receptors like other opioid drugs.
Naloxone
Naloxone is another FDA-approved OUD medication that can be used on its own to treat opioid overdose. Medical professionals use it with buprenorphine to eliminate the risk of abusing suboxone. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that blocks the effect of opiates, such as relaxation, pain relief, and euphoria, to reduce dependency.
Suboxone Uses
Medications are becoming an essential part of managing and treating drug addiction. Suboxone is the most effective treatment out of other medication-assisted treatments such as methadone. Since these medications contain a version of opioids, they can cause opioid dependency (when misused). However, suboxone was created to have a low risk of dependency than methadone and has relatively fewer side effects. The side effects are physical and not mental, reducing the chances of abuse and other risks.
Suboxone can only be taken under medical supervision and in a controlled environment according to the prescribed amount. Otherwise, it can cause drug-seeking behavior and eventually misuse or abuse. Suboxone abuse can result in coma, breathing issues, or loss of life. Therefore, it’s crucial to only take it if it’s prescribed by your doctor and in smaller doses. MD MATT is a suboxone treatment center in White Marsh offering effective drug addiction treatment. We also offer treatment for other drugs and alcohol addiction. Our agents will schedule a same-day appointment if you call early. Reach out to us now.
