If you or a loved one is struggling with an opiate addiction to heroin, morphine or prescription pain killers, you may want to consider what Suboxone treatment can do for you. Suboxone is a prescription medication that is specifically designed to help aid those who are struggling with an opiate addiction. Suboxone helps to ease withdrawal symptoms associated with opiate dependence, while simultaneously working to block all existing opiates from affecting the body. Suboxone works to help reduce many symptoms of opiate withdrawal including cramps, diarrhea, spasms, vomiting, flu-like symptoms, cold sweats, agitation, insomnia and anxiety. Suboxone is usually administered in an outpatient setting and is most effective when combined with other drug therapy and behavioral counseling treatments.
How Does Suboxone Work?
What makes Suboxone so effective for opiate addictions are it’s two main active ingredients buprenorphine and naxalone. Buprenorphine is a partial opiate agonist, which means it stimulates the opiate receptors in the brain, but only partially, thus helping to combat withdrawal symptoms associated with long term opiate use. As treatment goes on, the physician will taper down the amount of buprenorpine the patient receives, until the patient is fully detoxed.
The other main ingredient Naxalone, works to block the effects of any opioids that may currently be in your body, such as heroin, oxycontin, morphine, ect. Naxalone will not affect the actions of buprenorphine when taken under the tongue, however, when buprenorphine is taken through injection it will block the effects of buprenorphine and lead to withdrawal. Thus, Naxalone ensures that suboxone users will not abuse Suboxone by injecting it.
At a certain point, the increasing effects of Buprenorphine will reach it’s maximum levels and reach a ‘ceiling effect’. The ceiling effect makes Suboxone use safer, and making it far less likely to produce any kind of opioid overdose. Buprenorphine carries a significantly lower risk of addiction and abuse, compared to full opioid agonists like heroin, oxycodone and morphine.
Suboxone Warnings
There is no major risk of overdose while taking Suboxone, as long as the individual takes the drug as properly directed. Suboxone can cause drowsiness and slow reaction times, so you shouldn’t work, drive, or participate in any rigorous activities while on Suboxone. It is important to remember to not abruptly stop taking suboxone because it could cause withdrawal symptoms. Suboxone can only be administered by an SAHHSA approved physician who are legally allowed to prescribe suboxone.
