Battling addiction can be a long and hard road. Traditional rehab methods do not work for everyone, so for those who have found themselves in and out of rehab with little long-term success, Suboxone rehab is a good option. If you have never heard of Suboxone before and want to learn more, read the guide below that will walk you through what it is and what you need to know about it.
What is Suboxone?
Suboxone is a prescription medication that is used to help people quit their addiction to opioids. It is made up of two main ingredients: Buprenorphine and Naxolone, both proven to curb addiction cravings for opioids.
Buprenorphine is an opioid agonist, meaning that it attaches to the same receptors in the brain as opioids like prescription painkillers and heroin, but doesn’t activate them in as intense of a way as the opioids do. This helps patients to suffer less from withdrawal symptoms because it simulates the brain activity that happens when they take opioids without the feeling of being high.
Naloxone is a more well-known drug in relation to opioid addiction because it is the main ingredient in the spray that people use to rapidly reverse opioid overdoses. The way that it acts in suboxone is that it blocks the effects of opioids completely. This keeps rehab patients from abusing the medication because it offers no euphoric benefits.
How is Suboxone Used with Rehab Practices?
The administration of suboxone to recovery patients begins the moment they check themselves into rehab. The Suboxone is administered in a tablet or film form that is placed under the tongue to gradually dissolve. Although the use of suboxone has proven to be effective, just taking this medication and going on with your day will not guarantee that you will stay clean. That is why it is usually administered as part of a suboxone detox rehab program. Patients will check themselves into a rehab clinic or center and begin their detox along with group therapy sessions, counseling, and other rehab activities.
After a person checks themself into a rehab facility, they will undergo a medical examination to determine the extent of their addiction. Then the dosage of suboxone will be prescribed by a doctor and the patient can start taking it immediately. Suboxone can ease the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms, meaning that patients can focus on building their mental and emotional fortitude through rehab activities while they are easing off of their opioid dependence. Suboxone will continue to be administered throughout the rehabilitation process as the brain is being trained away from its cravings.
Steps of Suboxone Rehab
The first step of suboxone rehab is to be assessed by a doctor and then monitored through a detox process. This may occur before suboxone is even administered to make sure that patients can safely transition to the medication. All of this will be done under the supervision of medical professionals.
Next comes the introduction of Suboxone into the patient’s system. This usually happens once the patient is completely clean, so normally a few days after entering the rehab facility. Once it has been administered, medical professionals will adjust the dosage depending on the patient’s responses and needs.
In conjunction with suboxone administration, the patient will begin counseling sessions. This can include one-on-one therapy with a psychologist and group therapy sessions with fellow patients. This is an essential part of the recovery process because it allows the patient to connect with other individuals who are struggling with the same addiction issues. It also allows the patient to get to the root cause of their addiction and why they keep going back to their addictive habits.
Other rehab activities like yoga and other holistic practices can also be integrated into the patient’s daily routine to get them focusing on mindfulness and self-control techniques. These are skills that can be translated into their life after rehab as tools to keep their mind and body busy and away from temptation.
Planning for after rehab is also an important part of the suboxone rehab process. Many people feel really good when they exit rehab only to find themselves out in the world without the support system they had inside of the rehab facility working with family members and friends, recovering opioid addicts can set up schedules and plans to help them get back on their feet in the real world.
Suboxone FAQs
How Long Does Suboxone Stay In Your System?
Suboxone can stay in your system for several days, but it is at its strongest about twenty-four to sixty hours after it is administered.
What Are the Side Effects of Suboxone?
The most common side effects associated with Suboxone are nausea, headache, constipation, and sweating. These are similar to regular withdrawal symptoms but are less severe.
Can I Stop Taking Suboxone Suddenly, or Does It Have to Be Tapered Off?
Because Suboxone is a medication in the same vein as opioids, it is important to taper off of it. If you suddenly stop taking the medication, you will experience severe withdrawal symptoms similar to those of regular opioid withdrawal. Slowly tapering off of the medication will also prevent you from slipping back into addiction. Because the brain knows that it needs the opioids to stop withdrawal symptoms, you may struggle to stay clean if you suddenly stop taking Suboxone.
How Long Do I Need To Take Suboxone?
Every individual is different when it comes to how long they need to stay on suboxone. Some people only use it for short-term detox while others continue to take it for long-term maintenance purposes, long after they leave rehab.
How Effective is Suboxone in Treating Opioid Addiction?
Suboxone has proven to be quite effective in reducing cravings, minimizing withdrawal symptoms associated with opioid addiction, and reducing the risk of relapse. Medical professionals believe in its effectiveness enough to create whole rehab programs around its use, showing that it is growing to be one of the most trusted addiction recovery medications.
When considering a rehab plan, look into the benefits of suboxone rehab and how it can change the course of your life. Addiction recovery is a long, hard road but with medications like Suboxone, you can achieve sobriety.
