Why Suboxone is a Benefit in Addiction Recovery

Suboxone is a controversial word in the addiction recovery world. First, many have gotten sober (and stayed sober) without use of these medications. I happen to be one of them, and I held the opinion that Suboxone was like trading one addiction for another. Second, it carries a stigma to the recovering addict, and I probably put that label on people too. That was two years ago, but a lot has changed, and more available medical information and data have proven me wrong. Couple that with dangerous Fentanyl, that has virtually replaced what we used to know as Heroin, and that brings us to our current predicament in today’s Opioid crisis.

When I was using, heroin was heroin, and people were not dying at the alarming rates they are today. Also, prescription opioids were easier to come by through doctors and pill mills. These avenues have been effectively shut-down and all that is left is super-charged fentanyl with the usual set of suspect drugs that are killing people.

According to the American Medical Association. “There is broad consensus in the medical community that Suboxone is a major tool to fight addiction. buprenorphine (alone or in combination with naloxone), and naltrexone. Done in conjunction with behavioral therapies that include: individual therapy, group counseling, family behavioral therapy, motivational incentives, and other modalities. MAT has been shown to be highly effective in the treatment of opioid addiction.”

What Is Naloxone and Why Is It in Suboxone?

Naloxone is a medication that is used to reverse overdoses of opioids. It does this by knocking other opioids off the receptors, preventing negative effects such as respiratory depression (slowed breathing). Naloxone does not interfere with buprenorphine effects when the SUBOXONE is taken under the tongue as prescribed.

When Suboxone is placed under the tongue as prescribed, very little naloxone is absorbed into the bloodstream. The patient should not feel the effects of naloxone. The naloxone in Suboxone is there to deter people from dissolving Suboxone and injecting it. When Suboxone is used incorrectly (by injection), its naloxone component can cause withdrawal symptoms to rapidly occur. Subutex® (buprenorphine HCl sublingual tablets) contains only buprenorphine, without naloxone, and may be used to start people on treatment for opioid dependence.

How Does Suboxone Benefit You?

Suboxone can decrease cravings and relieve withdrawal symptoms. This can help you remain in treatment and gain control over your opiate addiction without the distraction of cravings and fear of withdrawal. Suboxone Detox offers a way to treat opioid dependence—in a doctor’s office—with privacy, confidentiality, and safety. People treated with Suboxone generally don’t need to be hospitalized, it can be dispensed by a doctor, or inpatient / outpatient addiction treatment. As a result, treatment with Suboxone may allow more time for work, family, and other activities.

How Effective Is Suboxone?

Buprenorphine, the primary active ingredient in Suboxone, has been studied extensively since 1978, when it was first proposed for the treatment of opiate addiction.

A number of clinical trials have established that buprenorphine is effective for:

• Suppressing symptoms of opioid withdrawal

• Reducing cravings for opioids

• Reducing illicit opioid use

• Blocking the effects of other opioids

• Helping patients stay in treatment

Bottom line, medical science has provided an effective drug, that used under medical supervision, saves lives and creates positive outcomes for people seeking recovery. How could that be bad?

Safe Haven Recovery is a boutique Florida Drug & Alcohol Treatment Center located in Miami, FL. We specialize in Suboxone Maintenance & Detox, along with, Couples Addiction Treatment. Call us today at 866-447-4650.

About the Author

Matthew Koenig is a freelance writer and principal of Last Call Marketing which devotes their efforts to Digital Marketing, SEO and Social Engagement. Concentrated in addiction recovery, Mr. Koenig is based out of South Florida. His sober date is June 10, 2013.

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