Opioid addiction is a widespread issue across Florida and the rest of the United States, with many people turning to Lantana treatment centers for the help they need to recover. Unfortunately, overcoming opioid addiction can be extremely challenging, with quitting being followed by painful withdrawal symptoms and persistent drug cravings.
While opioid addiction can feel like an uphill battle, advances in modern medicine have helped doctors and addiction experts create effective treatments. One of the most common treatments for opioid addiction involves medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with Suboxone.
If you or a loved one are struggling with opioid addiction and are wondering whether Suboxone treatment in Lantana is right for you, please contact Archstone Behavioral Health today for a risk-free assessment.
What is Suboxone? Understanding the Popular Opioid Addiction Treatment Medication
Suboxone is a brand-name prescription drug that is used to treat opioid addiction. It comes in the form of a sublingual film that contains two active ingredients: buprenorphine and naloxone.
- Buprenorphine – This medication is a partial opioid agonist, meaning it binds to the same receptors in the brain as opioids but with less intensity. It helps to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, allowing individuals to gradually taper off opioids without experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms.
- Naloxone – This medication is an opioid receptor antagonist and is included to discourage misuse of Suboxone. If someone attempts to misuse Suboxone by injecting it, the naloxone component can induce withdrawal symptoms, serving as a deterrent against medication abuse.
The goal of Suboxone treatment is to help individuals manage their addiction, reduce cravings, alleviate withdrawal symptoms, and eventually transition to a drug-free life. It’s often considered an essential tool in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs for opioid addiction. MAT programs provide a whole-person approach by combining medication, behavioral therapy, and counseling.
Does Suboxone Have Any Side Effects?
Like any medication, Suboxone may cause side effects, however, it is typically prescribed because the benefits far outweigh the risks. Potential side effects of Suboxone include:
- Nausea
- Headache
- Constipation
- Sweating
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Irregular heartbeat
- Difficulty concentrating
- Blurred vision
- Muscle aches
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Irritability
- Respiratory depression (when taken in high doses)
The medical staff at Suboxone treatment programs in Lantana are available to discuss any potential side effects with you as well as monitor your symptoms while you take Suboxone. In most cases, side effects are mild and resolve independently as the body adjusts to the medication.
What to Expect at a Suboxone Treatment Program in Lantana
The first phase of opioid addiction treatment is detox. During detox, your body clears itself of opioids and experiences a range of withdrawal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, body aches, abdominal cramping, sweating, and more. Suboxone can reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms, however, it cannot be taken until it’s been at least 12-24 hours after your last dose of opioids.
12-24 hours after you start detoxing, your doctor may prescribe Suboxone. The buprenorphine in Suboxone binds to and partially activates opioid receptors, making withdrawal symptoms and cravings subside. Suboxone is a daily medication that is usually taken once in the morning.
Some people only take Suboxone during detoxification. For these individuals, their dose will be reduced slowly over a period of days or weeks. However, others are directed to take Suboxone for several weeks, months, or even years. The duration of Suboxone treatment will vary based on your needs. It’s important to note that Suboxone is most effective when combined with a comprehensive and individually tailored treatment program.
Once you are medically stable and finished detoxing, you will be encouraged to continue treatment with an inpatient or outpatient rehab program. During rehab in Lantana, you may continue taking Suboxone and working with the prescribing physician. More importantly, you’ll spend your time in rehab participating in group and individual therapy sessions as well as educational workshops to ensure you have the education and coping skills required to stay sober. Rehab typically lasts anywhere from 30-90 days.
Throughout rehab, you’ll be evaluated and your dosage may be adjusted based on your progress in treatment. When your doctor and treatment team agree that you’re ready to stop taking Suboxone, they will gradually reduce your dose, tapering you off the medication so that you don’t experience withdrawal. After you stop taking Suboxone, it’s important to continue attending therapy, participating in support groups, and practicing the coping skills you learn in treatment.
The Benefits of Opioid Addiction Treatment With Suboxone
Suboxone is a powerful tool that can increase your chances of a pain-free detox and successful recovery. Some of the advantages of getting treatment with Suboxone include:
- Less intense withdrawal symptoms
- Fewer drug cravings
- Improved sleep in early recovery
- Increased treatment retention and engagement
- Reduced relapse risk
Find out if Suboxone Treatment in Lantana is the Right Choice for You
At Archstone Behavioral Health, our medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program in Lantana combines medication management, mental health treatment, and addiction treatment with a clinically informed, humanist perspective. From admissions to discharge, our team of master’s-level clinicians and treatment specialists are alongside you every step of your journey to recovery.
Suboxone may not be right for everyone, but even if it isn’t right for you there are other MAT medications that can help you beat opioid addiction. If you or a loved one are interested in Suboxone treatment in Lantana or would like to discuss your other treatment options, please contact Archstone Behavioral Health today.