Science and medicine have come a long way in terms of understanding and treating substance abuse disorders. One of these advances in modern medicine is Suboxone. A combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, Suboxone is very effective at alleviating symptoms of opioid withdrawal as well as eliminating cravings in addicts. As treatment protocols have evolved, Suboxone has proven itself an effective tool as both a short-term and long-term medication for those struggling with substance abuse disorder.
As you begin your sobriety by entering a treatment center, you will be placed on a detox medication protocol after completing your initial assessment. For opiate addicts, this protocol’s primary component is Suboxone. Suboxone will alleviate most of the discomfort of withdrawal, allowing for a safe, comfortable detox experience. Suboxone has been the go-to prescription for medically assisted detox for over a decade now ever since it was first approved for use in detox protocols by the FDA in 2002.
As you are nearing the end of your stay in detox and preparing to be transitioned to residential inpatient treatment, your clinical team will bring up the possibility of placing you on a Suboxone maintenance program. This involves keeping you on a modest dose of the drug rather than completely tapering you off of it in order to continue treating any potential cravings you may experience. Your dosage will be evaluated and adjusted over time, and when you and your doctor feel you are ready you will begin the final taper off of the medication. Suboxone maintenance can last anywhere from a few months to a year depending on your circumstances and progress in your recovery.
You should absolutely consider a Suboxone maintenance program, especially if this is not your first time attempting sobriety. Relapse among opiate users is a deadly affair as you believe you can handle the amount you were taking prior to your entering detox. Now that your tolerance has diminished this amount will often prove deadly, not even taking into account the amount of fentanyl tainting the illicit drug market today. Suboxone maintenance removes these thoughts of using before they occur by acting on the opiate receptors in your brain. It can also diminish symptoms of Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) which you may experience several months after you stop your substance abuse. Evolutions Treatment Center tailors your suboxone maintenance program to your specific needs, taking into account your symptoms, mental and emotional health, and your feelings on the subject to design a program that is right for you. Call our Admissions Counselors today at 833-818-3031 and take this first step towards a new life in sobriety.