The Benefits of Suboxone Treatment for Opiate Addiction
Suboxone is a type of medication used to treat the
symptoms of withdrawal from opioid dependence. Pittsburgh Suboxone Treatment is typically
prescribed as part of a complete rehabilitation regimen that includes
psychological counseling. Fewer than 25 percent of patients who are addicted to
heroin or another opiate are able to successfully quit "cold turkey."
With the help of this treatment, these patients are able to succeed in
abstaining from substance abuse, since the medication works to curb withdrawal side
effects and subsequent cravings.
How Does Suboxone Work?
Suboxone is a prescription medicine that combines
buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist, and naloxone, an opioid blocker. Like
an opioid, a partial opioid agonist acts on the brain's opioid receptors.
Unlike these drugs, however, buprenorphine does not result in the euphoric
feeling the user associates with a "high." That allows for the
prevention of the physical side effects caused by drug withdrawal without the
associated pleasurable feelings caused by the abused substance. Naloxone, on
the other hand, produces severe withdrawal symptoms when it is crushed or
snorted, so it is combined with buprenorphine to discourage the abuse of this
treatment regimen.
How Is Suboxone Treatment Dispensed?
Because this is a long-acting medication, it only
needs to be taken once a day, either as a 2 mg or 8 mg tablet or a 2 mg or 8 mg
film strip that dissolves under the tongue. The filmstrip also includes a
serial number to prevent diversion of the medication. Patients shouldn't drink,
eat, or smoke within 30 minutes of their daily dose since this can prevent the absorption of the medication. This treatment is not effective for those who
chew or dip tobacco.
What Are the Side Effects of this Medication?
Patients typically experience a sense of calm and
relaxation, but it sometimes causes less desirable side effects like
constipation, insomnia, irritability, or a feeling of jitters or shakiness.
Although the inclusion of naloxone reduces the potential for abuse, this a substance can still be addictive if it is used without a doctor's supervision.
Those in this type of treatment will be slowly weaned from the medication after
the withdrawal period subsides. Using this drug in the long-term can result in
drowsiness, confusion, gastrointestinal issues, confusion, anxiety, isolation,
and depression. And like heroin addiction, this can lead to financial strain
and problems with work and relationships.
How Does Suboxone Treatment Fit into Recovery?
Recovery is the term for returning to a life free of
opioid addiction. While Suboxone treatment is a powerful tool in the treatment
of addiction, it is not effective alone. Those attempting to overcome opioid
addiction should also consider counseling to understand the psychological and
behavioral aspects of addiction. Inpatient or outpatient therapy comes in a
variety of forms that can help alleviate the psychological mechanisms that led
to addiction and treat any underlying mental health conditions that were either
caused by or contributed to the abuse of opioids.
Those who are addicted to opioids can visit a doctor
specializing in addiction to learn more about the benefits of Pittsburgh Addiction Treatment.
To learn more about their options for Pittsburgh Suboxone Doctor, readers should visit http://www.myjadewellness.com
Comments
Post a Comment