Whether you call it an epidemic, a public health crisis, or the opioid crisis, nobody can underestimate the country’s opioid addiction menace. The U.S Department of Health and Human Services reports that more than 10.3 million Americans misuse prescription opioids every year. Of that total, at least two million are diagnosed with opioid misuse disorder.
Despite the massive publicity about the epidemic and how it has impacted lives and livelihoods across the nation, there is still a lot of misinformation about opioid usage and addiction treatment.
One of the most misunderstood opioid addiction treatment methods is Suboxone.
The term “Suboxone” refers to a combination of two drugs, namely naloxone and buprenorphine that work by reducing the overall impact of withdrawal symptoms. The primary goal is to reduce your dependence on opiates and opioids in the long run.
The treatment is administered in a Suboxone clinic in KY and is highly effective. But how does it work, and what does it look like?
Read on to discover some of the exciting facts about Suboxone that every patient should know.
1. What Is Suboxone?
Suboxone is a simple opioid addiction treatment method administered in two parts. Since opioid addiction is a serious issue, it must be addressed with a proven medication to help the victims recover without experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms.
Therefore, Suboxone is usually combined with therapy and both work in a Suboxone clinic in KY setting to help the patient overcome their addiction.
As mentioned earlier, Suboxone contains buprenorphine and naloxone. The two drugs are quite effective at blocking the effects of opioids.
2. Suboxone Is Less Habit-Forming Than Methadone
Since the turn of the century, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) experts have preferred Suboxone to its predecessor, methadone.
Since Suboxone was developed with the sole intention of fighting opioid misuse disorder, the drug boasts a significantly lower risk of dependency than that of methadone.
Furthermore, the side effects of Suboxone are less severe and more physical than mental.
3. Suboxone Is Relatively Easy to Use
Unlike other opioid addiction treatment options, Suboxone is easy to use and easy to follow. When you visit a Suboxone clinic in KY, a qualified doctor will assess your condition, and if you qualify, he/she will prescribe a dose.
Your primary work will be to follow the doctor’s prescription and attend your counseling sessions.
Many of the older treatment programs are ineffective because patients find it difficult to follow them. Choosing Suboxone treatment usually results in a relatively shorter and simpler road to recovery for the patient.
Although the recovery process differs from one patient to another based on their body chemistry, the overall target is to make your recovery journey as easier and comfortable as possible.
4. Suboxone Is Just One Part of the Recovery
While MAT is an incredible option for helping opioid addiction victims overcome their addiction, it is not the only element of your recovery plan.
A complete MAT plan combines a carefully monitored treatment regimen with primary care and substance abuse counseling to keep your mind and body in the fight.
In fact, Suboxone may not be the right treatment option for some patients. Other patients won’t benefit from MAT at all. Keep in mind that every recovery journey is unique, and your addiction treatment specialist will help you make an informed decision after assessing your condition.
5. Suboxone Side Effects
Although Suboxone is extremely effective in helping opioid addiction patients recover, it also has a few side effects that every patient must know.
The one side effect that is more serious and common than the others is respiratory depression. Since Suboxone is a partial opioid agonist, it can slow down your breathing, causing a lack of sufficient oxygen in your body.
Statistics indicate that approximately 10% of Suboxone patients experience respiratory depression. Therefore, if you are on Suboxone treatment and you experience respiratory depression, ensure you inform your doctor at the Suboxone clinic in KY immediately.
The other side effects of this treatment option include headache, vomiting, painful tongue, irregular heartbeat, problems with concentration, blurry vision, insomnia, drowsiness, back pain, and dizziness.
6. Suboxone Only “Blocks/Stops” the Opioid Effect
Suboxone is part of a family of different opioid addiction medications referred to as “opioid antagonists,” which is the opposite of “opioid agonists.” Examples of opioid agonists include oxycodone, heroin, and morphine.
When you use an opioid agonist, it activates the pain-blocking receptors in your brain, which alters perceptions of pain and releases endorphins that mimic pleasure. The mimicking of pleasure is commonly referred to as the “opioid effect.”
However, when you take an opioid “antagonist” such as Suboxone, it negates the effects of real opioids by preventing them from activating the pain receptors in your brain. This is essential in managing your cravings and reducing withdrawal symptoms.
7. Suboxone Is Only Administered by Professionals in a Suboxone Clinic in KY
Suboxone isn’t a self-medication drug. A qualified Suboxone doctor writes the prescription after assessing your condition. The doctor will monitor your progress every step of the way and make changes to your prescription depending on how you react to the medication.
A significant number of patients have had huge success with this treatment method, and it continues to offer the best chances of recovery.
However, you need to keep in mind that all patients manage their road to recovery differently. The first step is deciding that you want to use the medication and commit to it. The most potent Suboxone treatment options combine behavioral counseling and treatment to achieve optimal results.
You will need a strong support system throughout the treatment period to help with your recovery.
Struggling with Opioid Addiction? We’re Here to Help You!
Have you or your loved one been affected by opioid addiction? Don’t give up because there is hope. At Community Counseling Institute, we provide you with an easy and effective way to receive Suboxone treatment right where you are.
Our experts will take time to conduct thorough drug assessments and advice you accordingly. We take pride in providing individualized treatment in a highly professional and caring clinical setting that ensures the best possible outcome for our patients.
Contact us today to find a qualified and experienced Suboxone clinic or doctor near you!
