Suboxone is a combination medication that is commonly used to treat opiate addiction. It is composed of a combination of Buprenorphine, an opioid, and Naloxone, which blocks the effects of opioids. It is used to wean the opioid addict slowly from their addiction.
The reason you would use an opiate to recover from opiate addiction is the withdrawal symptoms from opiates can be lethal. Studies have shown that individuals who wean slowly from opiates are more likely to maintain sobriety than those that quit cold turkey. Quitting cold turkey means stopping suddenly.
Suboxone can be abused. Signs of abuse may include:
- Running out of the medication prior to the schedule
- Unusual behavior
- Strained relationships with those close to the user
- Packages appearing at home or work
Suboxone can also be addictive. It is less addictive than its opioid counterparts because the medication fills receptors in the brain which prohibits the same type of high. Unlike other opiates, the “high” has a ceiling. This reduces the drive to take more and more of the drug to get the same effect as tolerance increases as with other opiates like heroin or methadone. The benefits of taking Suboxone to withdraw from heroin or other opiates often outweigh the risks of not taking it. The addictive potential is much lower than other opiates.
If you suspect someone you love is addicted to Suboxone here are some behavioral indicators to look for:
- Lying about drug use
- Stealing medication from friends or family
- Drug seeking behavior where the priority is finding and consuming drugs
- Changes in lifestyle and behavior like different friends or missing work
- Crushing pills and snorting them
If you are taking Suboxone as part of your drug addiction treatment here are some tips to prevent addiction:
- Take the medication only as prescribed
- Utilize other tools for recovery
- Talk to a counselor or therapist about cravings
- Find new positive ways to spend your time
If you begin to see consequences from abusing Suboxone like losing your job or relationship, getting arrested, losing your home, or driving while intoxicated, now is the time to get help. Treatment can offer you counseling to address the underlying issues that led to the addictive behavior as well as medically supervised withdrawal. There is no shame in admitting you have a drug problem. Leave your ego behind and reach out for the care and support you deserve.
Serenity Oaks Wellness Center provides a 5 week long rehab program to men and women seeking to make their lives more beautiful through recovery. Let treatment at Serenity Oaks be the beginning of your beautiful life of recovery. Start today by calling us for information: 844-720-6847
