I'm Addicted to Suboxone, Now What?

Despite the wide range of accessible therapeutic treatment programs throughout the United States, Suboxone has quickly become the preferred method of treating opioid addiction. For many, this is an unfortunate reality, seeing as Suboxone addiction can be just as devastating as addiction to heroin or other opioids.

If you have been struggling with Suboxone dependence, you may be feeling hopeless. “If this doesn’t work, then what will?” The good news is, there are numerous alternatives – all of which are more successful in helping opioid addicts maintain long-term sobriety. Suboxone addiction is not a joke, and while it can be a successful opioid replacement therapy, you’re really just substituting one substance for another.

How to deal with Suboxone addiction?

Dealing with Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) addiction requires a comprehensive and multifaceted approach. Suboxone is commonly used to treat opioid dependence, but it itself can be misused and lead to dependence. Here are steps to address Suboxone addiction:

1. Seek Professional Help

• Medical Evaluation: Consult with a healthcare provider or addiction specialist to assess the severity of the addiction and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
• Detoxification: Undergo medically supervised detox to safely manage withdrawal symptoms.

2. Tapering Off Suboxone

• Gradual Reduction: Work with a healthcare provider to gradually reduce the dose of Suboxone to minimize withdrawal symptoms and reduce dependence.
• Monitoring: Regular monitoring by a healthcare provider to adjust the tapering schedule as needed and address any issues that arise.

3. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

• Alternative Medications: If necessary, alternative medications such as methadone or naltrexone may be used to support the transition off Suboxone.
• Symptom Management: Medications to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

4. Behavioral Therapies

• Counseling: Individual or group counseling to address the psychological aspects of addiction.
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A therapy that helps change negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with addiction.
• Motivational Interviewing: A counseling approach that helps individuals find the motivation to change and commit to the treatment plan.

5. Support Groups

• 12-Step Programs: Participation in groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) for peer support and accountability.
• Non-12-Step Programs: Alternatives like SMART Recovery that focus on self-management and recovery training.

6. Lifestyle Changes

• Healthy Routine: Establishing a healthy daily routine with regular exercise, nutritious diet, and sufficient sleep.
• Avoiding Triggers: Identifying and avoiding situations, people, or places that trigger the urge to use Suboxone.
• Stress Management: Techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, and yoga to manage stress and prevent relapse.

7. Long-Term Follow-Up

• Ongoing Support: Regular follow-up appointments with healthcare providers to monitor progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
• Relapse Prevention: Strategies and support systems in place to prevent relapse and maintain long-term recovery.

8. Family and Social Support

• Involvement of Loved Ones: Educating family and friends about Suboxone addiction and involving them in the recovery process.
• Supportive Environment: Creating a supportive and understanding home environment to facilitate recovery.

Addressing Suboxone addiction requires a comprehensive approach involving medical, psychological, and social support. It’s important to seek professional help and follow a structured treatment plan tailored to individual needs.

What is Suboxone?

Suboxone is the brand name for a medication containing naloxone and buprenorphine. Naloxone is used to help reverse the effects of opioids, meaning that the feelings of elation, relaxation, and numbness that typically go hand-in-hand with opioid abuse will be eliminated. Those who use opioid narcotics are almost always doing so to experience the “high” – if the high is elusive, drug use will seem far less appealing.

Additionally, buprenorphine acts as an opioid agonist, which essentially reduces the urge to use and diminishes symptoms of withdrawal. Whereas most other opioid replacement medications must be prescribed in an inpatient treatment center by addiction specialists, Suboxone can be prescribed by a standard physician.

How Does Suboxone Addiction Begin?

The issue with Suboxone as a treatment for opioid addiction is simply that it can be highly addictive itself. Misuse of this specific medication can lead to physical and psychological dependence. If an individual is prone to substance abuse (which they undoubtedly are if they are being treated for opioid addiction), it is best to steer clear of this prescription medication. Still, many ‘recovering’ addicts have prescribed Suboxone, and when misused… the results can be devastating.

Treatment for Suboxone Addiction

Some consider Suboxone treatment nothing more than “trading one addiction with another.” If the medication is abused, it will inevitably turn out to be just that. If you find that you are struggling with this addiction, help is available. As is the case with almost every drug addiction treatment program, medically monitored detox is a necessary first step. Once an individual has safely undergone withdrawals from Suboxone, he or she must immediately enter into a residential treatment program. Inpatient treatment will last for between 3 and 6 months and will consist predominantly of individual and group therapy.

The main benefit of inpatient treatment is allowing newly sober individuals the support and structure they need to begin down the road of long-term recovery. If you have been struggling with Suboxone addiction, you may be feeling confused, seeing as this specific drug is marketed as a “cure” (or at the very least, an aid) to help cure other “more serious” addictions. In truth, Suboxone addiction is very serious, and it must be treated just the same as other opioid dependencies.

Allure Detox and Treatment for Suboxone Addiction

Fortunately, there are numerous alternatives to treatment with Suboxone that don’t include eventually dealing with the Suboxone addiction itself once you’re ready to come off Suboxone – among the most popular being intensive, therapeutic inpatient rehab. We at Allure Detox will help you or your loved one find the right treatment center to suit all of your personal needs. Many heroin addicts (and those addicted to other opioids) have maintained long-term recovery with the assistance of rehab and long-term outpatient treatment – usually by means of continued therapy and regular attendance at a 12-step program (such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous).

We at Allure Detox understand the seriousness of Suboxone addiction, and our team of licensed and dedicated professionals is here to help. If you or someone close to you has been struggling with Suboxone addiction or dependency, please feel free to give us a call today. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

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Published on: 2019-10-16
Updated on: 2024-09-23