Suboxone is a medication that was approved for use by the FDA in 2002. This combination medication was created to treat addiction to opiate drugs such as heroin, hydrocodone or OxyContin. This medication has helped many beat addictions to street and prescription drugs, but Suboxone addiction is a possibility.
Suboxone is itself a narcotic. It contains the medications buprenorphine and Naloxone, also called Narcan. Buprenorphine works by attaching itself to the body’s receptors and giving a less intense euphoric sensation. The second medication, Naloxone, was added to discourage abuse. Since Suboxone can be injected as a means of obtaining a more dramatic sensation of euphoria, Naloxone was added to combat this possibility. It causes immediate and severe withdrawal symptoms, so those who attempt to abuse it will typically end up feeling extremely ill. This medication can still be abused for those determined to do so.
Abuse occurs when patients take Suboxone against the recommended dose and route prescribed by a physician. It may also occur with long-term and repeated use. Some take it in conjunction with other drugs to increase the effect. Combining this medication with sleeping pills or alcohol intensifies the high and is very dangerous. Overdose potential climbs when this medication is combined with other drugs. Symptoms of overdose include shortness of breath, low blood pressure, weakness, dizziness or fainting, and possible coma.
Most do not know they are addicted to Suboxone until it is too late. The best way to determine addiction is to stop taking the medication and see if withdrawal symptoms are present. Withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, severe cravings for the drug, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea. Other symptoms are tremors, fast heartbeat, sweating, muscle aches or pain, and trouble sleeping. Those taking this med should not stop taking abruptly without the consent of their physician since sudden withdrawal can be dangerous.
There are ways to ensure that you do not become addicted to Suboxone. The best way is to of course not take this medication, but the benefits are often better than the risk, and this medication has helped many overcome their addiction to opioid medications. Always take it as prescribed, and do not take it for long periods, as this increased the chance for dependency. Furthermore, it can be given as an inpatient treatment. This helps as the medication is dispensed by trained professionals, and the chance for misuse is eliminated.
There is hope if you discover an addiction to Suboxone. Of course it is disheartening to discover that one addiction has been traded for another, but beating it is possible through a number of treatments. The first is a slow detoxification with the help of other medications such as methadone. This can be a scary concept since prescribed medication is what led to addiction in the first place, but this medication is given as an inpatient treatment and given in controlled amounts. This medication cannot be prescribed to take at home. Another option is the rapid detoxification. This means complete cessation of all medications. Of course this means that withdrawal symptoms are extremely likely and this method should not be attempted alone and without the aid of trained professionals in case of an emergency.
Another option, and one preferred by some is the coma induced detoxification. This is where the individual is anaesthetized and sleeping peacefully throughout detox. This is of course a benefit because the thought of withdrawal symptoms is enough to keep some addicted to opioids. Since withdrawal is extremely difficult and the symptoms range from mild to severe, it is often a deterrent to quitting. Symptoms like insomnia, pain vomiting, diarrhea, shakes, and increased heartbeat are scary prospects. The anesthesia method is preferred because the addicted individual can sleep right through the most severe withdrawal symptoms. This increases the likelihood of recovery while reducing the chance for relapse.
Aftercare is important because it helps the individual discuss fears and temptations. Aftercare often comes in the form of therapy. This can be group or individual, and gives those suffering from dependency the opportunity to converse with those who have the same problem and can empathize with the struggles. A counselor can give advice on avoiding temptations such as staying away from environments that encourage use, and gaining a support system that includes someone you can call night and day in case of temptation.
Opioid dependency is scary, but treatable. It is vital to seek help to overcome addiction, as it can be life-threatening. While Suboxone was approved to treat addiction, it is possible to become addicted to this med. It is a narcotic and often addiction sneaks up on people before they are aware there is a problem. It is best to discuss treatment options with a physician so monitoring of prescribed medications can occur, and medications should always be taken as prescribed.
