How Suboxone Works
Suboxone is a combination of two chemicals, buprenorphine, and naloxone. Medical professionals prescribe this drug to ease withdrawal symptoms from opioids.
Opioids, also known as opiates and narcotics, are poppy-based chemicals. Some opioids, such as hydrocodone and oxycodone, are available legally with a prescription. Others, like heroin, are illegal street drugs. Typically, narcotics make you feel drowsy and relaxed.
Withdrawal from Opioids
If you’ve been using large amounts of opioids and stop use suddenly, you’ll probably experience withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms include sweating, shaking, heart racing and cravings for the drug. Although almost never fatal, these sym
ptoms are often unpleasant enough to make you want to start using again.
In fact, 75% of people with an opioid addiction who try to stop taking narcotics cold turkey end up relapsing by the end of the first year.
Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine is the main ingredient of Suboxone. It attaches itself to opioid receptors in the brain and is a partial opioid agonist. It produces less of an effect than a full opioid when it attaches itself to a receptor.
Generally, this prescription comes in a film that individuals press to the inside of their cheek or in a tablet that they place under their tongue.
It’s vital to tell your doctor if you’re taking narcotics, sleeping pills or antidepressants that affect your serotonin levels because overdose on buprenorphine can be fatal.
Suboxone Side Effects
Because buprenorphine attaches itself to the opioid receptors in the brain, you may feel slightly drunk or high. Other side effects include:
- Mouth pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Back ache
- Headache
- Swelling of hands and feet
- Rapid heartbeat
- Insomnia
Not everyone has all of these symptoms and the degree of severity differs. Most people report few side effects.
Some people develop addictions to buprenorphine and need wean off of it. Others choose to stay on buprenorphine as a maintenance drug long-term.
What Needs to Be Done after Drug Detox?
When you finish with your drug detox, you move on to the next step in your substance abuse treatment program. This usually involves going to a drug treatment center.
This aspect of recovery can be even more challenging than detox. 1st Step Behavioral Health emphasizes group therapy and family therapy. Staff challenge clients to participate actively and to be honest about their feelings and behaviors.
Groups discuss different topics, including what triggers drug cravings, social and family relationships and how to handle a relapse.
We also screen clients for dual diagnosis. Dual diagnosis occurs when a person has a mental health or behavioral health issues as well as a problem with drug addiction.
When individuals finish their inpatient stay, 1st Step Behavioral works to find outpatient care or, if they need it, a sober living arrangement.
After detox, clients enter the next phase of substance abuse treatment. Treatment isn’t easy or fun, but it can help people kick their addictions and move on to the next phase of their lives. For more information about 1st Step Behavioral Health or to make an appointment to talk to one of our compassionate, knowledgeable counselors, please call (855) 425-4846.
Don’t let substance abuse steal your life. With hard work and determination, you can beat drug addiction.
Take the First Step Today
We can help you get better. Contact us today to find out which program might be right for you, or to begin the process of arranging for treatment.
