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Suboxone is a medication that contains the two drugs buprenorphine and naloxone. It is a prescription synthetic opiate that is usually used to help treat opioid withdrawal symptoms for people who are trying to stop using stronger opioid drugs, such as prescription pain killers or heroin.
Buprenorphine is a partial agonist that blocks opioid receptors to reduce their effects. Naloxone helps prevent overdose and the misuse of opioid drugs. Doctors prescribe Suboxone to help opioid addicts wean themselves off of opiates. However, Suboxone itself can be abused, and it has a high potential for addiction. Many people who begin to use Suboxone do so legitimately to help them overcome opioid addiction, only to find themselves dependent upon and addicted to the drug. They find that they need to take higher and higher doses, or to take it more frequently, to continue to have the same effects.
The first step to breaking the cycle of Suboxone addiction is a medically supervised detoxification program. During detox, your body rids itself of Suboxone and any other substances you have been using. This is done under medical supervision to keep you safe and comfortable as your body goes through withdrawal. At True Life Recovery, we have a professional caring staff to help you through the detox process with compassion and support.
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When Suboxone is abused, individuals can quickly become physically dependent upon it and then addicted to it. The drug is about 20-30 times more potent than morphine and it produces the same effects – a euphoric feeling followed by sedation – as other opioid drugs. Unfortunately, many people who are using Suboxone to break an addiction to opioids, become addicted to the very thing that was supposed to help them. The first step to making a change for the better, is to enter a Suboxone detoxification program to eliminate the substance from the body. Then, you can continue on to an addiction treatment program to work on the underlying causes associated with your addiction.
The side effects of Suboxone abuse when used on its own can be very serious. When it’s combined with other substances, it can be devastating. Some of the most common side effects of Suboxone abuse include:
Abusing any opioid drug for a period of time can result in your body building up a tolerance to the drug, which requires you to use larger doses more frequently to achieve the same effects. This leads to addiction, and that increases your chances of overdose.
Withdrawal symptoms from Suboxone can be very uncomfortable and distressing. So, it’s important to complete a medically supervised detox program where you can have medical attention to help keep you safe and as comfortable as possible. Withdrawal from Suboxone can last a long time, making the chances of relapsing to ease the symptoms very high. Additionally, if you have been using other substances along with Suboxone, the withdrawal symptoms can be very dangerous. Attending a detox program will help ensure that you make it on to addiction recovery programs, like outpatient or inpatient treatment.
The physical symptoms of Suboxone withdrawal are typically at their worst during this time and are usually extremely uncomfortable.
During this period, it’s likely that you will experience insomnia, mood swings, and aches and pains, while some of the other physical aspects of withdrawal are subsiding.
By the time you reach about two weeks from your last dose of suboxone, severe withdrawal symptoms should have passed, while psychological symptoms persist and may get worse. These symptoms include:
Usually, by the time you reach a month since taking Suboxone, you will not have any physical withdrawal symptoms any longer. However, the psychological symptoms, like mood swings, depression, and cravings may hang around for much longer.
The withdrawal symptoms of Suboxone typically last for about a month. However, the length of time that it takes an individual to detox can vary widely due to multiple factors. How long someone has been using the drug, the dosage, use of other substances, and any other medical or mental health conditions all impact how long detox will take.
Suboxone is a long-acting medication, which means that the onset of withdrawal symptoms is often delayed and the symptoms of withdrawal usually last longer than they do for many other opioids.
If you are abusing or addicted to Suboxone, you may experience some of the following behaviors:
At True Life Recovery, we have a caring and dedicated staff available to clients around-the-clock for support and medical intervention. During the detox process all clients are monitored regularly, checking vital signs and their overall medical condition. We offer detox from various substances, including:
Most of the time, Suboxone withdrawal symptoms, though very uncomfortable, are not life threatening. However, if you used other substances at the same time you used Suboxone, withdrawal can be severe and need medical attention. That’s why it’s important to detox from Suboxone in a safe and medically supervised detox center. While there, your physical symptoms will be managed with thorough monitoring and attentive medical care. You will be kept as comfortable as possible during the detox process.
The purpose of a detox program is to stabilize you physically, getting through the most challenging physical symptoms of withdrawal, so you can go on to outpatient or inpatient addiction treatment to break your cycle of addiction. A detox program alone is not enough. You need to continue treatment to learn the tools you need for ongoing, long-lasting recovery.
At True Life Recovery, our residential detox center in Orange County has a qualified and compassionate staff that will be by your side through the detox process. Our center is comfortable, quiet, and safe. That’s the perfect setting for getting clean and beginning your new life in recovery.
Addiction is a complicated, irrational and multi-faceted disease. Addiction is a chronic disease of the brain that is persisting, recurring and difficult to stop. Addiction is not a moral failing or a lack of will power. Nobody chooses to be an addict. Experimenting with drugs and alcohol may lead to addiction in certain people. People basically use drugs or alcohol to relax, escape or reward themselves. A potential addiction occurs and is more likely in people who have an addictive personality caused by biology, environment or socially or are predisposed through heredity. These people don’t just feel good after using they feel so good they chase the feeling and the substance.
Signs of Addiction:
If you cannot control or stop using alcohol or drugs and your use is affecting your life adversely regarding health, self-esteem, family, employment, friends even law enforcement it’s probably time to consider a recovery program for yourself.
The first step after deciding to take control of your life back is to detox. Detoxing from an addiction is the first step in changing your life.
A “cold turkey” approach is not recommended because of the physical problems that may arise. In our experience people who try going cold turkey usually disappoint themselves and relapse. Detox should never be attempted at home or without medical supervision at a licensed detox treatment facility.
At True Life Recovery, we medically manage your detox stay and provide you with as pain-free and safe experience as possible. We manage the physical effects of withdrawal, give you a safe comfortable supportive environment with proper food and emotional support.
When an individual determines to live life clean and sober the first step is detox.
The next phase is adjusting to abstinence. Lasting recovery means behavioral changes that support your journey. Talking it out in a private or public support system will assist in recovery.
Active involvement in support groups such as AA or NA are recommended.
There are many drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers also available to assist individuals to learn new coping skills and focus on their recovery. As well, your religious organization may be of great support.
Addiction is a chronic disease, therefore the goal is a long-term successful management of the disease.
Detoxification from drugs or alcohol varies depending on the type, the level of abuse, and the individual client’s health.
In general, detox will take 3 to 10 days.
When you speak with one of our True Life Recovery representatives they will begin to assess your dependency and will give you a good idea of what timeline to expect to stay.
Costs include 24-hour supervision and monitoring, room and board in a private or shared room, intake evaluation, counseling and therapy sessions as well as nutritious food freshly prepared daily.
For anyone worried that the wrong person will find out that you are going through a detox program – don’t be. Deciding to become clean and sober is a very personal issue and we highly respect individual rights. We do not give out personal information, have and maintain a very strict confidentiality policy.