Brentwood, TN 8/14/2009 3:02:51 AM
News / Education

Suboxone: One Drug to Quit Another

When faced with the daunting task of withdrawal from an opiate, many doctors turn to Suboxone to wean an addict off the stronger drug.

Suboxone is the preferred medication for the maintenance treatment of opiate addiction.  

Suboxone contains a combination of two different drugs: buprenorphine and naloxone. The buprenorphine is similar to other opioids like morphine and heroin. The euphoric effects of buprenorphine are less than that of other opioids and therefore make Suboxone easier to stop taking. The naloxone helps block the effects opioids.

Illegal Usage

When taken out of context, Suboxone can be dissolved and injected. Through this administration, the naloxone will block the effects of the buprenorphine which will lead to withdrawal symptoms. In order for the drug to work correctly, the tablets must be placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve.

Medical Usage

Patients taking Suboxone can undergo two different routes with the drug. Once under doctor’s supervision and prescribed the drug, the patient will be stabilized with the lowest dose that suppresses withdrawal symptoms. It is during this period the doctor will decide if the patient should be on a maintenance dose or a medical withdrawal dose.

A maintenance dose requires the lowest dosages of Suboxone be prescribed so that it is still effective at stopping withdrawal symptoms and cravings. For some, this phase can last several months to over a year.

Medical withdrawal dosing is not long-term like maintenance dosing. During this, the doctor slowly decreases the dose in a manner that produces fewest withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Eventually, the patient will be able to end Suboxone treatment completely.

For most patients, Suboxone alone is not sufficient to complete treatment. It is recommended that a patient also take part in therapy or counseling during the Suboxone treatment to enrich the recovery process.

About Foundations Recovery Network

Foundations Recovery Network is a premier organization for treating persons with addiction and mental health disorders. The company oversees four dual diagnosis treatment centers: Michael’s House in Palm Springs, Calif.; La Paloma in Memphis, Tenn.; and The Canyon in Malibu, Calif.