Because Suboxone can reduce drug withdrawal symptoms for people with opioid use disorders, a Suboxone detox center could be a necessary stop for people struggling to recover from their addictions.
But how does Suboxone actually work — and does medication-assisted treatment (MAT) really help clients in recovery? Some clients may be worried that they’ll just develop a new addiction if they rely on another drug to help them in recovery. It’s also important to note that not all clients will respond positively to MAT, Suboxone or not. Each addiction treatment program should be unique and customized for each client, after all.
Looking for a Suboxone detox center for yourself or someone you care about? Reach out to Midwest Detox Center by contacting our team online or calling 833.647.0392.
What Is a Suboxone Detox Center?
Suboxone is a prescription medication used in MAT at Suboxone detox centers. It is usually prescribed as a sublingual film that’s easy for clients to take.
The drug can reduce symptoms of opioid withdrawal, including occasional but intense opioid cravings. However, Suboxone treatment programs should always be combined with therapy and be followed up by aftercare support. Education and counseling also play an essential role in Suboxone treatments because they help clients gain skills to help them effectively deal with stressors that may otherwise result in relapses.
When an opioid antagonist like Suboxone is part of a client’s recovery plan, it negates the effects of any opioid dose. Medical professionals have preferred using Suboxone since the early 2000s, compared to using methadone.
As many know, methadone is helpful when managing addiction but can also be an addictive substance itself. Suboxone was developed with the express intention of being used to fight opioid addiction — therefore, it’s far less likely for a client to develop a dependency on Suboxone.
How Does Suboxone Reduce Drug Cravings?
Suboxone is a combination of two drugs. One of them is buprenorphine, which was initially introduced into the medical field as a way to treat opiate addictions. Research shows that this is the drug that blocks the effects of opiates, alleviates withdrawal symptoms, and reduces cravings.
Suboxone treatments are less likely to lead to addiction compared to methadone treatments. Why is this? The drug has a “ceiling effect” that prevents the full effect of any opioid from being experienced by the person on Suboxone. However, addictions can still technically develop — which will need a separate treatment to get over.
How Does Suboxone Reduce Drug Withdrawal Symptoms?
We know that buprenorphine is how Suboxone reduces drug cravings. But what does the other drug that’s part of the formulation do?
Naloxone, the other half of the Suboxone formulation, acts to reverse the effects of an overdose of opioids in the body. It does this by binding with brain receptors to interfere with any opioid attachment. Naloxone, therefore, prevents the harmful effects of opioid drugs and thus reduces withdrawal symptoms.
However, if not used correctly, the naloxone dose within a Suboxone dose may result in some withdrawal symptoms arising quickly — such as drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, memory loss, dizziness, low blood pressure, and profuse sweating.
For clients that react to Suboxone this way, Subutex sublingual tablets may be prescribed instead of Suboxone. Subutex contains buprenorphine but not naloxone. Clients may also choose to go through addiction recovery without MAT, which they can do if their physicians agree that it’s possible.
Learn More About Midwest Detox Center’s Programs and Services
If you’re looking for a Suboxone detox center for yourself or someone you care about, reach out to Midwest Detox Center. Contact our team online or call 833.647.0392.
