While Suboxone can be an aid to get people off opioids. It can also be addictive in itself. If addicted to Suboxone, it’s essential to seek a qualified opioid addiction treatment program. If you or someone you love is struggling with Suboxone addiction, contact us today for a Suboxone rehab center in Florida.
What Is Suboxone?
Suboxone is a type of medication developed to help people who are struggling with an addiction to opioids, also known as opioid use disorder (OUD). Opioid dependence means someone is addicted to heroin, Fentanyl, or prescription painkillers (Oxycontin, Vicodin, Dilaudid, etc.). People addicted to Suboxone also struggle with the same Opioid Use Disorder because the active ingredient in Suboxone, buprenorphine, is an opioid. However, Suboxone is an effective medication that has tremendous success in helping people struggling with addiction get off their drug of choice if used as directed under strict medical supervision.
Suboxone is formulated with buprenorphine and naloxone. The combined effects of these two ingredients minimize and reverse opioid withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings for opioid-based drugs. Millions of people have ended their addiction to heroin or other potent opiates because of taking Suboxone. However, many people also become addicted to Suboxone, unable to stop taking it alone.
In the United States, the DEA classifies Suboxone as a Schedule III controlled substance because it does have a risk for abuse and addiction. Doctors who prescribe Suboxone for OUD must be certified by the Department of Health and Human Services to distribute the drug legally.
Suboxone is available in tablets and dissolvable oral films. Most persons who are abusing Suboxone prefer the strongest dose or 8 mg.
Why Is Suboxone Addictive?
For many individuals, Suboxone is a lifesaver. It got them through opioid withdrawal and allowed them to remain clean from heroin or other potent opiates. However, Suboxone can cause addiction because it acts similar to an opioid such as heroin by attaching to the same opioid receptors in the brain.
For people who use Suboxone with no history of an opioid use disorder, this medication will get them high and can cause addiction. For people recovering from opioid use disorder, this medication will not necessarily get them high the same way as other opiates, but it’s still very addictive. Suboxone dependence can also lead a person to switch over to using heroin or other opiates to achieve euphoria.
Addiction to Suboxone in time will also cause Suboxone detox symptoms similar to opioid withdrawal symptoms. However, for those who are not already addicted to opiates, Suboxone will get them high.
Since Suboxone must be prescribed by a medical doctor, using it to get high will be hard to maintain. Suboxone is considered a controlled substance. Therefore, if someone is caught with it without a prescription, they will face felony charges. Most people addicted to Suboxone are either doctor shopping (seeing more than one doctor for Suboxone) or buying it illegally from friends or dealers on the street. Illegal Suboxone is expensive to buy.
Suboxone Addiction and Withdrawal Symptoms
To determine if you or a loved one is addicted to Suboxone, one clear indication of an addiction is the presence of withdrawal symptoms. Because Suboxone is a partial opioid agonist, which means it does affect the brain like other opiates, just not as intensely, the withdrawal symptoms will mirror other opioid withdrawal symptoms. Most common Suboxone withdrawal symptoms will often include:
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Sweating, fever, and cold chills
- Restlessness and inability to relax
- Body aches and muscle spasms
- Insomnia
- Anxiety and depression
- Intense cravings for Suboxone
Evoke Wellness at Miramar Suboxone Detox Program
Our Florida Suboxone detox program is overseen by doctors and psychiatrists who specialize in Suboxone detoxification and addiction. The protocols for helping a person detox from Suboxone are often to reduce the amount of Suboxone slowly over time. Depending on the individual’s history of addiction to Suboxone, this time frame may take several weeks or even months. A rapid detox is also possible with the proper medication, supervision, and clinical support.
Our Florida Suboxone detox program relies on advanced detox and treatment methods to help men and women end their addiction to Suboxone for good. A solid plan of recovery from Suboxone addiction means being admitted into our buprenorphine detox center then crosings over into one of our addiction recovery programs specifically for opioid dependent individuals. Evoke Wellness at Miramar relies on evidence-based psychotherapy, one-on-one counseling, and group therapy to help our clients learn how to remain opiate and drug-free while attaining long-lasting peace of mind.
If you or a loved one is looking for a Suboxone treatment center in Florida, contact us today at 866.931.9312 to learn more.
