Suboxone is a brand name for the combined ingredients: buprenorphine and naloxone. Sometimes referred to as a narcotic, buprenorphine is an opioid-based medication that diminishes urges to abuse opioids by restricting opiate receptors. However, Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of opioids on the brain’s receptor sites. Suboxone is used today for the treatment of opiate or narcotic addiction and not as a medication for pain relief. Typically, Suboxone is recommended and prescribed for opioid dependency on heroin, morphine, codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and other short-acting opioids. The use of Suboxone is regulated by two phases: the withdrawal phase and the maintenance phase. The first phase deals with highly painful withdrawal symptoms that are dangerous if left untreated. The second maintenance phase is managed under a doctor’s supervision. A doctor also controls the quantity of dosage. This phase aims to keep a check on the desire for opioids and the symptoms of post-acute withdrawal. Apart from treating narcotic addiction, Suboxone also treats pain and depression in certain situations. Its role in reducing pain, however, remains controversial. Buprenorphine, one of its two components, is also known to reduce levels of depression by elevating a patient’s mood. 
Role of Suboxone in Treating Addiction
Suboxone is highly effective in providing a long-term solution to regulate opioid addiction. It can be incorporated into the treatment process at various stages. To eradicate the urge to use opioids, Suboxone can be included in the overall recovery plan of the patient. Unlike a stimulant that speeds one’s body mechanism up, Suboxone contributes to slowing one down. Suboxone dosing can be accompanied by the following experiences:
- Relief from pain
- Minimizes opioid withdrawal symptoms
- Reduction of cravings and urges
- Enhanced state of relaxation
Can you be in recovery while on Suboxone?
Consuming Suboxone under the supervision of a doctor is similar to treating any other disease such as high blood pressure and diabetes. The use of this medication, combined with proper therapy and other supportive treatments, can contribute to successfully getting rid of opioid addiction or related problems. Some people may hold the opinion that using Suboxone is similar to replacing your drug of choice with another drug. However, the primary purpose and outcome of Suboxone is to control opioid cravings by limiting the addictive behavior of an opioid-dependent individual. The target is achieved by ending the dependency on opioids and eliminating urges to continue using. Suboxone has a relatively low potential for abuse and also acts as an opioid agonist so that it’s more difficult for a person to get high on other opiates when they are on Suboxone. The buprenorphine present in Suboxone prevents patients from abusing opioids as well as it offers some level of pain relief. According to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), the consumption of Sublocade, a brand name for buprenorphine (BUP-XR), was an approved long-acting injection taken on a monthly basis. Moreover, recovery through Suboxone proves to be a relatively less distressing source of recovery than various other opiate withdrawal approaches. Although recovery is not an objective process, and it varies with different individuals and cases, Suboxone proves to be sufficiently effective in treating your opioid addiction. Nevertheless, one needs to be careful about the controlled intake of this medication. Suboxone overdoses may cause anxiety, sweating, nausea, headache, dizziness, fatigue, and chills. If you’re interested in Medication Assisted Treatment that incorporates buprenorphine, please contact us for confidential help.
