Suboxone Treatment

What is Suboxone?

Suboxone is a prescription medicine that contains two drugs – buprenorphine and naloxone. Dr. Alevizos uses Suboxone to help you if you're having problems with opioid addiction.

Opioids are drugs that either come from opium or work in the same way. They include illegal narcotics like heroin and certain strong prescription painkillers such as oxycodone.

What is Suboxone treatment?

Suboxone forms part of a program for substance abuse called medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Using Suboxone along with counseling and behavior modification therapy provides a comprehensive approach to addiction rehabilitation.

The DATA (Drug Addiction Treatment Act) of 2000 requires medical professionals to hold a buprenorphine waiver from SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. That means you can only receive Suboxone treatment from approved practices like Alevizos Medical.

How does Suboxone treatment work?

Suboxone treatment works by helping to decrease your dependence on opioids:

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine reduces your physical dependence and helps you manage the cravings that you get when you come off opioids. Although it works in the same way as an opioid, buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist, meaning you don't get the same intense euphoria.

Naloxone

Naloxone blocks the opioid receptors in your brain, which helps reduce your risk of overdosing.

When you start Suboxone treatment, the effects of buprenorphine increase with every dose; then reach a peak beyond which they remain the same, even if you take a higher dose.

As a result, you're less likely to experience misuse or dependency issues, and your withdrawal problems are less severe.

What happens when I have Suboxone treatment?

When you begin your Suboxone treatment, you need to be in the first stages of withdrawal. Therefore, you stop taking the opioid you're addicted to for 12-24 hours before seeing Dr. Alevizos.

The reason for starting Suboxone treatment during the early withdrawal stage is that it's the safest and most effective time to begin. Dr. Alevizos works closely with you to reduce your opioid use gradually, minimizing the more unpleasant aspects of opioid withdrawal.

The length of time it takes to reach the stabilization phase of Suboxone treatment varies between patients. You attain stabilization when cravings and withdrawal side effects are minimal or gone completely. Dr. Alevizos may then be able to reduce your Suboxone dose to every other day, with the aim of coming off the medication in time.

If opioid addiction affects your life, contact Alevizos Medical to find out how Suboxone treatment can help. Call or book an appointment online today.