Drug abuse is one of the biggest crises affecting mental health, especially opioid addiction. In light of the increased use of prescription painkillers, as well as heroin, addiction rates have increased in recent years. In a lot of cases, modern drug addiction treatment involves the use of other medication,such as Suboxone and Methadone. It is called a replacement therapy which has its pros and cons.
Suboxone is a drug used to minimize withdrawal symptoms when a person quits opioids. It satisfies the brain’s reward receptors and initiates the healing process. Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is an opioid. It activates the brain’s reward receptors, but not nearly as much as heroin does. Rather, the response diminishes, and this reduces withdrawal symptoms while the addict receives treatment.
Meanwhile, naloxone blocks receptors that respond to opioids. It may also reduce some of the effects of opioid abuse. Although naloxone is very effective, it can cause severe withdrawal symptoms when used alone, especially in people early in recovery. Suboxone combines the best of both drugs and improves the lives of many people dealing with addiction. However, it is not a perfect drug and has both pros and cons, including addiction to suboxone. We will discuss this below. If you need more information on this treatment, find professional suboxone doctors near me.
Benefits of long-term Suboxone use
The biggest benefit of long-term Suboxone use is that the addict is no longer taking the original opioid. If this opioid is considered more harmful than suboxone, this is a successful outcome. Addicts begin to feel more normal, and getting strong opioids out of their system is seen as an achievement. They regain control of their lives. Comparatively, long-term use of Suboxone is better than having a full-blown opioid addiction. In addition, Suboxone is less likely to be abused than other opioids.
Many people who have tried to break free from addiction find that taking an alternative to Suboxone is reliable. Completely giving up drugs may seem too difficult. In fact, many people go back to opioids when they stop using suboxone. Often they go back to the pre-recovery dose to get high. This is because their bodies get used to low doses of opioids. Because suboxone reduces tolerance to opioids, returning to this dose can lead to a fatal overdose. Suboxone can also be addictive, although the cravings are not as strong as heroin.
Disadvantages of long-term Suboxone use
Recovery from opioid abuse is not about replacing one addiction with another, less dangerous drug. Many people substitute opioids with another substance or activity that may seem less serious. However, addiction of any kind is unhealthy. Although suboxone is helpful, relying on it should not be the best solution. Since it’s technically an opioid, you can build up a tolerance and become addicted. Long-term use of Suboxone can cause side effects, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Decreased tolerance to pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Confusion or disorientation
- Social isolation
- Constipation
These are just some mental and physical effects of long-term Suboxone use. As with all addictions, Suboxone addicts may also experience:
- Financial problems
- Legal issues
- Problems at the workplace
- Damaged relationships
- Decreased sense of personal responsibility.
Suboxone doctors near me continue to debate the pros and cons of using Suboxone. When it is used for a short time, addicts are more likely to relapse. When used for a long period of time, it can become addictive on its own. When an addict stops taking it, they will experience withdrawal symptoms. This means that they may need to neutralize the drug that was supposed to help them detox. This process can be more complicated than initial opioid detoxification. This is why many professionals do not recommend suboxone for long-term use, but view it as a stepping stone to sobriety.
Suboxone withdrawal symptoms
People having withdrawal from Suboxone may experience:
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Problems with digestion
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Fever and chills
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Muscle pains
- Apathy
How Suboxone can be used as part of the recovery journey
Suboxone can be used to jump-start the recovery process and help addicts detox in suboxone clinics near me. However, the ultimate goal is to reach the point where no drugs are needed for a normal life. With professional addiction treatment in a suboxone clinic near me, you can reduce your dependence on drugs, including Suboxone. You will need help uncovering the root cause of your initial addiction and learning how to manage your triggers. Developing appropriate strategies to avoid compulsive behaviors will help you overcome addiction.
