The opiate epidemic is front page news and with good reason. This terrible addiction now claims more lives annually than we lost in the totality of the Vietnam War. You may be among those who have fallen prey to opiate abuse, and, if so, are looking for a way out. Whether your addiction is heroin or prescription opiate medication, you probably know people that have overdosed or have overdosed yourself. The prospect of becoming a grim statistic of this horrible affliction is a reality that you cannot ignore, and now you are wondering how to break free from the grip of opiate addiction.
There are different treatment options to consider when trying to stop using opiates, and you are looking for the one that is the most successful. Opiate addiction is not a new phenomenon, and, over time, addiction professionals have developed varying opinions regarding which approach is the best. Historically, many opiate addicts felt that they had no choice but to join the legions before them that had signed up for the Methadone program, but there is a relatively new player in the game called Suboxone that is fast becoming the preferred medication for treatment. Below are some reasons why Suboxone is the best option for your opiate detox.
Suboxone Versus Methadone for Opiate Detox.
For many years, opiate addicts had no choice but to utilize Methadone for opiate detoxification. One of the dangers of using Methadone is that the drug itself is addictive. Addicts, such as yourself, would find themselves entangled in a situation where the Methadone clinic became an integral part of their lives. While some weaned themselves off Methadone in a relatively short time, many more became hopelessly dependent on the medication for years. Substituting one addiction for another is never a good idea when the goal is to become abstinent from all mind-altering substances. On the other hand, Suboxone is for short term use. Many detox facilities use the medication for a period of a few days or more when entering a 28-day inpatient program. On an outpatient basis, a Suboxone detox may last longer, but ideally, the use of the medication should terminate after a few months at the most. Remember, the idea is for you to stop using opiates altogether, and Suboxone is a bridge between addiction and recovery. Methadone is part of an enormous, well-entrenched system that does not necessarily offer an exit strategy.
Suboxone Contains Two Different Medications That Work Together.
Suboxone is a combination of two different medications, buprenorphine, and naloxone. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, meaning that it delivers partial opioid receptor stimulation that results in a very slight feeling of being high. Naloxone, on the other hand, is a full opioid antagonist and shuts down opioid receptors, so that if the patient tried to use an opioid, such as heroin, there would be no intoxicating effect. This combination is useful because it provides relief from withdrawal symptoms while also effectively discouraging opioid use because you can’t get high. If you have never tried Suboxone, you can imagine that this combination is an ideal treatment. Suboxone’s ability to prevent withdrawal symptoms takes away your fear of becoming sick while coming off opiates. The opiate-blocking component works to remove the compulsion to use. There is no point in taking a drug that will not get you high. Usually, the craving to use opiates passes in a short time, and the suboxone has enabled you to weather the storm. The effect of these two medications working together is the main reason why Suboxone is such an exceptional detox medication.
Anecdotal Evidence Supports Suboxone as a Successful Detox.
Assuming you are an opioid addict, it is likely that you know other opiate addicts. Opiate users tend to stick together and communicate about their use of drugs, and the topic of conversation often turns to the subject of quitting altogether. When you speak with other addicts, you will usually hear that Suboxone is the preferred method for detox for addicts that are serious about stopping. Some addicts feel more comfortable embracing the Methadone program, but their numbers are dwindling as more and more hear about the benefits of Suboxone. Initially, there were a limited number of doctors that were able to prescribe Suboxone. As the success of the medicine has become evident, more doctors are being allowed to prescribe Suboxone.
Some say that eventually, Suboxone will replace Methadone entirely, but it is too early to tell. Long term evidence-based studies are in the works, and the future looks promising. For now, it is safe to say that addiction professionals are utilizing Suboxone increasingly every day. If you would like to learn more about the success of Suboxone for opiate detox, we would love to have a conversation with you. Indeed, you have nothing to lose, and it may save your life. So, please call us today at 772-266-5320, and we will tell you everything you need to know about this life-saving medication.
