If you have been struggling to get sober but have not been able to make it past the withdrawal phase, a medication for addiction treatment (MAT) program can help you maintain your sobriety. Programs that use Suboxone help patients feel relief from withdrawal symptoms and focus on developing healthy coping skills.
If you have never been to a MAT clinic, you may be curious about Suboxone. How does Suboxone work, exactly? What does the process entail? Knowing more about this medication and its use in treatment can lead you or a loved one to lasting recovery.
At BrightView, we provide comprehensive treatment programs at our conveniently located drug addiction centers. To find out more about how our treatment center can support recovery from drug addiction, give us a call at 888.501.9865 today.
How Does Suboxone Work to Treat Drug Addiction?
Suboxone is a brand name of a buprenorphine/naloxone medication. Other brand names include Sublocade, Brixadi, and Subutex.
The buprenorphine in Suboxone helps to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, while the naloxone blocks the effects of opioid drugs if someone attempts to misuse the medication. This combination allows patients to feel relief from withdrawal while also providing an extra layer of protection against relapse.
When buprenorphine and naloxone are combined to make Suboxone, they can work together to support recovery by:
- Blocking the pleasurable effects of opioids to decrease dependency
- Muting the pain-blocking receptors in the brain activated by opioids
- Reducing cravings for opioids
- Dampening the severity of withdrawal symptoms
- Helping to regulate brain chemistry
- Decreasing or preventing overdoses
These effects work together to provide a comprehensive treatment plan that can help you improve your overall health and well-being as you progress in your recovery.
How Suboxone Fits into Treatment
MAT has proven to be successful for many individuals. If you are considering Suboxone as part of your treatment for opiate or opioid addiction, you may be curious about what a MAT program may look like.
What is Suboxone? How does treatment using Suboxone work? Here is an overview:
- Phase One – The first phase of your treatment will be meeting with a provider who will go through your medical history and perform an assessment. From the information they gather, they will come up with a MAT plan to help you through the withdrawal process. Your provider will maintain close monitoring of you through the withdrawal process to help you manage the symptoms and adjust the doses of Suboxone.
- Phase Two – Once you have made it through the withdrawal process, your provider will follow up with you on how well the Suboxone helps you manage your cravings. Doses will be modified as needed to help prevent cravings, making it easier for you to maintain sobriety. You will continue with individual counseling and group therapy to help you manage stress, your thought process, and coping skills to help keep you on the right path.
- Phase Three – With your ongoing success in recovery, your provider may eventually decide that it is time for you to start tapering off the Suboxone. This usually does not take place until after many months or years of sobriety. In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you continue taking Suboxone indefinitely. Their main goal is to help keep you sober so that they will determine the appropriate course of long-term treatment for your needs.
In every phase of treatment, medication plays a vital role in helping you progress towards recovery. Suboxone is one of the most effective medications used to treat opioid addiction and can provide a strong foundation for long-term recovery.
Call Today to Find the Treatment You Need at BrightView
Recovery from drug addiction is not a one-size-fits-all remedy. At BrightView, we understand that each person has struggles that require different types of help to achieve long-term sobriety.
Our centers accept walk-ins until 3:00 p.m. on weekdays, and our team of compassionate healthcare professionals is here to help you create a personalized treatment plan that meets your needs. Through outpatient care that includes comprehensive care management, counseling, and MAT with Suboxone, we can help you get the support you need to progress in your recovery.
Call 888.501.9865 or complete our online form to get started on the road to recovery at one of our outpatient treatment centers.
