How Does Suboxone Work?

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 medication 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 wonder: How does Suboxone treatment 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.

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.

Buprenorphine helps to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, while 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, 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 Medication Fits into Treatment

MAT has proven to be successful for many individuals. If you are considering medication as part of your treatment for opiate or opioid addiction, you may be curious about what a MAT program may look like.

• Phase one – The first phase of your treatment involves meeting with a provider who will review your medical history and perform an assessment. From the information they gather, they will develop an MAT plan to help you through the withdrawal process. Your provider will also monitor you closely during this period to help you manage the symptoms and adjust doses.
• Phase two – Once you have made it through the withdrawal process, your provider will follow up with you on how well the medication 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 medicine. This usually does not take place until after many months or years of sobriety. Sometimes, your doctor may recommend that you continue taking medication 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 toward 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. Through outpatient care that includes comprehensive care management, counseling, and MAT, 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.