If you have been struggling to get clean but have not been able to make it past the withdrawal phase, medication assisted treatment, or MAT, 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 how Suboxone works to treat addiction. At BrightView, we provide Suboxone treatment at our conveniently located drug addiction centers. To find out more about how our Suboxone treatment programs can support your recovery from drug addiction, give us a call at 888.501.9865 today.
How Does Suboxone Work to Treat Drug Addiction?
Suboxone is one of the main medications used to treat opioid addiction as part of medication assisted treatment programs. It is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, two other medications commonly found in MAT.
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 helps patients 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 make progress in your recovery.
How Suboxone Fits into Treatment
Medication assisted treatment has proven to be successful for many individuals. If you are considering Suboxone treatment for opiate addiction, you may be curious about what a MAT program may look like. Here is an overview of how Suboxone works as part of a drug addiction treatment program:
- 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 medication assisted treatment 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 or other medications as needed to help keep you comfortable. You may also begin counseling to help you and your care team get to the root of your addiction and treat any co-occurring mental health conditions.
- 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. Staff will continue to manage your case and provide any support needed for long-term recovery.
- 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 they will determine the appropriate course of long-term treatment for your needs.
In every phase of treatment, medication plays an important role in helping you make 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.
Find the Suboxone 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 their own struggles that require different types of help to achieve long-term sobriety.
Our centers accept walk-ins until 3 pm 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 medication assisted treatment with Suboxone, we can help you get the support you need to make progress in your recovery.
Call us today at 888.501.9865 to get started on the road to recovery at one of our Suboxone outpatient treatment centers.
