Suboxone is one of the most common treatment options for people affected by any form of opioid addiction. This brand-name product combines a weak opioid substitute with a medication that shuts down opioids’ effects. When used effectively, it can help you make it through detox as your recovery gets underway. But, given its opioid content, you may wonder if Suboxone for addiction treatment is wise or safe. However, research supports the usefulness of a properly designed Suboxone clinic in helping you achieve your sobriety goals.
Basics of Suboxone for Recovery
If you’re affected by addiction, achieving an opioid-free state is a multi-stage process. First, you must clear opioids out of your system. However, this step comes with a risk of the onset of severe withdrawal symptoms. If they’re strong enough, these symptoms can leave you unwilling to take further steps toward sobriety.
Suboxone’s role is to help make the withdrawal process more tolerable. This is crucial. When withdrawal effects don’t seem overwhelming, your chances of coping with them increase significantly. In turn, your chances of quitting opioids also go up.
The Suboxone formula is based partly on a weak opioid called buprenorphine. In addition, the formula includes the opioid-blocking medication naloxone. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid. This means that its drug effects are less potent than full-opioid targets of abuse such as:
- Fentanyl
- Heroin
- Hydrocodone
- Oxycodone
When you take buprenorphine, it has enough impact to support gradual, well-tolerated withdrawal. But it won’t produce euphoria or encourage drug-seeking behavior. For these reasons, the medication is a temporary substitute for more potent opioids during detox. Naloxone plays a crucial supporting role by capping the opioid effects of buprenorphine. This limiting feature decreases buprenorphine’s appeal as an abuse target even further.
But Is Suboxone Safe When Used as an Addiction Medication?
Suboxone is helpful, but is Suboxone safe? After all, the medication contains an opioid. Doesn’t that create an unavoidable risk?
We can answer these questions with help from a large body of research. This research shows that the Suboxone safety margin is high when the medication is:
- Used in the context of a larger plan to help you recover from opioid addiction
- Prescribed in appropriate doses
- Not given to people who lack a previous history of opioid use
Only federally certified providers are allowed to prescribe Suboxone. This rule adds another layer of safety for approved use.
The Role of Suboxone in Addiction Treatment
Medication should never be used as your sole form of opioid recovery. Instead, the effective use of Suboxone for addiction treatment is always paired with psychotherapy. This therapy helps you understand the nature of addiction. It also enables you to make personal changes that support an opioid-free lifestyle. In addition, therapy shows you how to keep that lifestyle going as time passes.
The combination of Suboxone and therapy is an example of medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MAT may also be based on a different opioid medication, methadone. However, Suboxone’s safety margin is higher than methadone’s. This makes Suboxone a better option for many people.
Learn More About Suboxone for Recovery at Evoke Wellness
Is Suboxone safe? Generally speaking, the answer to this question is yes. However, the medication must be used as intended. Otherwise, it can indeed pose a significant risk.
Have more questions about Suboxone? The experts at Evoke Wellness can answer them. Every day, we use this medication as part of our MAT program. Our customized approach stresses effectiveness. It also places a top priority on safety at all times. Call us today at 866.931.6429 to find out more. You can also contact us through our online form.
