Suboxone Addiction Treatment in Long Island

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With the overwhelming economic and psychological pressure of our modern society, more people are resorting to opioids to cope with that stress.

According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, more than two million Americans struggle with opioid use disorder. Luckily, addiction treatments have come a long way these past few years, chief among which is Suboxone.

Unfortunately, though, not everyone has access to that treatment. If you live in Long Island, you’re in luck. Long Island Treatment Center provides an effective Suboxone addiction treatment program.

So, if you or any of your family members are having trouble getting rid of the shackles of opioids, don’t hesitate to contact us.

What Is Suboxone?

Suboxone is an FDA-approved medication that helps treat opioid use disorder. Not only does it reduce the intensity of the withdrawal symptoms, but it also eases opioid cravings. That’s why health experts use it in medication-assisted treatments.

How Does Suboxone Treat Opioid Use Disorder?

Suboxone contains two active ingredients that give it its addiction-treating properties: Buprenorphine and naloxone.

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that sticks to your opioid receptors, blocking heroin, morphine, and fentanyl from binding to them. That way, it prevents them from stimulating that addictive euphoric feeling.

Despite being able to bind to people’s opioid receptors, buprenorphine isn’t as addictive as you might think. After all, it has a defined ceiling effect.

That means it reaches its maximum efficiency after you take a certain amount, and increasing the dose beyond that threshold doesn’t increase its effects.

Naloxone is a bit different from buprenorphine. As an opioid antagonist, it reverses the effects of opioids on your lungs, brain, and nervous system.

How Effective Is Suboxone in Treating Opioid Abuse?

With a low risk of addiction, Suboxone has proven to be an effective treatment for opioid dependence these past few years. In fact, a 2022 study compares Suboxone’s effectiveness to methadone, another opioid addiction treatment drug.

Researchers split 272 patients with opioid use disorder into two groups and gave each group one of the drugs. After 22 weeks, they noticed that both medications were effective, but the Suboxone group had shown better results and exhibited fewer cravings.

What Forms Does Suboxone Come In?

Suboxone comes in two forms: Tablets and sublingual film strips. Both offer different advantages, and your choice should depend on your personal circumstances and needs.

For example, Suboxone tablets are cheaper than film strips. Fourteen generic Suboxone tablets would cost around $25, while the same number of films would cost $40.

That’s not a big difference, but it adds up if you use Suboxone long-term. So, if you’re having financial issues, the tablet variants might be a suitable treatment option for you.

They’re also more socially acceptable. You see, people struggling with drug abuse often face overwhelming societal pressure.

As such, they try to hide the treatment from those around them, fearing stigma. Tablets are a more vital choice for that goal.

Everyone takes tablets to treat different types of illnesses. It won’t arouse any suspicions if you take one in public.

That said, those who have tried both variants agreed that film strips take effect faster and are easier to consume because they don’t have to hold them under their tongues for so long.

As effective as they are, some people ignore the tablets and strips and choose to take Suboxone through injection to feel its effects faster.

Unfortunately, taking the buprenorphine/naloxone combination through injection stimulates withdrawal symptoms quickly, which can be quite uncomfortable.

How to Take Suboxone for Opioid Use Disorder?

Suboxone comes in various doses. So, before a doctor prescribes a dosage for their patient, they need to understand their medical history and the intensity/duration of their addiction.

They’ll determine the dosage based on their findings and readjust it throughout the treatment program.

The Induction Phase

The induction phase is where doctors try to reduce the opioid withdrawal symptoms. They usually start with a minimal dose (4 mg buprenorphine / 1 mg naloxone).

If the patient’s symptoms don’t improve within a few hours, they can increase the dosage to 8 mg buprenorphine / 2 mg naloxone.

The Maintenance Phase

Once your withdrawal symptoms have improved, doctors will stabilize the Suboxone dose during the maintenance phase. This phase can last indefinitely. So, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor if you want to reduce the dose gradually.

What Are the Side Effects of Suboxone?

Despite its effectiveness, Suboxone isn’t a risk-free treatment. Long-term usage can stimulate mild to severe side effects. Common side effects include:

• Depression
• Nausea
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Back pain
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Excessive sweating
• Burning in the mouth and tongue
• Constipation
• Fatigue

Note: These symptoms differ in their duration. Some can last a few days, and others can last a couple of weeks. If they continue beyond that, you should consult a doctor.

Adverse effects include:

• Trouble breathing
• Dental issues, including tooth decay and cavities
• Coma
• Irregular heartbeat
• Hormonal issues
• Sexual dysfunction
• Low blood pressure

Besides these side effects, Suboxone can prompt allergic reactions in some people. Symptoms include:

• Hives
• Chest tightness
• Shortness of breath
• Red skin
• Swelling of the lips
• Cramps

Is Suboxone Addictive?

Just because Suboxone is less addictive than opioid and heroin doesn’t mean the possibility of getting addicted to it isn’t there. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) labeled Suboxone as a Schedule III narcotic.

That means it has a low to moderate potential of altering your brain chemistry, prompting mental and physical dependence.

Physical Suboxone addiction symptoms include:

• Blurry vision
• Nausea
• Itching
• Shallow breathing
• Loss of appetite, leading to unhealthy weight gain
• Drowsiness
• A pounding heartbeat
• Upper stomach pain
• Impaired speech
• Fever
• Sweating

Psychological Suboxone addiction symptoms include:

• Memory issues
• Mood swings
• Erratic behavior
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Cognitive decline
• Poor coordination

Withdrawal Symptoms

Even with a low to moderate risk of addiction, quitting Suboxone abruptly may prompt withdrawal symptoms. That’s why most healthcare providers advise patients to do it gradually.

Of course, these withdrawal symptoms differ from one person to another, depending on the intensity and duration of your Suboxone treatment. They usually appear within the first 24 hours, peak within 72 hours, and can last for about a month.

Symptoms that persist in the first 72 hours:

• Irritability
• Fever
• Digestive issues
• Excessive sweating
• Nausea
• Headache
• Shivering

Symptoms that persist for a week:

• Physical pain
• Mood swings
• Insomnia

Symptoms that persist for two weeks:

• Anxiety
• Depression

Symptoms that persist for a month:

• Intense cravings
• Depression
• Physical discomfort

Ultimately, taking Suboxone under the supervision of a professional healthcare provider should reduce the risk of addiction and withdrawal.

Can You Overdose on Suboxone?

In the rare case that a patient develops a Suboxone use disorder, they might be tempted to increase the dose to get a more intense high. Not only would that not provide the desired euphoria, but it might increase the risk of overdosing.

Suboxone overdose includes the following symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Coma
• Slowing heartbeat
• Blurry vision
• Facing difficulty thinking clearly
• Fading in and out of consciousness
• Abdominal pain
• Mental confusion
• Coordination problems
• Sedation

What Substances Can Interact With Suboxone and Cause Overdose?

Yes, overdosing on Suboxone isn’t exclusive to taking a large dose. There are a few substances that can interact with that drug, causing you to overdose. These include:

• Antidepressants
• PCP
• Opiates
• Synthetic cannabinoids
• Hormonal contraceptives
• Alcohol
• Ketamine
• Barbiturates
• Phenobarbital or any epilepsy treatment
• Benzodiazepines
• Opioid pain medications (oxycodone and hydrocodone)

Can You Use Suboxone Alone to Treat Addiction?

As effective as it is, taking Suboxone alone isn’t enough to treat extreme addiction cases. As you’ve already seen, substance use disorder isn’t just a physical disease. It also takes a psychological toll on its victims.

So, those struggling with drug addiction require as much psychological support as physical. That’s why health experts often use Suboxone alongside cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in addiction treatment programs.

Conclusion

Treating opioid addiction is as challenging as any other type of addiction. However, with Suboxone addiction treatment in Long Island, the process can be more tolerable.

All you have to do is allow our experts to help you, put in the effort to get better, and resist the overwhelming temptations.