Suboxone is a short term prescription treatment for managing withdrawal from heavy opioid drugs like heroin, morphine, fentanyl, and other prescriptions. Containing the partial opioid agonist substance Buprenorphine, it is possible to abuse suboxone in high quantities and become addicted to it. Though the medication contains naloxone, which can reverse opioid overdose, suboxone can still create a severe chemical dependency. Sometimes, individuals can find themselves believing they cannot stay clean from heroin unless they are on suboxone, which means they have become addicted to suboxone itself.
Signs Of Suboxone Addiction
- Having to refill the medication before the prescription is due to expire
- Coming up with excuses to find another doctor or go to a different pharmacy
- Hiding boxes of suboxone in various places so that it is easily accessible throughout the day
- “Needing” to take suboxone to normalize
- Experiencing symptoms of withdrawal sometimes more intense than those for other opioid drugs when there is no suboxone to take, or forgot to take suboxone
- Displaying similar symptoms to being high on heroin and other opioid drugs such as “nodding out”
Effects Of Suboxone Addiction
- Experiencing similar symptoms of being high on opioid drugs including euphoria, analgesic effects, impaired judgment
- Could trigger a loss in weight which many opioids do
- Chemical dependency on the drug
- Experiencing severe cravings for heroin or other opioids without the drug in the system
- Feeling unable to function without the presence of suboxone or other opioids
- Feeling content without other drugs after consuming suboxone
Suboxone Withdrawal
Many heroin and opioid addicts have agreed that withdrawal from suboxone is significantly more treacherous than other opioid drugs. Suboxone tapering is an important part of recovery for making sure an individual safely comes off of suboxone without feeling like they have to give into the impulses of using other opioids.
Why Is It Used?
Suboxone is successful in helping most people find their way to recovery away from heroin and other opioids. However, what defines success differs from one treatment provider to the next. Some doctors do not feel that it is problematic for individuals to become dependent on suboxone, since they are no longer dependent on more serious drugs. Many other treatment providers feel that being dependent on suboxone is not realy recovery and has not provided a patient any freedom.
The goal at LEAD Recovery Center is autonomy. Our transitional multiphase treatment programs grow clients into leaders of their own lives and their recovery communities. For more information, call us today at 1-800-380-0012.
