Suboxone is a medication that is commonly used as part of a comprehensive program of opioid addiction treatment. This medication is a combination of two effective drugs, naloxone, and buprenorphine, which work together to decrease the severity of symptoms associated with opioid withdrawal while reducing psychological cravings and helping individuals overcome opioid addiction long-term.
While some individuals do develop a physical and psychological dependence on Suboxone if they take the medication other than as prescribed for an extended period, it is generally safe to use, and is considered less habit-forming than methadone – another medication frequently used to treat opioid addiction.
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Can You Stay on Suboxone for a Long Time?
Suboxone comes most often in a sublingual film, which is dissolved under the tongue. Many treatment centers and medically monitored detox facilities utilize Suboxone or other buprenorphine-based medication to help their patients overcome the drug cravings that often lead to relapse. They also use Suboxone to treat symptoms associated with post-acute opioid withdrawal – symptoms like persistent insomnia, psychological changes that could include the development of anxiety or depression, and general feelings of physical discomfort.
At Recreate Life Counseling, we utilize Medication Assisted Treatment whenever necessary – however, we understand that what works for one patient might not work for another. We only recommend medication that contains buprenorphine when we know that it will be effective.
Suboxone Maintenance – A Short-Term or Long-Term Solution?
At Recreate Life Counseling, we utilize Suboxone as part of a comprehensive program of opioid addiction recovery. Medication-Assisted Treatment is never a standalone solution, meaning that it must be paired with intensive therapeutic intervention and a wide range of other recovery-related services to be truly effective. Our program of recovery focuses on equipping each client with the tools and life skills he or she needs to maintain sobriety for years to come.
While Suboxone can be beneficial in the short-term, it should not be used as a crutch – this essentially means that down the line, our clients will need to refer to healthy coping mechanisms and emotional stability to overcome personal relapse triggers. They cannot simply take some Suboxone if they are feeling triggered. They must know how to work through uncomfortable feelings and emotions effectively.
Medication-Assisted Treatment at Recreate Life Counseling
Additionally, over time, an individual will begin to develop a physical tolerance to Suboxone, meaning that more of the medication will be required for the same results to be produced. Suboxone was not designed to be a long-term solution to opioid addiction. In short – lifelong Suboxone maintenance is simply not possible. However, this does not mean that lifelong recovery from opioid addiction is not possible. With the right program of recovery in place, even individuals who have fallen victim to the most severe cases of opioid addiction can overcome substance abuse and go on to lead healthy and productive lives.
Addiction Recovery – What It’s All About
Addiction recovery is about much more than staying sober. Authentic recovery involves knowing how to work through uncomfortable emotions, effectively overcoming personal relapse triggers, and generally working towards self-betterment daily. At Recreate Life Counseling, we pride ourselves on providing the most individualized and comprehensive treatment program available in Southern Florida.
Our team of highly experienced professionals carefully created a program of recovery that focuses on integrated care, tackling the physical, emotional, and mental implications of active addiction. While we do utilize Medication Assisted Treatment as part of our comprehensive program of care, we never consider Suboxone or any similar medication to be a stand-alone solution. To learn more about our recovery program, reach out to us today, and to begin your journey of long-term healing simply give us a call and let us know what you hope to get from your treatment experience.