Suboxone for Addiction

Suboxone is a prescription medication used to treat those suffering from opioid addiction. The active ingredients in Suboxone include:

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine is an opioid with only partial activity. Its purpose is to help control cravings. However, unlike other opioids, the euphoric effects of buprenorphine max out at a specific dose, making it harder to abuse.

Naloxone

Naloxone is an opioid overdose reversal medication that also helps prevent abuse of Suboxone. 

You receive Suboxone as a sublingual film that dissolves in your mouth.

The mental health and addiction specialists at Nashville Brain Institute determine if you’re a good candidate for Suboxone during a consultation. The medication is specifically used to treat opioid dependence, including prescription dependence and illegal use. 

To be considered a good candidate for Suboxone, you must recognize that you have a problem, and you’re ready to take the next step to gain control over your addiction. In addition to the medication, you must also be willing to participate in psychotherapy with the specialists at Nashville Brain Institute. Individual and group therapy sessions are available.

Your addiction specialist at Nashville Brain Institute can review what to expect during Suboxone treatment once they determine that the medication makes a good option for you. Suboxone administration takes place in stages:

Induction

Before starting Suboxone, you must stop taking opioids. During your induction phase, you must be experiencing moderate withdrawal symptoms. Your specialist can review when to stop your opioids prior to the induction of your Suboxone. 

During the induction phase, your specialist titrates your dose until you reach the dose that alleviates your withdrawal symptoms and your cravings. 

Maintenance

Once you’re at the dose that alleviates your symptoms and cravings, you enter the maintenance phase of your treatment. During this phase, you need to be compliant with taking your medication as prescribed, attending your psychotherapy sessions, and staying away from illicit or prescription drugs.

Medical taper

The medical taper phase includes a slow reduction in your Suboxone dosage and discontinuation of the medication. You should only go through a medical taper if both you and your addiction specialist at Nashville Brain Institute agree that it’s safe to taper the medication. You can continue Suboxone treatment indefinitely to help you stay in control of your addiction.

Opioid addiction is a disease, not a personal weakness. Like any other disease, medical intervention is needed to improve your health and quality of life.

To learn more about Suboxone and how it can benefit you or someone you love, call Nashville Brain Institute.