What is Suboxone?
Suboxone is a branded formulation of buprenorphine and is used to treat addiction to opiates. It addresses opiate withdrawal symptoms and cravings. It contains a small amount of naloxone, in addition to buprenorphine, that works to prevent overdose in the event that the individual using Suboxone as medication assisted treatment relapses on opiates.
Suboxone or buprenorphine in its pure form are the first line medication used during the detoxification phase from opiates. Utilizing medication, in conjunction with therapy, is known as medication assisted treatment, or MAT. After detoxification has been completed, it is also used in the stabilization and maintenance treatment phases of as it addresses cravings for opiates effectively and helps prevent relapse.
As per the National Institutes for Health, Suboxone, in combination with therapy improves outcomes significantly for individuals addicted to opiates. The only word of caution here is that after a period of use, there may be some slight physical dependence on the medication and Suboxone detox may be needed in order to come off of the medication.
Due to the presence of naloxone, Suboxone cannot be abused. It simply won’t give the person abusing it the desired high at usual doses. Buprenorphine, in its pure form (Subutex), however, can be easily abused by injecting it. After being on medication assisted treatment, or MAT, utilizing Suboxone for a while, many individuals want to come off of Suboxone as they now feel confident that they have solidified their recovery to a point where they do not need the help of any medications to lead a drug-free life.
If an individual stops the use of Suboxone cold turkey there may be some physical withdrawal, but the psychological symptoms may be more acute. So a Suboxone Detox is needed. Consequently, it is advisable to come off of Suboxone at a Suboxone Detox facility that specializes in detox so that physical and psychological symptoms can be addressed effectively and the attempt to come off of Suboxone ends as a positive experience. There are many facilities in New Jersey that offer Suboxone detox.
Why Detox off of Suboxone / Buprenorphine?
Buprenorphine is a medication that assists with opiate addiction. So why come off of Suboxone? Individuals who have used Suboxone / Buprenorphine to kick their opiate addiction, at some point, feel confident enough to go on with their lives without the support of medication. While they may experience some withdrawal symptoms, there is also a psychological component. They are anxious that they will relapse without the support of medication that addresses their craving for opiates.
Outpatient Buprenorphine / Suboxone Detox
While Suboxone is an effective medication to treat addiction to opiates, coming off of Suboxone is not easy due to Suboxone withdrawal symptoms, accentuated by anxiety associated with potential for relapse when Suboxone use is stopped. Consequently, when the individual being treated with Suboxone is confident of his/her recovery and wishes to come off of Suboxone, a formal detox is highly advisable. There are no medications that can replicate the effect of buprenorphine / suboxone, but psychological issues that emerge can be addressed and the buprenorphine taper can be customized.
However, many addiction treatment programs in New jersey offer detox off of Suboxone and buprenorphine, including in Warren, New Brunswick, Matawan, West Orange, Dover, Sayreville, Lawrenceville, Atlantic Highlands, Dunellen, Cranford, Lakewood, Oakhurst, and Freehold. A Suboxone detox is needed not only to address Suboxone withdrawal effects, but also to effectively address mental health issues that surface.
Understanding Suboxone Withdrawal
While not as severe as opiate withdrawal, sudden discontinuation of Suboxone / buprenorphine can cause:
- Depression and irritability
- Nausea and vomiting
- Chills, Fever, headaches and muscle aches
- Drug cravings, chills, and sweating
- Anxiety and concentration problems
- Insomnia
- Lethargy
- Digestive distress
- Cravings
An outpatient Suboxone detox program delivers far better results relative to an inpatient detox, as it allows the individual coming off of Suboxone to be in touch with their real living environment in order to test their ability to stay sober after the Suboxone taper is concluded.
MAT for Suboxone Withdrawal
Suboxone / Buprenorphine is the medication used to treat opiate addiction. So there is no separate and distinct medication to address Suboxone / buprenorphine withdrawal. Instead, a taper of Suboxone / Buprenorphine is instituted in conjunction with medications to assist with psychological issues.
