If you or anyone you know is struggling with opioid addiction, you’ll know that most people want a treatment option that doesn’t disrupt their lives. Some people call Suboxone a “game-changer” for that very reason. Suboxone has the ability to not only reduce the symptoms of opiate addiction but also the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. And Suboxone, unlike methadone, can require fewer office visits, allowing you to live your life while still managing your opioid addiction.
Find a Clinic
The first step is to find a clinic near you. When you call and make an appointment, you will be given all the instructions you need to be prepared for a consultation with a provider. Most consultations are less than an hour. Your provider will determine what the best course of treatment will be for you and show you how to take Suboxone.
Learn How To Take Suboxone
Suboxone comes in two forms, a tablet and a sublingual film, both of which dissolve in your mouth. The sublingual film sounds complicated but it’s not. The medicated film comes in individual packets that tear open when ready to use. Begin by drinking some water to moisten the mouth. Then, tear the package open and take out the small rectangular film with dry fingers. Place the film under your tongue on the right or left side, close to the base. If a provider instructs you to take two Suboxone films at a time, place one on each side under your tongue so that the films do not touch or overlap. The time it takes for a Suboxone film to dissolve varies from person to person. The important thing to remember is that while the film dissolves under your tongue, you do not eat, drink, chew, swallow or even talk.
Understand How Suboxone Works
Suboxone works by attaching to the same receptors in the brain as other opiates, like heroin, morphine, and oxycodone. It prevents cravings, and it allows many people to transition back from a life of addiction to their normal life. Suboxone is made of two drugs, buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. An agonist activates receptors in the brain. Buprenorphine delivers lower opioid doses to a patient who is addicted to stronger doses. Naloxone is known as an opioid antagonist or “blocker,” meaning that it binds to opioid receptors and blocks the effects of opioids.
Suboxone has been shown to be less habit-forming than methadone. It also has less severe side effects than methadone. But recipients report that the real benefit of Suboxone is the patients’ ability to administer their doses in the privacy of their own homes. As a result, Suboxone has less impact on your work schedule and your time with your family. And being available for and focusing on what really matters plays a key role in recovery.
Recovery is a unique journey and it’s important to remember that there are multiple ways toward a life of independence from opioids. Most people who use Suboxone couple it with some kind of substance abuse counseling and regular medical care. Reach out to a clinic near you and talk with a provider about beginning your unique path to recovery today.
