What Is Suboxone?

Have you ever wondered about the many treatments that are available in treating opiate addiction? Suboxone is a prominent drug on the market that is intended to treat opiate addiction. 

Its ingredients are a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is a typical opioid medication and naloxone will block out the effects of the opioid medication. 

This can include relief of pain and the feelings that trigger opioid abuse in the first place.

It should be noted that Suboxone is not intended to be used as a pain medication. It’s specifically targeted for those afflicted with opiate addictions and should not be used for other purposes. 

We’re going to deep dive into the incentives of using Suboxone, the risk factors, proper way to take it, and much more. 

If you’d like to learn more, be sure to coordinate with your local Suboxone detox in Atlanta, GA. 

Is Suboxone Addictive?

Like with most medications or other forms of remedies, there is a risk factor if you’re not taking the medication properly, and yes, there can be an addictive component to this like with any other substance.

Suboxone has the ability to stop or slow down your breathing completely, and it can be habit-forming. Misuse of the medication can lead to death, overdose, and addiction. 

Fatal side effects will only ever occur if you are mixing the medicine with alcohol or any drugs that impair your breathing and cause drowsiness. 

“Intoxication from Suboxone does not occur if a patient is opioid dependent. The misuse can be addressed with increased monitoring, urine drug testing, and film/pill counts”, which was a finding and direct statement made by Dr. Jennifer R. Velander of The Ochsner Journal.

Peer-reviewed journals and coordination with Suboxone treatment centers in Atlanta, GA, are two resources that will provide you with a plethora of information, so that you can make informed decisions when taking certain drugs for opiate addiction.

Before You Take The Medicine

It’s not advisable to take Suboxone if you are allergic to naloxone or buprenorphine.

To ensure that the medicine will be safe to take, make your doctor wary if you’ve experienced the following symptoms:

• Issues with breathing or sleep apnea
• Trouble urinating or issues with your prostate
• A form of liver or kidney disease
• A curvature of the spine that is impacting your breathing
• Issues with your gallbladder, thyroid, or adrenal glands
• Head injuries, seizures, or brain tumors
• Alcohol and drug addiction

For women who are pregnant, there is a chance that your newborn will become dependent on this drug. Withdrawal symptoms could appear after the baby is born. 

Babies that are relying on opioids could be that way for many weeks. 

You should also advise your doctor if you’re breastfeeding while using Suboxone.

The Right Way To Take Suboxone

Be diligent when taking Suboxone. Don’t deviate from the recommended doses that your doctor has prescribed for you. 

Never use this medication in larger amounts or longer than when your treatment is supposed to conclude. 

If you are developing a dependency on this medicine, feel free to coordinate with your doctor to air these grievances. 

Before ingesting the medicine, be sure to take it with water to keep your mouth moist. This will make it easier for the film to dissolve. 

When the film is dissolving, don’t chew or swallow it because the medicine will not work properly. 

Additionally, don’t share the medicine with another person, especially for those who have a history of abusing drugs or have addictive personalities. 

Store the medication in an area where no else will have easy access to it. Any attempt to resell this medication is against the law, and is in fact punishable.

All of the doctors that you see regularly should be fully aware of the medication you are taking, especially if it’s something as vital as Suboxone. 

Suboxone Detox Atlanta, GA

It’s your job as a patient who is actively using Suboxone, to be mindful of how you use it and where it’s stored. As previously mentioned, don’t use the medication for other purposes than what it was prescribed for!  

For more information on Suboxone, you can contact our team at Southeast Addiction, which is a Suboxone treatment center in Atlanta, GA. 

We will work with you in treating opiate addictions, and will advise you of the appropriate protocols to follow, when taking a form of treatment like Suboxone. 

Always remember to coordinate with your healthcare provider to see what else can be done to accommodate your personal battle in curbing your opiate addiction and utilizing the appropriate doses for treatment.