Through the span of three and a half decades, opioid addiction has become a top public health concern in the U.S. Opioid overdose rates remain high since the emergence of COVID-19, and the widespread use of fentanyl continues to claim lives. With this highly addictive and dangerous drug finding its way into virtually every street drug, many are in imminent danger.
Despite overdose cases and the severity of the opioid epidemic continuing to grab headlines, there is hope for many. There are many opioid addiction treatment options for those who are struggling. Keep reading to learn why Suboxone is effective for opioid use disorder recovery and how to access Suboxone treatment.
Opioid use disorder can arise from both prescribed medication and illegal opioids. Many people who end up using illicit opioids first start with a prescription from a doctor. Although physicians no longer prescribe opioids as often as before, the threat of fentanyl still looms. People who may be struggling in areas of their lives begin using drugs to cope. Many of those people often have untreated mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression or PTSD.
These substances latch onto opioid receptors in the brain, inhibiting pain and inducing a euphoric sensation in non-medicinal doses. This euphoria, with frequent misuse, starts to reshape the reward pathway in the prefrontal cortex. Over time, this leads to intense cravings and painful withdrawal sensations until they consume more opioids.
As opioid misuse becomes habitual, individuals begin to build tolerance, needing increasing quantities to achieve the desired high. Before long, the brain prioritizes opioid use, often sidelining even essential functions like eating and sleeping. This can rapidly transition into an uncontrollable addiction, also known as opioid use disorder.
Overcoming opioid addiction is particularly difficult for people to attempt without medical intervention. Most people addicted to opioids will try to stop using many times, only to give up due to incredibly uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. However, even those who make it through withdrawal have difficulty with relapse later due to the way opioids alter the brain.
This is where the role of medication-assisted treatment comes into play. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) stands as an effective outpatient method for opioid addiction, using FDA-approved medication alongside opioid addiction counseling. One such notable medication is Suboxone, also known as buprenorphine and naloxone.
The key to understanding why Suboxone is effective for opioid use disorder recovery is learning how it works. Suboxone is a partial opioid agonist, which means it interacts with the brain’s opioid receptors. Full opioids interact with those same receptors but in a different way. Suboxone has a much weaker effect but still manages to relieve withdrawal symptoms and cravings without creating a euphoric high.
Additionally, Suboxone contains the drug naloxone, which is an opioid antagonist. This component can outright block euphoric effects if the medication is misused or other opioids are present. All of these elements of Suboxone work together to help stabilize brain function in someone with opioid use disorder.
Suboxone is a central part of office-based opioid treatment (OBOT). Among the many different substance use disorder treatment options, Suboxone is one of the most popular. There are many reasons why people prefer this method over others; here are just a few:
There are numerous other benefits of Suboxone for addiction recovery. One of the biggest, however, seems to be the value of time. Outpatient treatment with take-home medication allows patients to work on rebuilding their lives. They can work, travel and attend to their obligations without committing to inpatient care, which can be costly and overwhelming.
Treatment for opioid use disorder with Suboxone has proven to be one of the most effective MAT methods. At Middlesex Recovery, we emphasize this approach, guided by specialized and compassionate medical providers.
Recognizing addiction as a chronic illness, we believe in comprehensive treatments like Suboxone coupled with other recovery resources. This has allowed countless individuals to redefine their lives, breaking free from the chains of addiction.
If you or someone you love is living with opioid use disorder or alcohol use disorder, contact our team at Middlesex Recovery to learn more about effective treatment options. Our care coordinators are available to discuss how we can help. Don’t wait – begin your recovery journey today.
If opioid addiction is impacting your life or the life of someone you care about, reach out to our treatment center. We are here to provide the support and care you need to take the first step toward recovery.
Call 781.303.9936