Addiction is a chronic brain disease, and when it comes to opioid addiction, the disease responds best to a comprehensive approach known as medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MAT combines FDA-approved medications such as Suboxone, Vivitrol, and methadone with counseling and behavioral therapy, providing a whole-person approach to recovery.

When taken as directed and combined with an addiction treatment program, Suboxone can reduce symptoms of opioid withdrawal, alleviate drug cravings, and reduce the risk of relapse.

However, Suboxone is not right for everyone. You should never take Suboxone (or any other MAT medication) unless it is prescribed to you by your doctor.

If you are interested in learning more about MAT or finding out if Suboxone treatment is right for you, please contact our Southern California recovery specialists at ARISE Treatment Center today.

What is Suboxone?

Suboxone is a sublingual film that is taken orally on a daily basis. It contains two medications: buprenorphine and naloxone.

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that binds to and partially activates opioid receptors. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist medication that is used to reverse opioid overdose. It is added to Suboxone to prevent misuse of the medication. If someone were to inject Suboxone or mix it with an opioid drug, withdrawal symptoms may appear, and they wouldn’t feel any euphoric effects.

Suboxone can be given during opioid withdrawal to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. It can also be continued throughout treatment and recovery to reinforce sobriety.

What is Suboxone Treatment Like?

Suboxone can be prescribed 12-48 hours after your last dose of opioids to alleviate your symptoms of withdrawal. However, Suboxone is most effective when combined with a complete substance abuse treatment program.

Treatment may be offered on an inpatient or outpatient basis. At an inpatient treatment center, clients live at the treatment facility, receive their daily dose of Suboxone from a healthcare professional, and participate in group and family therapy sessions throughout the day. Outpatient treatment centers, on the other hand, will send clients home with their doses after they attend regular therapy sessions.

Suboxone treatment programs in Southern California monitor client prescriptions closely, limiting the number of doses that can be taken home each time. Clients are required to attend treatment sessions and provide negative drug screenings in order to continue receiving their prescriptions.

In addition to taking medication, clients participate in a variety of group and individual therapies and activities, such as:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• 12-Step based therapy
• Family therapy
• Life skills therapy
• Relapse prevention therapy
• Educational workshops
• Holistic activities such as yoga, meditation, art therapy, and recreational therapy

Am I A Good Candidate for Suboxone Treatment?

The best way to determine if Suboxone is right for you is to consult with a healthcare professional about getting a prescription. Individual needs vary, and what works for someone else may not work for you.

Key factors that may indicate you are a prime candidate for Suboxone treatment include:

• You are struggling with a moderate to severe opioid use disorder
• You are motivated to stay sober and attend therapy
• Your willingness to participate in treatment and follow through with aftercare
• You need help coping with withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings
• You have a healthy liver and do not suffer from liver disease (Suboxone can increase live enzymes which can be dangerous in people with liver impairment)
• Other treatment approaches have been ineffective in the past

You may not need to meet each of these criteria to be prescribed Suboxone. Your individual assessment will determine whether or not Suboxone is a good fit for your situation.

Where Can I Find A Prescription for Suboxone in Southern California?

Suboxone prescriptions are highly regulated in California and throughout the United States to prevent misuse of the medication. Some doctor’s offices and MAT clinics will prescribe Suboxone on an outpatient basis, but these doctors must go through specialized training to get certified to prescribe the medication.

Another way to get a prescription for Suboxone is to attend a medication-assisted treatment center in Southern California. The program’s medical doctor can assess your needs to determine whether or not Suboxone is right for you.

The Benefits of Opioid Addiction Treatment With Suboxone

There are many advantages of Suboxone treatment, many of which are clinically proven effective. Benefits include:

• Withdrawal symptom relief – Opioid withdrawal can be extremely painful and agonizing, but Suboxone can effectively relieve many of your withdrawal symptoms. It can even reduce the need for inpatient detoxification.
• Fewer cravings – Cravings are one of the most significant challenges people face in recovery. However, the buprenorphine in Suboxone binds to the same receptors in the brain, satisfying the cravings without producing the same euphoric high.
• Reduced relapse risk – Suboxone reduces the risk of opioid relapse by blocking the effects of opioids, reducing cravings, and providing a sense of security and stability during the early phases of recovery.
• Improved treatment retention and completion – Studies have shown that patients taking Suboxone were more likely to stay in treatment and complete their full course of treatment compared to people who weren’t prescribed the medication. In turn, people who are prescribed Suboxone may be more likely to stay sober for longer periods of time.

Find Out if Suboxone Treatment is Right For You

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) has emerged as a promising treatment option for those struggling with opioid addiction. However, it is vital to seek and follow guidance from a healthcare professional before starting MAT.

At ARISE Treatment Center, our skilled physicians can recommend Suboxone or another MAT medication to help you beat opioid addiction. With a team of passionate professionals who are dedicated to helping those struggling with substance abuse, our main goal is to provide exceptional long-term wellness to our clients as well as their families.

Take the first step toward lasting recovery by contacting us today.