Drug treatment is never easy. Many describe it as one of the hardest things that they will ever do. Although some claim there are miracle cures, drug treatment takes hard work and time to be effective.
One of the most successful types of drug treatment is medication-assisted therapy or MAT. Many addiction specialists believe that prescriptions like Methadone and Suboxone only treat the symptoms of addiction rather than the whole problem. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a combination of prescription drug therapy and psychotherapy.
Successful MAT depends on taking remedies like Suboxone and applying therapeutic techniques to correct the cause of the addiction. There are several ways you can take buprenorphine medications. Only your doctor can tell you how to take Suboxone and what type of therapy is best for your situation.
Why Use Suboxone?
Suboxone is an opiate replacement, much like morphine. Unlike morphine, it does not carry the same dangers, lasts longer and is easier to access. By taking Suboxone once per day, you can reduce drug cravings without the nastier side effects of Methadone.
Suboxone is a mix of naloxone and buprenorphine. Buprenorphine binds to the same receptor sites as heroin. It prevents full opiate withdrawal and side effects such as nausea, vomiting and depression. Naloxone helps to stop you from becoming dependent or overdosing on buprenorphine.
Once the physical and mental withdrawal symptoms subside, most people scale back their Suboxone dose. A doctor gradually tapers it off until you are drug-free. In some cases, people stay on Suboxone for the rest of their lives, depending on the severity of the addiction.
Are There Risks to Taking Suboxone?
Before taking Suboxone, you should know the risks. Although Suboxone is safer than other medications, it still has some issues.
When you take it, you might experience some side effects. These side effects are mild compared to drugs such as Methadone or cold-turkey withdrawal. You may experience some nausea and headaches. You may also experience some mild opiate withdrawal symptoms. This is the reason why you should only take Suboxone under a doctor’s care.
You can overdose on buprenorphine and its derivatives. Like many other prescriptions, taking too much will cause respiratory distress, heart failure and respiratory failure. You can also become addicted to it.
It is important that you do not take more than the prescribed amount. If you do take Suboxone when you do not need it, you are at risk.
What Does Suboxone Assisted Therapy Entail?
Suboxone assisted treatment is not just about taking medication. It involves psychotherapy such as cognitive or dialectical behavioral therapy. Both of these therapies focus on finding and correcting the behavior that caused the drug use. It can mean meeting a therapist one on one or in a group.
Many treatment centers also use a holistic approach. This can include mindfulness techniques, acupuncture and relaxation training. Some types even involve occupational therapy, exercise programs and yoga to help you live a full life after opiates.
Suboxone assisted drug addiction therapy is a proven method for drug treatment. By combining an opiate replacement such as Suboxone and psychotherapy, you can end your drug addiction.
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