Opioids are a class of drugs that control pain when people use them properly – but they're also dangerous and addictive. Even knowing this, people can fall into opioid addiction, using the drugs to get high and feel euphoric.
Not only is opioid addiction dangerous for the user, but it also affects every aspect of their lives as well as friends and family. An addiction often seems hopeless, but you should know that many people successfully overcome addiction — often thanks to the use of Suboxone.
Dr. Lori Scott is an addiction specialist, providing care to patients dealing with drug and alcohol addiction in the Kinston, North Carolina, community. Here’s how Suboxone works to help wean you off of opioids.
Doctors use opioid medications to manage severe pain. They're a controlled substance, meaning you require a prescription from a licensed provider to have them.
When you use them properly, opioids control pain by attaching to opioid receptors in the brain. That allows the brain to block out pain signals, reducing discomfort and providing a euphoric feeling.
Many opioids exist, including those that are natural and synthetic drugs that pharmacies manufacture. Natural opioids come from the poppy plant; one of its derivatives is morphine. A well-known manufactured opioid is fentanyl, and it’s dangerous when people misuse it.
But why are opioids problematic? They're not inherently dangerous when you use them correctly, but in larger quantities, they can lead to slowed breathing rate and a decreased heart rate. Taking too much of the drug can lead to death.
The other danger is how addictive opioids have become. Opioid addiction happens when your brain craves the euphoric feelings they provide, causing you to take them more and more. Your body can build up a tolerance, meaning you require more opioids to achieve the same feeling, causing addiction.
Dr. Scott utilizes Suboxone therapy as a way to kick opioid addiction for good — without the harmful withdrawal effects. She combines its use with outpatient therapy and counseling to help patients get their lives back from opioid addiction.
Suboxone is a medication that contains two key components, naloxone and buprenorphine. It's a prescription-only medication and requires close monitoring while you're taking it for opioid withdrawal.
Going through opioid detox is tough, especially when withdrawal symptoms hit. Many people find it impossible to quit when withdrawal starts because it's so uncomfortable. When the body doesn't have the opioids anymore, you may feel effects such as:
You may also have very intense opioid cravings, making it even harder to deal with. But Suboxone helps you block the cravings and minimize symptoms to make overcoming opioid addiction possible.
Suboxone works in two ways. Buprenorphine, one component of Suboxone, is a partial opioid agonist. You're less likely to overdose or misuse Suboxone because of buprenorphine.
It's a weaker version of an opioid that only partially blocks pain receptors, making it safer to take while you're going through treatment. It reduces cravings and cuts down on the risk of overdose from opioids while cutting back on harmful withdrawal symptoms.
The other active component in Suboxone is naloxone, which is an opioid antagonist. It has the opposite effect of opioids, meaning it reverses their impact on the body. It works with buprenorphine to prevent cravings and euphoria while reducing withdrawal.
There's no limit to how long you can be on Suboxone, so Dr. Scott customizes each patient's treatment plan. She starts you at a dose that's best for your needs and can taper or increase it as needed during treatment. Some people can wean off of Suboxone over time through tapered dosing, while others require long-term treatment to avoid relapse.
If you’ve been struggling with an opioid addiction, there is hope. To learn how Suboxone can help wean you off of opioids, contact Lori Scott Family Care today to schedule a consultation or request an appointment on our website.
