By reducing opioid withdrawal symptoms, cravings and the effects of other opioids, suboxone can be used to treat an opioid use disorder. It contains buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that binds to opioid receptors and helps to block withdrawal and cravings, but it doesn’t produce the same effects as other opioid agonists like methadone. Naloxone is used to discourage use of the drug.
For those who are addicted to opioids, Suboxone medication may help them become physically stabilised and continue their recovery program. It is one component of evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder, and should be prescribed and monitored by a qualified provider.
What Is Suboxone Medicine?
Suboxone is a prescription drug that contains two drugs: buprenorphine and naloxone. It is FDA-approved to treat OUD and is often part of a medication treatment for OUD.
The principal medication effect is due to buprenorphine. It has a high affinity for mu opioid receptors in the brain and moderately activates them. This will decrease the withdrawal symptoms and craving.
Naloxone is an opiate blocker. When given sublingually, it is poorly effective when used as directed. Including it helps to deter unwanted injection of the drug as naloxone can cause withdrawal symptoms when injected into a person who is physically dependent on full opioid agonists.
How Does Suboxone Help With Opioid Addiction?
Suboxone works by stabilizing the opioid receptors that cause opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
With repeated opioid use, the brain and body become accustomed to the opioids. Once one has stopped or cut back on using opioids, he or she may experience withdrawal and intense cravings. Some of these symptoms can make it challenging to quit opioids without assistance.
Buprenorphine has a “mixed” action that is partial agonist activation of the opioid receptor. This may help to minimize the signs of withdrawal and cravings, and may also minimize the effects of other opioids. According to the CDC, buprenorphine is a medication approved by the FDA for the treatment of opioid use disorder and that medications for OUD may help to decrease craving and withdrawal symptoms and help people stay in treatment.
This isn’t to say that Suboxone is just replacing one addiction with another. Physical dependence may develop to any prescribed medication, but opioid use disorder treatment is not the same as unregulated opioid use (which would be considered dependence) because the medication is prescribed in a medical plan to decrease problematic opioid use and support recovery.
How Does Buprenorphine Reduce Opioid Cravings and Withdrawal?
Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. It binds tightly to the same receptors that opioids like heroin, fentanyl and prescription opioid drugs bind to.
Buprenorphine has an effect on these receptors that helps to lessen the symptoms of withdrawal from opioids, such as the physical symptoms. It can also help to reduce cravings which can lead to continued drug use.
There is a ceiling effect for some opioid effects of buprenorphine as well. This means that it does not have the same dose response as a full opioid agonist, meaning that its effect does not increase in proportion to dosage increase. But that doesn’t mean the drug is completely safe. It still needs to be properly prescribed, monitored and safely used.
What Is Naloxone’s Role in Suboxone?
The naloxone is added to Suboxone primarily to prevent the drug from being misused.
Medication is typically administered orally, through the mucous membranes. This route is not a very systemic route for naloxone. Naloxone can work if a person tries to use the drug by injecting it, and could cause opioid withdrawal in a person who is physically addicted to opioids.
By undergoing this combination the buprenorphine is able to provide the therapeutic effect and the naloxone provides the “misuse-deterrence” effect.
What Happens When You Start Suboxone Treatment?
There are certain time factors to consider when beginning Suboxone.
Taking buprenorphine when a full opioid is still working very actively on the opioid receptors can cause the full opioid to be pushed out of the receptors leading to sudden increased withdrawal symptoms. This is called precipitated withdrawal by clinicians.
Therefore, it is important to identify when and how treatment should commence, taking into consideration a person’s recent use of opioids, the type of opioid, withdrawal symptoms, medical history, and the treatment plan.
The first course of treatment will require more frequent monitoring to see how well the medicine is working and if any changes are necessary.
Patients must not adjust their dosage, discontinue a medicine or start a medicine after reading an article on the internet.
How Long Can You Take Suboxone?
No one’s treatment lasts for a specific amount of time.
Some individuals take Suboxone for a brief time and others may find it works best for them if they take it for a longer time and for maintenance purposes. The length of time will vary depending on the individual’s opioid use disorder, their reaction to treatment, the likelihood of relapse, their health, their tastes, and their recovery objectives.
Studies have shown that treatment retention rates differ significantly across patients and treatment types in buprenorphine treatment. This allows for tailored treatment plans instead of stopping medications after the same period of time for all.
Discussing the discontinuation of Suboxone should be done with the prescribing clinician. Developing a supervised plan can help decrease withdrawal and the risk of using opioids again.
Can Suboxone Prevent Opioid Relapse?
While Suboxone may help with cravings and withdrawal, it is not a guarantee that the person will never suffer a relapse.
BIOPSYCHO-SOCIAL factors may all contribute to a person having an opioid use disorder. Other needs can be treated by counseling, behavioral treatment, recovery support and treatment of co-occurring mental health disorders, and important biological aspects of the disorder can be addressed through medication.
The CDC’s recommendation for treatment of OUD is evidence-based medications and detoxification alone should not be recommended, as detox can make people more likely to resume opioid use and overdose.
Is Suboxone Used With Counseling?
Yes. When clinically appropriate, Therapy can be used in conjunction with Suboxone and other recovery services.
Withdrawal and cravings can be minimized with medication and counselling can work on triggers, coping mechanisms, relationships, trauma, motivation, and behaviours related to substance use.
There is also research to suggest that, in certain patient groups, outpatient psychotherapy is associated with longer buprenorphine treatment retention.
In the treatment of addiction, Lumora can offer the integration of medication-assisted recovery, psychiatric treatment, therapy coordination, and co-occurring mental health treatment.
Who May Benefit From Suboxone Treatment?
Suboxone may be considered for people diagnosed with opioid use disorder who need medical support to reduce opioid use, withdrawal, and cravings.
A clinician should assess the person’s medical and psychiatric history, current opioid use, withdrawal risk, other medications, previous treatment, and recovery goals before recommending treatment.
Not everyone needs the same level of care. Some people may be appropriate for outpatient treatment, while others may need medically supervised withdrawal management, residential treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, or another level of support.
A proper assessment helps determine the safest and most appropriate treatment setting.
How Can I Find Suboxone Treatment in Richmond, VA?
People searching for a Suboxone clinic in Richmond, VA should look for a provider that offers appropriate clinical assessment, medication monitoring, recovery support, and a clear plan for follow-up care.
Lumora Behavioral provides addiction and substance use services in Richmond, including medication-assisted treatment with buprenorphine/Suboxone through its OBOT program. The program also incorporates telehealth, integrated mental health support, and ongoing follow-up.
Someone searching for Suboxone doctors in Richmond, VA should focus on whether the provider can evaluate opioid use disorder, prescribe and monitor appropriate medication, address co-occurring conditions, and provide continuity of care.
Lumora also provides broader psychiatric services for conditions that can occur alongside substance use concerns, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health conditions.
Important Safety Considerations
Suboxone is an opioid medication and should be taken exactly as prescribed.
Patients should tell their provider about other medications, alcohol or substance use, respiratory problems, liver conditions, pregnancy, and other relevant health concerns. Combining opioids or other central nervous system depressants can increase risks and requires medical guidance.
Suboxone should also be stored securely and kept away from children and anyone for whom it was not prescribed.
If someone has signs of an opioid overdose, including slowed or stopped breathing, extreme difficulty waking, or loss of consciousness, call emergency services and administer naloxone if available.
Final Thoughts
Suboxone medication can help reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal while giving people with opioid use disorder an opportunity to engage in ongoing recovery care. The right treatment plan depends on the individual’s health, opioid use history, mental health needs, and recovery goals.
If you are looking for opioid addiction treatment or Suboxone care in Richmond, VA, Lumora Behavioral can provide an assessment and discuss whether medication-assisted recovery is appropriate for your needs.
Schedule a confidential consultation with Lumora Behavioral to discuss treatment options.
FAQ’s
What does Suboxone do to the brain?
Suboxone’s buprenorphine component partially activates mu-opioid receptors. This can reduce withdrawal symptoms and opioid cravings while limiting some effects associated with full opioid agonists.
Does Suboxone stop opioid withdrawal?
Suboxone can reduce many opioid withdrawal symptoms when it is started and dosed appropriately. Starting it too soon after certain opioids can cause precipitated withdrawal, which is why treatment initiation should follow clinical guidance.
Is Suboxone addictive?
Suboxone can cause physical dependence because it contains buprenorphine, an opioid medication. Physical dependence is not the same as uncontrolled opioid addiction. When used as prescribed, buprenorphine is an evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder.
Can you take Suboxone long term?
Some people remain on Suboxone for extended periods when the benefits continue to outweigh the risks. Treatment duration should be individualized with a qualified clinician rather than determined by a fixed timeline.
Can Suboxone be used with therapy?
Yes. Counseling and behavioral support can be combined with medication treatment when appropriate. A combined treatment plan may address both opioid use and other factors affecting recovery.
How do I find a Suboxone clinic in Richmond, VA?
Look for a qualified provider offering OUD assessment, buprenorphine treatment, medication monitoring, follow-up care, and appropriate recovery support. Lumora Behavioral provides OBOT and Suboxone treatment options in Richmond with telehealth access and integrated mental health support.