Suboxone Addiction
Suboxone Addiction: Misusing the Cure for Opioid Addiction
Suboxone is a branded combination drug buprenorphine/naloxone prescribed to treat opioid addiction. Suboxone addiction occurs when a user misuses the drug, meaning the intake is other than the way or manner it was prescribed to be.
Suboxone is a potent medication for opioid addiction. The U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse said suboxone is the recommended first-line option for office-based treatment of opioid dependence. Buprenorphine, one of its components, is an opioid. Naloxone, meanwhile, blocks opioid receptors. Suboxone is prescribed to treat people who are addicted to heroin, morphine, and pain relievers like hydrocodone and oxycodone. This combination drug has been observed to be more effective than buprenorphine alone. With the high binding affinity and low activation at the opioid receptor, a user’s cravings and withdrawal for opioids are decreased. Thus, it also prevents a person from getting high and relapsing on another opioid. Suboxone can be available in licensed clinics that can prescribe the combination drug.
Just like any other prescription medications for opioid dependence, some patients find the creativity to misuse and abuse Suboxone. At Stonegate Center, experts are ready to speak to you or your loved one on how to battle Suboxone addiction.
Alarming Deaths Due to Overdose on Opioids
In 2017, the New York Times reported increasing deaths in 2016 in the U.S. due to opioid dependence. Preliminary estimates placed deaths from drug overdose reaching 59,000 to 65,000. The situation is worsened by the rampant availability of illicitly manufactured fentanyl and similar drugs. As such, drug overdoses have been considered the leading cause of death among Americans below 50 years old.
The opioid epidemic has also caused more overdose fatalities than the historic peak death rates from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), gun violence, and motor vehicle accidents. Treatments for opioid addiction exist including medication and psychotherapies. However, in cases of prescribed medication, some opioid dependents and recreational drug users find ways on how to misuse and abuse treatments like Suboxone.
In the case of Suboxone, the abuse potential comes in the form of misusing the drug by taking dosage other than what was prescribed or through unapproved routes of administration.
Abusing Suboxone Leading to Addiction
When buprenorphine is used by a non-opioid dependent, the euphoric effect is present. However, several studies have concluded that the risk of buprenorphine abuse is lower among opioid-dependent individuals due to its mixed agonist-antagonist properties.
Compared to other prescribed drugs for opioid addiction treatment, it was noted that Suboxone was the least abused. Still, for individuals with suspected Suboxone addiction, some of the below behavior would manifest:
- Poor social performance whether at school or work
- Various alibis or excuses given to gain money with the intention of buying the drug
- Stealing or commits other crimes to finance drug use
- Going to multiple physicians to get more Suboxone
- Lying and increasing conflict with family and friends
Suboxone Addiction Treatment
The overall prevalence of buprenorphine or buprenorphine/naloxone abuse is reportedly not just based on their biological properties. It is also dependent on social, cultural, political, and economic forces.
The first step in getting treated for addiction is admitting dependence. You or your family can then look into possible options to take on your path to recovery. Some of the proven methods include detoxification, counseling, and family therapy.
While addiction of any kind is a medical issue, Stonegate Center also provides psychological and spiritual modules to help a Suboxone dependent recover from addiction. Ideally located just 30 minutes away from Fort Worth, Texas, Stonegate’s inpatient programs and facilities are conducive to a patient’s complete healing.
Talk to our admissions specialists (some of whom are in recovery themselves and have overcome some form of addiction to live full and empowering lives in sobriety) who are ready to listen.
Give us a call at (817) 993-9733 or email us at admissions@stonegatecenter.com and come join the Stonegate Center family.
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Initial Contact
From the moment you make initial contact with our experienced admissions team, we want you to feel a part of our recovery family. You can call our helpline at (817) 993-9733 or email us at info@stonegatecenter.com or fill our contact form.
Treatment Options
Stonegate Center is structured as a 90-day residential treatment program. We recognize that not all prospective clients can to commit to that length of stay. We require a 45-day minimum commitment with options to extend care based off medical necessity.
Insurance Verification
Call us at (817) 993-9733 or fill out our confidential insurance verification form to check your insurance policy coverage. Insurance PPO plans cover most of the addiction treatment costs. Other types of insurance may require out-of-pocket fees.
Phone Screening
During the final phase of the admissions process, a Pre-Screen phone call will be conducted with our licensed Admissions Specialist, which involves a series of questions designed to ensure that we're the right fit.
General Disclaimer: Stonegate Center website is designed for general education and information purposed only and does not render or offer medical advice, professional or psychiatric opinions. Information provided on this site should not be used for diagnosing or treating health conditions. The content on this website is not a substitute for professional health care and is only designed to support, not replace, the existing relationship you have with your health care provider or physician. If you have or suspect you may have a health condition or addiction problem, seek help from your health care provider or physician. Anyone who feels at risk for suicide should call 911 immediately. The articles found on this website are meant to discuss issues of general nature and interest. Stonegate Center is not responsible for the advice, opinions, views, recommendations or suggestions of any of the writers or contributors of the articles on this website. The purpose of this website is to publish relevant information that might be helpful for individuals and families who are seeking drug and alcohol addiction treatment. Stonegate Center is not associated with any government or federally-funded entities. The phone number provided on this site serves the communities of Texas, the surrounding areas and anyone residing in the USA seeking treatment for substance use disorder. You consent to our Terms & Conditions by using this website.
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