What You Need to Know about Suboxone

Suboxone is a medicine used to treat heroin addicts during their drug detox and afterward in their recovery. This drug is meant to be used in combination with therapy or other forms of recovery services. Suboxone can be prescribed by a physician once a person shows the need for treatment of opiate addiction.

Suboxone is a medication that is produced by combining two chemicals: buprenorphine and naloxone. The buprenorphine does the blocking of the opiate receptors while the naloxone can counter the symptoms experienced in an overdose. Together, these two chemicals make Suboxone good at suppressing withdrawal symptoms, curbing cravings, and blocking the effects of other opioids in an individual's system for 24 hours.

Suboxone is a synthetic opiate is which was approved by the FDA in 2002. This drug has many advantages over other medications often prescribed for opiate addiction, such as methadone and naltrexone. In fact, sober living rates are much higher (up to 40-60%) with the use of Suboxone compared to other drugs. Also, using Suboxone in recovery doesn't require daily participation in a highly regulated program, as with methadone treatment. Instead, it may be prescribed a medical doctor for someone moving into a sober living home or halfway house.

However, it should be noted that Suboxone does come with some manageable side effects. These include:

• Nausea
• Headaches
• Constipation
• Insomnia
• Body aches

At times, a person may experience more severe side effects. The following side effects of Suboxone are rare for most people.

• Confusion
• Chronic dizziness
• Shallow breathing
• Swollen ankles
• Yellowing of the eyes and skin
• Slurred speech
• Slow reflexes
• Loss of appetite
• Fainting
• Blurred vision

Despite these side effects, Suboxone is considered to be safe for promoting sober living in someone who wants to overcome an addiction to opiates. In fact, less than 25% of people who quit the use of opiates can keep a sober living lifestyle for a full year. For this reason, physicians and substance abuse treatment centers have used medication-assisted treatment options, such as Suboxone, to treat opiate addiction. Because it is hard to simply walk away from an addiction to heroin or prescription drugs, Suboxone makes it easier for a person to begin their recovery.

According to some experts, the potential for abusing Suboxone is substantially lower than other types of medication, yet, abuse of  the drug does exist. In the United States, Suboxone is known by many street names including stops, stop signs, oranges, Texas toast, subs, and tecs. Manufacturers of Suboxone are working toward putting an end to the illicit abuse of the drug. Fortunately, the high that someone might get off Suboxone is much less severe than that of other opiates, particularly those that Suboxone are aimed to treat.

Whether you're getting help for your addiction or still facing its challenges, contact a physician or mental health provider to find out more about Suboxone. It may be the right medication for easing your detox and transition into sober living.

Common Excuses for Avoiding Addiction Treatment

There are an entire array of excuses and statements of denial that addicts tell themselves. And a person can go on and on with making excuses without once thinking about calling for help. It might be a way to stay safe in the world that a person has created. That world might be unhealthy and dysfunctional but the substance use seems to work. The drinking and drug use seems to fit into their lives in such a way that they might feel like not only want the substance use, they need it.

 

Of course, when a person believes that they need something, they are more apt to deny the fact that they need to stop their relationship with it. They are more likely to deny the fact that what they’re doing is wrong, unhealthy, or dangerous. Instead, the excuses continue despite what friends and family are saying. In fact, you might recognize the following common excuses to avoid addiction treatment in yourself or someone you know. 

I can’t be social without this. Alcohol and drugs are sometimes called a social lubricant. It allows them to open up and feel more comfortable with themselves and others. And if a person’s job depends upon business relationships and interaction with others, then there might be a greater dependence upon substances to earn an income. Although the need to use for social interaction might feel true to someone with an addiction, ultimately, this is an excuse for avoiding the fact that one’s substance use is a problem. 

I can’t afford treatment. This is also another deterrent to treatment. And again, someone who doesn’t have the money might feel that, in fact, this is what’s keeping them from getting help. However, the truth is that there are many options available. Between government health options, social service agencies, and free clinics, there is always at least some option that can get one started on getting help. And this includes the thousands of free 12-step meetings that take place around the country. 

 

I can stop using or drinking whenever I want. This is another way of saying, “I’ve got this under control”.  It’s a form of denial pointing to the belief that there isn’t a problem and everything is fine. 

No one is going to be able to help me get out of this. Some people believe that any kind of help is pointless. Treatment has no value and isn’t going to really create change. And others who use this excuse might feel that they are way beyond denial and have moved into despair. Nothing, at this point, is going to help them get out of the darkness they’re in. Yet, this too is an excuse, possibly to avoid the change that might come with treatment. 

My drinking isn’t as bad as it looks. When compared to the woman who lost her job because of drinking or the guy who lost his children because of his meth use, one person’s drinking might seem like not a problem.  This sort of comparing is another way of avoiding the fact that one’s substance use is problematic. 

These are some common excuses for avoiding treatment. If you or someone you know is communicating one or more of these statements, you should know that addiction is a progressive disease and can get worse over time. Contact a mental health provider for immediate support. 

Addiction Treatment: Types of Holistic Practices

There can be some uncomfortable moments during and after addiction treatment. For instance, during medical detox, a person might feel the discomforts of nausea, trembling, shaking, and even vomiting. Later, as the body and mind get used to being without alcohol or drugs, a person might experience anxiety, fear, or depression.

However, in recent years, people have found that by participating in certain holistic practices, those uncomfortable moments are not as challenging. They may find that by being more relaxed, working with a chiropractor, and taking herbs can ease their experience of detox and recovery.

The following are some examples of the types of holistic practices you might find at a holistic sober living and/or addiction treatment center:

• Acupuncture - This is a form of ancient Chinese medicine that involves pricking the skin with needles. It is used to alleviate pain and treat various physical, mental, and emotional conditions. Many recovering addicts have incorporated it into their recovery.
• Aromatherapy - This is a practice that uses particular scents to help draw out certain feelings or experiences in a person. Often, aromatherapy is used to relax, lift one’s spirits, and spark feelings of happiness. Aromatherapy can be used while receiving a massage, while taking a bath, or simply while spending some quiet time at home.
• Hypnosis - Hypnosis is used to guide someone into a deep state of relaxation and ultimately into an altered state of consciousness. Once that happens, a trained professional then offers suggestions having to do with healing and treatment. Hypnotherapy is often used among psychologists, therapists, and alternative forms of healers. And more recently, it’s being incorporated into treatment plans for addiction.
• Meditation - Meditation is the practice of keeping your attention on one point of focus. At the very least, deep breathing and a constant return to the present moment helps create an opportunity to pause before making destructive choices.  For instance, if you have the thought, "I'm no good," that thought might have been contributing to drinking or drug use. However, slowly, a meditation practice can help your mind slow down. You can create a bit of space between the thought and the way that you respond to that thought.
• Yoga - Yoga is a form of exercise that incorporates spirituality. It invites an integrated experience of body and mind. Yoga can continue to bring healing effects long after detox is complete. It is an excellent form of drug treatment aftercare. Once your drug treatment is done, yoga is a practice that can keep you in a healthy frame of mind.

Other forms of holistic practices include ayurveda, chiropractics, chi kung/ tai chi, herbal medicine, light therapy, massage therapy, and nutritional counseling. These and the list of practices above are some holistic modalities to consider, even if you’re not attending a holistic addiction treatment center. In fact, no matter where you are in your recovery, you can include any of the above practices in your life.