Fighting the Opioid Crisis With Suboxone Treatment

In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) listed over 71,200 opioid-related overdose deaths from drugs, such as fentanyl, and a whopping additional 13,503 deaths in natural/semi-synthetic prescription drugs. The opioid crisis in the United States has increased by at least one-half of its previous number in 2020.

This silent disease that has swept the masses since the late 90s has only become more extensive. With these numbers, the chances of eradicating opioid use disorder are easier said than done, considering how difficult access to these opioid addiction treatments can be and their availability within each state of the US. 

Fighting opioid addiction can be challenging. If you are looking for solutions to long-standing issues, recovering from opioid addiction on your own without help or Suboxone treatment might be challenging. If you wish to learn more about how Suboxone treatment can benefit you, read this article.

What Is Suboxone? 4 Facts Every Patient Should Know

Before diving head-on into getting Suboxone treatment, knowing what you're putting yourself into is essential. So, what exactly is Suboxone? To put it plainly, Suboxone is a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) that acts as an opioid partial agonist-antagonist medication. It is an effective treatment for opioid use disorder, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). 

Suboxone blocks the opioid receptors in the brain associated with the pleasurable feelings of that high that leads to addiction in the first place and minimizes withdrawal symptoms. Suboxone is only one part of opioid addiction treatment and should not be used as a standalone treatment. Instead, it should be combined with individual or group counseling sessions to achieve the best results.

Now that we understand what Suboxone is and how it works, here are four essential facts for patients to remember about recovery.

1. Suboxone Blocks the Opioid Effect

Suboxone is a mix of two active ingredients: buprenorphine and naloxone. These two act as a twofer when it comes to opioid addiction. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist which activates some but not all the opioid receptors in the brain. By doing this, buprenorphine reduces cravings for opioids and withdrawal symptoms by producing a weaker effect than other drugs like heroin or methadone. Naloxone, on the other hand, is an opioid antagonist which blocks opioids from binding to receptor cells altogether.

2. Suboxone Is Less Habit-Forming Than Methadone

Suboxone is less addicting than other opioid replacement therapies like methadone because it contains buprenorphine. Buprenorphine has a ceiling effect, which caps the effects of opioids it produces, no matter how much of the drug you take. That makes it difficult to abuse Suboxone because taking more of the drug does not create a more substantial effect. It reduces opioid cravings significantly.

3. Suboxone Comes in Two Forms

Suboxone comes as a sublingual film or tablet that dissolves under your tongue or on your cheek. These options are available to patients after a thorough assessment with their Suboxone doctors, in person or online. Addiction to opioids does not have to be rocket science. These instructions will be given to you by your Suboxone doctor during the assessment for your treatment of opioid use.

4. Suboxone Is Just One Part of Recovery

Suboxone is most effective as part of a larger treatment plan that includes behavioral therapies and recovery services such as counseling. From the early stages to opiate rehab aftercare, and even MAT maintenance, our Suboxone doctors and medical providers make it their mission to ensure your sobriety in and out of treatment. These other treatments can help assure mental well-being and become the driving force towards sobriety. Medication alone cannot guarantee a life free of addiction.

Opioid Use Disorder Affects Millions

Different numbers show how bad the opioid crisis is. The crisis started in the 2000s. Some people say that it has been happening for a long time. But one thing is sure: opioid use disorder rates and opioid overdoses are climbing. They seem to keep going up. For example, in 1999, 300% more opioids were sold. And out of that 300%, 20-30% of Americans go through opioid misuse, 10% become addicted to them, and approximately 2.1 million Americans have an opioid use disorder. NIDA reported that in 1999, opioid overdoses killed more than 47,600 people. Opioid addiction has been called the worst public health crisis in American history by some officials, and it doesn't look like it's slowing down anytime soon. To stop this, we need to start somewhere, and it seems like Suboxone is our best bet.

Science-Driven Solutions

One solution that has come about in the fight to end opioid dependence is Dual-Diagnosis Treatment. It is a process of combining behavioral and medical treatment to address the addiction and any underlying mental health disorders. Doing this provides a more comprehensive approach to opioid dependence and a higher chance of success in recovery. Behavioral therapies such as contingency management and cognitive-behavioral therapy are effective in treating opioid use disorder and have been proven to maintain sobriety for longer. With this newly developed treatment, we can finally put opioid addiction to an end.

Reaching Patients in Need

With the opioid epidemic afflicting our nation, it is more vital than ever that we get as many people the help they need. Suboxone undoubtedly saves lives. However, many individuals still don't have access to treatment. The barriers to treatment seem to be a growing hindrance daily, but telehealth has emerged as a solution to bridge this gap and provide patients with medical care from home. 

Telehealth is a service that can be accessed anytime and anywhere in the comfort of your home or anywhere. This service is not only convenient but also less expensive and time-consuming. Telehealth lets you get help from doctors without leaving your house. You can call them on the phone. Substance use treatment services do not stop when you stop talking to the doctor on the phone or when you leave the clinic. There is health checking and aftercare that our primary care providers and social services will do to help you.

The opioid crisis has wreaked havoc for what seems like forever. Most people hooked on opioid drugs believe that treatments that far along are impossible. However, with recent medical advancements, opioid addiction is now treatable with Suboxone. Given how accessible it can be to get the treatment you need, the road to sobriety is now in the palms of your hands. 

SuboxoneDoctor.com offers the location of the nearest Suboxone clinic near you and varying payment options for Suboxone treatment to ensure that help and access is available. The qualified healthcare providers we work with are entirely at your service, from treatment and health checks. We keep your information confidential throughout your journey with us.

Take the first step in opioid sobriety today and welcome a new life full of possibilities. Visit SuboxoneDoctors.com for more information.