Is the Long Term Use of Suboxone(Buprenorphine) Beneficial?

The symptoms of opioid withdrawal can be excruciating. If you’re using suboxone as a long term treatment to treat your heroin or OxyContin or the dependency of some other dangerous drug, you have nothing to be ashamed of.

Many people have this misconception that the sole purpose of Suboxone is detoxification. Yes, that may be one of its important functions, but it’s certainly not its only functional purpose. It can also be employed as a long-term treatment in an opioid addiction treatment program. Many suboxone doctors actually do prescribe it for extended periods. And it certainly makes the difference in the long run.

How Extended Suboxone Use has Helped Patients with their Dependencies

A 2012 study titled Maintenance Medication for Opiate Addiction found out that patients who used Suboxone for six or more than this period fared much better than those who didn’t. They showed a significant improvement in their overall health. Their desire to participate in social settings also increased. HIV patients with opioid dependencies also benefited. They experienced a decrease in their overall viral load.

However, Buprenorphine alone is not enough. Opioid addiction is as much a psychological condition as it is a physical one. Though Suboxone helps with the physical aspect, it certainly doesn’t have a considerable impact on the psychological aspect. For that, you have opioid rehab centers and opioid clinics. These Opioid rehab centers have facilities and professionals that have extensive experience helping opioid patients manage their dependencies. They strive to create an environment that helps them to understand the triggers and psychological factors of their dependencies. This approach has proven itself quite effective in preventing relapse.

Buprenorphine for Patients suffering from PTSD

Further research still needs to be done to understand the effects of Buprenorphine on PTSD patients. Right now, the data is scarce.

Trauma therapists will not recommend the use of buprenorphine if you have PTSD but not an opioid addiction. Why? It’s because Buprenorphine is itself an opioid and may end up creating a dependency. Although the chances of that happening are pretty small.

However, for patients who are suffering from both PTSD and an opioid dependency, Buprenorphine may actually be quite beneficial.

A research study conducted by the National Center for PTSD concluded that Buprenorphine alleviated the symptoms of both PTSD and opioid addiction.

Is the Misuse of Buprenorphine Possible?

The abuse of Buprenorphine is not that uncommon. When not coupled with Naloxone, Buprenorphine can give you a high. So, you can’t throw the possibility of getting addicted to Buprenorphine out of the window. It’s a very real threat.

That is why suboxone doctors recommend that Buprenorphine should only be prescribed in conjunction with Naxolone. Naxolone counters the addictive effects of Buprenorphine on the body because it is an anti-agonist. If you’re serious about liberating yourself from your opioid dependency, you will refrain from abusing buprenorphine. This is a promise you have to make to yourself.

Opioid addiction is a fight you can’t win alone. There’s no shame in knocking on the doors of an opioid rehab center and seeking help. This way, the chances of relapse are shot down to a bare minimum. You owe it to yourself to give yourself the best chance at opioid addiction recovery

For further assistance, access Suboxonedoctor.com’s directory of certified Suboxone doctors in your locality, and seek professional advice.