What Are the Options For Suboxone Addiction Treatment?
Suboxone is a blend of two other pharmaceuticals: buprenorphine and naloxone. Suboxone is prescribed to people suffering from opioid addiction. While rare, it is possible to become addicted to suboxone. Suboxone addiction treatment often begins with detox, followed by an inpatient or outpatient program, counseling, behavioral therapies, and an aftercare program.
Buprenorphine is an opioid that produces less intense effects and can help manage the withdrawal symptoms suffered by an opioid addict. Naloxone is an ingredient in Suboxone that blocks opioid receptors and is meant to help prevent abuse of the medication.
While Suboxone was designed to help opiate addicts, there’s a possibility that some people could abuse this prescription medication and become addicted. As a Schedule III controlled substance in the United States, Suboxone is not as addictive (and doesn’t create the same dependence as) methadone or oxycodone, but addiction is still possible. The drug comes in two forms: sublingual film (strips the patient dissolves under their tongue) and tablets.
Are you or a loved one struggling with the effects of suboxone abuse? Call our compassionate addiction recovery specialists at (855) 430-9439.
Treatment for Suboxone Addiction
Suboxone’s blend of buprenorphine and naloxone is used in the treatment of opioid abuse and opioid use disorder. When patients follow their doctors’ instructions, Suboxone addiction is rare but can occur.
Addiction treatment options for Suboxone addiction begin with detoxing the body, then may incorporate other medications and/or therapies, followed by an aftercare program.
Types of Treatments for Suboxone Addiction
Up until recently, only 4-7% of the country’s healthcare providers were authorized to prescribe Suboxone, making it nearly impossible for addicts in rural areas (among other issues) to receive the treatment they needed. Prescribing physicians had to apply through a specific certification process to receive this authorization.
In March 2023, National Public Radio (NPR) reported on legislation President Biden signed in late 2022, effectively removing the DEA designation barriers and widening addiction treatment efforts.
Unfortunately, a medication designed to help end the opiate crisis could have addictive properties, but it’s still one of the best ways for opioid addicts to break free from opioid use.
There’s an important distinction to make here, though: to note the difference between addiction and dependence. These terms are often used interchangeably but actually have different meanings:
- Addiction involves an inability to control use despite worsening consequences.
- Dependence occurs when the body is accustomed to a substance. For instance, opioid withdrawal symptoms occur when the body is no longer supplied with opioids.
Suboxone treatment helps treat both addiction and opioid dependence. Seeking treatment for Suboxone use from a qualified provider is the first step toward healing. An integrated treatment plan involves a team of medical professionals and is unique but follows a pattern similar to these steps:
1. Detox
Detoxing the body is the first step in treatment. Detox gives the body the time and resources necessary to endure the process of a substance’s levels being eliminated.
This is often the greatest “hump” addicts have to overcome during the treatment process and is, therefore, most often done on an inpatient basis. Since detox is often a rather unpleasant experience, a medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, protocol may be followed.
2. Medications
MAT calls for various medications during treatment, all of which depend on:
- The unique needs of the person
- The person’s medical history
- The addicted person’s substance use history
- The type of drug abused
- How often it’s abused
- How long the person has abused the substance
- The severity of withdrawals
Buprenorphine is one of the two medications contained in Suboxone. Buprenorphine is a mild opioid, but it can help manage a Suboxone addict’s cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Naltrexone may also be used in an effort to block how the brain receives opioid effects.
3. Behavioral Therapies
A person’s own unique life experiences, behavioral health, and substance use disorder history can lead them to try a substance, such as:
- A history of trauma
- Mental health issues not yet diagnosed
- Lack of or improper coping mechanisms
- Severe stress, whether from work or home life
Addiction treatment specialists employ a variety of therapies to understand and work through these situations in a healthy way, such as:
Psychotherapy: helps determine what triggered the person to abuse suboxone.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): helps addicts review such things as inner dialogue, thoughts, and feelings and the person’s automatic responses to different stimuli and triggers in an effort to “rewire” their thoughts more positively and teach appropriate coping methods.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): an offshoot of CBT, focuses specifically on the addict’s negative thoughts and feelings and teaches mindfulness, how to tolerate stress, and how to regulate emotions.
4. Aftercare
The aftercare process for Suboxone addiction treatment typically involves ongoing support, counseling, and other therapies to help individuals maintain their recovery and avoid relapse. Aftercare may include a combination of individual, family, and group counseling sessions, relapse prevention plans, and medication management. A network of supportive friends and loved ones can make all the difference.
Individual counseling helps individuals work through any underlying issues, while group counseling provides an opportunity to connect with others with similar experiences.
Relapse prevention plans help identify triggers and high-risk situations while developing management strategies, such as exercise, mindfulness practices, and a supportive network.
Medication management might also be part of an addiction treatment aftercare program.
Aftercare provides the resources recovering addicts need to maintain sobriety. If you or a loved one is struggling with substance use, call Zinnia Health at (855) 430-9439.
When To Seek Treatment
Some side effects of opioids that can indicate addiction treatment is necessary include:
- Increasing tolerance of the medication
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop
- Continuing to use Suboxone despite negative consequences
- Difficulty managing daily life and obligations
- Neglecting yourself, such as not eating, sleeping, or performing regular hygienic rituals
If you’ve experienced any of these symptoms, a qualified healthcare provider or addiction treatment specialist can help.
Symptoms of a Suboxone overdose may include:
- Fever or chills
- Lethargy
- Stomachache
- Dilated pupils
- Struggling to breathe
If treatment isn’t sought in time, a Suboxone overdose can lead to a coma and even death.
Note: If you suspect a Suboxone overdose, go to your nearest emergency room or contact your local Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222.
How to Find a Treatment Center
Finding the right Suboxone treatment provider is an important step toward recovery.
Zinnia Health offers Suboxone addiction treatment centers across the country. Explore our locations to find one that is best for you.
Inpatient treatment involves staying at a residential facility for a set period of time, while outpatient treatment allows you to receive treatment while continuing to live at home. Consider your personal needs and circumstances to determine which option may work best for you.
Inquire about the specific services offered by treatment facilities, such as:
- Medical detox
- Treatment for co-occurring disorders
- Telehealth
- Partial hospitalization
A Suboxone addiction doesn’t mean there’s no hope of recovering from opioid abuse. Zinnia Health’s substance abuse treatment options treat the whole person. Our compassionate addiction specialists create a treatment program uniquely tailored to you and your recovery goals. Ready to talk? Call Zinnia Health today at (855) 430-9439.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does Insurance Cover Suboxone Addiction Treatment?
Some health insurance plans cover treatment for Suboxone addiction. In the United States, coverage for addiction treatment is required under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), meaning insurance plans offered through the ACA marketplace must offer addiction treatment coverage.
Most addiction treatment centers offer payment plans or sliding scale (income-based) fees to make treatment accessible for individuals with no insurance coverage or with limited financial resources.
Some of the insurance carriers in the United States that cover addiction treatment include:
- Aetna
- Anthem
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- TRICARE
- Humana
- Kaiser
- UnitedHealth Group
- Medicaid
You can also call Zinnia Health at (855) 430-9439 for a free insurance verification.
2. Are Medications Used in Suboxone Treatment?
The specific medications used for Suboxone treatment may vary depending on the individual’s needs, medical history, and the severity of their addiction, but may include buprenorphine, naltrexone, or clonidine.
3. Are Drug Treatment Programs Effective for Suboxone Addiction?
Every person responds to treatment uniquely. Addiction treatment plans are adjusted to each individual’s needs and recovery goals. Suboxone addiction is rare, but genuinely effective treatment options are just a message or phone call away. Working towards a life of sobriety is all about you healing and healing for good.
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