Suboxone
Generic Name: buprenorphine and naloxone
(byoo PREH nor feen and NAH lox own)
Suboxone
is a drug treatment for detoxification
from drug addiction and a drug used as a maintenance
program for opioid dependence (ex: OxyContin and
heroin), addiction, addiction treatment
and addiction recovery.
Unlike methadone, Suboxone is currently recognized
for use in detox facilities for an opiate detox.
Methadone is no longer the preferred alternative
for opiate treatment, as it is a schedule II narcotic
medication and has a significant potential to be
habit forming. Suboxone is the first narcotic
drug available for the treatment of opiate dependence
and opiate addiction. Suboxone is prescribed
by a physician. It is available under the Drug Abuse
Treatment Act of 2000. *see
below
There exists a significant
difference between a Suboxone Maintenance program
and an Addiction Treatment Program, inclusive of
those individuals incorporating Suboxone maintenance
with their addiction treatment and recovery program.
The Cove Center For Recovery encourages each addict
to begin correcting a problem by examining why that
problem exists in the first place. Drug addiction
is always the result of self-medicating, in an attempt
to overcome or cope with ongoing life challenges.
Whether an individual struggling with opioid dependence
is you or someone you care about, understanding
this disease—what causes it, what contributes
to it, and why it persists—is a key to being
part of the solution. Simply using Suboxone as maintenance
does not address underlying issues.
Therefore, Suboxone maintenance,
without entering an addiction treatment center,
is not recommended by The Cove Center For Recovery.
While The Cove Center For Recovery adovocates the
use of Suboxone during the detox phase of addiction
treatment, a continued maintenance treatment (without
therapeutic intervention), is a topic challenged
openly in the profession of medical doctors, psychotherapists,
and addiction treatment centers. The Cove chooses
to avoid the debate. We take the position that every
person has the right to a therapeutic treatment
program.
Simply put, The Cove provides “addiction
treatment” and therapy, in our addiction treatment
center, for those “recovering”
individuals, who choose Suboxone maintenance. The
Cove recognizes the many options available for the
recovering individual and welcomes individuals who
are willing to choose recovery and therapeutic modalities,
leaving their drug of choice in the past. WHAT
ARE OPIOIDS?
Opioids are commonly prescribed because of their
effective analgesic, or pain-relieving, properties.
Medications that fall within this class-referred
to as prescription narcotics-include morphine (e.g.,
Kadian, Avinza), codeine, oxycodone (e.g., OxyContin,
Percodan, Percocet), and related drugs. Morphine,
for example, is often used before and after surgical
procedures to alleviate severe pain. Codeine, on
the other hand, is often prescribed for mild pain.
In addition to their pain-relieving properties,
some of these drugs-codeine and diphenoxylate (Lomotil)
for example, can be used to relieve coughs and diarrhea.
HOW DOES
SUBOXONE WORK WITH PERCOCET, OXYCONTIN, HEROIN AND
OTHER OPIATES?
Suboxone contains a combination of buprenorphine
and naloxone. Buprenorphine is an opioid medication.
Buprenorphine is similar to other opioids such as
morphine, codeine, and heroin however, it produces
less euphoric ("high") effects and therefore
may be easier to stop taking.
Naloxone blocks the effects of opioids such as morphine,
codeine, Percocet, OxyContin, and heroin. If Suboxone
is injected, naloxone will block the effects of
buprenorphine and lead to withdraw symptoms in a
person with an opioid addiction. When administered
under the tongue as directed, naloxone will not
affect the actions of buprenorphine. Suboxone
is used to treat opiate addiction. HOW
DO OPIOIDS AFFECT THE BRAIN AND BODY?
Opioids act on the brain and body by attaching to
specific proteins called opioid receptors, which
are found in the brain, spinal cord, and gastrointestinal
tract. When these drugs attach to certain opioid
receptors, they can block the perception of pain.
Opioids can produce drowsiness, nausea, constipation,
and, depending upon the amount of drug taken, depress
respiration. Opioid drugs also
can induce euphoria by affecting the brain regions
that mediate what we perceive as pleasure. This
feeling is often intensified for those who abuse
opioids when administered by routes other than those
recommended. For example, Percocets
are ingested orally or snorted. OxyContin
is snorted or injected to enhance its euphoric effects,
while at the same time increasing the risk for serious
medical consequences, such as opioid overdose. Heroin
is snorted, smoked, or injected (used intravenously).
WHO CHOOSES SUBOXONE DETOX
AND DRUG TREATMENT?
Drug addiction is a world-wide problem.
Many people say it is a chronic disease, a disease
of epidemic proportion. Drugs and alcohol
can lead to drug addiction and alcohol addiction
(alcoholism), which causes chaos in the
lives of addicted people and their families, in
addition to continued consequences, such as broken
relationships, medical deterioration, incarceration,
and death.
Recently, opioid (drug) dependence, most notably
OxyContin and heroin drugs known
as opiates, has increased and reached our nation’s
everyday families and communities. Opiate
addiction spans most age groups including
adolescents, young adults, adults, and senior adults.
Once an individual struggling with drug addiction,
has made the decision to seek addiction treatment,
the journey to recovery begins. The decision to
seek addiction treatment may be self-motivated or
encouraged or even demanded by loved ones. Legal
consequences for drug addiction may also be a motivating
factor. Regardless of the motivation, it is important
to focus on the decision to enter an addiction treatment
program.
The individual who might choose Suboxone in the
detox phase and addiction treatment or recovery
phase, is one who has become addicted to drugs in
the opioid category (ex: OxyContin and heroin)
and has decided to seek addiction treatment.
Suboxone can be used in detox, followed by a maintenance
program of Suboxone intake. Suboxone
addiction treatment is most successful when Suboxone
is combined with the therapeutic benefits of a structured
therapeutic addiction treatment facility and addiction
treatment program.
*In October 2002, the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) approved buprenorphine monotherapy
product, Subutex®, and a buprenorphine/naloxone
combination product, Suboxone®, for use in opioid
addiction treatment. The combination product is
designed to decrease the potential for abuse by
injection. Subutex® and Suboxone® are currently
the only Schedule III, IV, or V medications to have
received FDA approval for this indication. Note
that aside from Subutex® and Suboxone®,
other forms of buprenorphine (e.g., Buprenex®)
are not approved for treatment of opioid addiction.
Information
contained above is courtesy of http://buprenorphine.samhsa.gov/about.html
Daily involvement in your
addiction treatment program during your SUBOXONE
treatment is required for the optimal
benefit of Suboxone treatment. Therapy aka psychotherapy
and counseling, helps patients develop coping
skills that can help them to avoid relapse and
has been shown to significantly improve the
likelihood of long-term treatment success.
Other therapeutic modalities of treatment are
helpful in resolving ongoing, interpersonal
struggles. Trauma
Therapy, Grief Therapy, Anger Management,
Stress Management, Art
Therapy, Music
Therapy, and Meditation, are important therapeutic
techniques each recovering individual may use
to gain insight and develop daily skills in
the quest to live a healthy, sober life.
| CYCLE
OF ADDICTION – EDUCATION: |
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The Cove Center for Recovery
- Addiction Treatment and Mental Health Center
provides education on the cycle of addiction,
in an effort to help each individual identify
behaviors in the cycle and side-step relapse
before it occurs. When an individual recognizes
behaviors such as non-compliance with medication,
excessive stress, denial or reduced effort in
recovery groups such as NA, then the individual
can STOP the relapse before it begins.
Physical exercise is your
friend! The Cove Center For Recovery - Addiction
Treatment and Mental Health Center provides
a “workout” program for each individual.
The treadmill, stair master, or weights, are
used in the gym, to encourage and promote a
“healthier”, “new you”
!
The Cove Center for Recovery
- Addiction Treatment and Mental Health Center,
holds firm to their belief that every individual
benefits from SOBER FUN. Time previously spent
using drugs, must be replaced with activities.
“Idle minds and idle hands create
a dangerous situation for the recovering addict.”
The Cove provides activities to enhance and
encourage sobriety. These activities include:
bowling, basketball, movies, sight-seeing, team-building
activities, and seasonal out-door activities
such as snorkeling, beach volleyball, fishing,
and other recreational activities.
| NARCOTICS
ANONYMOUS AND ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: |
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The Cove Center For Recovery - Addiction Treatment
and Mental Health Center encourages recovering
individuals to attend and participate in the
12 Step approach to recovery, founded in the
organizations and rooms of Narcotics Anonymous
(NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Many recovering
individuals have used both drugs and
alcohol, as part of their addictive
life. It is a personal choice to attend either
organization. The most important focus is the
support, sobriety, and 12 step work, available
in the rooms of NA and AA. The Cove Center For
Recovery suggests “aftercare” and
support groups, as a post-treatment program”
effort to remain sober.
In addition to The Cove Center For Recovery and
continued support through NA and AA, we suggest
that each recovering individual seek psychotherapy,
medical care, and continued support as needed.
Reach out to us. Recovery from addiction is just a click or a phone call away.
If the information you are looking for is not found here and you need immediate
attention you may contact us:
Addiction Treatment for adults and young adults: 1-888-387-6237
Addiction Treatment for Teens: 1-888-757-6237
http://www.inspirationsyouth.com
You may also send us e-mail.
Please keep in mind that e-mails are answered within 24 hours Monday
through Friday.
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