What can you expect during an outpatient suboxone detox program? Outpatient Suboxone detox is the first phase of addiction treatment, so the first thing you can expect during detox is they will start to experience often very painful withdrawal symptoms as their bodies rid themselves of the substance. To assist people who have an addiction to heroin or opioids is administered detox drugs, like Suboxone, to help relieve some of these painful symptoms. Potential withdrawal symptoms vary widely depending on the drug. Suboxone is a medication often administered to help people through the withdrawal process. These are some of the main things to expect when you receive Suboxone detox services.
Understanding Suboxone
Suboxone is used in cases of heroin and opioid dependence. In some cases, it’s prescribed only for the detox process; in others, it’s recommended for long-term use. With that said, there are some risks to Suboxone use. It can be addictive, and it can also have a withdrawal process of its own. That is why knowing what to expect can help mitigate the risk factors of detoxing from heroin and opioid dependence with Suboxone.
Suboxone is also available far too often on the “street”. A lot of addicts will hear about the use of this drug to wean themselves off of heroin and opioids but they do not understand the risks associated with the type of self-medication. First and foremost, it is also illegal to purchase without a prescription. If you get caught with the drug and no prescription, it carries the same charges, and likely sentence if found convicted. Even worse, is the fact that if you are not carefully monitored by medical professionals, you could end up causing yourself more harm than good; overdose and further chemical addiction could be the likely outcome. That is why it is always best to trust your doctors or medical professionals during detox so finding a good treatment center will be one of the most important decisions you’ll make when seeking help.
The Most Important Things to Know About Suboxone Detox Services
Suboxone is most commonly prescribed for detox to heroin addicts, but it is also be used for other opioid dependence addicts as well. The goal is to assist with withdrawal symptoms and recovery. Suboxone was originally developed to provide heroin and opiate addicts with an accessible recovery regimen that could be more easily adhered to than other traditional addiction treatment methods and options.
Suboxone reduces heroin and opiate cravings and blocks the “high” of heroin and opiate use and/or abuse. When Suboxone users attempt to take heroin or opioids, they don’t experience the addictive and euphoric effects they would otherwise feel if not on the Suboxone detox treatment. This helps to reduce the risks of relapse in patients since relapse is a very common problem facing addicts who are seeking addiction detox and addiction treatment.
The Effects of Suboxone Detox Program
The medication (Suboxone) will initially be administered underneath your tongue and only after the addict has started feeling the effects of withdrawal. It tends to come in the form of either a sublingual film or a tablet. If you take Suboxone for long-term maintenance, you might receive it as a buccal film. It would be applied to the interior of your cheek or as directed by a medical professional.
Suboxone combines two drugs typically used in heroin treatment: naloxone and buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is an opioid that can mimic the effects of heroin and satisfy cravings, while naloxone blocks the receptors for heroin use in the body giving the user a better chance of obtaining long term sobriety.
This combination means that Suboxone helps satisfy cravings for heroin and opiates. It doesn’t produce the same euphoria and “high” as heroin, so the chances of mental dependence are lower. Rather than being a full opioid agonist, it combines opioid agonist and opioid antagonist properties, meaning that it’s less habit-forming than methadone or heroin if used under the direction of a medical professional. The risk of overdose tends to be low and this is why it is a commonly used drug for heroin and opiate detox programs.
Who Detoxes With Suboxone?
Suboxone is most effective when prescribed to moderate and heavy heroin or opiate users. It can be used in abstinence maintenance when taken in decreasing doses over a period of time, which will be determined by your doctor. Studies show that Suboxone has maximum benefits when taken alongside addiction therapy and dependence counseling.
With that said, Suboxone treatment is the best option for heroin and opiate addicts who want to break free from this painful addiction.
People Can Benefit From Suboxone When:
- They cannot do an inpatient detox, and so they need to give themselves a detox treatment at home
- They are worried about the potential of abusing other medications
- They have a history of heroin relapse
- They are addressing their mental health and addiction through counseling
- They have prescriptions that have potentially adverse reactions to other medications
Suboxone May Not Be The Right Treatment For People Who:
- Have an allergy to naloxone or buprenorphine
- Take medications that might react with Suboxone
- Have breathing, lung, liver, or kidney problems
- Might drink alcohol while taking Suboxone
- Are pregnant or trying to become pregnant
When you receive your Suboxone detox services, you’ll need to talk to your doctor or to a medical professional at a detox program about any concerns you may have. They can help you decide whether Suboxone is the best medication for you during your detox.
What Are the Potential Drawbacks of Suboxone?
When considering any medication and detox service, it’s important to weigh the benefits as well as the risks. Suboxone does have some potential drawbacks and it is important you understand the risks so you can make the smartest decision for you or your loved ones.
It is possible to become dependent on Suboxone. However, the medication’s risk of dependency is lower than the risk of dependency on Methadone. If you’re using the medication and intend to drive or operate other heavy machinery, you might experience problems so make sure all of the possible side effects of Suboxone and discussed fully with your doctor or a medical professional at the detox center.
Suboxone also poses potential risks to people under 16 years of age or elderly people. There are a number of possible side effects associated with the medication:
- Respiratory issues
- Problems with dizziness or coordination
- Sleepiness
- Liver problems
- Opioid withdrawal symptoms
- A decrease in your blood pressure
Suboxone At Home vs. In a Medical Detox Facility
When you’re detoxing from heroin or other opioid substance, the safest option is always medically monitored detox. This is a type of inpatient treatment program where you’ll have 24/7 access to trained medical professionals. They can help with the withdrawal symptoms and try to make the often painful process of detox more comfortable. This type of detox program is good not only for relapse prevention, but also for making sure the withdrawal is safe and effective. Detoxing at home can lead to relapse before the detox is over, along with an increased risk of potential overdose.
If you detox at a detox center and are prescribed Suboxone, the medical staff will monitor you for any potential adverse reactions. They’ll help ensure that you don’t develop dependence on the drug by steadily lowering the dosage. If you do become physically dependent, they’ll also help you wean yourself off the medication and deal with potential withdrawal symptoms.
Outpatient Detox at Home
If you get approved for outpatient detox you might receive a Suboxone prescription to help with your withdrawal symptoms. When this is the case, it’s crucial that you be aware of the risks associated while taking it. Especially since you won’t have medical support as you would through a detox program. You’ll be the one responsible for your own medical management, which means responsibly taking the medication. This is key during your detox. Call your doctor immediately if you begin experiencing any kind of problems from the medication.
Most people who detox at home (outpatient detox) also can’t afford to miss work. That is a big deciding factor for those seeking treatment for addiction. If you’re going to work during the detox process, you should be aware of Suboxone’s potential effects on your driving or operation of heavy machinery. You shouldn’t do either of these activities until you’ve become familiar with how the medication affects you.
Are You Ready To Get Help?
Are you ready to start your journey towards long-lasting sobriety? Do you think that an outpatient Suboxone detox program is right for you? Call Coastal Detox today at (877) 406-6623 for a free and confidential consultation. Or you can contact us here. Enjoy luxurious surroundings, delicious meals and medical and holistic therapies. We will nurture your mind and body while you detox comfortably and begin the process of recovery today.