Should I Still Be Treated with Suboxone Even After I’ve Abused It?

If you have been abusing your Suboxone medication that you began taking to help you with your addiction recovery, it is probably better for you to be treated with another type of medication. This does not mean you have failed in your recovery thus far, but your treatment program may need to be reevaluated and changed to reflect your needs more accurately and provide you with better tools for a stronger recovery.

Methadone: A More Precise Option

If your opioid addiction is severe, you may benefit more from methadone treatment.

Those who begin abusing their medication often do so because it does not accurately treat their withdrawal symptoms or cravings. If you began taking higher doses of Suboxone to balance these issues and abused the drug as a result, methadone may be a more beneficial option for your recovery at this time.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, “Studies indicate that buprenorphine is equally as effective as moderate doses of methadone,” but because of its ceiling effect, it is not as strong as optimal methadone doses. Therefore, if you still have a strong, physical dependence on opioids, methadone may be more beneficial to you, as it will likely combat your symptoms more effectively.

In addition, methadone treatment programs are some of the most regulated medical centers in the country, as opposed to Suboxone treatment, which can be obtained through the offices of specific doctors. If you were abusing your Suboxone medication, you may need a more regulated treatment program to ensure that your medication is taken as prescribed, and methadone programs are very heavily regulated.

Residential Treatment: Another Line of Defense

In the same vein, you may require residential treatment in addition to making the switch to methadone. Even if your doctor decides to keep you on Suboxone, if it is working to thoroughly treat your symptoms, you may need residential care to ensure that you become stronger in your recovery before you have more access to your medication again. 24-hour facilities do exist where both Suboxone and methadone are used, and depending on your needs, it may be helpful for you to attend treatment in one of them.

Call for Help

If you or someone you love is addicted to an opiate, call our helpline for immediate assistance in finding and choosing the appropriate level of care for your treatment needs. Our operators are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 888-646-0865 (Who Answers?) to assist you.

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