How Does Rehab for Suboxone Work?
Suboxone, an opiate addiction treatment drug, combines the opiate-like properties of buprenorphine with an “anti-abuse” agent known as naloxone. While effective as a treatment drug, Suboxone does carry a risk for abuse and addiction when used in excess.
According to the University of Maryland, Suboxone sales approached the $1.4 billion mark in 2014, exceeding sales for both Viagra and Adderall. Not surprisingly, rates of abuse increased accordingly.
Rehab for Suboxone becomes necessary once Suboxone use starts to resemble other forms of opiate abuse. Considering Suboxone’s opiate-based ingredient, rehab for Suboxone proceeds along the same lines as other types of addictive opiates.
For information on Suboxone rehab options, call our toll-free helpline at 888-646-0865 (Who Answers?) .
Rehab for Suboxone Treatment Objectives
Rehab for Suboxone entails a process of healing and growth that’s supported by key treatment interventions administered at different stages of the recovery process. Much like any other form of opiate abuse, Suboxone abuse first attacks the brain on a physical level. Over time, the drug’s damaging effects start to alter the way a person thinks and behaves.
In effect, the different stages of rehab for Suboxone follow the same progression in terms of treating addiction on a physical level first, and then helping a person overcome the psychological effects of the drug.
Detoxification Stage
Detoxification works to eliminate Suboxone use altogether and break the body’s physical dependence on the drug’s effects. During this stage, uncomfortable withdrawal effects make it especially difficult to maintain abstinence.
According to the U. S. Food & Drug Administration, withdrawal effects may take the form of:
- Profuse sweating
- Difficulty sleeping
- Mood swings
- Deep-seated depression
- Confused thinking
- Flu-like symptoms
Treatment rehab for Suboxone involves relieving withdrawal discomfort using medication treatments, such as Clonidine and naltrexone while providing emotional support along the way.
Behavioral Treatments
Once a person goes from using Suboxone as a treatment to abusing the drug, the same destructive thinking and behavior that comes with abuse and addiction starts to take over. For this reason, much of the time spent in rehab for Suboxone works to address the mental and behavioral effects of abuse and addiction.
Behavioral treatments can be administered on an outpatient or residential basis depending on the severity of the problem. In either case, behavioral treatment interventions used remain the same, some of which include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Support groups
- Relapse prevention awareness and training
- Group therapy
Aftercare Supports
Even after a person completes outpatient or residential treatment, addiction’s effects can leave him or her susceptible to relapse. Aftercare supports are designed to provide needed treatment help in areas where a person needs it most.
Aftercare supports are usually a continuation of one or more behavioral treatment interventions depending on a person’s needs. In effect, having the needed treatment supports in place after completing rehab for Suboxone can make all the difference in the world in terms of helping you maintain a drug-free lifestyle for the long-term.
If you need help finding a program that addresses your specific treatment needs, please feel free to call our toll-free helpline at 888-646-0865 (Who Answers?) to speak with one of our addiction specialists.