How Does Suboxone Work?

Often times, the first question that comes up when an individual is considering suboxone treatment for the maintenance of an opioid addiction is “How does Suboxone Work?” It’s natural to want to understand how a medication works prior to committing yourself to the use of the drug. Here’s a look at how Suboxone, when taken correctly, can help you get sober.

Reduction of Relapse

Suboxone minimizes the potential for relapse and opioid misuse by occupying the opioid receptors in a person’s brain, diminishing the withdrawal symptoms the individual will experience, and minimizing cravings. Buprenorphine, the active ingredient in Suboxone, is a partial opioid agonist, which means it causes many of the same effects that other opioids do but to a lesser degree. The drug also contains naloxone, an opioid antagonist.

Improved Recovery Focus

Suboxone reduces withdrawal symptoms so that you can focus on recovery and enjoy your life.

The drug allows a person to focus on their rehabilitation and recovery without experiencing the full side effects of quitting their opioid abuse. This is much safer than stopping the use of these drugs altogether, as the withdrawal syndrome caused by opioids can be intense and often leads to relapse. Suboxone helps to protect users from this possibility and allows them to live their lives while going through recovery.

Safe Alternative

Suboxone, when taken correctly, is a safe alternative to quitting “cold-turkey” or to using other opiates. In fact, when Suboxone is taken as prescribed, the risk of relapse is significantly reduced and the risk of long term effects of the drug are minimal. Misuse, dependency and other serious side effects that are generally associated with heroin or other opiate abuse are greatly reduced when an individual takes Suboxone.

Getting Help

If you or someone you love is addicted to heroin, prescription painkillers or another opiate, call our helpline for immediate assistance in finding and choosing a treatment program that’s right for you. Counselors are standing by to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All you have to do is call 888-646-0865 (Who Answers?) .

We are ready to assist you in finding and choosing a treatment program that’s right for you. Don’t be afraid to call—many of our helpline operators have been in your shoes and were addicted to heroin at one time—they got well and you can too! With the right support, medical intervention and care, you can live a sober, healthy, happy life once again.

How Does Suboxone Work?