What Are the Alternatives to Suboxone Addiction Treatment?

Suboxone is a great tool in the fight against opioid addiction. However, it is not the only opioid substance abuse treatment out there. In fact, there are several Suboxone addiction treatment alternatives that can help you conquer your opioid addiction. Depending on your needs and medical history, your doctor can help you decide which drug is right for you.

Regardless of the medication you choose to help you in your battle, we will be here to help. Our experts are standing by to answer your questions on Suboxone and other treatment drugs. Just give us a call at 888-646-0865 (Who Answers?) in order to speak to someone for further treatment advice.

Why Suboxone Might Not Be Right for You

Methadone will curb opioid cravings so you can focus on recovery.

Since 2013, opioids have been the primary reason people seek drug abuse treatment. Because of that, thousands of people have been prescribed Suboxone. However, for some, Suboxone is not an ideal drug.

The main drug in Suboxone, buprenorphine, stimulates your brain to think it is on opioids. It ends up being processed through the liver. In some people, this can cause liver problems like acute liver failure. If you currently have any sort of liver damage or your liver is functioning lower than usual, your doctor will most likely not recommend Suboxone.

Additionally, if you begin taking Suboxone and experience adverse side effects, your doctor may recommend another drug that works better for your body.

Methadone for Opioid Addiction

Methadone is a type of opioid specifically designed to curb your addiction to other opioids. It works similar to Suboxone, in that it stimulates your brain’s opioid centers while also helping return your brain chemistry back to normal.

Because Methadone satisfies your body’s craving for opioids, it reduces the cravings you would otherwise have for other opioid substances. Additionally, it helps to delay the onset of withdrawal symptoms and blocks the effects of other opioids. This means that even if you do try to get high on an illegal substance, it won’t work.

Methadone won’t make you sick or cause euphoria. When you begin your dose, you will start low so that you do not overwhelm your system. Eventually, you will move up to a dose that helps you feel normal again. Typically, you will have to stay on Methadone for a few months until your doctor feels your brain is back to normal.

What to Do If You Experience Negative Health Effects of Suboxone

Naltrexone for Opioid Addiction

Naltrexone works a little different than Methadone. It is a synthetic opioid antagonist, meaning that is prevents opioids from attaching to your brain and producing euphoric effects. It does not cause you to feel any noticeable side effects, and because of that, is not addictive in any way.

Because Naltrexone blocks the effects of opioids, taking illegal opioids on the side will have no pleasurable effect. Eventually, because you no longer get a high, these drugs will become less desirable and you will crave them less.

Typically, patients take Naltrexone orally once a day or three times a week. In some cases, you may qualify for a once monthly injection that is long-acting. You can use Naltrexone for as long as you need to reduce your cravings and addiction.

As you can clearly see, addiction treatment with Suboxone is not your only option for getting clean off opioids. If you don’t qualify for a Suboxone addiction treatment, you can ask your doctor about getting a prescription for either Methadone or Naltrexone. And if for some reason your doctor doesn’t think these drugs are right for you either, there are still many other forms of treatment out there, including therapy and support groups.

If you’re feeling lost and need someone to talk to about which drug may be right for you, please give us a call at 888-646-0865 (Who Answers?) . We can even recommend non-medicinal options for recovering from opioid addiction.