Suboxone Addiction Treatment

Sometimes, treatments that are designed to combat drug addiction end up enabling it further. Suboxone is one such drug that, if abused, can enhance addiction in those dependent on opiate drugs. At The Villa Treatment Center, we offer a residential living community to help individuals achieve a life of sobriety from addiction to Suboxone and other substances. Our residents experience a variety of addictive behaviors and co-occurring disorders that have kept them from living a fulfilled life, but when given the opportunity for a second chance, they find hope and learn how to live a life without a dependence on Suboxone and the drugs it’s used to treat.

Suboxone is a medication designed to treat opiate addiction. It comes in the form of a pill or film that can either be placed under the tongue or on the inside of the cheek. The drug contains both buprenorphine and nalaxone, which work together to suppress addiction. While nalaxone blocks the acceptance of opiate drugs by receptors in the brain, buprenorphine is a synthetic and low-level opiate that is administered into the body when the drug is taken. The goal of Suboxone treatment is to use the buprenorphine chemical to attach to the same receptors as other opiate drugs and suppress withdrawal symptoms. Nalaxone keeps dependence at bay by blocking the euphoric feelings associated with taking opiates.

Although intended to treat drug dependence, addiction to Suboxone can occur when the dosage is abused.

How Does Suboxone Become Addictive?

For someone who already has an addiction to opiates, Suboxone will not be given at a dosage large enough for users to get high. However, to someone who is not accustomed to the effects of opiate drugs and has not built a tolerance to opiates, addiction to Suboxone is likely to occur with continued use. Ingesting large quantities of Suboxone has effects that include:

  • Slowed breathing
  • Feelings of calm
  • Pleasant euphoria
  • Drowsiness
  • Slurred speech

In a prescribed dosage, and when used as directed, the drug is effective at alleviating withdrawal symptoms, but when abused, Subxone can create an addiction similar to that of other opiates.

For those addicted to opiates, Suboxone should be administered as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes group sessions and individual therapy. Suboxone is only intended to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms.

Detoxification from Suboxone

Those who are prescribed Suboxone are slowly weaned off the drug as their treatment progresses. This detox process of tapering off Suboxone allows individuals to feel none of the symptoms associated with opiate withdrawal. However, if users stop taking the drug suddenly, withdrawal can feel equivalent to other opiate drugs. Some signs of Suboxone withdrawal include:

  • Muscle and body aches
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Insomnia
  • Irritability
  • Feeling as if one will die without the drug
  • Cold sweats and chills
  • Depression and anxiety

Since it is a medical treatment used to alleviate the side effects of drug addiction, detoxification from Suboxone usually involves a treatment method with no medications at all.

Suboxone Addiction Rehab at The Villa Treatment Center

Although detoxification is vital to beginning a life free from Suboxone and other drugs, it should not be the only method employed to fight drug addiction. A comprehensive treatment program that addresses past experiences and mental health issues should be put into effect once Suboxone detox is complete – what we call dual diagnosis. At The Villa Treatment Center, we provide an array of treatment options that work to serve the individual needs of each resident, including a closely monitored Suboxone detoxification process. The detoxification method chosen will depend on the individual as well as their level of addiction. Qualified staff is available round-the-clock to provide continual support throughout the detox process.

Our Suboxone addiction treatment programs include moderate-intensity therapy like the 12-step modality program and individual therapy sessions such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and other evidence-based psychotherapy techniques. On top of required therapy and psychological treatment, we provide a variety of alternative treatment options such as music and art therapy, yoga, equine therapy, and meditation. Family therapy and education is also provided to help loved-ones better understand their Suboxone addiction and the methods involved in treating it.

Our goal is to provide multiple programs that appeal to individuals from different walks of life, and although we offer a comfortable and safe living environment free from drug-enabling stimulation, we hold our residents accountable to their behavior and expect a certain level of commitment to treatment at our facility. Through individualized treatment programs and communal living, we hope to smoothly transition each of our residents into a more fulfilled state of living.

If you are ready to start over and live a life free from substance and Suboxone dependence, contact The Villa Treatment Center today.