Overcoming an opioid addiction is especially difficult because the drug alters your brain chemistry. That’s one reason so many people with opioid use disorder have trouble getting through rehab. The effects of physical withdrawal can drive people away from getting clean. Pharmacotherapy treatment using drugs like Suboxone offers a new way forward.
At Arkview Recovery, our medication-assisted treatment program can be an essential component of addiction recovery. If you are ready to overcome opioid addiction, we can use medication to ease withdrawal effects, including Suboxone. Suboxone can be an effective tool in your recovery, but it is crucial to know the potential side effects. It’s essential to learn the long-term side effects of suboxone and the dangers of suboxone use while also understanding its possible great benefit. Contact us at 717.744.0756 to learn more about our drug abuse treatment programs.
What Is Suboxone?
Suboxone is a combination of two drugs commonly used as part of medication-assisted therapy or MAT. Buprenorphine, when used alone, produces effects in the brain similar to those felt when you take opioids. Doctors administer Buprenorphine at lower levels than regular opioid use. Taking Buprenorphine keeps you from feeling the highs associated with using opioids.
Naloxone is often given to people experiencing an opioid overdose. It blocks the effects of opioids by binding with your brain receptors. If you’re having respiratory issues during an overdose, it can kick-start your breathing and potentially save your life.
Drugs provided through a MAT program are typically unavailable to patients outside a rehab facility. Suboxone can be obtained from a pharmacy if you have a doctor’s prescription. Having medications like Suboxone on hand helps cut down on fatal overdoses and eases people’s cravings when they start their recovery journey.
How Do People Develop a Suboxone Addiction?
One of the reasons Suboxone use continues to grow is that it’s a drug that can be provided to patients in different stages of addiction. Taking Suboxone can alleviate a patient’s desire to take drugs, helping them focus more on other aspects of rehab.
It’s essential that patients who receive a Suboxone prescription stick to the dosage recommended by their doctor. Make sure the film goes under the tongue to get the correct medication level. Avoid chewing on the film and wait until it fully dissolves. If you bite down, that might affect the amount of the drug that makes it into your system.
Taking Suboxone can make you feel less stressed and relieve some of your pain. Your doctor should track your use of Suboxone as you progress through rehab. They may alter your dosage or start tapering you off the drug once they feel you’ve received the maximum benefit.
What Are Some Suboxone Side Effects?
Many people successfully take Suboxone, and then wean themselves off once they’ve completed a rehab program. However, some people have been known to become addicted to the effects of Suboxone. That can be due to them remaining unaware of Suboxone’s side effects or because they start using it as a substitute for other opioids.
If you believe you’re developing a dependency on Suboxone, let your doctor know immediately. Do not try to stop taking the drug without medical supervision. Otherwise, you might experience symptoms like:
- Muscle pain or aching joints
- Irritability or sudden mood swings
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
There are also possible long-term effects of suboxone use, mainly when one develops a dependency.
Unwanted Side Effects of Suboxone Use
If your doctor prescribes Suboxone, talk to them about the long-term side effects of Suboxone that you might experience. Some people have been known to develop a dependency on the drug and may require higher doses. It is crucial to get off these drugs as soon as possible in order to end addiction for good.
Some side effects of Suboxone use include:
- A feeling of euphoria
- Anxiety or restlessness
- Depression and other mental health issues
- Liver damage if taken in higher doses
- Increased difficulty breathing, particularly when mixed with alcohol or other drugs
Your doctor might advise you to taper your dosage slowly. Doing so can reduce the risk of developing a physical dependency on Suboxone as well as minimize any withdrawal effects.
Long-Term Effects of Suboxone and Dangers of Suboxone
Suboxone is a powerful opioid, and its effects can last for an extended period. Abusing Suboxone can be especially dangerous because it is designed to slow down your breathing, which can quickly lead to respiratory distress or cardiac arrest.
It’s also important to know that substances like alcohol and other opioids should not be taken with Suboxone. Mixing drugs can lead to serious side effects and even death.
The long-term use of Suboxone can also cause several health issues, such as:
- Depression
- Anxiety and difficulty concentrating
- Liver damage
- Seizures
- Increased risk of overdose if you stop taking Suboxone and return to using opioids
If you or a loved one are struggling with opioid addiction, contact Arkview Recovery at 717.744.0756 to find out how we can help. We use MAT with Suboxone and other medications as part of our comprehensive approach to addiction recovery.
Additional Information About Suboxone
Some substances can interact adversely with Suboxone. You should make your doctor aware of any medications or supplements you are taking that could produce an adverse reaction. Products that may be problematic to take with Suboxone include:
- Niacin
- HIV treatment drugs
- Acetaminophen
- Cholesterol-lowering drugs
- Verapamil
- Oral contraceptives
Stay in contact with your doctor the entire time you are taking Suboxone. They can spot an emerging issue and make necessary changes to your prescription.
Begin Your Recovery with Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment with medications such as Suboxone can be an excellent method to begin recovery. At Arkview Recovery, our medication-assisted treatment program can make the difference between addiction and recovery. If you are interested in medication-assisted treatment or want to know more about possible Suboxone side effects, reach out to our team today. Contact us by calling 717.744.0756 or completing our confidential online form.
Kyle is Lead Therapist at Arkview Recovery Center. He holds a Master of Social Work degree from Temple University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He has years of experience working directly with individuals who suffer from addiction and mental health disorders. Being in long term recovery himself, Kyle is very passionate about the recovery process. He is heavily involved in the local recovery community in which he enjoys his commitments to service and giving back. His specialty is in group therapy and developing clinical staff. Kyle brings to Arkview a holistic approach to recovery, specializing in mindfulness, reality therapy, and solution-focused therapy.
