Suboxone detox is the process of using the prescription drug Suboxone, which particularly helpful in detoxifying from opiates like Vicodin, OxyContin, Percocet and other prescription pain medications as well as heroin. Suboxone is a combination of two drugs, Naxalone and Buprenorphine, both of which speak to major obstacles to addiction recovery: withdrawal and physical dependence. Naxalone reduces the uptake of opiates in the brain while detoxing from opiates, reducing the physical dependence on opiates. Buprenorphine is a synthetic opiate derivative that reduces the often painful opiate withdrawal symptoms.
Why Suboxone Detox?
One of the major impediments to recovery from drug addiction is the pain associated with withdrawing from the drug of addiction. In general, detox is the initial part of any drug addiction treatment program. The goal of detox is to remove the addictive substance from the body so that lasting changes in behavior can be addressed through the drug treatment program itself.
Suboxone detox seeks to mitigate some of the withdrawal symptoms, making those addicted to opiates more likely to begin and complete a full drug addiction treatment program and live a life of lasting sobriety.
Opiates like prescription pain medication and heroin are highly addictive and physical withdrawal from opiate addiction is particularly painful. Opiate withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Muscle aches
- Increased tearing
- Insomnia
- Runny nose
- Sweating
- Yawning
- Abdominal cramping
- Diarrhea
- Dilated pupils
- Goose bumps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
While opiate withdrawal symptoms are not life-threatening, they are often a deterent for beginning drug addiction treatment. Suboxone can help in successfully detoxing from opiates.
How to use Suboxone for Detox
Suboxone can only be prescribed by a physician and is administered orally. Doctors may use Suboxone for detox in several different ways. Rapid opiate detox may be achieved using Suboxone, where a physician prescribes and administers Suboxone over a short period of time allowing the opiate addict to quickly remove opiates from their system. Rapid opiate detox is monitored by a physician or medical staff and generally takes place while the patient sleeps. Suboxone can also be used over a longer period of time in an outpatient setting as a step down drug, slowly weening the patient off their opiate addiction.
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