Thanks in part to pain medication abuse, heroin addiction has reached epidemic levels nationally, and South Florida has not been spared. Recovery from heroin addiction in West Palm Beach and the surrounding areas is possible, with substance abuse treatment programs that are experienced in working with this potent addiction. Watch this video to learn more.

Heroin addiction is impacting communities across the country, both rich and poor. This highly addictive drug is being made even more dangerous in South Florida, where heroin is being laced with fentanyl. Experts estimate that fentanyl can make heroin up to 100 times more addictive in some cases. Because heroin withdrawal symptoms can be so intense, drug addiction recovery should be managed by experienced substance abuse counselors in addiction treatment centers.

Suboxone is an alternative to methadone to help people in addiction recovery manage the detox and rehab process. For some patients, it can be extremely helpful in managing the cravings that can occur during addiction treatment, and unlike methadone, patients don’t have to return to the treatment facility daily to get their dose. If your substance abuse counselor in West Palm Beach recommends Suboxone treatment for you, here is a look at what you can expect.

Suboxone 101

Suboxone is an FDA-approved medication that contains a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is a narcotic, or opioid, while naloxone is a medication that blocks the effects of opioids. When taken, Suboxone helps to minimize the side effects of detox while reducing the cravings for opioids. Because the naloxone blocks the ability of opioids to cause pleasurable feelings, highs, or pain relief, there is little motivation to relapse while taking Suboxone.

First Dose

When you take your first dose of Suboxone, you may initially experience some side effects. These effects include insomnia, swelling in your extremities, constipation, nausea, and vomiting. An increase in sweating and swelling, redness and pain inside the mouth are also possible. Typically, these side effects will subside as you adjust to the medication. Some people also describe feeling numb after taking Suboxone. Higher doses are more likely to cause side effects and to cause them to last longer.

Continuing Treatment

Your addiction counselor will determine how long you should take Suboxone. Report any persistent side effects to your counselor that interfere with your ability to tolerate it. Suboxone should be taken exactly as prescribed. Missing doses or increasing the amount you are taking can exacerbate side effects, trigger withdrawal symptoms, or lead to relapse. Keep in mind that Suboxone is most effective when combined with other rehab efforts, including counseling. As you transition off of Suboxone treatment, your substance abuse counselor will help you with planning the next steps of your recovery.

Opiate addiction, from prescription drug abuse to heroin addiction, is rampant in the U.S. Many people point to over-prescription of medications as a contributing factor, but what makes one person develop an opiate addiction when another does not? Understanding the things that contributed to your drug dependence in West Palm Beach is an important part of your recovery. By knowing your risk factors, you can reduce your chances of relapsing in the future. Here is a closer look at some of the factors that increase the risk of developing an opiate addiction.

Family History

Most researchers believe that there is a genetic component to addiction. If you have a first-degree relative, such as a parent or sibling, who has a history of addiction, then you could have a higher risk of developing an opiate addiction yourself. Not everyone with a family history of addiction will develop one, but having this history does indicate that you could be more susceptible to addictive behaviors.

Environment

Being exposed to opiate addiction may make it more likely that you will engage in it. This can include growing up in a home that was chaotic because of addiction or having a circle of friends who abuse prescription drugs or heroin. When these conditions are part of your environment, opiate addiction can take on a normality that makes you more likely to take on those same behaviors. If your family history already makes you vulnerable to addiction and you see it play out in front of you repeatedly, you are even more likely to develop a drug dependency.

Biology and Psychology

Physical and mental illness can also contribute to addiction. Experts believe that some people who develop a drug dependence are born without a sufficient amount of endorphins, neurotransmitters that create feelings of well-being. These people may abuse opiates to achieve those feelings of well-being that are not being created by the usual biological pathways. Mental illnesses, including anxiety and depression, frequently accompany drug abuse and must be treated to effectively treat the addiction. Having a condition that causes chronic pain may also lead to opiate abuse.