• Methadone – Blog By South Florida Detox Center

    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.

  • The Benefits of Using Suboxone Over Methadone During Recovery

    Suboxone treatment in West Palm Beach is frequently recommended over methadone for opiate detox. Suboxone has been proven to be highly effective in helping patients overcome painful and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. If you or a loved one is addicted to heroin or prescription pills, suboxone can ensure your comfort without producing the risky “high” associated with methadone. If you do not want to take any chances with your drug addiction recovery, choose suboxone. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of suboxone over methadone, including that it ensures safe recovery, alleviates painful symptoms, and removes the addictive high.

    Ensures Safe Recovery

    One of the biggest benefits of suboxone treatment is that it is guaranteed to be safe. While no one who is addicted to heroin or prescription medications ever plans to use again, relapses do happen. With suboxone, it is highly unlikely that a patient will overdose, even if he or she does use a street drug during treatment. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about methadone, which patients can overdose on.

    Alleviates Painful Symptoms

    Suboxone Over Methadone During Recovery Suboxone is also preferred to methadone because it is proven to be effective in alleviating painful withdrawal symptoms. Drug addiction wreaks havoc on the addict’s mind and body. That is why drug detox can be excruciating and exhausting, both physically and psychologically. With suboxone, you can get relief from your symptoms without having to visit a clinic every single day. You only need a single prescription, which means you can accomplish drug detox as an easy outpatient process.

    Removes Addictive High

    Suboxone is preferred to methadone because it is not accompanied by a euphoric high. When patients drug detox with methadone, they can expect to feel similar effects to when they use heroin. Of course, a methadone high is far milder. Nevertheless, methadone can itself be addictive. Suboxone focuses on easing detox symptoms and provides no high at all. When patients are finished with treatment, they will feel no urge to return to suboxone—or to heroin.