Treating Opiate Addictions With Medication

Treating opiate addiction with medication has become much more common. Today, Suboxone is being prescribed to help addicts begin the recovery process. If you are an addict or care about a person who is, it is important to know that help is easier to find than ever before. Addiction is a widespread problem and treating it has become a major concern in both small and large cities. As the need for treatment grew, so did the knowledge to help people recover from their addictions. Today, each US County now provides referral services for addictions, mental health, developmental disabilities and aging.

One major change in the ongoing war against addiction is the use of medication on a regular basis. Previously, medications were only used when all else had failed and Methadone could only be used in specialized clinics. Addicts needed to be able to prove that they could not recover without the use of Methadone before even being considered for these specialized programs. The professional community now realizes that addiction recovery can be much easier with the help of medication. Not only is it necessary to provide medication during withdrawal, but continued use of medication along with therapy, counseling and attending meetings has been shown to be the most successful form of addiction treatment.

Suboxone and Methadone are both used to ease the discomfort of withdrawal and block the need for narcotics in the system. Unlike Methadone, Suboxone is hard to abuse because the effects do not intensify with higher doses, making it safer; doctors can easily write a prescription for Suboxone. This medication can also be withdrawn from the body without causing undue discomfort when the person is ready to face life free of opiates. It is the correct medication for addicts who have not been dependent on narcotics for extreme periods of time or have not progressed to extreme doses. Both medications can make the sensation of withdrawal less painful, but Suboxone may not be strong enough for some people. If indeed, an addict is planning a life free of narcotics, his or her best option is to use Suboxone, even if the initial few days in treatment are somewhat difficult.

When first seeking treatment for an addiction, the person needs to gather as much information as possible. He or she should speak to a psychiatrist who treats addicts or a physician who is familiar with addictions therapy. The addict must have a good idea which form of treatment has the best chance of being successful and what the possible outcomes will be. If it is at all possible, the addict should opt for Suboxone treatment in the hopes that it will be potent enough to prove successful; it is easier to move up to Methadone if the Suboxone is not enough, but very few addicts opt to change to Suboxone once they have started on Methadone. Withdrawal from Methadone can be uncomfortable and few people are willing to go through that experience a second time.

No withdrawal from opiates is going to be pain free. Hospitals that advertize painless withdrawal should be investigated thoroughly. Their methods should be sound and their reputations stellar. An addict’s body has been chemically altered to require opiates to function and changing that is going to involve discomfort on some level. Always be certain that any clinic or hospital that advertises or provides treatment is recognized and accredited. No matter what method one uses to complete withdrawal, it is important to realize that there is still a huge battle ahead. The addict must now change his or her life in a way that does not encourage the use of narcotics and this is the hardest step of all.

Using Suboxone as prescribed, helps the addict to avoid physical cravings for opiates and dulls the effects if the addict does use. There is still the psychological need for the euphoria and the toxic habits that make up the lifestyle of the drug addict to overcome. Without the proper group counseling, individual therapy and support systems in place, the addict cannot succeed in breaking away from the addiction. With the proper interventions and medication, a highly motivated person is on the way to his or her recovery.

Taking Suboxone makes returning to a normal lifestyle much easier. Methadone treatment means daily doctor or clinic visits for a prolonged time and then only small amounts can be prescribed or taken home. This is because Methadone can be easily abused and is frequently stolen or sold on the streets. Sunoxone, on the other hand, can be written up as a prescription filled at any pharmacy, because it is less likely to be abused; a higher dose does not mean greater feelings of well-being. Anyone taking Suboxone has much greater freedom and flexibility in his or her life. Because the person is not taking a narcotic, there is better brain functioning and the person can easily work or attend school without any impairment of concentration. Suboxone is the best medication to help addicts live a life free of addiction. Everyone deserves to have loved ones, careers and peace in their lives. Recovery is a difficult path to follow but one that is worth every painful step.

Get more information about Suboxone from the author’s website.