What Is a Suboxone Clinic and How Can It Help Me?
Every year more than two million Americans suffer from opioid addiction. The impact it has on their lives is enormous.
If you or someone you know is battling an addiction, you probably have heard about suboxone clinics. You may have even seen them popping up in your city or heard about them in the news.
So, what exactly is a suboxone clinic? Read ahead to see just what you need to know about suboxone clinics.
Fighting Back
There is some good news. Treatments exist to treat opioid overdose and addiction. Tens of thousands of people are alive today thanks to the invent of naloxone (Narcan), which can be given by just about anyone.
Although the use of Narcan continues to save many lives, it is not the end-all. Many, if not most, of those who survive an overdose experience a relapse if no further treatment is administered in the weeks and months after.
In short, Narcan is great for treating acute overdose but withdrawal is sure to follow. The severe cravings and somatic symptoms of withdrawal are unbearable enough to prompt the person to use again.
Going The Whole Nine Yards
Fortunately, there are effective treatment options for this condition. In recent years, they have become readily available to the public thanks to the health care professionals such as those at the Inspire Malibu suboxone treatment center.
This consists primarily of pharmaceutical treatment coupled with psychotherapy.
Understanding Suboxone
To truly comprehend what is suboxone and how it works we have to understand how opiates work.
Opium, heroin, and pharmaceutical opioids, such as fentanyl, activate the mu-opioid receptors. This reduces the sensation of pain, activates rewards centers in the brain, and reduces the motility of the gastrointestinal tract, among other things.
The body gets so used to operating under these conditions, hence the dramatic withdrawal symptoms. Suboxone is used to alieve these effects.
The Pharmacology of Suboxone
Suboxone is an oral preparation of buprenorphine and naloxone. They are opioid agonists and antagonists, respectively.
Buprenorphine treats withdrawal by activating in the receptors in a controlled, stable manner. Also, it prevents new opioids from reaching the receptor. This makes using them pointless, so there will be less temptation to relapse. It has a long half-life, meaning it will keep those receptors ‘busy’ for long enough to get you out of the woods.
Interestingly, the naloxone component is there to prevent someone from trying to inject the drug intravenously. If this occurs, its antagonist effect would outweigh the buprenorphine and immediate withdrawal will ensue.
Find The Help You Need
Whether you or your loved one is dealing with this condition, please do not hesitate to get in contact with nearby suboxone clinic. There, you can talk to trained experts and receive appropriate medications.
Most Medicaid and health insurance programs cover suboxone treatments so there are no reasons to get help.
Remember opioid addiction is part of a medical condition that has a treatment so never lose hope. Let’s do something about it.
