Suboxone Program
etobicoke, burlington, brampton, georgetown & torontoSuboxone is a prescription pain medication used for the treatment of opiate addiction and withdrawal. Suboxone is effective on any opiate addiction including an addiction to heroin, oxycontin, oxycodone, methadone, percocet, vicodin and morphine. This drug can only be prescribed by doctors and is usually only one part of a larger drug rehabilitation process.
Tell me more about Suboxone
Suboxone is the new prescription to treat narcotic drug addiction
The drug is taken as a pill that is placed under the tongue. It is given to patients who who would like to get treatment for opioid dependence. It helps stop withdrawal symptoms and dramatically decreases cravings. Your doctor will determine the best dose for you and may adjust your dose during treatment, depending on your response. Take you dose once a day. If you miss a single dose , take the next dose as soon as possible. If you miss more than 2 doses, than please contact your pharmacist or doctor. Your doctor will determine your length of treatment. After a time of of successful treatment, your doctor will suggest reducing your dose gradually to a lower maintenance dose or eventually discontinue your treatment. At every stage, you will be the director of your treatment.
Stages Of Treatment
Ideal candidates for opioid addiction treatment with Suboxone are individuals who have been objectively diagnosed with opioid addiction, are willing to follow safety precautions for treatment, can be expected to comply with the treatment, have no contraindications to Suboxone therapy, and who agree to Suboxone treatment after a review of treatment options. There are three phases of Suboxone maintenance therapy: induction, stabilization, and maintenance.
- The induction phase is the medically monitored startup of Suboxone therapy. Suboxone is administered when an opioid-addicted individual has abstained from using opioids for 12–24 hours and is in the early stages of opioid withdrawal. If the patient is not in the early stages of withdrawal (i.e., if he or she has other opioids in the bloodstream), then the Suboxone dose could precipitate acute withdrawal.
- The stabilization phase has begun when a patient has discontinued or greatly reduced the use of his or her drug of abuse, no longer has cravings, and is experiencing few or no side effects. The Suboxone dose may need to be adjusted during the stabilization phase.
- The maintenance phase is reached when the patient is doing well on a steady dose of Suboxone. The length of time of the maintenance phase is individualized for each patient and may be indefinite.
Suboxone Dosage Adjustment
Once patients start to see positive results by taking Suboxone, doctors can begin to adjust their dosage. A patient’s dosage is always closely monitored by a doctor and as they start to see positive results, your doctor will suggest decreasing the amount of Suboxone the patient is taking.
Do not change the treatment in any way or stop treatment without first talking to your doctor. Stopping treatment suddenly may cause withdrawal symptoms and increase your chances of relasping.
Suboxone Side Effects
Some people get some side effects. Most common are constipation (typical of all opiates), dizziness or drowsiness. Male patients may experience decreased libido. It is important to discuss these symptoms with your doctor. Withdrawal symptoms like headache, abdominal cramps, nausea, insomnia or diarrhea may be part of the induction phase but usually resolve once the patient is stabilized.
