Suboxone is a prescription drug used for treating long-term opioid addiction and decreasing the effects of withdrawal.
Suboxone is a prescription drug used for treating long-term opioid addiction and decreasing the effects of withdrawal. It is an oral film consisting of two drugs – buprenorphine and naloxone. Suboxone helps people recover from opioid dependence by blunting intoxication, reducing cravings, and managing withdrawal symptoms. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, meaning that it reverses the effects of opioid drugs. However, it cannot get into the bloodstream unless injected. So, manufacturers combine it with buprenorphine, an opioid agonist that allows oral absorption. This combination prevents users from trying to crush and inject or inhale their tablets. Suboxone is used sublingually; it is placed under the tongue to dissolve and diffuse into the bloodstream.
Suboxone treatment is often preferred over methadone for opioid withdrawal because it is less stigmatized and has a better safety profile. It is also longer acting and may not require daily dosing. However, Suboxone is an opioid with the risk of abuse and addiction. If you suspect that you or a loved one is abusing or dependent on Suboxone, you should contact the Canadian Centre for Addictions.
We offer rehab for Suboxone and other opioid addictions in Ontario.
Getting Help for Suboxone Addiction
The Canadian Centre for Addictions offers client-oriented treatment for Suboxone abuse and addiction in Ontario.
At CCFA, we offer sophisticated treatment strategies in an environment that inspires lasting change. We also help people understand their addictions and devise healthier ways to cope by engaging them in one-on-one counselling with certified counsellors, psychiatrists, and mental health professionals.
Call 1-855-499-9446 to learn more about our treatment programs.
How We Treat Suboxone Addiction and What to Expect
CCFA employs a client-oriented approach in treating Suboxone abuse and addiction. We offer treatment tailored to each client’s unique needs. Our visitors can expect a full range of services, including flexible therapy and addiction counselling. We also know that addiction can negatively impact every aspect of your life, so our specialists will assess you to provide a holistic treatment strategy.
We offer inpatient and outpatient Suboxone treatment, individual and group counselling, intervention counselling, and lifetime aftercare, all designed to give you or a loved one the best chance at recovery.
When to Seek Help for Suboxone Addiction
Suboxone is a prescription medication, and abuse typically starts when the patient uses the drug in ways other than prescribed. Humans tend to deny addiction, even to themselves, making it difficult to detect. However, seeing any of the following signs could mean that a person may need help:
- Going for frequent Suboxone prescription refills
- Borrowing or stealing another person’s prescription
- Having cravings for Suboxone
- Skipping doses to take more at once for a more potent high
- Continued use despite adverse effects on relationships, health, or finance.
- Decreased productivity at home, school, or work due to Suboxone use
- Developing Suboxone tolerance – needing higher amounts of the drug to achieve the same effects
- Withdrawal symptoms due to Suboxone use reduction or cessation
Why Should You Choose the Canadian Centre for Addictions?
Addiction is a complex disease that is difficult to overcome without professional care. It also carries a lot of stigma, making it challenging to speak up or determine the right place to seek help. Addiction disrupts your life and disconnects you from the things that matter. At CCFA, we offer a patient-centric approach that keeps you connected to your life and responsibilities outside so your transition to regular life is as smooth as possible.
We take our work seriously because we understand that our clients are at a vulnerable point in their life. We are open, honest, and communicative about what we deliver and take the first step towards building the trust needed to form strong bonds with those who need our help.
We also understand that addiction affects the individual and others close to them. So, our therapists and staff extend their care to helping families cope with addiction while treating their loved ones. We not only help people overcome their addictions, but we also help them navigate the hurdles that addiction creates for those who care about them.
Treatment at CCFA doesn’t end but evolves when you leave. We offer a place where people can return if things get challenging. Our combination of quality inpatient care and the sense of community from our aftercare services provide a balance you can rely on year after year.
The Canadian Centre for Addictions Success Stories
At CCFA, we have recorded tremendous success in treating people with addictions. Here are testimonials from some of our satisfied clients:
“The highly competent staff is able to provide emotional and physical support as well as effective addiction therapy. With an open mind, I found I was able to draw healing from each of the well-balanced and skillfully presented meetings and activities. During my stay at CCFA, I learned how to regain control of my life. I left with skills I require to keep moving forward in my recovery. The facility is spacious, comfortable and clean, and the community is exceptional. The fitness and activities, as well as the delicious meals, are outstanding. By far, this was the most productive 30 days of my life. A gift from me to me!”
Elliot Hester
“I came in with a broken soul, full of self-pity, not liking who I was, full of fear and low self-esteem. During my stay, I learned so many valuable lifelong lessons. The counsellors challenged me to feel again; to think and understand those feelings, to express my feelings and thoughts. They have taught me the strategies and tools that I must apply to my new life going forward. For the first time in my life, I feel calm, relaxed, strong with the new me, and most importantly, HAPPY. Thank You.”
Edmund Rudd
“My involvement with CCFA has been an absolute lifesaver for me. The entire program and one-on-one sessions have given me the look and strategies to leave with and have a clean and sober life going forward. A very warm, welcoming, home-like environment.”
Martha Esquivel
“The CCFA has showed me a new way of life. The counsellors here are amazing, love working with all of them. I had a great stay and can’t wait to continue my road to recovery with the tools I have learned. Thank you.”
Kiaan Ochoa
Types of Treatment for Suboxone Addiction
The Canadian Centre for Addictions offers multiple options for Suboxone addiction treatment.
We design our treatment programs to fit each client’s specific needs.
Detox
Detox for Suboxone is a medical process that helps to get rid of the drug and other addictive substances from your system. Suboxone withdrawal comes with moderately uncomfortable symptoms, and detox ensures that you undergo this process under close monitoring.
Inpatient Rehab
Inpatient rehab is an intensive treatment for severe cases of drug dependence. Suboxone is not as intensely addictive as other opioids, but using the drug with other substances like benzodiazepines or alcohol can cause severe adverse effects. High doses of Suboxone also come with the risk of overdose and coma. CCFA provides a sober and secure environment for clients to recover from the harmful effects of Suboxone. Our specialists utilize patient-oriented protocols to set our clients on the path to wellness. We combine medical treatment with relevant treatment options to give our clients a holistic approach to recovery.
Outpatient Treatment
In outpatient treatment, the individual lives at home but attends scheduled appointments and meetings. Outpatient Suboxone treatment is ideal for clients with manageable addiction symptoms and sufficient motivation to quit. It requires a reliable support network of friends and family to encourage and help the patient stay on the path to full recovery.
Counselling
Lasting addiction treatment depends on finding and modifying the root cause of the addiction. Our addiction counselling programs involve individual or group sessions that help participants identify and change these thought patterns and behaviours. They also help spot and resolve past trauma that may promote addictive behaviour. CCFA’s counselling and intervention programs help addicts develop positive attitudes and skills, which they’ll use as they begin their journey to sobriety.
Aftercare
Addiction recovery does not end with treatment. Recovering addicts require continuous aftercare services to prevent relapse when they face challenges. Our relapse prevention programs equip patients with the tools and coping mechanisms to remain sober when they inevitably encounter triggers. An aftercare treatment plan depends on an individual’s situation and may include outpatient treatment, counselling, and 12-step programs.
What to Expect in Suboxone Addiction Treatment
CCFA’s treatment facilities are equipped to help clients recover from addiction and return to normal life as soon as possible. The first thing we’ll do when you come in for treatment is to evaluate and understand your situation so that we can design a specialized recovery plan.
We will assess your medical history to determine whether you use Suboxone with other substances.
We will screen you for co-occurring mental health disorders and perform tests to determine the presence of drugs in your system. We will start your treatment with detox to rid your body of every addictive substance. Suboxone is a helpful medication, and our treatment will cover the opioid use disorder that made you receive a Suboxone prescription in the first place.
We offer individual and group counselling sessions to help clients identify and change thought patterns that may fuel substance use and addiction.
Our holistic treatment programs incorporate activities like meditation, mindfulness, and yoga to help our clients stay grounded. You may also be encouraged to join a support group where you connect and interact with others at different stages of recovery.
Your treatment does not end when you leave our rehab centre. At CCFA, we provide aftercare and relapse prevention services as part of our treatment program. We teach our clients to identify their triggers and design strategies to avoid or get through them. We also offer bi-weekly in-person aftercare visits and teleconferencing options to ensure long-term recovery.
Suboxone Addiction Treatment Stages
The stages of Suboxone addiction treatment are:
- Detox
- Inpatient/Outpatient treatment
- Counselling/therapy
- Aftercare
Understanding Suboxone Addiction
Suboxone addiction occurs when a person cannot stop taking Suboxone despite adverse effects. Buprenorphine, one of the drugs in Suboxone, is a partial agonist at opioid receptors. It activates the reward system and is responsible for the euphoric sensations associated with the drug. Suboxone is prescribed because buprenorphine binds to opioid receptors and prevents the action of other opioids, allowing users to gradually stop using opioids while managing their withdrawal symptoms.
The risk of Suboxone addiction is lower than other opioids because naloxone blocks and reverses the effects of buprenorphine on the nervous system. It causes withdrawal, reduces cravings, and prevents misuse of the drug. Using high doses of the drug or engaging in Suboxone injection abuse can cause a high that makes the individual continue using the drug. They may develop tolerance if they keep abusing Suboxone. However, buprenorphine has a ceiling effect meaning that the user gets to a point where increased doses do not increase the drug’s effects. If a person fails to get treatment for opioid addiction and keeps using Suboxone to stave off withdrawal symptoms, they’ll eventually become addicted. They’ll also experience withdrawal symptoms if they try to stop using the drug at this point.
Withdrawal Symptoms of Suboxone
Long-term users of Suboxone who try to stop using Suboxone may experience withdrawal symptoms. Tapering Suboxone use with a doctor’s supervision can significantly minimize withdrawal effects. Suboxone withdrawal symptoms include:
- Suboxone cravings
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Sweating and tremors
- Flu-like symptoms
- Depression and moodiness
- Fatigue
Suboxone Addiction Symptoms
Suboxone has similar addiction symptoms to other opioid medications, such as:
- Prescription shopping
- Secretive behaviour
- Stealing or borrowing Suboxone prescriptions
- Taking more Suboxone than prescribed
- Using Suboxone with alcohol or other substances to get a more potent high
- Sedated or drowsy appearance
- Nausea and vomiting
- Impaired cognition
- Slowed breathing
- Using the drug in risky circumstances, such as when driving or operating heavy equipment
What are the Causes of Suboxone Addiction
Theirs is no single cause of addiction, and it is unlikely that a person will develop Suboxone addiction if they use the drug as prescribed. The following factors may increase a person’s chances of abusing and becoming addicted to Suboxone:
• Family History and Genetics
Genes play a significant role in addiction development. About 40% to 60% of a person’s risk of becoming addicted to opioids may be linked to their genes. Individuals with a parent or sibling who has struggled with a similar addiction may also be at higher risk. Other heritable traits like impulsiveness and novelty-seeking may also increase a person’s substance abuse and addiction risk.
• Self-Medication/Over Prescription
Using Suboxone to treat opioid withdrawal without a prescription increases its abuse and addiction risk. If a person fails to get treatment for opioid use disorder and uses Suboxone for relief instead, they may become dependent on the drug.
• Environmental and Social Pressure
Environmental and social factors can pressure young people into trying opioids such as Suboxone.
Long-term Effects of Suboxone Addiction
Suboxone addiction can cause long-term health issues such as:
- Liver problems
- Mental or behavioural health issues (restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and insomnia)
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Aggravation of pre-existing mental health problems
- Overdose leading to coma and death
Frequently Asked Question
Yes. Suboxone consists of two drugs; buprenorphine and naloxone. A narcotic is an illegal substance that elicits a high. Buprenorphine is an opioid that affects the brain and can cause euphoric effects if used illicitly or excessively.
There is currently no legally available Suboxone shot. However, non-medical professionals often refer to the drug Sublocade as the Suboxone shot. Sublocade is an injectable, long-acting form of buprenorphine.
Yes. Doctors typically ask patients to use Suboxone once daily. However, specific factors like weight, metabolism, and drug abuse history can influence whether a person will need Suboxone daily or not.
There is no maximum amount of Suboxone that a person can take in a day due to differences in patients’ responses to treatment and addiction profiles. Doctors will generally start with small doses (2 to 4mg) multiple times over a day to manage withdrawal symptoms.
It is recommended that a person receive no more than 8mg of Suboxone on the first day of treatment and no more than 16mg on the next. The doctor can better assess the patient after this period to enable them to administer a regulated daily dose.
Yes. Some patients feel withdrawal symptoms relief the first time they use Suboxone, while others may need to take the drug consistently for a few days before seeing their symptoms improve.
You can take Suboxone for many years, sometimes indefinitely, as long as the treatment is beneficial and not causing any side effects or complications.
Suboxone stays long in the body, and missing a dose is unlikely to affect the efficacy of your treatment. Suboxone has a ceiling effect; multiple doses may not necessarily increase the effects. So, it is not advisable to take two doses of Suboxone to make up for a missed day unless instructed by your doctor. However, missing several doses in a row can cause withdrawal symptoms to return and put you at risk of relapse.
Yes. There is no known interaction between coffee and Suboxone. It’s safe to consume coffee and other caffeinated drinks while using Suboxone.
Suboxone is processed in the liver, which can become impaired with prolonged use, especially in people with pre-existing liver infections. Your doctor or health services expert may perform regular liver function tests during Suboxone treatment to ensure the drug is not harming your liver.
No. Suboxone is taken sublingually as a pill or a filmstrip placed under the tongue to enable it to dissolve quickly. Patients should not eat, drink, or smoke 30 minutes before and after taking Suboxone.
