Suboxone and Opiate Drug Detox

Suboxone is a duel drug combining buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is a partial opiate agonist and works by binding to the opiate receptors in the brain and blocking opiate withdrawal symptoms. Naloxone prevents the abuse of the drug. Available only through a prescription from a certified physician, Suboxone is intended to be used as a tool in a supervised opiate detox treatment. Provided in tablet form, Suboxone is available in 2 milligrams or 8 milligrams and generally taken daily in a single dose during opiate drug detox.

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At Meditox, we offer our patients an opiate detox treatment program that is based on the drug Suboxone due to its well-researched and documented efficacy in lessening opiate withdrawal symptoms and shortening the length of opiate drug detox.

Suboxone and Opiate Drug Detox: Induction Dosing

The intent of induction dosing is to graduate you from the opiates you are using to the medication Suboxone. While under your doctor's care, you will be given your first dose by placing the tablet under your tongue and letting it dissolve completely. Withdrawal symptoms are required to start induction; however, they should subside within an hour after your initial dose. You may require a second dose, if the first does not inhibit withdrawal symptoms. The average daily dose is in the range of 4 to 24 milligrams and will be determined by your doctor.

Suboxone and Opiate Drug Detox: Stabilization Dosing

At the stabilization dosing stage, your doctor will determine the dose of Suboxone that will suppress your withdrawal symptoms. You will also decide with your doctor the plan of recovery and how Suboxone will work in your treatment. At this time, you will discuss if you want to use this method as a long-term maintenance therapy or if you would rather slowly decrease your dose and stop your medication completely. Be sure to ask any questions concerning your medication or your treatment at this time.

Suboxone and Opiate Drug Detox: Maintenance Dosing

Through the recovery process, Suboxone will be used at the lowest maintenance dose. It is essential at this point that addiction counseling is attained. There are many different types of counseling available; the benefits of professional counseling are proven when received during and after opiate rehab treatment. Even Narcotics Anonymous meetings or regular therapy sessions can be beneficial in strengthening this aspect of Suboxone detox. In the case that long-term maintenance dosing is chosen, your prescription Suboxone will be administered in the smallest doses that will dissipate your withdrawal symptoms and cravings for opiates. It is realistic to expect that, for some people, this stage of recovery may continue for several months.

Suboxone and Opiate Drug Detox: Medical Withdrawal Dosing

If you and your doctor decide that Suboxone treatment will not be used in long-term maintenance, you will still need to be taken off the drug while under medical supervision. This is for your safety since Suboxone is an opiate agonist and if stopped abruptly, withdrawal symptoms may occur. Over a scheduled period of time, your physician will decrease your dose so that you will experience the least amount of withdrawal symptoms possible. The intent of this stage is to help you to stop taking Suboxone entirely.

Suboxone and Opiate Detox at Meditox

At Meditox, our Suboxone-based opiate detox treatment program provides our patients with the best possible tools and conditions for a successful recovery from opiate addiction. With minimal withdrawal symptoms and 24-hour telephone support, your dream of becoming drug-free can soon become a reality. Call Meditox today and make your first appointment to learn more about Suboxone and how treatment at Meditox may change your life.

If you feel that Meditox might be the right solution for you or your loved one, please call us for a toll-free and private consultation:

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Mother, Real Estate Agent, 49
August 11, 2006

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