Suboxone Treatment for Opioid Dependence
Suboxone treatment for opioid dependence is now being offered as part of opiate detoxification at Spirit Lodge. Suboxone is a brand name for Buprenorphine-based medications and has been used in the United States to alleviate pain and in Europe to treat pain and opioid dependence (heroin, morphine, ocycodone) for over a decade. Suboxone is the first opioid medication approved under DATA 2000 for the treatment of opioid dependence in office-based setting such as those offered at Spirit Lodge. DATA 2000 permits physicians to obtain a waiver from the registration requirements of the Narcotic Addict Treatment Act in order to treat opioid addiction with opioid medications or combinations thereof.
Suboxone, at the appropriate dose, may be used to:
- Reduce illicit opioid use
- Help patients stay in treatment by suppressing symptoms of opioid withdrawal
- Decrease cravings for opioids
Suboxone is a combination of Buprenorphine and Naloxone and is typically administered as a single daily dose by placing the tablet under the tongue. Buprenorphine is a partial opiate and the euphoric effects are less than with full opiates; also the habit forming potential is lower and therefore it is much easier to stop taking this medicine than other full opiates, such as morphine and heroin. The Naloxone acts as a deterrent to injecting the tablets. Properly administered, Suboxone sufficiently mimics the effect of naturally occurring opioids while enabling opioid-addicted individuals to discontinue the misuse of opioids without experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
As with all drugs, Spirit Lodge advises that there is a long list of interactions that physicians and patients should be aware of and can be found at the manufacturer's website. Caution and monitoring may need to be exercised in patients with Hepatitis C. Common side effects might include headaches, sleep disorders, constipation and sweating. As with full opiates, Suboxone overdose can lead to severe complications including death and disability. Most common cause of Buprenorphine-related deaths is due to injecting of the medicine and/or taking it with alcohol, sedatives or CNS depressant. For detailed and accurate information about Suboxone please visit the manufacturer website at www.suboxone.com.
More information can be obtained by calling Spirit Lodge at 1-800-947-6218.
