Posted in Suboxone Treatment

Suboxone Intervention

Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone and is prescribed for the treatment of addiction to opioids, including heroin and narcotic painkillers. Buprenorphine is in a class of medications called partial opioid agonists, and naloxone is in a class of medications called opioid antagonists. Suboxone prevents withdrawal symptoms when someone stops taking opioid drugs by producing similar effects to these drugs.

Signs of Suboxone Addiction

Suboxone addiction is a progressive condition that may not present with obvious symptoms right away. However, Suboxone addiction can lead to serious health problems, even death. Since Suboxone is used to assist people who are addicted to other opioids, it is often difficult to tell whether some of the signs of physical addiction are due to the opioid addiction or to Suboxone.

The most obvious sign of a physical addiction is withdrawal upon cessation of use. Withdrawal from long-term use of buprenorphine may produce symptoms similar to those experienced from heroin withdrawal. However, withdrawal symptoms tend to be milder and may include:

Yawning
Sweating
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Leg restlessness
Irritability
Anxiety
Cold or flu symptoms
Insomnia
Headaches
Aches and pains
Mood swings
Loss of appetite

Signs of Suboxone Overdose

If you are concerned that someone you love may be addicted to Suboxone, it may be necessary to be on the watch for Suboxone overdose symptoms. Some commonly reported symptoms of a Suboxone overdose include:

Cold and clammy skin
Coma
Confusion
Dizziness
Extreme weakness
Fainting
Hypotension
Loss of consciousness
Pinpoint pupils
Respiratory depression
Sedation
Seizures
Shortness of breath
Slowed breathing
Small pupils
Tiredness

Intervention Resources

When struggling with the idea of holding an intervention for someone addicted to Suboxone, you have several resources you can turn to, including:

Health care provider (such as a physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner)
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)
Clergy, religious educators, and church administrators who have counseling skills
Most companies have an Employee Assistance Professional (EAP) who acts as a confidential resource; whether it be a worksite person or a third party that your company contracts with to provide EAP services.
Narcotics Anonymous provides support groups that help families and friends of people with drug problems recover from the effects of living with an addict.
Counselors (including social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health counselors, substance abuse counselors, and nurses). When choosing a counselor, ask if the person has specific experience in identifying and treating addictive disorders, or has certification from NAADAC, the association for addiction professionals.

Treatment for Suboxone Addiction

Drug rehab facilities can be found in every state and offer a wide variety of choices; so how do you choose?
To get the most success in finding the right program for you, think about the following questions before you start your search:

Do you prefer inpatient or is your schedule better suited for outpatient?
Do you feel your needs would be better met by a specialized program, specific to your addiction?
Do you need medical assistance with detox or do you need a program that focuses on psychological and behavorial aspects of addiction only?
Do you want a program that specializes in your age, gender, or has a particular religious association?
After answering these questions, you can focus on finding the right treatment program that meets your unique needs.