Treatment for Underlying Causes of Suboxone Addiction

Many people addicted to opiates like heroin, morphine or hydrocodone have been prescribed Suboxone replacement therapy. Suboxone, like methadone, satisfies a dependent brain’s need for opiates without producing intoxicating effects. Methadone, a widely popular opiate replacement drug, can only be administered in specially licensed clinics. Suboxone can be administered in a doctor’s office or even at home, making it more accessible for people in rural areas who may not live near a methadone clinic. Suboxone can be useful in helping addicts return to a somewhat normal lifestyle, but they will still remain addicted to opiates and Suboxone and will need further treatment to get fully clean. When this time comes it is important that users find a treatment plan that will identify all of the underlying causes of their addiction and create a unique program for their individual needs.

How Opiate and Suboxone Addiction Happens

Opiates establish complicated webs of addiction. There are at least two main types of addiction that exist simultaneously and feed each other. Physical addiction happens when the body needs the drug in order to function. This happens, because opiates cause the body to stop manufacturing its own supply of naturally occurring pain and anxiety managing chemicals. Thus when opiates leave the body and while the body readjusts to making its own chemicals again, the user will experience a wide range of potentially severe withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms often encourage users to return to Suboxone and contribute to a psychological belief in a need for the drug.

Psychological Suboxone addiction is the result of opiates flooding and rewiring neural pathways in the reward center of the brain. This center establishes and reinforces behaviors. Memory, impulse control and a sense of wellbeing are drastically affected by this part of the brain. The euphoria that opiates create will spark a mental craving, but as the user’s tolerance grows they will eventually need the drug to function and will not feel the same euphoric high as the first time they took the drug. Suboxone has only a mildly euphoric effect, but as supplies on the street have grown it is becoming a gateway drug to heavier narcotics or is used in between doses of other opiates to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Someone taking Suboxone recreationally will become physically and psychologically addicted to it. Some will combine Suboxone with alcohol or other drugs to intensify the high. This is dangerous, as it greatly increases the speed of the addiction process and could result in dangerous or even fatal overdose.

Many people addicted to Suboxone may begin using drugs as a means of self-medicating for other psychological conditions that may be diagnosed or undiagnosed. Suboxone will satisfy the body’s need for opiates and may provide a temporary escape but will not address these underlying factors. When users try to get clean from Suboxone, co-occurring mental health issues will get in the way of recovery if not addressed.

Effective Treatment for Suboxone Addiction

The most effective treatment for Suboxone addiction is an approach that will carefully identify any and all co-occurring disorders that may have led or contributed to the addiction. These conditions can feed addiction and undermine attempts at recovery. Dual Diagnosis treatment takes the necessary time and energy to diagnose and confront these other disorders in a fully integrated and holistic way. A unique individualized plan for recovery is then created for each recovering user. In this way the addiction and underlying conditions are dealt with at the same time. Some of the most common components of these programs include the following:

• Intensive individual counseling
• Comfortable resting and recuperating environments
• Group therapy and the establishment of healthy relationships
• 12-step programs
• The introduction of healthy habits and diversions
• Removal from tempting environments and training to deal with drug triggers
• Spiritual care and ongoing education

Get Help Finding Suboxone Addiction Treatment

If you’re ready to get clean from Suboxone and to confront the issues that have kept you from full recovery in the past, call us today. Our toll-free helpline is available 24 hours a day with specially trained addiction experts who are ready to partner with you in your recovery. Let us help you take the first steps toward a future free from drug dependency. All calls are confidential, and there is always someone available to talk. Your life is waiting for you. Don’t waste another day. Make the call.