Understand Opioid Dependence

Opioids, such as OxyContin, are a highly dependent drug. It is used to alleviate pain for medical reasons. Typically, if a patient is only using OxyContin post surgery, they should be fine. However, patients who have a more chronic condition become dependent on the drug. Also, those who abuse OxyContin easily become dependent.

Understand Suboxone Treatment

Suboxone is an approved opioid medication to aid in the treatment of opioid dependence. This drug is beneficial to the patient because it reduces opioid use and helps patients stay in treatment by suppressing symptoms of opioid withdrawal and decreases cravings for opioids. The primary ingredient in Suboxone is buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, which means its effects are limited compared to drugs like oxycodone or heroin because they are full opioid agonists.

Suboxone also contains naloxone; which is an opioid antagonist. The naloxone is used to discourage users from abusing Suboxone. If injected, the naloxone will reach the bloodstream and cause the user to almost immediately go into withdrawal. However, when Suboxone is placed under the tongue (as directed), very little naloxone reaches the bloodstream. Therefore, the patient only feels the effects of buprenorphine.

How Suboxone Treatment Works

When entering treatment, your doctor will first ask questions about your medical health, mental health and drug use history in order to create a treatment plan to fit your needs. Next comes the induction. The goal of the induction is to successfully switch you from your opioid drug (OxyContin, heroin, etc.) to Suboxone. You must already be experiencing mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms. If you come to the induction before you experience withdrawal, it may make you feel worse because it will cause you to go into withdrawal. The doctor or nurse will administer the first dose of suboxone in the office. Mild effects may be felt as soon as 20 minutes, but it takes up to an hour for the full effects to be felt. After an hour, the doctor will reassess to decide whether you need a second dose in the office or not.

After the office visit, your doctor will arrange for you to take home more Suboxone. Typically during induction, the patient may visit the doctor every day to make sure the dose is still accurate. This usually lasts for two to seven days.

After the induction, the doctor stabilizes your Suboxone intake to make sure withdrawal and cravings are suppressed. It is suggested that the user also goes through some kind of rehab counseling to ensure optimal success. You may also choose, with your doctor’s help, to go through medically supervised withdrawal. During this, your Suboxone level is lowered at a rate to which you will feel minimal withdrawal effects.

Taking Suboxone

Suboxone should always be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Before taking the pill, drink some water to moisten your mouth so that the tablet can dissolve easier. Place the tablet under the tongue and lean forward a little. The tablet dissolves into the bloodstream through the veins under the tongue. If your dose is two tablets, place one on the left and one on the right so you can do them at the same time. It usually takes about five to ten minutes for the tablets to fully dissolve. Do not talk while the tablets are dissolving because it could interfere with the process. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time to take the next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose. Do not inject Suboxone; the effects are very dangerous. Call an ambulance if you become extremely sleepy, your pupils become like pinpoints, you feel dizzy or your breathing becomes very slow.

OxyContin Help

If you or a loved one is addicted to OxyContin, it is important to seek help. OxyContin is a highly dependent drug. Once addicted, the effects are devastating. Many lose their jobs, dreams and ambitions. But, there is hope. If you are interested in receiving information on OxyContin treatment or rehab, please call our toll free number at (866) 872-6490. (Watch this OxyContin video.)

Print PDF