Top Myths and Misconceptions about Suboxone
Overcoming addiction may feel like going on an uphill battle. If you’re stuck in an endless cycle of withdrawal, having a medical-assisted treatment (MAT) may be the game-changing treatment that you’ve been waiting for.
Suboxone is the main component of most MAT programs. If you’re planning to start one, it’s essential to debunk the myths and misconceptions surrounding this medication to make an informed decision and determine if it’s the right treatment for your specific needs.
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Myth #1 Taking Suboxone is exchanging one addiction for another
One common misconception about Suboxone is the belief that using it is trading one addiction for another. In reality, most medical professionals view Suboxone as a life-saving medication needed for a chronic disease, similar to how other common illnesses will require specific medications for treatment.
Unfortunately, labeling Suboxone as an addiction is harmful because it stigmatizes the people who are already on Suboxone and prevents patients from seeking the treatment they need.
Myth #2 Suboxone can give you a high
Another misconception about Suboxone is that it can induce a high. You might be wondering how Suboxone works. Simply put, it causes a mild euphoria with a “ceiling effect.” This means that the resulting high that is experienced will plateau as long as the Suboxone strip or tablet is not used in conjunction with other opioid agonists.
The naloxone component of Suboxone remains inactive as long as you take it as prescribed by your provider. But once you snort or inject Suboxone, the naloxone component is triggered, leading to precipitated withdrawal.
Another reason why a patient could misuse Suboxone is because they’re trying to alleviate withdrawal symptoms caused by an insufficient dose and not because they want to get high. If this is the case, they will need to contact their healthcare provider to adjust the dose.
Myth #3 Suboxone is needed during detox only
There is no timeframe on how long you will need to take Suboxone. Always remember that recovery varies from one person to the next—some may find their journey with Suboxone to be relatively short to relieve their acute withdrawal symptoms.
Others may continue to crave for weeks, months, and years, so they will need to be on it for an extended period. The focus should always be on what works best for your own unique journey. If you’re prescribed to be on Suboxone for a long period of time, there’s no shame in it.
The duration of your Suboxone treatment is decided by your healthcare provider based on your medical history, progress, and recovery goals. Suboxone treatment needs to be properly supervised by a healthcare professional and gradually tapered over time—immediately stopping treatment once you feel better may lead to a relapse.
Myth #4 Suboxone alone can help overcome OUD
Opioid use disorder is a complex chronic disease that will impact your physical, mental, and behavioral health. To quickly recover from this addiction, you need to approach your recovery from every angle. Suboxone and other forms of MAT perform a dual function: to relieve withdrawal symptoms and block the cravings so that you can work on other aspects of your addiction recovery.
Suboxone is just a part of this holistic and well-rounded approach. Most MAT programs will also refer patients to counseling, behavioral therapy, and support groups after the induction phase and the withdrawal symptoms subside. These interventions will address the root cause of a patient’s addiction as well as improve their coping mechanism so they can successfully navigate life’s challenges without relapsing.
Myth #5 Therapy is mandatory
In an ideal world, Suboxone should be accompanied by counseling, therapy, housing assistance, and employment support. However, the reality is not all patients can get access to this comprehensive support system. It’s unreasonable to expect that patients can easily get all of these things, especially if they don’t have access to standard healthcare or insurance.
Notably, the absence of one component does not make the treatment invalid. While combination treatment is still the best option, Suboxone treatment on its own can be very effective for recovery.
Getting help with Suboxone is better than not getting any help at all. The key is to find a personalized approach and an addiction treatment center that aligns with your circumstances and know that every step forward will contribute to your overall well-being, no matter how small.
Myth #6 Suboxone can give you an overdose
Understanding the myths and facts about Suboxone can help dispel fears of an easy overdose. It is actually tough to overdose on Suboxone alone due to buprenorphine’s ceiling effect. Since it is a partial opioid agonist, it will not give you the same high that heroin, morphine, or oxycodone could do.
Even if you take higher doses of Suboxone, it will not result in a more intense high. Once you inject Suboxone, you can’t overdose; instead, you will go through a precipitated withdrawal.
It’s also important to know that most cases of Suboxone overdose typically involve the simultaneous use of other substances, such as cocaine or fentanyl. Suboxone should not be taken with other medications. So, before beginning your Suboxone treatment, it’s crucial to let your provider know about all the other medications you’re taking.
Myth #7 Suboxone is a ‘one-size-fits-all’ treatment
Suboxone is prescribed based on individual needs, and the dosage will vary. It is not a one-size-fits-all solution; rather, it’s tailored to address specific circumstances and requirements. A personalized Suboxone treatment that addresses the needs and circumstances of a patient will be very effective for their recovery journey.
Suboxone’s individualized approach, tailored dosages, and dual functionality in managing withdrawal symptoms and cravings are powerful tools for your recovery. To get medication-assisted treatment for your opioid addiction, you can reach out to online addiction treatment centers like Klinic.
Since Suboxone will not give you intense withdrawal symptoms, you can get treated as an outpatient instead of committing to an inpatient facility.
