4 Questions to Ask Your Suboxone Specialist

Suboxone treatment is a prescription medication provided to individuals who are dealing with opioid dependence and addiction, whether from prescribed or illegal use and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for that purpose.

Suboxone contains two different medications: buprenorphine and naloxone. The buprenorphine component, which makes up 80 percent of the medication, is the active ingredient, while naloxone is included as a safety measure and makes up the remaining 20 percent.

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist-antagonist. As such, buprenorphine has many of the same mechanisms as other opioids but blocks the other opioids from attaching to opioid receptors in your brain so that they have no effect if taken when the individual is using buprenorphine. In this way, buprenorphine satisfies the neurological cravings one experiences with opioid addiction without producing a euphoric effect, effectively satisfying a need without being addictive or causing withdrawal symptoms.

In contrast, naloxone is purely an opioid antagonist often used for reversing the effects of an overdose. However, in suboxone, naloxone is used to prevent the misuse of the medication. The proper use of suboxone is sublingually (under the tongue) or buccally (between the cheek and gums). When taken in a prescribed way, the naloxone portion of Suboxone remains inactive. However, if Suboxone is injected in an attempt to trigger a euphoric effect, it activates the naloxone component, which blocks the buprenorphine and produces powerful withdrawal symptoms.

If you are dealing with opioid dependence or addiction, suboxone can provide a wide array of benefits, such as those listed below:

• Affordable, convenient, and safe
• Easier to reach effective dosages, causes fewer side effects and lasts longer than alternative addiction medication
• Minimal risk of addiction
• Prevents other opioids from having any effect
• Relieves cravings and withdrawal symptoms from opioid addictions

After an initial dose of Suboxone, it typically takes 20 to 45 minutes before the medication starts to work for its intended purpose. Your doctor will let you know how many doses you require, but subsequent doses typically occur at least one hour after the initial dose. It is also important to note Suboxone is only prescribed to individuals who are experiencing active withdrawal symptoms.

If you are looking for a suboxone clinic in Asheville NC and Peachtree Corners GA, with compassionate, professional, and highly skilled addiction doctors, we welcome you to come to Ascension Solutions Treatment Clinic! Dr. Jonathan Hall is a board-certified family medicine doctor with expertise in addiction services and is the medical director at Ascension Solutions Treatment. You can find our clinic in Asheville NC and Peachtree Corners GA.

For more information about our services at Ascension Solutions Treatment or an appointment with us, please feel welcome to give us a call or schedule an appointment through our website! We serve patients from Peachtree Corners GA, Asheville NC, Swannanoa NC, Johns Creek GA, Woodfin NC, Biltmore Forest NC, Fairview NC, Roswell GA, Dunwoody GA, Pittsburg GA, Western North Carolina and the surrounding areas.