What is Suboxone?

Suboxone (buprenorphine HCI/nalaxone HCI dehydrate sublingual tablets) is a specific type of medicine that, when combined with counseling, is approved by doctors to treat opioid dependence and prescription drug abuse. The unique characteristics of buprenorphine helps many patients their opioid dependence to remain in treatment. When the right doses are administered, many patients will feel a minimization of withdrawal symptoms, decreased cravings, and overall well-being.

View our helpful patient’s guide resource regarding how we counsel for prescription drug abuse and opiate addiction.

Before our medical staff can begin the suboxone treatment, the patient must be experiencing mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms. As opioids come off the receptors in the body, a signal will be sent to tell the body of the withdrawal of opioids. Therefore, buprenorphine is administered to bind onto the receptors. Thus, the suboxone begins to suppress the withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

For some the opiate withdrawal period can last as little as a few months to a couple years. However, there are people that have had ongoing years which requires suboxone treatment even more to break it.

With continual use, the body’s response to the withdrawal is much weaker. Over time with daily maintenance, suboxone will continue to occupy these receptors and force the body to not react as if it were going through severe withdrawals. To simply state it, imagine if the receptors mentioned are like parking spots in the brain. If suboxone occupies this spot, it makes it very tough for opioid drugs to come in.