The Effectiveness of MAT with Suboxone in Curbing Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms and Helping Patients Recover From Opioid Addiction

Why is Recover from Opioid Addiction Important and Why is Help Needed?

Addiction is a disease and recovering alone is very difficult for most people. Opioid addiction is one of the hardest types of addictions to overcome. Studies have shown that addiction is a disease which is chronic and progressive. This brain disease is caused by an altered brain function which causes people to seek out destructive substances and behaviors Because of the way chemicals in the brain are changed from taking opioids like heroin and pain pills,  it is one of the hardest to overcome. There are specially designed clinics and medications for people who are suffering from opioid addiction and recovery is possible with dedication and proper help.

What Is MAT? Medication Assisted Treatment Explained

MAT (Medication-assisted treatment) is an approach to addiction treatment which incorporates medication into counseling and behavioral based therapy.

MAT uses Suboxone an opioid addiction treatment medication. Counseling and therapy are effective and important on the path to recovery to help people develop coping skills. It is important to recognize that addiction is a chemical dependency that affects the brain and medication is required to curb cravings and withdrawal symptoms to enable people to get clean and stay clean.

What Is Suboxone?

Suboxone is a medication composed of two things, buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is a prescription drug which is an opioid but it helps to curb the opioid withdrawal symptoms and suppress the craving for opioids while helping patients stay in treatment. (Source: NAABT) Naloxone is an opioid blocker, it binds to receptors in the brain and blocks the effects of opioids, it does this very quickly and is often used as an emergency medication to reverse an overdose. (Source: Drugabuse.org)

Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms

Opioid withdrawal symptoms are strong and often times very intimidating. The first signs of heroin withdrawal or pain pill withdrawal can occur within 24 hours and these symptoms can include:

• Restless Behavior
• Muscle Pain
• Runny Nose
• Tearing of the Eyes
• Nervousness Frequent Yawning
• Sleep Problems
• Immoderate Sweating

The next set of withdrawal symptoms will occur later on usually after the first 24 hours and these may include:

• Nausea
• Throwing up
• Diarrhea and Abdominal Pain
• High Blood Pressure
• Fast Heartbeat
• Pupil Dilation
• Blurred Eyesight
• Presence of Goosebumps

How Does Suboxone Help with Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms

Because Suboxone contains an opioid, buprenorphine, it is able to very subtly satisfy the opioid craving and curb the body from feeling withdrawal while simultaneously weaning a patient’s brain and body off from needing the opioids. Over time the body becomes used to less and less opioids and eventually, the withdrawal symptoms will completely pass. Each person’s path to recovery is different.  Some patients may need to continue medication therapy for a few months while others may take longer. The expert physicians and counselors at AOC will help patients determine the most effective path to recovery based on their individual needs and situation.

Addiction Outreach Clinic is Here to Help

The drug addiction specialists at Addiction Outreach Clinic (AOC) have years of training in identifying and treating opioid addiction. Our opioid addiction treatment program starts with a medical assessment and includes Suboxone® medication-assisted treatment to prevent cravings and withdrawal symptoms. We combine medication with a once-a-month behavioral counseling session to support our patients’ recovery efforts and help them get their lives back.

Whether treatment is for you, a family member or a friend, we are happy to speak with you about our outpatient drug treatment program, and how AOC can help patients with their opioid addiction recovery. Since 2007, AOC has helped thousands of patients on their path to recovery.

Please read more about AOC, call us at 330-259-4849, or email to schedule an appointment – it’s fast, easy and confidential.

Sources:

https://www.verywellmind.com/suboxone-for-opiate-addiction-49543

https://www.naabt.org/faq_answers.cfm?ID=2 (NAABT)

https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/opioid-overdose-reversal-naloxone-narcan-evzio (Drugabuse.gov)