If you or someone you love is suffering from an opioid addiction, a treatment program involving suboxone may be just what you need. Suboxone is a drug that combines buprenorphine and naloxone to help address opioid addiction. Both of these substances affect the brain, though each affect it in a different way.
What is Buprenorphine?
Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. This means it activates the brain in the same was as opioids. By activating the reward receptors in a similar manner, buprenorphine helps to keep withdrawal symptoms at a minimum as you or your loved one undergoes treatment. It should be noted, however, that buprenorphine does not activate these receptors as strongly as a full opioid agonist such as heroin. Rather, it is a duller and diminished response.
What is Naloxone?
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist. This means it blocks the receptors in your brain that respond to opioids. This makes it a useful drug for reversing the effects of opioid abuse. When administered by itself, however, naloxone can result in severe withdrawal symptoms. This is why it is used in combination with buprenorphine with suboxone. In this way, suboxone can satisfy the brain’s opioid receptors while also working toward helping them to heal.
While suboxone can be an important part of an opioid addiction treatment program, it is not a “cure all” to be used by itself. At Advanced Spine & Rehab, we provide you with a holistic treatment program that will help you toward recovery. To learn more about our opioid addiction recovery program, contact us today!