Opioids are very good for relieving even the most intense of pains. However, the danger begins in the euphoric sensation that accompanies them. It makes a person desire more of the drug to get that feeling back.
In time, patients could take them when there is no pain to relieve. Even if they stop taking it, at this point the body starts going through withdrawal. Most often, the result is a downward spiral for the user.
So how can suboxone treatment help fight this dangerously addictive state? We will explore the advantages as well as the disadvantages.
If you or a loved one is struggling with opiate addiction please call us today: (866) 731-4728
Advantages of Suboxone Treatment
Suboxone has so far proven to be effective in diminishing the body’s cravings for opioids and reducing withdrawal symptoms. People who went on the suboxone regimen and stayed on it had a high tendency to stop taking opioids. It also seemed to be very good at helping to treat the internal physical damage caused by the abuse of these drugs.
New medical facilities are built solely for suboxone treatment. It may have appeared that suboxone became the ultimate weapon against opioid addiction. However, that is where the advantages end.
Disadvantages of Suboxone Facilities
Considering it is a fairly new drug, it should not surprise you that there are side effects of suboxone treatment. The most significant one is that a patient has to stay on the regimen. If they abandon it, the odds are high that they could have a relapse, based on recent research.
Some other side effects that have been documented are:
- bouts with faintness
- headaches
- nauseous,
- swings in mood
- inability to urinate due to bladder blockage
- diminished sex drive
- lethal if taken with alcohol or other depressants
It is also suggested by some experts that the drug is connected to depression and anxiety. This is contradicted by other experts who realize that addicts very often experience depression during their recoveries.
In the big picture, more research must be done in these areas to determine anything conclusive.
Suboxone is a mild opioid, and therefore can still be nearly as addictive as the other opioid treatments, and overdose is still possible.
What should you do?
On the plus side, suboxone treatment seems to work if the patient remains on it indefinitely. However, with the side effects that have been reported, there is a significant risk to be factored in. As the treatment continues to be used, perhaps more research will help make it a viable option for more patients.