SUBOXONE TREATMENT FOR HEROIN ADDICTION OXYCONTIN ADDICTION METHADONE ADDICTION VICODIN ADDICTION AND ALL OPIATE ADDICTIONS
Suboxone has been approved for treatment of Heroin dependence, Methadone dependence, Oxycontin dependence, Vicodin dependence and other opiate dependence. The largest active ingredient in Suboxone is Buprenorphine HCL which reduces the symptoms of Heroin withdrawal, Methadone withdrawal, Oxycontin withdrawal, Vicodin withdrawal and all opiate withdrawals. Suboxone is a combination of two proven medications: Buprenorphine HCL and Naloxone. Buprenorphine HCl is a partial agonist opioid to the mu neurotransmitters and a full antagonist to the Kappa neurotransmitters which reduces withdrawal symptoms associated with mu receptors and instigates withdrawal in the Kappa receptors. The active ingredient Naloxone is a full antagonist which blocks the effects of most but not all full agonist opioids like Heroin, Hydrocodone, Methadone and Oxycodone. Naloxone helps reduce the risk associated with subsequently administered opiates (Heroin, methadone, Oxycontin, etc…) suggesting that it might help reduce illicit opiate use. Due to the presence of Naloxone, Suboxone is very likely to produce severe withdrawal symptoms if administered intravenously. When used as prescribed, no such effect is likely. Suboxone is one of the first heroin detox treatments approved for doctor office prescribing under the Federal Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA).
THE SUBOXONE HEROIN DETOX FORMULA
Suboxone is an orange tablet taken sublingually. Suboxone comes in two dosage forms: 2 mg Buprenorphine HCl/0.5 mg Naloxone and 8 mg Buprenorphine HCl/2 mg Naloxone.
SUBOXONE HEROIN SAFETY
Because of suboxone’s ceiling effect and poor bioavailability, Buprenorphine HCl is safer in avoiding overdose than opiate full agonists. The maximal effects of Buprenorphine HCl appear to occur in the 16-32 mg dose range for sublingual tablets. Higher doses are unlikely to produce greater effects.
OPIATE DETOX TREATMENT WITH SUBOXONE
This section provides a brief overview of the clinical use of Buprenorphine HCl and Naloxone (Suboxone) for heroin, methadone and other opiate detox treatment.
Ideal candidates for Suboxone heroin detox and other opiate addiction treatment with Suboxone are individuals who have been objectively diagnosed with an opiate addiction, are willing to follow safety precautions for treatment, can be expected to comply with the treatment, have no contraindications to Buprenorphine HCl therapy and who agree to Buprenorphine HCl treatment after a review of treatment options. There are four phases of Suboxone Heroin therapy: induction, stabilization, titration and treatment.
SUBOXONE INDUCTION
This phase is the medically monitored startup of Buprenorphine HCL therapy. Buprenorphine HCL induction of Suboxone therapy is administered when a heroin addict abstains from using heroin and other opiates for 12-24 hours and shows signs of early onset of opiate withdrawals. If the patient is not in the early stages of heroin withdrawal then Buprenorphine HCl will cause acute withdrawal.
Induction is typically initiated as observed therapy in the physician's office and is carried out using Suboxone or Subutex (pure Buprenorhine HCl).
Rarely if ever is Suboxone to be given as an adjunct medication with Valium (diazepam) due to its potential for overdose i.e. mortality.
SUBOXONE STABILIZATION
This phase begins when the patient has discontinued the use of his or her drug of abuse, no longer has cravings, and is experiencing few or no side effects. The buprenorphine dose may need to be adjusted during the stabilization phase. Because of the long half-life of Buprenorphine HCL (37 hours) it is sometimes possible to switch patients to alternate-day dosing once stabilization has been achieved. However the alternate day dosing is usually left for end stage heroin detox to allow clients a smooth transition into full recovery and an opiate free life.
SUBOXONE TITRATION
The titration phase is reached when the patient is doing well on a steady dose of Suboxone. Once the patient shows no sign of opiate withdrawal the Suboxne therapy initiates a titration (step-down) from Buprenorphine HCL therapy until the heroin addict is totally drug-free. It is a model that has worked better for more heroin addicts than any known treatment in history.
SUBOXONE TREATMENT
Effective treatment of Heroin detox, Methadone detox, Oxycontin detox or other opiate addiction requires comprehensive attention to all of an individual's medical and psychosocial co-morbidities. Pharmacological therapy alone rarely achieves long-term success. In other words Suboxone Detox is not the answer unto itself. Physician oversight is just one step that should be combined with a concurrent opiate treatment program. Opiate Treatment is so critical for a successful outcome that physicians must attest to their capacity to refer patients to adequate treatment programs when they submit their Notification of Intent to SAMHSA before being allowed to prescribe Suboxone or Subutex.
Upon successfully completing Suboxone Heroin Detox all opiate detox clients are afforded the opportunity to enter our extended care facility Orange County Rehab Program. The 3 on 3 Detox Treatment Program is 30 to 90 days in length and addresses the core issues of recovery. Opiate Detox Treatment covers topics such as; Defense Mechanisms, Distorted Thinking, Control Issues, Employment, Resume Preparation, Healthy Diet, Exercise, Non-smoking and Relapse Prevention.
Each inpatient resident participates in living skills to promote a sense of personal responsibility, self-worth and social accountability. They also learn to rely on their support groups, sponsors and after-care counselors after leaving inpatient treatment.
For parents trying to decide on where to send their children for treatment we can say unequivocally that Orange County Detox recognizes that your child is your pride and joy and we take that relationship very seriously. If you or someone you know is in need of opiate detox call our 24-hour Hotline and ask about our “suboxone heroin” detoxification services at our Costa Mesa California Facility, “Orange County Opiate Detox.”
We offer Suboxone heroin detox services for all Southern California residents. For San Diego Suboxone heroin detox and Los Angeles Suboxone heroin detox we offer quick and effective detox services comparable to any you will find anywhere in the country.
