Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States with more than 52,000 lethal drug overdoses in 2015 alone. At the heart of the problem is opioid addiction. In 2015, more than 20,000 overdose deaths were related to prescription pain relievers and almost 13,000 overdose deaths related to heroin addiction.
The rise in opioid addictions is affecting people of all ages and the abuse of heroin and opioids often creates a vicious circle. Twenty three percent of individuals who use heroin develop opioid addiction and four in five new heroin users started out misusing prescription painkillers.
The abuse isn’t solely limited to adults either. In 2015, approximately 21,000 adolescents had used heroin in the past year and about 5,000 of those were currently using heroin. Additionally, approximately 6,000 adolescents had a heroin use disorder in 2014.
When it comes to treating opioid dependency, there are three main types of active ingredients in FDA approved medications: methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone.
- Methadone is a narcotic that treats moderate to severe pain.
- Buprenorphine can also pain and addiction to narcotic pain relievers.
- Naltrexone can help prevent relapses into drug abuse.
Buprenorphine, also commonly marketed as Suboxone, is can be an effective form of treatment for opioid addiction. Those seeking the help of suboxone treatment doctors should seek them out if they are struggling with opioid dependence, want to stop abusing opioids and have a stable recovery environment.
Before undergoing Suboxone treatment, it is important to consult suboxone treatment doctors and be open about your medical and psychiatric health history.
Suboxone treatment under the supervision of suboxone treatment doctors can be effective and two of the main benefits of it are a reduction in cravings and the painful withdrawal symptoms that accompany opioid withdrawal and the stabilization of symptoms, which allow for a better focus on addiction treatment.
As with any treatment, there are potential side effects including headaches, blurred vision and trouble sleeping. There is also the chance that Suboxone can be abused since it is a partial narcotic agonist or a chemical that produces a response after activating chemical receptors. Those using Suboxone may feel better when using it and thus may be compelled to take more than the recommended prescription to keep those good feelings going.
If Suboxone treatment may work for you, many health websites offer physician locators to find suboxone treatment doctors. Some opioid treatment programs used in rehabilitation centers also use suboxone as a form of treatment.
To find suboxone treatment doctors in your area the Substance Abuse and Mental Heath Services Administration can help you get started.