Suboxone® treatment is a medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction or dependence that stabilizes the chemical and neurological functions in your brain. At LCT Medical in Irvington and Old Bridge, New Jersey, Chidi Anukwuem, MD, and Miriam Joseph, NP, can guide you through Suboxone treatment and offer monitoring and support throughout the process. To schedule a consultation, call the office or book online today.

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What is Suboxone treatment?

Suboxone is a medication that you can use to treat an opioid addiction that contains two different drugs: buprenorphine and naloxone. It’s offered by prescription only and you must take it under a qualified physician’s supervision.

Suboxone helps regulate your brain chemistry, which addiction can heavily affect. You should be careful to avoid alcoholic beverages over the course of your time taking Suboxone, and be sure to report any health conditions you have to your physician beforehand.

While you participate in Suboxone treatment, you need to follow your provider’s instructions closely. You should report any side effects that you notice right away so they can adjust your treatment plan or dosage if necessary.

Who can benefit from Suboxone treatment?

If you misuse prescription opioid medications like hydrocodone, codeine, or morphine, or illegal opioids like heroin, Suboxone treatment may be able to help reduce your misuse.

If you’re currently dependent on opioid drugs of any kind, Suboxone treatment reduces some of the withdrawal symptoms that make it hard to stop taking opioids. Even if it doesn’t fully eliminate your withdrawal symptoms, it can reduce them to make them more tolerable.

Withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Sweating
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Shaking
  • Fever
  • High blood pressure
  • Seizures
  • Hallucinations
  • Body aches

Naloxone, one of the components of Suboxone, also blocks the pain relief effects of opioids that often lead to an addiction or dependence.

How do I take Suboxone?

You must take Suboxone exactly as your provider at LCT Medical tells you to. They either give you film strips of Suboxone or tablets, both of which sit in your mouth and dissolve slowly. If you’re using film, you place the film on the inside of your cheek. The tablets sit under your tongue.

The team at LCT Medical gives you regular blood tests to check your liver function as you go through Suboxone treatment. They also make sure that you tell your closest family members and friends that you’re taking Suboxone for addiction so they can let medical providers know in an emergency.

Generally, your provider advises you to take your dose at the same time each day. The effects of one Suboxone dose can last up to three days, and your provider might eventually recommend tapering the dose instead of stopping your Suboxone treatment abruptly.

Suboxone treatment isn’t for everyone, but it can make a big difference in treatment for opioid addiction or dependence. Book your consultation over the phone or online for Suboxone treatment at LCT Medical today.