Suboxone Detoxification Treatment*
As with other opiates, Suboxone dependence can become a problem if used daily for a significant period of time. Many individuals previously addicted to heroin or oxycodone begin a maintenance dosage of Suboxone intending to titrate off of it. Others are prescribed Suboxone for the treatment of chronic pain, attempting to manage their dosage at the prescribed level. Unfortunately, as with all opiates, tolerance and addiction can easily develop and withdrawal becomes an unnecessarily daunting specter. At a comfortable detox facility, clients can free themselves from Suboxone for good.
Symptoms of withdrawal from opiates include:
- Depression
- Agitation/anxiety
- Muscle aches and joint pain
- Insomnia
- Sweating and clammy palms; abdominal cramping
- Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting; goose bumps
Ironically, the above are the same symptoms of withdrawal from Suboxone. Fear of these symptoms keeps many people tethered to Suboxone. Many clients report detoxing on their own, perhaps achieving brief periods of abstinence, or subtly switching to alcohol or marijuana. One client shared: “I started taking Suboxone at an outpatient rehab. I was supposed to take less and less each week, but they never made me, so I just kept doing what was working for me. Weeks turned into months. Occasionally, I would save my Suboxone and party with some Oxy, or I would take Xanax with my Suboxone. I thought I had everything under control, but really I felt bad about what I was doing. I wanted to get clean, but couldn’t.” Detoxing in a hotel room or with a friend or family member usually leaves the individual miserable, scared, sick and in pain. Worse, it doesn’t lay any foundation for lasting recovery. It’s too easy to slip back into a lifestyle of cravings and dependency. No one plans to become chemically dependent; it just seems that circumstances conspire to lead the best intentions awry.
In an inpatient suboxone detox center, all procedures follow a schedule designed by experienced detoxification and psychiatric teams to reduce unnecessary suffering. Clients usually arrive with symptoms of withdrawal from Suboxone. With these symptoms apparent and confirmed by urine analysis, the titration process begins. A small dose of Suboxone is administered and relief is usually felt within minutes. Unlike “cold turkey,” the client receives progressively smaller doses. As clients are titrated off Suboxone, insomnia is handled with supportive medications and clients attend individual and group therapy. Over one to three weeks, all medication is gradually reduced. Clients are amazed at how quickly they feel better; they are able to sleep, eat and feel comfortable in their own skin again. Clients are restored to their authentic, drug-free selves.
Ideally, treatment follows detox, equipping clients with the tools they need to remain drug free. Clients frequently report feeling refreshed, healthier and ready to make the changes in their lives that they have wanted to make for a long time. No one should have to fear detox – it’s the first step to a new life.
*Detoxification services are not provided at Morningside Recovery facilities. We work closely with local, fully licensed detoxification centers that provide the highest level of care to our clients. If a client requires detoxification and is admitting to any of Morningside's programs, our clinical team will follow the client’s detoxification treatment at these local facilities. If the detoxification period is to exceed 72 hours, we will also begin private therapy and other treatment services at the designated location. Our consulting physician and psychiatrist will also follow each client’s case at this outside center in order to ensure a smooth transition into any of our many levels of care. Although outcome studies have shown significant increase in client success when receiving full or extended treatment services after detoxification, if you require only a detoxification without further treatment, we are happy to refer you to one of the highly regarded and trusted detoxification facilities that we utilize.
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