Subutex Addiction and Abuse

Subutex may be used to help individuals manage the opioid withdrawal symptoms, but the medication can have side effects itself. When not taken properly, the misuse of Subutex, also known as buprenorphine, can reinforce other drug misuse habits. If an addiction forms, The Recovery Village offers various programs and facilities to help assist individuals through the recovery process.

What is Subutex?

Subutex is prescribed by medical professionals to treat individuals overcoming opioid addictions. Even though Subutex is approved by the FDA, if misused the medication can still have very powerful side effects. However, Subutex does help to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms an individual experiences during a drug detox. So, Subutex allows for a more comfortable recovery process from an opioid addiction, if handled properly.

Is Subutex Addictive?

Subutex doesn’t give an individual any kind of euphoric high, like other drugs do. The main component of Subutex, buprenorphine, is a partial opioid agonist that occupies receptors in the brain that negate withdrawal symptoms.. While Subutex side effects can be uncomfortable, the drug isn’t seen as addictive.

Cause of Subutex Addiction

Considering the fact that Subutex is used to treat opiate addiction, many individuals can develop a tolerance to a drug because of how easily it can calm the withdrawal symptoms of other drugs. Developing  a tolerance for a drug through Subutex misuse is a dangerous possibility. A person depending on Subutex can experience physical and psychological dependencies that negatively impact their health.

Subutex Addiction Signs, Symptoms and Effects

The kind of reaction a person can have to Subutex use will completely vary from one person to the next, based on independent factors. Some of these factors include:

• Dosage amount taken
• How long the drug was taken for
• Consumption of other substances while consuming Subutex
• Overall physical and mental health

General withdrawal symptoms a person experience may involve physical  and psychological symptoms. The benefit of detoxing with the supervision of medical professionals is that the majority of these symptoms can be relieved so that the patient is safe and as comfortable as possible during the detox process. Some common physical symptoms that can come with a addiction include:

• Body aches
• Cold sweats
• Sneezing
• Headaches
• Flu-like symptoms
• Intense muscle pain
• Appetite changes
• High blood pressure
• Physical craving of the drug
• Intense muscle pain

Psychological symptoms can include:

• Confusion
• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Depression
• Agitation
• Anxiety

Short-term Effects of Subutex Abuse

Subutex has side effects that can be felt throughout the duration of the drug’s use. While these aren’t life-threatening side effects, they can become concerning if an individual continues to take the drug and their health continues to decline. Some short-term effects can include:

• Stomach pain
• Vomiting
• Sweating
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Blurred vision

Long-term Effects of Subutex Abuse

It’s important to note that Subutex is not meant to be taken for a long period of time. The drug is supposed to be taken just during a detoxification process. Long-term effects can include:

• Insomnia
• Fatigue
• Hives
• Difficulty breathing
• Loss of appetite
• Lack of energy

Subutex Addiction Treatment

When it comes to managing a substance addiction, it’s highly recommended to work with a team of medical professionals to safely wean an individual off of a drug. If the drug intake is stopped too abruptly, withdrawal symptoms  appear faster and come on stronger. When a person chooses to work with a doctor to withdraw off of a substance, the doctor can determine the correct amount to wean off on a regular basis in order to safely transition the patient into sober living, as well as ensure the withdrawal symptoms are not as severe.

One of the most effective ways to detox off  a drug is through an accredited treatment facility. With a variety of locations across the country, The Recovery Village gives people the opportunity to receive thorough treatment and the resources to ensure a sober lifestyle. Patients begin the treatment process through an evaluation with a team of professionals to best determine the severity of the addiction and the best way to approach it. During this time, the team can also determine if there are any other underlying, co-occurring disorders that should be treated as well.

Following evaluation is detoxification. This part of the process is best done with a medical professional to make sure the withdrawal symptoms are taken care of accordingly. Withdrawal symptoms can include:

• Anxiety
• Muscle spasms
• Aggression
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Inability to concentrate
• Depression

Additional withdrawal symptoms can include:

• Paranoia
• Hyperactivity
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Stomach cramps
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea

Once the detoxification process is complete, patients can go through various programs that are decided by the treatment team. Depending on the severity of the individual’s addiction, different kinds of treatment options can be recommended. Within these programs, patients have the opportunity to participate in one-on-one counseling, group therapy and recreational therapeutic activities. Some of these treatment programs are:

• Inpatient Treatment – As the most intensive form of treatment, inpatient care requires patients to stay in the facility, with around-the-clock supervision from a team of treatment professionals. This kind of treatment is most helpful for those who don’t feel safe in their usual environments and fear that they will experience setbacks without the proper guidance. It’s also seen as helpful to those who have a severe addiction. Depending on what the treatment team deems fitting, programs can typically last between 30 and 45 days, but it is possible for patients to stay in treatment for longer amounts of time.
• Outpatient Treatment – Outpatient care allows patients to live at home and commute to the facility for treatment. This kind of program is more helpful to people who cannot step away from their daily responsibilities like their families and careers. These programs can last anywhere between one and three months, but it all depends on the severity of the addiction. For example, patients who are farther into their recovery may only require one or two sessions per week.
• Intensive Outpatient Treatment – Intensive outpatient allows patients to live in the sober living communities offered by The Recovery Village or at home with the proper type of support system. This program specifically focuses on learning the proper coping skills needed to prevent setbacks from occurring. This program includes various kinds of therapy sessions for patients  to attend on a regular basis.

Once one of these programs are completed, patients can transition into aftercare. During this time, individuals can take the skills they learned during treatment and apply them to their lives back in their community. Patients may be recommended to attend regular therapy sessions outside of the facility. Depending on the severity of the addiction, patients may be recommended to attend 12-step programs or live in a sober-living community to ensure setbacks don’t occur.

Visit the following websites to learn about The Recovery Village’s network of rehabilitation facilities. Call today for admissions. Each center is ready to help people learn how to cope with their Ambien addiction and uncover the root causes for their substance use disorder.

• Orlando Recovery Center: A premier rehabilitation facility in Orlando, Florida that helps individuals recover from addiction and substance use disorders. The center also offers the opportunity to treat co-occurring disorders.
• The Recovery Village Columbus: Located in Ohio, this facility provides inpatient, outpatient and aftercare treatment for people looking to begin detox. The center provides individualized plans to help patients through recovery while addressing their unique co-occurring disorders or any setbacks that may happen during recovery.
• The Recovery Village Palmer Lake: In Colorado, this facility offers inpatient, outpatient and intensive outpatient treatment for individuals looking to kick-start their journey to recovery.
• The Recovery Village Ridgefield: Located right in southern Washington, this facility provides patients with outpatient and aftercare programs. Just 20 minutes outside of Portland, this facility assists individuals who are ready to begin treatment.
• The Recovery Village: In Umatilla, Florida, this is a rehabilitation facility that provides resources for individuals seeking drug and alcohol treatment. There are inpatient, outpatient, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization treatment programs available for those suffering from Ambien addiction.
• IAFF Center of Excellence: Specializes in assisting firefighters who struggle with behavioral health problems and addiction. Members can enter the recovery process sooner so they can return back to work as quickly as possible. Inpatient, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs are all available at this facility, where patients can address their Ambien addiction in a safe, supportive environment.
• Denver Mental Health & Counseling: Denver Mental Health and Counseling by The Recovery Village is a physician-led outpatient center specializing in evidence-based addiction and mental health treatments, offering services such as TMS, IOP, and personalized care for both ongoing and new patients, dedicated to fostering long-term recovery and overall well-being.
• The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health: The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health is a premier physician-led treatment center in South Florida, offering a comprehensive spectrum of services from medical detox to outpatient programs for alcohol, drug, and co-occurring mental health conditions, with a commitment to rejuvenating lives, families, and communities, and facilitating same-day admissions.
• The Recovery Village Atlanta: Located in Roswell just outside downtown Atlanta, is a 62-bed physician-led treatment facility offering a comprehensive range of services, from medical detox to outpatient care, specializing in alcohol, drug, and co-occurring mental health conditions, dedicated to transforming lives, families, and communities throughout Georgia.
• The Recovery Village Kansas City: The Recovery Village Kansas City, an 80-bed facility in Raytown just 10 miles from downtown, offers a comprehensive range of evidence-based treatments for addiction and mental health conditions, overseen by physician leaders, and is dedicated to revitalizing lives, families, and communities throughout the Midwest.
• The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper Health: The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper, situated just 20 minutes from Philadelphia, is a leading rehab facility in South Jersey providing comprehensive, evidence-based addiction and mental health treatments, ranging from medical detox to teletherapy, with a dedicated team committed to guiding adults on their path to lifelong recovery.

If you or a loved one struggle with an addiction, call The Recovery Village. Representatives are available to answer any questions you may have regarding treatment and they can help you determine the most beneficial option for treatment. Start your journey to a addiction-free life today.