When it comes to addiction recovery, making a choice to get clean is of the utmost importance. However, choosing your method for recovery matters as well. It is essential to be fully informed about every option available. Many people are asking, “What is buprenorphine?” and wondering how can it help with opioid addiction treatment.

An Overview of Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine is a drug that is used to treat various opioid addictions. It is different from other popular medications like methadone because it does not require as much observation. When taking buprenorphine, patients can be treated at doctors’ offices, community hospitals, and health centers. Therefore, this drug is highly versatile and widely accessible to those trying to recover from opioid addiction.

How Buprenorphine Works

There are several versions of buprenorphine. Some variations are combined with other drugs and may be taken as a film or tablet. Regardless of the form, this drug has specific properties^[1] that make it a common choice for opioid addictions. It has been shown to reduce physical dependence on opioids and protect people in case of an overdose. Because this drug is a partial opioid agonist, it produces a mild euphoric effect for patients.

Side Effects of Buprenorphine

Although there are some positive aspects of buprenorphine, the drug has significant drawbacks^[2]. While on buprenorphine, patients may experience nausea or constipation. There may be muscle aches, food cravings, and insomnia. Patients have also reported distress and fever. Patients are warned only to take buprenorphine under supervision. It may interact with other medications, illegal drugs, and alcohol. There is also significant evidence that people abuse buprenorphine, which defeats its therapeutic purpose.

Recommended Uses of Buprenorphine

Not everyone should take buprenorphine. It is only recommended when there is a legitimate opioid dependency. Patients must be ready to follow a strict treatment plan^[3] and have no other health problems. Treatment with buprenorphine typically happens in three phases. First, patients must be introduced to the drug. It can be taken as little as 12 hours after opioid usage. After this, patients must stabilize their usage. At this phase, patients should have stopped or significantly reduced their opioid usage. Buprenorphine doses may be adjusted as needed. Finally, patients must maintain their treatment. Some patients can be weaned off buprenorphine. Others may take the drug indefinitely under supervision.

Other Treatment Options

There are reasons to consider buprenorphine when trying to overcome opioid addiction. However, taking another drug to get over your addiction is not always the best approach. Many patients discover that a more holistic approach offers distinct advantages. Therefore, you should ask yourself, “What is buprenorphine, and can it help me with my addiction?” Then, you should consider what treatment will work best for you.

Ocean Hills Recovery looks at addiction treatment as a personalized journey that you choose to make. We work with our clients to help them develop the tools they need to personally address their addiction daily. We use a powerful combination of treatment options. You may recover through individual counseling, group support sessions, lifestyle changes, personal accountability, and more. To discover how we can help you on your path to recovery through holistic healing, contact our trusted team today.

Sources:

[1] https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/08/13/741113454/its-the-go-to-drug-for-opioid-addiction-so-why-won-t-more-pharmacists-stock-it?fbclid=IwAR33umUwGpXYjN_l1vPc8O2FnXcc5Q2lo-wa4mWqhBsRwWI5zpsSNF8SOSc

[2] https://www.rxlist.com/consumer_buprenorphine_buprenex/drugs-condition.htm

[3] https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/treatment/buprenorphine

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does drug and alcohol rehab last?

The length of your stay at drug and alcohol rehab will vary for each person attending rehab and from treatment center to treatment center. Most inpatient programs are at least 30 days long; however, some programs may incorporate a shorter inpatient stay with a more extended outpatient stay. The best rehab centers will provide a more custom treatment plan for each person that takes into account the individual’s needs before determining the length of treatment. Ocean Hills Recovery offers a variety of options for addiction treatment. A typical stay at our inpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs last between 30 to 45 days.

Do I need inpatient or outpatient treatment?

Outpatient is an excellent option for people who are unable to take time away from work or their families while receiving addiction treatment. Inpatient treatment is an excellent option for people who can be away from their work or families for at least several weeks for treatment. We recommend that you contact a reliable treatment center, like Ocean Hills Recovery, for a complete assessment before you decide whether inpatient or outpatient treatment for addiction is best for you.

Should I get addiction treatment locally or away?

The answer to whether you should go away or stay local for addiction treatment is very individual. Many people need to get away from their everyday life for them to fully submerge themselves in their addiction recovery process. For these individuals, going to an out of state treatment center is the best option to be able to commit fully and concentrate on their recovery. For others, this is not an option because of work or family obligations.

What do I do if I don’t have insurance for drug rehab?

There are options for drug rehab, even if you don’t have insurance. When you decide to get help, the best thing to do is to find a treatment philosophy that you believe may help and contact them for assistance. Rehab professionals can help you determine if you have insurance coverage for addiction treatment, and what options are best for you. Many drug rehabs accept insurance but also have private pay, or financing options available. Contact our rehab admissions specialist today, and we can help you navigate insurance questions, payment options, and treatment plans.

How to find a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center?

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website is a great place to start when you are looking for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. We recommend that you make a list of a few different centers to contact and speak with them to get a feel for their programs, therapies, and staff and find the center that you feel most comfortable with. Have a list of questions that you can ask each center to help you through the process. One of the most important questions to ask is if the rehab holds accreditation by CARF. Having a state license is no longer enough to ensure that a rehab center is reputable. If the rehab holds CARF accreditation, they have had to meet a more strict set of guidelines and procedures.

Do I need detox before addiction treatment?

Many people require detox to help manage withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. There are several factors that we take into consideration to determine if you will need detox before addiction treatment. Our admissions professionals work with each person to obtain a thorough history of substance use and other medical conditions to help make the appropriate recommendations for care. You must give accurate information so that we can keep you as comfortable as possible if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. However, detox is only the first step in addiction recovery. For long-lasting addiction recovery, a person must deal with the underlying issues that lead to substance use in the first place. Contact us today for a confidential assessment.

What Is Buprenorphine?