With the current opioid epidemic have come more solutions for managing opioid use disorder through medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Buprenorphine is one such medication used to treat opioid dependence and addiction. Since opioid withdrawal symptoms can increase your risk of relapse, buprenorphine is used as part of MAT to keep withdrawal symptoms and cravings at bay. An excellent drug and alcohol detox center should now offer buprenorphine treatment to help clients manage withdrawal discomfort as they carve their path to recovery. Keep reading to learn all the buprenorphine information you need to decide if this treatment may provide the support you need.
At Promises Brazos Valley, the aim is to make addiction recovery as comfortable as possible. Our staff tries to remove any barriers to treatment, such as withdrawal discomfort and intense cravings. Our medication-assisted treatment programs incorporate science-backed medications such as buprenorphine to keep our clients feeling more balanced as they withdraw from opioids. Contact us today at 979.426.0086 to learn more about buprenorphine facts and whether or not this treatment may suit you.
What Is Buprenorphine?
Buprenorphine is a prescription medication used to treat adults struggling with addiction to opioid drugs. Buprenorphine works by attaching itself to the same brain receptors as other opioids like heroin, morphine, and codeine. This similarity allows buprenorphine to be less likely to cause an overdose than other opioids, making it a safer way to overcome addiction.
How Buprenorphine Detox Can Help in Overcoming Opioid Addiction
If you become dependent on or addicted to opioids and try to stop using them, you will encounter withdrawal symptoms. The severity of your symptoms will vary depending on your opioid history use. Some common opioid withdrawal symptoms include:
- Abdominal cramps
- Anxiety
- Constipation
- Cravings
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Muscle aches
- Nausea and vomiting
By helping maintain your comfort and reducing cravings, buprenorphine allows you to stay focused on your recovery goals. Since it attaches to the same brain receptors as other opioids, buprenorphine tricks your brain into thinking it is receiving its usual dose of opioids on a smaller scale. This process helps to minimize the withdrawal symptoms you experience when you stop using opioids.
Additional Buprenorphine Information
If you enroll in a buprenorphine detox program to help you overcome opioid addiction, you will usually receive a dose once or twice daily. Buprenorphine is delivered as either a sublingual tablet or film that dissolves under the tongue or inside the cheek. You must allow the medication to dissolve before you resume talking, eating, or drinking. From there, the effects of buprenorphine will kick in within about 30 to 60 minutes.
Buprenorphine Facts for Recovery
If you are interested in trying buprenorphine-based MAT for opioid addiction, here are some details for you to consider:
- Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, meaning it binds to opioid receptors in the brain like other opioid drugs, but stimulates the receptors less. It can produce mild euphoria, much less so than opioids like heroin.
- Buprenorphine can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings for opioids, but it is not a cure for opioid addiction.
- Buprenorphine must be combined with therapy and support as part of a comprehensive treatment plan to be most effective.
- Although buprenorphine only partially activates opioid receptors, it still carries a potential for addiction. You must use your medication exactly as prescribed and speak to your doctor if you experience withdrawal symptoms.
For safe, effective buprenorphine treatment, pick a reputable treatment center and follow your provider’s instructions for your medication.
Find Support with Buprenorphine Detox at Promises Brazos Valley
If you would like support to get through the discomfort of opioid withdrawal, you can rely on the professionals at Promises Brazos Valley. Our buprenorphine MAT can help you get through withdrawal with greater ease and focus. Call us today at 979.426.0086 to schedule an assessment to determine if you are a good candidate for buprenorphine treatment.