Suboxone is a medication that treats opioid use disorder. While Suboxone is usually safe for most people, this medication does carry a risk of dependence and addiction. Therefore, it is crucial to weigh the risks before using Suboxone to treat opioid addiction. However, if a person does get addicted, Suboxone detox centers and treatment programs in Los Angeles, California are here to help. LA Detox helps people with addiction to a variety of substances, including medications initially used for other addictions. Our detox programs are the first step of a full treatment plan for Suboxone addiction.

What is Suboxone?

Suboxone is a brand-name drug that combines 2 medications—buprenorphine and naloxone to treat opioid use disorder. Suboxone has some advantages over other medications used for the same purpose. First, Suboxone is less addictive than methadone. Second, this medication has fewer side effects than other drugs to treat opioid addiction. Third, a primary care physician can give Suboxone (compared to specialized clinics for methadone).

Lastly, Suboxone is available in easy-to-take dissolvable films (sublingual) or tablets. However, while Suboxone is less habit-forming than methadone, Suboxone still carries the risk of dependency and addiction. As always, a person must consider the pros and cons of any medication before treating opioid use disorder. But, first, it is important to know how Suboxone works. In addition, it’s important to seek detox centers that have experience in treating Suboxone addiction if one becomes addicted.

How Does Suboxone Treat Opioid Addiction?

Suboxone treats opioid addiction by occupying space on the opioid receptors and blocking the effects of additional opioids. A person gets the benefits of 2 medications when using Suboxone. Overall, Suboxone is easy to use and limits a person’s cravings for opioids.

Suboxone combines naloxone and buprenorphine to treat opioid addiction:

  • Naloxone treats opioid overdoses by quickly reversing the effects of opioids. This drug is often used during emergencies and is not used alone as a long-term medication-assisted treatment (MAT). However, when combined with buprenorphine, naloxone helps to block the effects of opioids to prevent relapse and accidental overdose during recovery.
  • Buprenorphine is FDA-approved as MAT for opioid use disorder. This medication is a partial opioid agonist, so it has similar effects as other opioids, such as euphoria and respiratory depression. However, buprenorphine’s effects are much weaker than other opioids like heroin or morphine, and even methadone. By acting on the opioid receptors, this drug blocks or blunts the effects of other opioids in case of relapse to prevent an overdose.

When combined, these drugs both work to block the effects of opioids, reduce cravings, and lessen the severity of withdrawal symptoms. However, since buprenorphine produces effects similar to other opioids, a person could become dependent on any medication with this ingredient, like Suboxone.

People meeting at Suboxone detox centers in Los Angeles

Can a Person Get Addicted to Suboxone?

In short, yes, a person can get addicted to Suboxone. Though the effects of Suboxone are much less severe than opioids like heroin, morphine, or fentanyl, they still activate the opioid receptors in the brain. These receptors are responsible for reducing pain and feeling good, and opioids “hijack” these receptors to produce their effects.

While Suboxone has safeguards to minimize and stop the effects, a person can get addicted to these effects. They might begin taking higher doses of Suboxone to feel the way they did before they began MAT for opioid addiction. Therefore, it is vital to know the signs and symptoms of Suboxone addiction before starting treatment.

Signs and Symptoms of Suboxone Addiction

Any type of drug that acts on the opioid receptors carries the risk of dependency and addiction. Even drugs like methadone and Suboxone used as MAT for addiction can be habit-forming.

The signs and symptoms of Suboxone addiction include the following:

  • Slurred speech
  • Difficulty thinking clearly
  • Poor coordination
  • Weakness
  • Itching
  • Burning tongue
  • “Doctor shopping” for more Suboxone
  • Lying about symptoms to get higher doses

As a result of these symptoms, a person should be careful when using Suboxone. Professionals at Suboxone detox centers in Los Angeles can help a person taper off or safely detox from this drug.

What is Suboxone Detox?

Suboxone detox is the first level of treatment in regards to recovering from addiction to Suboxone. In some cases, a person might be dependent on the drug, which is slightly different than addiction. For instance, a person might take Suboxone as prescribed, yet will have withdrawal symptoms when they suddenly stop taking it. However, an addicted person will abuse Suboxone for the euphoric effects of the drug.

Both addicts and those with a dependency will have withdrawal symptoms, which can be distressing and painful. Unfortunately, a person is at an increased risk of relapse and accidental overdose when they detox alone. Therefore, detox is needed for both addiction and dependence. During Suboxone detox in Los Angeles, professionals monitor symptoms to keep a person safe and comfortable as they go through the withdrawal process at detox centers.

Suboxone Detox and Withdrawal Timeline

Suboxone detox and withdrawal will take about 1 to 2 weeks for most people. Generally speaking, detox involves managing acute withdrawal symptoms. Following Suboxone detox, a person should continue treatment at inpatient or outpatient rehab centers such as LA Detox in Los Angeles, CA for continued support.

Suboxone detox and withdrawal roughly move along the following timeline:

1 to 3 Days of Detox

During the first few days of detox, a person will have withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can appear within a few hours after they stop taking Suboxone. Withdrawal symptoms gradually increase in severity, peaking around day 3.

Withdrawal symptoms include the following:

  • Nausea and diarrhea
  • Profuse sweating
  • Fever and chills
  • Restlessness
  • Dilated pupils
  • Watery eyes

After the third day, these symptoms will decrease in severity throughout the remainder of detox.

1 Week Later

A week after quitting Suboxone, lingering withdrawal symptoms can continue. Despite symptoms not being extremely severe, a person might struggle to sleep, have mood swings, and get bodily pains. These pains include muscle and stomach aches, as well as joint pains.

2 Weeks Later

Physical pain usually goes away within 2 weeks. However, some people might continue to have some pains, especially if their opioid addiction was caused by prescription painkillers. A person might still be somewhat restless, irritable, and moody. In addition, mental health symptoms, like depression or anxiety, can appear or worsen without treatment.

3 Weeks After Detox

While most physical symptoms should go away, like pains and sleeplessness, a person could have emotional effects after detox. Since Suboxone addiction might have been caused by underlying mental health issues, these symptoms could return after quitting. Therefore, it is critical to get into treatment, as mental health issues could trigger a relapse.

Woman detoxing from suboxone at detox centers near Los Angeles

What Happens at Suboxone Treatment Centers in Los Angeles, California?

Suboxone treatment centers in Los Angeles offer a variety of options for treating this addiction. During detox, a person can overcome withdrawal symptoms and begin recovery from addiction. Since people taking Suboxone have likely used this as MAT for addiction, they might need to shore up other treatment needs. In other words, Suboxone might have replaced an addiction rather than treat the underlying causes.

Ultimately, detox is about safely managing the acute symptoms of withdrawal. At Suboxone treatment centers in Los Angeles, a person’s symptoms are monitored to help ease the process and keep them comfortable. In addition, they are safe from triggers and other temptations to relapse with 24/7 supervision. Finally, mental health therapy begins with support from staff and clinicians during detox.

LA Detox offers many therapy options for mental health during Suboxone detox, such as:

These therapies are especially crucial for post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). PAWS can cause cravings for Suboxone long after detox, as well as other mental health symptoms. Therefore, aftercare following detox is vital for long-term recovery from addiction.

Begin Treatment for Suboxone at Our Detox in Los Angeles, CA

LA Detox offers Suboxone treatment in Los Angeles, California. Our suboxone detox center can help you begin recovery from addiction. We also understand that clients addicted to Suboxone might be wary of treatment, as Suboxone is meant to treat opioid use disorder. Therefore, we are here to answer your questions about detox and our other levels of treatment before you begin. Contact us today to take the first steps in your recovery.