Taking opiate drugs always has a cause and an effect which can be most challenging when someone decides to go through detox. To offset withdrawal symptoms, many individuals with an opiate dependency will use Suboxone as a medication to continue daily function and to avoid withdrawal symptoms during the recovery process. However, there is a growing debate over whether or not Suboxone is really a suitable recovery option for opiate recovers to use long-term.
Suboxone has gained popularity in recent years because it affects the same receptors in the brain as that of more traditional opiates like heroin, oxycodone, or methadone. The claim among many is that Suboxone does not produce the same “high” related to these other substances, so it is thought to be a safe alternative to “harder drugs.”
A more balanced view of Suboxone is that when taken under professional supervision, it can assist with detox but may turn problematic if addiction is formed and should be tapered off gradually as soon as possible. The whole purpose of a detox is to bring the individual to a point where they no longer need an opiate drug to get through the day. Because Suboxone can lead to some very dangerous withdrawal symptoms (life-threatening breathing problems, rapid heartbeat, loss of consciousness) so it is reasonable to assume that an individual struggling with an opiate dependency who is serious about getting better would not want to exchange one problem for another or to possibly die from an opiate overdose.
While Suboxone is an opiate that can be substituted for illegal opiates and prescribed by a doctor, many opiate users obtain Suboxone illegally, which gives room for pause as to its actual therapeutic value. Drug addiction occurs as the toxins of the substance accumulate and become trapped within the individual’s fatty tissues after years of drug abuse.
The cleaning and removal of these toxins, commonly referred to as “detoxification,” describes the body’s ability to gradually metabolize these accumulated toxins so that the individual no longer experiences physical cravings for their drug of choice. The process involved with a conventional detox program seems to clash with the true definition of detoxification if a medical professional chooses to substitute one opiate for another to assist in their patient’s recovery. Although prolonged withdrawal may be more uncomfortable, the level of discomfort (with the exception of the most extreme cases of addiction) is often necessary for an individual with an opiate dependency to completely reach recovery.
Although Suboxone is one of the widely used methods used for conventional detox programs, it only addresses the physical aspects of opiate addiction while bypassing the emotional and mental aspects of drug addiction which are just as important if not more. On the other hand, natural drug detox recovery focuses on diet, nutrition, supplements, vitamins to cleanse and detoxify the client instead of simply switching them to a mild opiate to alleviate withdrawal symptoms which is usually one of the reasons for the failure of traditional treatment and recovery facilities.
Additionally, a natural recovery detox program will incorporate behavioral steps that will educate the patient as to the benefits of undergoing detox naturally as well as addressing any underlying issues that may have led to opiate abuse in the first place when they enter a facility. The ultimate objective of addiction recovery starts first with a successful detox by accelerating the natural recovery process and not using an opiate-like Suboxone as a cure-all treatment long term with the higher risk of relapsing in the future.
It is understandable that many opiate users desire to stop opiate consumption without going through the array of unwanted withdrawal symptoms that go along with a detox. However, it is wise to consider the lingering effects of taking Suboxone long-term. There are a number of detox methods and options available to someone who needs help with opiate addiction, and seeking help is the first and most important step that they can take toward recovery.
When someone is addicted to drugs such as opiates, they can also develop a physical dependence on a substitute opiate as well over time. It is common knowledge that the detox process can create uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Suboxone withdrawal can last for months, and the risk of addiction stems from its largest active ingredient, Buprenorphine HCl, which is also an opiate. However, an individual can minimize the long-term risks of using Suboxone by choosing a detox recovery program that will treat several aspects of a drug addiction naturally to achieve recovery.
