Suboxone Treatment in Asheville

Medication-Assisted Opioid Addiction Treatment

For those struggling with severe substance use disorders and addictions, medication-assisted treatment may be an effective recovery option. At Carolina Recovery Solutions, we offer a range of medically supported alcohol and drug addiction treatments, including suboxone treatment for opioid use disorders.

When used alongside other opioid abuse treatments, such as behavioral therapy, suboxone treatment can significantly improve an individual’s ability to overcome addiction. Specifically, suboxone treatment can help reduce cravings for both prescription opioid drugs and illicit substances, such as heroin. This greatly reduces the risk of relapse and empowers individuals to navigate withdrawal, triggers, and long-term sobriety.

Continue reading to learn more about our suboxone treatment in Asheville or contact us at (828) 383-8328 to speak to a member of our team today.

What Is Suboxone Treatment?

Suboxone treatment is a form of medication-assisted opioid addiction treatment. The purpose of suboxone treatment is to help ease some of the discomfort associated with opioid withdrawal, as well as to reduce cravings, which can lead to relapse.

Suboxone is the brand name for buprenorphine-naloxone, two medications that act as “opioid antagonists.” It is a prescription medication that has been proven effective in the treatment of opioid abuse and addiction, as it has an opposite effect of “opioid agonists,” such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and heroin. Opioid agonists (or, simply, opioids) alter chemical processes in the brain to release a flood of endorphins that mimic sensations of pleasure and wellbeing while blocking pain. Opioid antagonists, like suboxone, work to stop the effects of opioid agonists, meaning the effects of opioids are negated. In other words, suboxone treatment helps stop the pleasurable effects of opioids, thereby reducing their effectiveness.

Suboxone treatment has been proven to be highly effective in treating opioid abuse and addiction because it:

• Decreases the effectiveness of opioids
• Reduces cravings
• Eases opioid withdrawal symptoms
• Is less habit-forming than methadone
• Is relatively easy and inexpensive to obtain

In the past, methadone treatment was the primary medication-assisted opioid addiction treatment method. However, methadone can be habit-forming, meaning it has a relatively high potential for misuse and abuse. Many patients in recovery for opioid use disorders struggled to control methadone use, making this a less-desirable form of opioid addiction treatment.

How Is Suboxone Administered?

Suboxone can only be administered via prescription. It is not available as an over-the-counter medication and, in most cases, suboxone treatment is most successful when it is administered in a carefully controlled and monitored environment.

Suboxone is available in two forms:

• Tablet
• Sublingual film

Both forms of suboxone are taken orally and produce the same effects. However, there are some advantages to each form. While tablets are slightly less expensive—and relatively more discreet—than sublingual film, it is easier for patients to slowly taper their dosage using the sublingual film form of suboxone. In any case, patients should never wean themselves off of suboxone without the guidance of a licensed medical professional.

Suboxone Treatment Is One Element of Opioid Addiction Treatment

It is important that individuals recognize that suboxone treatment is just one element of their overall recovery. Although it can be extremely helpful in supporting your recovery, suboxone treatment alone is generally not enough to overcome an opioid use disorder or addiction. Rather, it should be used in conjunction with various other forms of addiction treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), group sessions, couples and family counseling, life skills development, and more. A combination of medication-assisted treatment and therapy has been proven to be effective for some people in achieving and maintaining sobriety.

At Carolina Recovery Solutions, our Asheville suboxone clinic encompasses a variety of therapeutic treatments designed to help patients:

• Understand behaviors that lead to addiction, as well as behaviors caused by addiction
• Develop healthy behaviors to replace unhealthy ones
• Repair interpersonal relationships with family members, friends, and others
• Identify triggers and manage cravings
• Learn to manage stress in a productive and healthy way
• Obtain necessary strategies, tools, and skills to prevent relapse
• Connect with a community of people navigating similar issues and challenges

Our goal is to ensure you have the support, encouragement, and motivation you need to stick to your recovery plan, both now and in the future. We work with a range of medication-assisted treatment programs and suboxone clinics throughout North Carolina and the surrounding areas, and we accept most major health insurance plans.

Call (828) 383-8328 or contact us online to learn more about our suboxone treatment in Asheville and beyond. We are happy to answer your questions and address any concerns you may have.