Opioids and Addiction
Opioids are a class of drugs that are used to manage severe and/or chronic pain. Examples include oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, hydromorphone, and heroin. Opioids are used for short periods of time to treat moderate to severe pain, such as after a serious injury, accident, or surgery. Opioids are also used for managing long-term pain, such as chronic back pain or disease.
Unfortunately, opioids are an addictive drug. Opioids attach to the brain’s receptors that assist in pleasurable feelings such as mental calmness, desensitization, and euphoria. These feelings can be so desirable, the person continues to takes the drug to “feel good” even if taking the drug causes harm. After taking opioids for an extended period, the body becomes physically dependent, or addicted.
Opioid dependence causes cravings, leaving the person to compulsively seek the drug. Stopping or taking less of the drug can cause withdrawal symptoms.
These are potential withdrawal symptoms:
- agitation or irritability
- anxiety
- fast heartbeat
- sweating
- belly cramps
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- muscle aches
- sleep problems
Suboxone clinics in Colorado Springs are available for individuals seeking treatment and to help with withdrawal symptoms.
What are Suboxone Clinics?
Suboxone Clinics are outpatient rehabilitation centers for opioid or alcohol addiction. Suboxone is the primary medication used for opioid addiction treatment. Medications in Suboxone clinics include:
Suboxone clinics use a treatment regimen called medication-assisted treatment, or MAT. This “whole patient” approach uses medications combined with therapy and counseling to provide a more comprehensive recovery plan.
What is Suboxone?
Suboxone (buprenorphine) is an opioid partial agonist approved by the FDA for opioid addiction treatment and is effective in preventing relapse. It attaches to the same receptors in the brain as other opioids, except it acts differently. However, Suboxone occupies the opioid receptors of the brain and prevents other opioids from engaging these receptors. Thus, an individual cannot get high from an another opioid as long as Suboxone occupies the brain’s opioid receptors. In addition, Suboxone will prevent someone from going through withdrawal symptoms as a result of discontinuing other opioids drugs.
Suboxone is a controlled medication that can only be prescribed by a specially licensed practitioner. With close monitoring, Suboxone can be used for years to help maintain long-term recovery.
Is a Suboxone Clinic Right for You?
If you are struggling with opioid addiction, a Suboxone clinic in Colorado Springs might be right for you. Legal or illegal, opioids have caused people from all around the world to be at risk for addiction.
If you are not sure you are dealing with an addiction, here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- Do you use heroin or painkillers?
- Are you using the drug longer than you originally planned, or is it illegal?
- Are you trying to cut back on using, or have been unsuccessful in your attempts in the past?
- Do you have strong cravings for this drug?
- Has the drug use created problems in your relationships, personal, social, or work life?
If you answered “yes” to most or all of these questions, you may be a candidate for our Suboxone clinic. Contact us here.
Visit Us Today
At Achieve Whole Recovery, we are proud to provide state-of-the-art treatment plans using federally approved medications and a varying array of therapies for opioid addiction. Our physicians and therapists are experts in addiction psychiatry, group and individual talk therapy, behavioral health, and MAT so that our patients can receive care that is tailored to their needs.
Achieve Whole Recovery offers Suboxone clinics in Colorado Springs and throughout the Denver area.. Our outpatient clinics empower our patients with the flexibility to remain connected to their loved ones and maintain responsibilities in their lives.
With physician-guided care, therapy, and medication, it is absolutely possible to attain complete, lasting recovery from addiction. Make an appointment today 719-373-9703