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A condition many addicts face is opioid dependence. It is a complicated condition, one that is challenging to overcome. It can be overwhelming. There is help though. Opioid addiction can be treated with a narcotic medication called Suboxone.

But, let’s step back just a bit an answer a basic question. What is an Opioid? An opioid is a pain-killer, chemical substance that acts like morphine within the body. There are three classifications of opioids: natural, morphine, codeine, thebaine, and oripavine; semi-sythetic, hydromorphone, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and heroin; and fully-synthetic, fentanyly, pethidine, methadone, and propoxyphene.

One of the most promising treatment regimens within our industry is the use of Suboxone for opioid dependence. The primary ingredient in Suboxone is buprenorphine, which is an opioid partial agonist, meaning that since it is an opioid it can produce typical opioid agonist effects and side effects such as euphoria and respiratory depression. The maximum effects, however, are less than that of full agonists like heroin and methadone. At low doses buprenorphine produces sufficient agonist effects to enable an individual with an opiate addiction to discontinue the misuse of opioids without experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Also added to Suboxone is naloxone. Naloxone prevents or physically discourages addicts from dissolving the tablet or film and injecting it.

Withdrawal from opioid dependence is intense, painful. Many have tried without help and some have tried with the help of methadone, but then became addicted to methadone; essentially trading one addiction for the other. We at Pat Moore Foundation, have helped many people who have done just that, but as part of our Suboxone detox protocol, once the Suboxone treatment is completed clients are under supervision for 48 hours to monitor any Post-acute-withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) related symptoms.

What is PAWS? Post-Acute Withdrawal Symptoms: Even after you stopped using drugs and alcohol, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness and memory loss can continue for a long time. Stress is a huge trigger for these feelings. You’ll have thoughts of self-medicating with alcohol or drugs.

Pat Moore Foundation’s alcohol & drug addiction treatment programs are licensed and certified by The State of California. Pat Moore Foundation patients have access to opiate and opioid detoxficiation provided by a third party medical corporation that uses suboxone for the detoxification process. Our individual homes are on a unique co-ed campus where we offer gender specific treatment. We are located in Costa Mesa, in Orange County, Southern California, close to Newport Beach and Huntington Beach, and only an hour’s drive from Los Angeles and San Diego. To speak with a counselor, please call us 24-hours at the number above, or if you’d like us to contact you, send a confidential message online by filling out our online form.

Note: All medical services are administered by medical professionals, which are facilitated and operated solely under the jurisdiction of a separate medical corporation.

As a side note:

In November of 2009, our in-house blogger, Recovery Rob, posted “Suboxone: Is it Addictive?” For a while it didn’t garner a lot of attention. The blog was read, but it wasn’t until January 2011 that someone commented. Please take a few moments to read the blog and the comments on the link above.