Suboxone Detox for Hydrocodone
Suboxone is a drug used to assist in detox for opiate addiction. It consists of two active ingredients, buprenorphine and naloxone. The buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. Drugs like heroin, morphine, oxycodone and hydrocodone are full opioid agonists. Because buprenorphine is only a partial opioid agonist, it does not produce the same intense high as the full opioid agonists.
Despite causing a milder high, Suboxone serves to suppress drug cravings and minimize withdrawal symptoms from detoxification. These effects help keep patients committed to and focused on treatment rather than having to deal with the physical consequences of detoxification. Additionally, Suboxone does not have the same potential for addition as Methadone, used by some to medically manage opiate addiction. When appropriate, Suboxone can be gradually phased down, and Suboxone withdrawal symptoms are mild and easily managed.
Subutex is another drug with buprenorphine as the active ingredient. It is also used to treat opiate addiction. It differs from Suboxone in that it does not contain naloxone, which is an opioid antagonist. The naloxone in Suboxone is meant to deter users from snorting or injecting crushed or dissolved pills. In certain situations, Subutex may be preferred over Suboxone for initial detoxification, but cases are evaluated individually. Both Subutex and Suboxone have been FDA-approved for addiction treatment since 2002.
Using Suboxone treatment for hydrocodone addiction can allow some people to carry on with their normal lives while going through detox. Some patients can obtain a take-home supply of Suboxone and attend counseling sessions as appropriate. Inpatient detox treatment may not be necessary with Suboxone detox.
Source: http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugpages/buprenorphine.html
Click here to read the next part in the series, “Causes of OxyContin Abuse.” Click here to return to the first part in the series, “Introduction to Oxycodone Abuse, Addiction and Treatment.”
Pat Moore Foundation’s drug & alcohol detox and alcohol & drug addiction treatment programs are licensed and certified by The State of California. We provide non-medical and medically managed detoxification (using Suboxone, Subutex, and Buprenorphine when appropriate) and primary residential treatment. 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 (888) 426-6086 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.