Suboxone Doctor Santa Ana

 

Santa Ana Suboxone Doctor

 

Suboxone treatment for substance abuse – everything you need to know

 

Are you searching for a Suboxone doctor in Santa Ana?  For those who are not familiar with this term, let us start by saying that this is a strong medication, very powerful, and specially created to help the ones who are suffering from additions. Suboxone  is designed as a prescription, to be taken to treat people who struggle and suffer particularly with opioid addictions like the ones from oxycodone or heroin and can only be prescribed by a Suboxone Doctor. This medication comes as a mixture of buprenorphine which is a partial opioid agonist that is similar to methadone, and naloxone, that that temporarily stop an overdose. This is done by blocking the effects of the opioid drugs reflecting directly onto the brain.

 

 

The first ingredient, buprenorphine, is a medication that is approved by the FDA. It is a lower-risk option and alternative to methadone. These properties have allowed the Suboxone doctors to prescribe it to the patients who want to end their addiction, not only in their offices but out of them too. Contrary to buprenorphine, taking and prescribing methadone requires strict dosage supervision. Most commonly, the patients need to visit a special clinic so that they can receive the dose. With the addition of the second ingredient to the medication, naloxone, the pharmaceutical companies tried to create a product, that will have less potential for abuse. In the best-case scenario, the naloxone component of the Suboxone medication would prevent a person from crushing the medication to bypass the slow release of buprenorphine. Then comes the step of snorting or injecting the drug. If a person tries to abuse Suboxone in that way, naloxone acts and prevents the brain, through its receptors, from receiving the buprenorphine, resulting in a person's withdrawal.

 

One of the main characteristics and benefits of taking this medication is that reduces the cravings for the opioid addiction, whichever it might be, and eases and relieves the physical and psychological symptoms which come up when people suffer during withdrawal. Suboxone is important for people who are physically dependent on opioids because it signals the brain opioid receptors to release dopamine and keep the person feeling normal.

 

Suboxone Treatment in Santa Ana

 

The suboxone treatment in Orange County consists of 4 phases: induction phase, stabilization phase, maintenance phase, and recovery. To better understand the entire process and the treatment, here is a detailed explanation of each of the phases of the treatment.

 

                Induction phase

 

The induction phase is the first and initial phase of the Suboxone treatment. It is conducted under the supervision of a Suboxone doctor in Santa Ana. The phase starts when the person is in their early stages of withdrawal. The Suboxone doctor prescribes the medication and tries to find the lowest dose that will have effects on the patient. Namely, this dose should reduce the person's use of other opioids without causing withdrawal symptoms, which can be followed by serious side effects or cravings.

 

In case Suboxone is taken before entering the early stages of withdrawal, or there are other opioids present in the system, Suboxone can cause acute feelings of withdrawal.

 

Stabilization phase

 

After the induction phase, comes the second phase, called the stabilization phase. As the name suggests, it is the phase where the body has been stabilized after taking the medication. In this particular case of Suboxone, it means that this is the phase that starts when the cravings for opioids have become less intensive, and all of the possible side effects have disappeared or lowered.

 

The adjustment of the Suboxone dose is possible in this phase, strictly under the supervision and prescription of the Santa Ana Suboxone doctor.

 

There are some possible side effects that might appear in this phase, due to the use of Buprenorphine such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation.

 

Maintenance phase

 

After the stabilization phase comes to the maintenance phase. Under the direction of the Suboxone doctor, the patient continues to take the Suboxone medication, as prescribed. Besides this, this phase includes seeking counseling or some other forms of behavioral therapy that might help in the process. Once the body and the condition in this phase are stabilized, the patient can begin the process of Suboxone withdrawal. This is done by slowly tapering off the drug which allows smoother transition and reduced the possibility of relapse.

 

Recovery

 

The last stage in the Suboxone treatment is recovery. The recovery is also known as aftercare, which includes planning, followed by supervision of a counselor or case manager. Some other ways include outpatient therapy. This is usually a 12-step process and program, that can be done individually or in groups. The duration of the recovery phase can last differently, varying from person to person, depending on their condition. It can also be adjusted up or down depending on the patient's needs. The last two stages of the Suboxone treatment – the medical maintenance phase and the long-term recovery phase, last the longest, and sometimes, it might result in an indefinite time frame. If you are looking for a Suboxone doctor in Santa Ana for addiction treatment contact our helpline today and discuss your options now.

 

Santa Ana Suboxone Treatment: Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q: How can a person get Suboxone in Santa Ana?

A: Suboxone therapy is one of the therapies that are more accessible than other medication-assisted treatments, compared to the methadone treatment. Suboxone can be prescribed by:

 

* Physician’s Office - Suboxone doctor;

* Community hospital;

* Health department;

* Correctional facility.

 

Q: Who is the ideal candidate for Suboxone treatment?

A: The ideal candidate for Suboxone treatment is the one who is:

 

* evaluated and diagnosed with opioid dependence, by a qualified physician;

* willing to follow safety treatment precautions;

* does not have any health issues, like lung or liver conditions;

* has tried with all other treatment options available, but unsuccessfully, before going for medication-assisted treatment.

 

Q: What are the long-term effects of Suboxone use?

A:  The long-term Suboxone use can lead to physical and/or mental health challenges. That is why Suboxone must only be used under the supervision of a Suboxone doctor.

 

Q: Can a person overdose on Suboxone?

A: Since Suboxone is an opioid, its misuse can lead to dependence. There is also the possibility of overdosing. The possible signs of Suboxone overdose include:

 

* pinpoint pupils;

* Extreme drowsiness;

* Dizziness;

* Blurred vision;

* Slowed breathing or respiratory depression.

 

Q: What is the difference between Suboxone vs Methadone Treatment?

A: There are differences between both treatments. However, both medications are effective in treating opioid addiction. Suboxone is a more cost-effective treatment, because it has a lower rate of dependence and overdose, compared to methadone. There are higher rates of relapse possibility within the methadone treatment patients compared to the Suboxone ones.

 

Q: Is it possible to switch from methadone to Suboxone?

A: Yes. It is important to know that the medications work differently, and the patient might not be satisfied with the results. Also, some more severe opioid dependence might be more successfully treated with methadone.

 

Q: What are the possible side effects form Suboxone use:

A: The most common side effects are:

 

*Headache;

*Cravings;

*Nausea;

*Fever;

*Insomnia;

*Sweating;

*Abdominal pain;

*Back pain;

*Constipation;

*Irritability;

*Anxiety / Depression.

 

Q: What drugs should you avoid while taking Suboxone?

A: Patients taking Suboxone should always consult with their Suboxone doctor about taking other medications alongside Suboxone. There are certain health risks that are increased when Suboxone is mixed with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other central nervous system depressants. The effects from that might include severe respiratory depression, over-sedation, coma, and in some cases even death.