Suboxone is a chemical that is often used to help people who are struggling with an opioid addiction like heroin. Although suboxone is very effective, it is also addictive itself. A lot of people get to the point where they no longer want to be dependent on suboxone, at which point they decide to take themselves off it. However, without appropriate clinical support, like the type we offer at Creative Care, it is very likely that they will relapse, often returning to their initial opiate addiction. Creative Care is one of the few drug and alcohol rehab clinics in the country that deals with this type of detox, as it is an identified gap in provision that we are trying to fill.
Understanding Suboxone Detox Programs
We believe that every person is different, which is why we create individual treatment plans. Whether you have come to us to detox off opioids and were prescribe suboxone, or whether you received suboxone through a different clinician, our goal is to make sure you can live a life that is free of all substances. Hence, we will help you not just in terms of detoxing of suboxone, but also in terms of then maintaining a sober life. This is something that makes us unique in the field of detox programs.
The program has a strong focus on integrative services. We do this by working with you as an individual, but also in group settings with others who are in a similar situation as you. Furthermore, we offer holistic care, including more alternative therapies such as nutritional wellness, meditation, acupuncture and more. We will work with you to identify the type of treatment that will be most effective to you.
We believe that this is the only way to ensure your withdrawal anxiety can be overcome. Furthermore, alternative treatments are a fantastic way to help you find better coping strategies for stressful situations. Hence, the chance of you relapsing will be significantly reduced.
Statistics on Suboxone Detox and Maintenance
It is known that those on a suboxone maintenance program are at significant risk of relapse. It is also known that around 65% of people on maintenance drugs quit themselves without support. This is because these drugs still create a sense of intoxication and emotional bluntness, which they want to avoid. However, in doing so, they have a far greater chance of returning the opiate they were on before using suboxone, often because it is much easier to get on the street market. This can be avoided by receiving proper clinical support, where they will learn how to deal with the anxiety associated with withdrawal.
A Creative Care, we will create a tailored clinical program so that your individual needs and requirements are addressed. This means that there is no set time limit on a treatment program either. Some people find they are off suboxone within a week, others take a month or more. Furthermore, we have a particular focus on people with a dual diagnosis, being those that also have an underlying mental health issue. During the program, you will also receive therapy to deal with these issues.
The Process of Suboxone Detox
If you or a loved one is trying to come off suboxone, you will first have an initial assessment to see what stage of withdrawal from your original opiate you are at. You will then slowly be tapered off the suboxone in a manageable way. You will be regularly assessed to see how you are responding both physically and psychologically to ensure you are comfortable in your withdrawal. We may also give you some non-addictive medication to help you cope with the withdrawal effects.
We also have a strong focus on those people whose initial opiate addiction was one of prescription pain killers. The difficulty with clients like these is that their chronic pain is often still present. It is known that long term opiate use in the form of painkillers is actually ineffective and can increase pain. Hence, people could actually find that they have less pain after they have detoxed.
We do not minimize the reality that you may be in pain. Instead, we will work with you in order to create a plan that includes things such as physical therapy and non-addictive medication so that your pain is still manageable as well. There is a way to regain control of your life and we are there to help you achieve that.
Suboxone Detox and Relapse
Our goal is to ensure you have all the information, support and tools that you require in order to have a sustainable recovery. However, we are realistic about the chances of relapse are very high, particularly if people do not have the right clinical support. A lot of people who want to detox of suboxone have a viable fear of relapse, and it is very important that these people are properly supported as well.
We have a number of tools in place designed to help those who fear relapse, or who have a history of relapsing in the past. For instance, we can use non-agonist medication such as vivitrol for a period of time to assist in recovery. Non-agonist means that it does not respond to the receptors of the brain in the same way as suboxone does. Hence, stopping vivitrol is much easier, so long as proper treatment has been given. Furthermore, vivitrol stops opiates from working. This means that if a moment of weakness is experienced, it is impossible to respond to your chosen opiate in the way you were looking for.
If you are currently prescribed suboxone and would like to come off the medication, please contact us today. Creative Care is there to help you find a treatment program that works for you as an individual. We do not offer one size fits all solutions, but rather work with you in order to help you regain full control of your life.