Suboxone (Buprenorphine)

What is Suboxone (buprenorphine)?

Suboxone (buprenorphine) is a prescription medication designed to treat opioid addiction. It received FDA approval in 2002 and comes in the form of a pill or sublingual film.

Thanks to its safety profile and ability to successfully reduce cravings, Suboxone is considered the preferred treatment or “gold standard” for managing opioid addiction. Ingesting Suboxone doesn’t cause a “high”, so there’s very little risk of misuse. As a result, Victory Recovery Partners regularly incorporates Suboxone into its medication-assisted treatment.

How does Suboxone (buprenorphine) work?

Suboxone works by reducing your cravings for an opioid, whether you’re addicted to heroin, fentanyl, morphine, or another prescription medication. It is also effective for treating alcohol dependency. 

At Victory Recovery Partners, the addiction medicine experts typically recommend taking Suboxone once every day, according to their instructions. Follow your provider’s guidelines closely. Suboxone doesn’t provide overnight results. To really benefit, you must commit. 

As your cravings subside, your provider reduces the amount of medication you take. Some people are able to wean off of Suboxone completely; others continue taking it indefinitely. 

Who can benefit from Suboxone (buprenorphine)?

Victory Recovery Partners offers Suboxone to anyone who can benefit from it. You’re encouraged to schedule an appointment at Victory Recovery Partners if you’re currently taking Suboxone under the guidance of another provider, if you’ve undergone Suboxone treatment in the past but aren’t presently using it, or if you’re new to Suboxone altogether.

Following a complete exam, a review of your medical history, and a series of lab tests, your provider can determine the dosage and Suboxone type (oral or film) that most benefits you. 

What does Suboxone treatment involve?

At Victory Recovery Partners, Suboxone treatment involves two steps:

Step one - induction

To enroll in Suboxone treatment, you must be undergoing opioid withdrawal. During the induction phase, your provider conducts an exam and determines the amount of Suboxone that can ease your cravings and help you feel better. 

Step two - ongoing maintenance

Once enrolled in Suboxone treatment, you visit Victory Recovery Partners periodically, typically once every 2-4 weeks. At each check-up, your provider monitors your progress and conducts urine toxicology tests, as necessary.

To ensure you achieve your goals, Victory Recovery Partners incorporates counseling and behavioral health services into your treatment program.

What is the typical dose for Suboxone treatment?

The amount of Suboxone you take during treatment depends on the severity of your addiction and your medical history. Victory Recovery Partners typically prescribes between 2mg - 20mg, but dosage amounts vary. At the beginning of treatment, you take more, but you may be able to wean off of it slowly over time.

To learn more about Suboxone (buprenorphine), make an appointment at Victory Recovery Partners by calling the nearest office or using the online booking feature today.