Once a loved one has undergone treatment for addiction, you may think that they’re out of the woods. What you may not have realized is that you need to watch for the signs of Suboxone addiction if this is a medication they were prescribed during treatment. Suboxone is often used as a maintenance drug to stave off cravings and help people overcome withdrawal symptoms. However, it can become an addiction itself.
Educating yourself about the signs of Suboxone addiction can support you in recognizing potential problems for someone who is taking this medication. They may also recognize themselves that they are unable to wean themselves off and are reliant on taking Suboxone to maintain their recovery. Fortunately if you can get them into a detox program, they can overcome this addiction and continue moving forward in their recovery.
A Closer Look at the Health Side Effects of Suboxone Addiction
If Suboxone is used to treat addiction, you may be wondering what the signs of an addiction to this drug are. The health side effects of Suboxone addiction are actually similar to that of opioid addiction. Even though the drug was formulated to reduce the potential for addiction, it can still occur. The following are some signs you may notice in someone struggling with Suboxone addiction:
Nausea
Fever
Diarrhea
Drowsiness
High Blood Pressure
Memory Problems
Another danger comes from mixing Suboxone and benzodiazepines. This can suppress the person’s respiratory system which can be very dangerous and potentially fatal if they don’t get help immediately. If you notice any of these red flags, it may be time to consider an intervention and encourage the person to seek treatment for addiction including detox.
Suboxone Withdrawal Symptoms
Trying to quit “cold turkey” without professional assistance can exacerbate the symptoms of Suboxone withdrawal. This is a drug that you need to slowly wean your body off of for more effective recovery. Simply stopping Suboxone use can cause:
Nausea or vomiting
Headache
Anxiety
Insomnia
Gastrointestinal problems
Intense cravings
Sweating
Chills
Muscle pain
Problems concentrating
Facilities like New Start Recovery can help you slowly and safely decrease use and rid your body of this medication while minimizing withdrawal symptoms. Within a few days you will begin feeling better and symptoms will decrease. Then you can begin the next step of your recovery from addiction.
How to Help with Suboxone Addiction
One of the best ways you can help someone with Suboxone addiction is to show you care. Let them know that you are worried about their well-being and want to see them make the most of their recovery. Educate yourself about the uses and risks of Suboxone and treatment programs available. You may want to consult with an addiction specialist who can guide you in getting your loved one the services they need to overcome their addiction to Suboxone.
Intervention for Suboxone Addiction
If you’ve tried talk to your loved one and they deny that they have a problem, it may be time to hold an intervention. With the right support you can help them to see the impact that their Suboxone addiction has had and the benefits of treatment. If they accept help, you can have plans in place for them to enter a detox program like New Start Recovery to start the process. Following detox they may go to an inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation facility to continue their care.
It is important to speak up if you believe someone may be battling Suboxone addiction and recognize the signs so you can get them help. Call New Start Recovery for more information about the detox process and how it can support recovery from Suboxone addiction.