Anchor Addiction and Wellness Center is a clinic that uses Suboxone as a part of addiction treatment. Most Suboxone clinics like this one focus on treating opioid use disorder, though some may also treat other conditions. In addition, these clinics also provide other aspects of addiction care like cognitive behavioral and talk therapy.
How Does Suboxone Work?
Suboxone is typically used to help anyone with OUD to stop misusing opioids. It primarily works due to the Buprenorphine present in the medication. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist and is a much weaker opioid than other addictive opioids like oxycodone or heroin. Buprenorphine suppresses the drug cravings and prevents withdrawal. It has significantly lower addiction and misuse potential compared to other opioids and hence could be effective in addiction treatment. Suboxone is usually taken on a regular schedule. You must first go through some level of opioid withdrawal to ensure the other opioids are flushed from your system before beginning your treatment. If you begin the treatment before the other opioids have been flushed out, the Naloxone in the medication will immediately trigger withdrawal symptoms. Suboxone treatment can eliminate or significantly reduce your opioid cravings and will gradually prevent withdrawal as well. However, it doesn’t cure the addiction. Since opioid use disorder cannot be cured, you will require support and therapy to learn to manage this condition.
What Does a Suboxone Treatment Plan Look Like?
Before starting your addiction treatment with Suboxone, you must understand what a Suboxone treatment plan looks like. You must consider the following before beginning Suboxone treatment:
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When was the last time you used it?
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Which opioid have you been using?
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How intense is your opioid dependence?
The type of opioid you have been using is particularly critical. If you have been taking long-acting opioids like Methadone or Fentanyl, then you will have to lower your dose slowly and wean yourself off these drugs before starting treatment. However, if you have been using short-acting opioids, then you can begin the treatment as soon as 12 hours after you stop using. No matter what substance you have been using, treatment can begin only after you notice moderate signs of withdrawal. Suboxone treatment is conducted in four phases:
The Intake Phase: You will go through an intake assessment during this phase. The assessment will include a psychological and medical evaluation. You can begin treatment once you have abstained from using opioids for twelve to twenty-four hours and are in the initial stages of withdrawal. You will also have to go through a blood and urine drug screening before the medication is administered.
The Induction Phase: Your doctor will work with you and identify a comfortable dose to relieve your symptoms and drug cravings during the induction phase. They will gradually increase the dosage till you get the intended results.
The Stabilization Phase: Most patients may be able to stop opioid abuse during this phase. The stabilization phase will begin once your doctor identifies the correct dose. You will be asked to examine the underlying cause of your addiction without worrying about dependency or physical symptoms during this phase.
The Maintenance Phase: The maintenance phase begins once you can maintain your treatment. During this phase, you can continue to take the correct dose of Suboxone, as recommended by your doctor. In addition, you will gradually begin to regain the life you had before addiction with a strong support system.
How to Find Suboxone Clinics Near You?
Listed below are a few ways to find reliable Suboxone clinics near you:
Request a Match Through the NAABT’s Treatment Match Locator
The NAABT tries to help you find the right treatment providers with its TreatmentMatch directory. You can enter details about your abuse history and the kind of treatment you prefer anonymously. The providers in your area who are accepting new patients will reach out to you through the system with their contact information. Your request will stay anonymous throughout the process.
Ask Your Primary Care Physician If They Can Prescribe Suboxone
You can inform your primary care physician about your struggle with opioid addiction and ask them to help you with a medication-assisted treatment like Suboxone. Your physician may not even know you are suffering from opioid addiction till you tell them. While it is assumed that you must take separate addiction treatment apart from primary care, you can request your doctor to get the waiver for the treatment and prescribe Suboxone and Buprenorphine.
Consider Telehealth Treatment Options
There have been many technological developments in healthcare, and addiction treatment is no exception. Some clinics may offer online Suboxone treatment via telehealth services after a single-person visit. This way, you can seek treatment even if you live in a rural area where Suboxone doctors are tough to find.
Look for Methadone Clinics in Your Area
Methadone clinics, also known as opioid treatment programs are specifically regulated and have a different style of treatment, compared to other opioid addiction treatment services. If you choose this treatment method, you will have to visit the clinic once a day for medications like methadone or buprenorphine. Gradually, you can earn take-home medications if you follow therapy, pass drug tests, and progress in the treatment program. Look for such clinics in your locality. You can enroll in their treatment programs and get on the way to a sober life.
Understanding what a Suboxone clinic is and finding the right clinic is critical to your addiction treatment. Clinics like Anchor Addiction and Wellness Center offer comprehensive outpatient treatment in a welcoming and supportive environment. They offer medication management, counseling, crisis intervention, and case management services. You can visit them if you or your loved one is struggling with drug addiction and wants to recover.
