Detox Specialist

What causes an opioid addiction?

Addiction is a brain disease that develops when the continued use of opioids changes nerves in your brain. As you continue taking opioids to relieve pain, you build up a tolerance to the drug. Then you have to increase the dose to achieve the same effect.

Over time, your ever-increasing dose leads to physical changes in the brain’s reward system. These changes produce uncontrollable cravings that drive your addiction and make it impossible to stop using the drug.

In addition to cravings and needing larger doses to get the same impact, a key sign of opioid addiction is experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you delay a dose or stop taking the drugs.

How do I detox from opioid addiction?

Dr. Rosenblatt helps you detox using Suboxone, which contains two medications, buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is an opioid. When you take the small dose of buprenorphine found in Suboxone, it delivers just enough of the drug to relieve pain and reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings while you detox.

Naloxone is mixed with buprenorphine to prevent the misuse of Suboxone. The naloxone is only activated in your body if Suboxone is injected rather than taken orally. If naloxone is activated, it causes uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that deter patients from misusing the medication.

What should I expect during a Suboxone detox?

Your Suboxone is administered in a gradual process that requires ongoing medical supervision. You’ll receive your first dose when you’re in a mild state of withdrawal. This initial detox stage is usually done in-office at Pain Management Strategies. Dr. Rosenblatt carefully monitors your dose of Suboxone and your health to ensure you’re comfortable and safe.

When withdrawal stops and you no longer have cravings, you’ll continue to take a maintenance dose of Suboxone under the guidance of Dr. Rosenblatt. You’ll return to see the doctor and undergo urine drug screening on a monthly basis. You’ll also meet with a licensed mental health care provider, as ongoing counseling is an important part of your recovery. It helps you identify what triggers your opioid addiction and learn new behaviors, and also teaches coping mechanisms that help you stay away from opioids after your Suboxone treatment is finished.

The final step in your detox comes when Dr. Rosenblatt determines you can stop taking Suboxone. If you start to experience opioid cravings after that, contact Dr. Rosenblatt immediately so your detox program can be adjusted.

Dr. Rosenblatt may prescribe Vivitrol®, which is nonaddictive, once-monthly injection that prevents relapse after your detox.

If you need help to detox from opioid addiction, call Pain Management Strategies or book an appointment online today.