What To Understand About Quitting Opiates

Compulsive opiate use and addiction is often an indicator of a larger condition known as opioid use disorder. This mental disease can be detrimental to one’s health if not properly addressed. It can disrupt an individual’s life, career, and relationships, making it imperative for those with this condition to receive professional support and care. If you or a loved one are looking to start on the path toward recovery, contact Buprenorphine Treatment Centers, Inc. Our psychiatrists and experienced therapists are thoroughly prepared to help those with opioid use disorder to overcome destructive coping mechanisms and maladaptive behaviors. Call our offices in Gainesville, Ocala, Orange Park, Palatka, and Perry today to start working toward a better you.

Withdrawal Symptoms

During excessive opiate use, opioid users quickly build a physical dependence for the drug. While opiate use may start casually as a way to temporarily relieve chronic pain or unwanted thoughts, this use can spiral out of control once a physical dependence is formed. An individual whose body is dependent on opioid use will experience withdrawal once their opiate use is stopped. These withdrawal symptoms can be highly unpleasant and include muscle aches, insomnia, sweating, increased anxiety and irritability, and nausea, among others.

These uncomfortable and sometimes painful withdrawal symptoms are one of the biggest barriers opioid users must overcome when working toward sobriety. Fortunately, our tailored counseling services and medication-assisted treatment programs can take some of the strain out of this process.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, like those offered by our Florida addiction treatment centers, are designed to help diminish opiate cravings and alleviate the experience of withdrawal. Depending on your medical history and past opiate use, our doctors can either prescribe Suboxone or Subutex to curb opioid addiction-related symptoms. Suboxone, which is typically taken as a sublingual film, contains the substances buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agent that attaches to opioid receptors in the brain. Once buprenorphine binds to the receptors, it triggers a physical response – without the psychological effects of opiates. As the buprenorphine is working, naloxone prevents the misuse of Suboxone. If this medication is taken in a way that is contradictory to how it was prescribed, the naloxone present will cancel out the influence of the buprenorphine and trigger withdrawal symptoms.

Subutex, which functions similarly to Suboxone, only contains buprenorphine.

If you feel as though Subutex or Suboxone would benefit you, talk to one of our doctors today. Our certified physicians can help you determine which medication would work best for you and your needs.

Counseling & Support

For all patients who elect to take part in our medication-assisted treatment program, group therapy is provided at no extra charge. During group therapy sessions, patients are taught how to digest and unpack their emotional trauma, guilt, isolation, and regret in a safe space.

Patients who lead busy work lives or who are intimidated by in-person therapy might want to take advantage of telehealth psychotherapy. This therapy option is conducted through a computer or smartphone and grants patients instant access to their care team while minimizing the need to travel. To improve your stress management skills or to learn healthier coping mechanisms, contact Buprenorphine Treatment Centers, Inc. today. The road to recovery has to start somewhere—allow our addiction treatment center to be the first stop on your journey.