Suboxone Detox is a medication assisted detoxification program designed to treat most forms of opiate addiction including; heroin, methadone, oxycontin and vicodin addiction.

Suboxone has two active ingredients; Buprenorphine HCl and Naloxone HCl dihydrate. The largest active ingredient Buprenorphine HCl has difficulty surviving through the gastro intestinal tract rendering it practically useless when ingested. The most practical form of administration is under the tongue which is known as sublingual administration. The second active ingredient Naloxone is an opiate antagonist with a relatively short half-life. It is designed to stop the effects of any opiate that is concurrently affecting the body’s central nervous system. The inclusion of Naloxone along with Buprenorphine HCl is designed to minimize the risk of overdose during Suboxone treatment.

When taking Suboxone sublingually, the tablet will dissolve in approximately 3 minutes. In order to gain the greatest possible benefit from Suboxone, the patient should refrain from smoking, eating and drinking for approximately 30 minutes after Suboxone dissolves.

The Suboxone Detox Process has four distinct phases; induction, stabilization, taper and discontinuation.

Suboxone Induction

Suboxone induction is simply the first time Suboxone is administered. The goal of Suboxone induction is to begin the process of Suboxone Detox without inducing acute opiate abstinence syndrome. The key to a successful Suboxone induction is to postpone administration until opiate abstinence syndrome is present for an extended period.

Suboxone Stabilization

The first 24 to 48 hours after a successful Suboxone induction there may be a need to adjust the dose to effectively treat symptoms of opiate withdrawal. The Suboxone stabilization period rarely lasts longer than 48 hours post induction.

Suboxone Taper

Suboxone taper simply means how quickly the dosage of Suboxone is lowered after the patient stabilizes on Suboxone. The rule is; the quicker the taper the lower the likelihood of developing Buprenorphine HCl dependence (Suboxone addiction). Depending upon the stabilization dose of Suboxone, the type of opiate the physician is treating, how long the patient has been using and the overall health of the client, will usually determine the duration of the Suboxone taper.

Discontinuation Of Buprenorphine HCL

As soon as the Suboxone detox program tapers down to 2mg per day many physicians begin an alternate day Suboxone discontinuation process.  Most discontinuation periods last less than eight days or four separate every other day administrations. This method of discontinuation has been shown to minimize discomfort and reduce cravings.

Conclusion

Suboxone detox is an effective treatment for minimizing opiate abstinence syndrome. It is not an effective long-term treatment for opiate addiction. The main reason that long-term Suboxone use is not effective for treating opiate addiction is that Suboxone’s largest active ingredient, Buprenorphine HCL is itself an opioid. It is partial agonist that activates the main opiate receptor in the brain (mu receptor). This means it produces similar effects as the opiate addiction it is treating. Therefore, long-term Suboxone treatment just maintains an opiate addiction as opposed to overcoming an opiate addiction. Long-term use of Suboxone can lead to Suboxone addiction.

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