What is Suboxone?
Suboxone is a combination medication created to reduce opiate use. The prescription substance is composed of two active ingredients, buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is an opioid medication used in opioid agonist treatment programs to reduce cravings for more potent opioids like heroin. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that blocks opiate receptors, preventing the production of the high associated with opioids. Most commonly dispensed as a film that dissolves under the tongue and is available in both the 2mg and 8mg dosages.

How Does Suboxone Work?
Suboxone works by creating a barrier in the brain versus allowing a full opioid to access opioid receptors. Buprenorphine partially binds to the opioid receptors, reducing the availability of the receptor sites and allowing reduced access to natural or full synthetic opioids. The compound prevents the individual from getting “high” off opioids, reducing cravings and, as a result, reduces the frequency and amount of opioids used.

Suboxone is only available by prescription and should be taken as directed for the maximum benefit. Suboxone should be taken exactly as prescribed and should never be mixed with other medications, alcohol, street drugs, or other opioids.

Benefits of Suboxone
Suboxone is helpful in a number of ways, as it helps reduce cravings, as well as other opioid use behaviors.

Suboxone also helps individuals stay in recovery. The drug reduces relapse rates, boosts social functioning, and encourages people to continue to engage in recovery activities such as support groups, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), therapy, counseling, and other interventions that have been found to be beneficial to a full recovery.

Suboxone also reduces the risk of overdose related to opioids. The naloxone it contains blocks the effects of opioids and prevents an individual from overdosing.

Conclusion
Suboxone is an effective way to reduce the need for and use of dangerous opioids. It has been used successfully to treat opioid addiction, as well as to help in opioid overdose prevention. It has been found to be very effective in helping individuals stay in recovery and can be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment and recovery activities. For individuals struggling with opioid use, Suboxone is a safe and effective way to reduce the need for and use of opioids.