While it may have been pushed out of the news spotlight by other worldwide events, here in the United States, millions are still in the grip of an opioid epidemic. The abuse of prescription opioid painkillers has grown out of a near-criminal case of excessive overprescribing. Opioid painkillers are effective for pain management, but their potency can lead individuals to develop a dependency even if they follow their doctor’s instructions to the letter. The opioid crisis has had a ripple effect throughout the addiction treatment profession. It is connected to higher rates of an opioid use disorder, heroin addiction, and even abuse of medications used to treat the addiction. Buprenorphine abuse in the US is now a significant issue causing medication-assisted treatment or MAT programs to conduct even more tightly administered treatment.
At Gulf Breeze Recovery, we offer comprehensive addiction treatment for both heroin and prescription drug addiction. We can help individuals overcome their opioid use disorder and put an end to chronic relapse.
Buprenorphine and the Opioid Crisis
More than ten years ago, buprenorphine hit the market with critical acclaim from government officials and treatment professionals alike. It was seen as a helpful tool for the opiate withdrawal and later prescribed as a maintenance drug.
The drug was originally released under the brand names of Subutex and Suboxone (buprenorphine combined with naloxone), but there has since been approved for generic versions as well. When used for withdrawing from heroin or prescription painkillers, the drug continues to work wonders for many people in the form of lessening the severity of withdrawal symptoms. As an opioid antagonist, Suboxone blocks the effects of opioids on the body, making it easier for individuals to get through withdrawal and reduce cravings. It is also a medication that is far less addictive itself than other medication-assisted treatments like methadone. However, there are still dangers of Suboxone use, and if it isn’t properly administered, individuals can develop an addiction to it.
The number of opiate-dependent people turning to buprenorphine as a maintenance drug has increased significantly and associated with the drug. Unfortunately, buprenorphine has found its way to the streets, where it is abused. Suboxone abuse in Florida is a serious issue, yet MAT is still extremely effective in helping people overcome their opioid use disorder. “The benefits of the appropriate medical use of Suboxone probably far outweigh the potential for abuse,” says Eric Wish, director of the Center for Substance Abuse Research at the University of Maryland. “But those benefits will be jeopardized if we don’t take care of this abuse issue.”
Understanding Buprenorphine Abuse in the US
Buprenorphine sales have increased at least ten-fold since 2006 and now approach $1.5 billion annually. Perhaps the tendency to continue to look for pharmaceutical solutions has been a large contributor to the addiction problem in America. Our team here at Gulf Breeze Recovery understands that overprescribing of opioid painkillers fueled the current epidemic and knows to be wary of the same thing happening again with medications designed to treat it. For this reason, we offer a range of holistic treatment programs. We provide thorough addiction treatment programs to meet each individuals needs, such as:
- Medical detox
- Partial hospitalization program
- Intensive outpatient program
- Telerecovery program
- Aftercare program
Discover the Difference Gulf Breeze Recovery Can Make
At Gulf Breeze Recovery, our medical and clinical staff use only the necessary amount of prescriptions to help ease withdrawal symptoms and then work with each individual to find drug-free solutions to problems they face in life moving forward. We provide a unique blend of traditional medicine and a non-12 step rehabilitation process.
Contact us at 833.551.2304 today for more information about our program and get help for yourself or a loved one seeking an effective treatment program in Florida. You can end chronic relapse and start a new life in sobriety. Learn more about Gulf Breeze Recovery’s non 12 step and holistic drug and alcohol rehab, as well as the unique therapies we offer like
- Trauma care
- Exercise therapy
- Family therapy
- Co-occurring disorders treatment
At Gulf Breeze Recovery, we don’t want you to have just a great recovery. We want you to have a great life!
