The Side Effects of Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine is a staple in the medication-assisted treatment (MAT) of substance abuse. It’s a game-changer for people struggling with opioid addiction. Could this be the missing piece to your recovery? Here’s what you need to know about the side effects of buprenorphine. Beaches Recovery offers extensive treatment options, including MAT, at our opioid addiction treatment center.

Why Therapists Incorporate Buprenorphine into Treatment

Gauging the risks associated with the side effects of buprenorphine calls for a good understanding of what the medication does. You already know that opioid withdrawal is painful. Besides, the addictive nature of the drugs in this category makes it hard to kick the habit. During detox and even later in some rehab settings, medications can make a difference.

Buprenorphine significantly lessens withdrawal symptoms. Similarly, it reduces cravings. Both can lead to relapse. With the help of medication-assisted treatment, you can work with therapists to overcome psychological and physiological dependencies.

What are the Side Effects of Buprenorphine?

Buprenorphine is a type of opioid. As a result, it comes with the same side effects as other medications in this class. Examples include constipation and the possibility of slowed breathing. Other side effects may include muscle cramps, nausea, and occasional irritability.

There is a misuse potential. However, the drug’s makers allowed for a ceiling effect, making it an unpopular substance for getting high. Furthermore, doctors typically pair the medication with naloxone, which counteracts misuse. Above all, constant supervision in a clinical or rehab setting ensures your safety when using the medicine.

Medication Alone Doesn’t Help with Overcoming Substance Abuse Problems

It’s tempting to think that all you need is a pill to end your opioid dependency. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. You need to combine medication-assisted treatment with other evidence-based modalities. Examples include:

• Behavioral therapies as a way to handle stress in healthy ways that don’t involve drugs or alcohol. These therapies included talk therapy like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
• Psychotherapy to treat people with a co-occurring disorder (a mental health issue happening alongside addiction) through dual diagnosis treatment can address mental health concerns like depression, anxiety, and trauma.
• Family therapy lets you reconnect with loved ones as you work on making lasting changes in your life.
• Group therapy sessions incorporate anger management, addiction education, and relapse prevention.
• Experiential therapies, which provide additional opportunities for introspection.

Another excellent modality is mindfulness training. It combines the elements of meditation and yoga. You learn to breathe through difficult situations and add movements while seeking to gain control over your responses. In the process, you ground yourself in the present.

Doing so prevents you from returning to patterns of fear. It cuts down on anxiety. As a result, you handle stimuli and stress much more relaxed. Combine these types of modalities with medication-assisted treatment for best results.

Reach Out to Beaches Recovery Today

Now that you know about the side effects of buprenorphine, find out if it may be a good treatment option for you. Reach out to Beaches Recovery at 866.605.0532. We can guide you through our various addiction treatment programs, such as:

• Residential treatment
• Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
• Outpatient treatment
• Sober living program

We offer gender-specific programs for men and women and exclusive programs designed to meet the unique needs of individuals in particular professions or stages of life, such as
executive drug addiction rehab, first responder rehab, college student rehab, and young adult heroin treatment. Our admissions team can answer your questions, address your concerns, and begin the insurance verification process. Our team of medical professionals and expert addiction therapists are ready to help you heal and recover from your substance use disorder.