Suboxone

Suboxone services offered in San Diego, La Mesa and Chula Vista, CA

Suboxone® is a medication that treats chronic pain patients with an opioid use disorder that need to be off their opioid medication. The team at Sage Pain & Wellness Institute has an extensive track record of successfully managing Suboxone for patients who qualify for the treatment. If you need to stop taking opioids, call the office in San Diego, La Mesa, or Chula Vista, California, or request an appointment online today.

When would I need Suboxone?

You need Suboxone if you’re worried about the amount of opioids you take and need to stop taking your opioid pain medication.

Signs you have an opioid use disorder include:

Taking opioids in larger amounts or longer than recommended
Being unable to cut down even though you want to
Spending a lot of time obtaining, using, or recovering from opioids
Not meeting work or family responsibilities (due to opioid use)
Using opioids despite having recurrent social or personal problems (due to opioids)
Using opioids despite developing a health problem (caused by opioids)
Giving up social or recreational activities
Using opioids in dangerous situations
Needing to take larger doses to get the same results
Having withdrawal symptoms if you try to quit
Having uncontrollable cravings

Cravings and withdrawal symptoms are red flags that you’re close to or already addicted to your opioid medication.

How does Suboxone work?

Suboxone contains two medications: naloxone and buprenorphine. The two drugs work together to:

Suppress and reduce opioid cravings
Prevent withdrawal symptoms
Block the effects of opioids
Normalize brain chemistry altered by opioid use

With Suboxone, you can safely stop taking opioids without side effects. Your provider prescribes Suboxone on an outpatient basis, giving you the ability to get treatment without going to an in-patient facility.

What should I expect during Suboxone treatment?

Suboxone treatment proceeds through three stages, but they don’t have time limits or expectations. You proceed to the next stage as you and your provider agree you’re ready.

Phase one

You take your first dose in the office so your Sage Pain & Wellness Institute provider can monitor your response and adjust your dose if needed to prevent cravings and withdrawal symptoms. You keep taking daily doses of Suboxone at home while returning for regular appointments.

Your provider also creates a new pain management plan. You may need non-opioid medications or interventional procedures to relieve your pain while cutting down on opioids.

Phase two

After your cravings stop, you keep taking Suboxone. Your provider adjusts your dose as needed if cravings return.

Phase three

During this phase, you stay on the same Suboxone dose. Once you’re stable, your provider slowly tapers down the Suboxone. They may prescribe other medications as long as needed to help you stay off opioids.

If you’re worried that you may have opioid use disorder, call Sage Pain & Wellness Institute or book an appointment online today.

Conditions & Treatments