Suboxone: Wonder Drug?
Or a drug that makes you wonder, “Why did this happen to me?”
For many years, the only medical method of treating opiate addiction was methadone—a synthetic opiate. Methadone continued being used as a treatment despite the fact that it became a drug of abuse and addiction itself. Methadone causes excruciating and extended withdrawal symptoms. Relapse is likely when the addicted person spends too many weeks sick, in pain and unable to sleep.
Following methadone as a medical treatment for opiate addiction was a drug brand-named Suboxone. In 2003, the Federal Drug Administration approved the use of Suboxone as an alternative to methadone for treatment of opioid dependence. Suboxone was promoted as the wonder drug to cure opiate addiction. However, after almost ten years of use worldwide, it has been determined to be equally as addictive as heroin and infinitely more painful to withdraw from.
Narconon Louisiana New Life Retreat, located just outside of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, understands the painful withdrawals associated with Suboxone. Instead of saddling an opiate addict with a Suboxone addiction, this drug rehab uses nutritional supplements, sauna-based detoxification and exercise to enable opiate addicts to become drug-free without needing either methadone or Suboxone.
“I find there are a large number of Suboxone addicts who abuse Suboxone as well as the opiates they were hoping to kick,” says Dr. Rohit Adi, the Medical Director of Narconon Louisiana. “Suboxone has not turned out to be the miracle cure it was designed to be. In an effort to cure opiate addiction, we have yet another drug for opiate addicts to abuse.”
The process of Suboxone withdrawal takes weeks, if not months. Initially, the addict experiences withdrawal symptoms that are equally painful to those of heroin or methadone. After the physical pain, the mental anguish that comes is intolerable. Often, the anguish is so severe that relapse to opiates is common, leaving the addicted person to wonder why they ever started using Suboxone.
“My doctor always told me the safest way to withdraw from opiates was through using Suboxone. I was on Suboxone for a year when I tried to stop. I had never felt such horrific withdrawal symptoms in all my years of using opiates. When I came to Narconon, I thought I would not be able to take the pain. But with the help of the staff and their specialized techniques, it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I am finally able to live my life happy and drug-free!” C.M.
The rehabilitation program offered at Narconon Louisiana is 100% drug-free and does not replace one drug with another drug. The technique used at Narconon Louisiana alleviates the worst of the withdrawal symptoms.
Once the addict is through the drug-free withdrawal, the physical cravings for drugs or alcohol are addressed through the New Life Detoxification program. This specialized detox utilizes a sauna plus a unique regimen of nutritional supplements to activate the body’s ability to flush out old, stored drug residues. Many people say how much lower their cravings are when this step is complete.
This is followed by Life Skills courses which address the abilities a person will need to stay sober. These skills positively affect a person’s skills related to communication, parenting, relationships, career development, personal integrity and many other areas.
Our graduate C.M., quoted above, completed the Narconon program three years ago and is still drug-free. “Narconon gave me my life back. I am no longer dependent on any drug, which is something I had not known for 23 years. Thank you, Narconon.” C.M.
Suboxone, methadone, opiate… those addicted to these drugs are suffering and need help. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or drug addiction and you would like more information, call us. Any questions will be addressed in confidence.
