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  • Top Treatment Options for Clobazam Addiction and Recovery

    Top Treatment Options for Clobazam Addiction and Recovery

    Are you looking for Clobazam addiction treatment? Our guide can help you.

    Table of Contents

    1. What is Clobazam and What is it Used for?
    2. Alternative Names for Clobazam
    3. Clobazam Symptoms and Side Effects
    4. Clobazam Abuse and Addiction – What Are the Signs?
    5. The Dangers of Clobazam Addiction
    6. Clobazam Overdose
    7. Clobazam Symptoms of Withdrawal – Detox in Rehab
    8. Treatment for Clobazam Addiction – Tips for Choosing a Rehab
    9. Outpatient and Inpatient Care for Clobazam Addiction

    Clobazam addiction is a very serious behavioral and mental health condition. It can impact all areas of your life, from your relationships to your job and finances and even your physical health. Being addicted to clobazam means that you are at risk for having an overdose, especially if you mix it with similar substances.

    The importance of seeking rehab and treatment for this addiction cannot be overstated. Going it alone is not an effective way to achieve recovery. For lasting sobriety, to improve your chances of staying in recovery and avoiding relapse, you will need the best, most effective treatment program. Know what to look for in a good rehab facility or outpatient program to help you make the best choice.

    What is Clobazam and What is it Used for?

    Clobazam is a prescription drug belonging to the class of medications known as benzodiazepines. These are drugs that are considered to be sedatives and central nervous system depressants. They slow down activity in the brain and the rest of the central nervous system, triggering sleepiness, relaxation, and slower breathing.

    Many benzodiazepines are used to treat anxiety disorders, panic attacks, and the anxiety associated with alcohol withdrawal. But clobazam is approved only for the treatment of certain types of seizures. Its ability to slow down brain activity can prevent or reduce seizures. Doctors may also prescribe clobazam for other uses, such as anxiety, but seizure control is the only official, approved use.

    Alternative Names for Clobazam

    Clobazam is a generic name for this drug. It is sold under a couple of brand names. Onfi is the more common brand name, but clobazam may also be called Sympazan. When used illicitly, clobazam may be referred to as any number of street names. These are typical alternative names for any kind of benzodiazepine:

    • Bars
    • Benzos
    • Chill pills
    • Downers
    • Footballs
    • Hulk
    • Ladders
    • Nerve pills
    • Planks
    • School bus
    • Sleeping pills
    • Totem poles
    • Tranks

    Clobazam Symptoms and Side Effects

    For some people who have seizures, clobazam can be a life-changing, important medication. But while it prevents seizures, it can also trigger some side effects, ranging from uncomfortable to painful and dangerous. If you misuse clobazam you run a greater risk of experiencing these side effects, and they may be more severe. Common symptoms of clobazam use are:

    • Aggressive moods and behaviors
    • Difficulty swallowing
    • Dizziness
    • Drowsiness
    • Drooling
    • Fever
    • Poor coordination
    • Restlessness and agitation
    • Tremors

    These are more common side effects, but not everyone will experience all of them. You may also have some side effects of clobazam that are more serious and harmful: difficult, painful urination, coughing, difficulty breathing, mouth sores, a severe skin rash, and extreme mood swings. Very rarely clobazam can cause suicidal thoughts. These thoughts may lead to actions, and should be taken seriously.

    Clobazam Abuse and Addiction – What Are the Signs?

    Another risk of using clobazam is the possibility of becoming addicted to it. Clobazam dependence is a risk even for people using it as directed by a doctor. Like other benzodiazepine drugs, it is not supposed to be used over the long-term for this reason.

    The Drug Enforcement Administration lists clobazam as a schedule IV controlled substance because it is not only habit-forming; it is also susceptible to abuse. Abuse, or misuse, of clobazam includes using it in a way that is not directed by the prescribing doctor: using larger doses, taking doses more frequently, and taking clobazam for a longer duration. Of course, using a drug to get high or without a prescription is also a sign of abuse.

    Abusing clobazam puts you at serious risk for developing an addiction. It may be hard to know if you are addicted, but if you can answer yes to two or more of these questions, you may be diagnosed with a mild, moderate, or severe substance use disorder:

    • Have you tried to use less clobazam, or stop using it entirely, more than once and failed?
    • Do you repeatedly use more of this drug than you planned?
    • Do you spend a lot of time trying to get clobazam, using it to get high, or recovering from using it?
    • Because of time spent on clobazam use, have you given up other activities?
    • Have your responsibilities been put on the back burner because of your drug use?
    • Are your relationships struggling because of your use of clobazam?
    • Do you continue to use this drug in spite of health problems it causes or makes worse? This can include physical and mental health issues.
    • Have you used clobazam in dangerous situations?
    • Do you crave clobazam when not using it?
    • Have you found that you need to use increasing amounts to get high?
    • Do you start to go through withdrawal when not using clobazam?

    It is essential that you get help and seek treatment or rehab if you can answer yes to any of these questions. You may not be confident that you would be diagnosed with substance use disorder, but only a professional can tell you for sure. Rehab facilities and treatment programs will begin with a screening and diagnosis, so you know where you stand.

    The Dangers of Clobazam Addiction

    There are many risks and dangers associated with clobazam addiction. One is that you put yourself at risk of experiencing the side effects of this drug. While people who need this medication can live with the side effects, it’s not healthy to have them if not necessary. When abusing the drug, your risk is greater and the side effects may be more severe.

    Addiction to any kind of drug can also put you at risk for all kinds of problems that touch all areas of your life. Clobazam abuse can lead to financial difficulties, getting into trouble with the law or even being incarcerated, damaged or broken relationships, and problems at work and getting fired. Substance abuse is also associated with mental health issues. Clobazam misuse puts you at an increased risk of developing a mental illness. And, of course, any substance abuse can lead to a fatal overdose.

    Clobazam Overdose

    A toxic dose of clobazam triggers an overdose, but the amount that is toxic varies by individual and by each situation. You can never know how much is safe to take and how much will lead to an overdose that can be fatal. Any misuse of clobazam can cause an overdose. Signs include:

    • Unusual or excessive sleepiness
    • Confusion
    • Unresponsiveness
    • Poor coordination and muscle control
    • Blurred vision
    • Shallow, slow breathing
    • Loss of consciousness

    Any sign of a clobazam overdose should be treated as a medical emergency. An overdose can be fatal and often is without medical intervention. Clobazam treatment for an overdose includes pumping the stomach and administering fluids, as there is no medication that can reverse it.

    If you misuse clobazam at all you are at risk of an overdose. But if you combine clobazam and alcohol or use it with other sedative drugs, that risk is even higher. It is extremely dangerous to mix this drug with alcohol, other benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and opioids. They all have similar depressant effects that suppress breathing. When combined, those effects are additive and can more quickly lead to a fatal overdose.

    Clobazam Symptoms of Withdrawal – Detox in Rehab

    To avoid all the dangers and risks of clobazam abuse and addiction, it is essential to get help. Professional addiction treatment can help you learn how to stop using drugs, how to stay sober for the long-term, and how to avoid or minimize the risk of relapse. The first step, unfortunately, is to go through an uncomfortable and even dangerous period of withdrawal.

    Clobazam detox is the process of letting the drug leave your body as a first step to recovery. Unlike most other drugs, benzodiazepine and clobazam withdrawal effects are actually harmful. They can even be fatal. For this reason, many detox programs do not let patients stop using the drug quickly. Instead, they administer smaller and smaller doses over time.

    Milder cases of addiction are not likely to result in harmful clobazam withdrawal side effects. The more common symptoms that are uncomfortable but not dangerous include difficulty sleeping, tremors and muscle spasms, anxiety, changes in appetite and weight loss, excessive sweating, nausea, vomiting, vision changes, and changes in perceptions and senses.

    For more severe instances of addiction, these symptoms may be more intense. You may also develop what is called benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. This is a dangerous, life-threatening condition that can cause seizures and death. Because this is always a possibility with clobazam, you should never attempt to detox alone or without medical supervision.

    Treatment for Clobazam Addiction – Tips for Choosing a Rehab

    Benzodiazepines like clobazam do not have any medications approved for the treatment of addiction. Treatment is instead focused on behavioral therapies that teach patients how to make positive lifestyle changes and avoid having a relapse in the future. This, along with supportive services over a period of several months, can be an effective way to treat clobazam addiction.

    As you search for a rehab that will help you overcome your addiction, keep some of these factors in mind:

    • Look for a clobazam rehab that offers a variety of behavioral therapies. Therapy comes in many different forms, from basic cognitive behavioral therapy to trauma-focused therapies, and those that seek to find your internal motivation for quitting drug use. A good program will have multiple options, because some therapies may be better for you than others.
    • Your rehab should either offer supervised, safe detox to begin the treatment program or be able to direct you to a reputable, professional detox service. Never try to detox from clobazam without assistance.
    • Treatment programs need to begin with a thorough evaluation. This will help the staff understand your unique needs and to make complete diagnoses of substance use disorder and any mental illnesses you may have that also need to be addressed.
    • Your treatment plan should be unique to you. Look for rehabs and treatment programs that develop a new plan for each patient. There is no such thing as one treatment that works for every addiction patient. You need a facility and rehab team that will tailor a plan for care to your needs, limitations, abilities, and your preferences too.
    • The best treatment programs are staffed by professionals with a variety of areas of expertise. There should be physicians along with nurses and aids, and different types of therapists, counselors, and staff members who offer alternative therapies and healthcare.
    • Perhaps most importantly, a rehab that you choose should make you feel comfortable. Be sure that you visit rehab facilities before committing to treatment. Talk to residents if you can, interview the staff and get answers to any questions you have. This is where you will put your trust and your time, so make sure that you feel good about it.

    Use these tips to guide your selection of a rehab for your clobazam treatment and care. But don’t forget to consider the practical factors that may eliminate some options. You need to be able to afford treatment, which may include selecting a rehab in your insurance plan’s network. Location may also be important, if you need to be near family.

    Outpatient and Inpatient Care for Clobazam Addiction

    Both inpatient and outpatient treatment programs and rehabs for clobazam can be effective. However, there are some important reasons you may want to choose a residential rehab for your addiction treatment. One is that it allows you to focus on treatment and recovery in a safe, restricted environment. It provides built-in social support from other residents, and it also offers a bigger range of services and therapies.

    On the other hand, outpatient treatment can be very effective if you are focused on treatment and committed to working hard for sobriety and recovery. An outpatient program is less intense and will allow you to live at home, be with family, go to work, or go to school. This can be better for some people, but if your home environment is not safe or supportive, residential care may be better.

    Another option is to choose intensive outpatient treatment. This is a blend of both types of rehab: several hours per week, sometimes per day, of therapy and treatment and the ability to live at home with family. You may even find an intensive outpatient program for clobazam abuse treatment that includes evening and weekend hours, so that you can continue going to work if necessary.

    Clobazam and benzodiazepine addiction is very serious and can have a huge, negative impact on your health and wellness. If you or someone you love and care about is struggling to stop using this drug, reach out, call for help, and make sure you choose the best possible rehab and treatment program for effective, lasting recovery.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • How to Find the Best Rehab for Tranxene Addiction

    How to Find the Best Rehab for Tranxene Addiction

    Looking for a Tranxene rehab? Our guide can help you find the right treatment center.

    Table of Contents

    1. What is Tranxene and How is it Used?
    2. Possible Symptoms in Tranxene/Clorazepate Users
    3. Tranxene Dependence
    4. Tranxene Addiction
    5. Possible Symptoms of Tranxene Abuse and/or Addiction
    6. Detox Comes Before Active Treatment in Rehab
    7. Next Stop: An Addiction Treatment Program
    8. Outpatient Care and Inpatient Care
    9. Proven Treatment and Recovery Options
    10. Picking the Right Addiction Program

    If you or someone you know has a Tranxene addiction, your future well-being depends on your ability to find the appropriate resources for treatment. However, what do you do when you can’t tell quality programs from those that don’t meet accepted standards for care?

    First, you must increase your understanding of how substance abuse can turn into addiction. In addition, you must spend some time learning the basics of effective rehabilitation. And to receive the best possible care, you must also learn how to focus on programs that combine core addiction expertise with personalized plans suitable for even the most unique treatment circumstances.

    What is Tranxene and How is it Used?

    Tranxene is the branded trade name of a medication called clorazepate (i.e., clorazepate dipotassium). It belongs to a widely prescribed group of substances called benzodiazepines. Members of this group can be used as anti-anxiety treatments (i.e., anxiolytics), sedatives or tranquilizers. Each approved use is based on benzodiazepines’ ability to decrease the amount of activity generated in your brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).

    Tranxene and other members of this large family achieve an activity decrease by boosting levels of a natural chemical in your brain called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). When GABA levels rise, they essentially limit the maximum speed at which individual nerve cells can communicate. To a person who takes a benzodiazepine, this effect translates into feelings such as sedation (a reduced sense of irritation or agitation), calmness and relaxation.

    Given the similarities in the ways these prescription drugs work, it’s not surprising that they share large parts of their chemical structures. However, their impact is far from identical. While there’s plenty of overlap, any given benzodiazepine can differ from its family members in three basic ways. First, it can reach your bloodstream at a faster or slower rate. Once it reaches your brain, its effects can last for a shorter or longer amount of time. And once it loses its effectiveness, it can take a shorter or longer period of time to clear your system.

    The differences in how benzodiazepines act in your body are tied to the specific reasons that doctors prescribe them. Some medications of this type act as frontline treatments for seizure disorders. Others act as treatments for alcohol withdrawal or as temporary relief for severe cases of insomnia. In addition, benzodiazepines are often used as short- or long-term treatments for a group of mental illnesses known as anxiety disorders.

    Tranxene’s most common use is as an anxiety disorder treatment. Your doctor may prescribe it for either short-term symptom relief or ongoing control of long-term symptoms. Doctors also sometimes use it to ease the symptoms of both seizure disorders and alcohol withdrawal. The prescription drug comes in the form of a standard, non-extended-release tablet. Three dosage strengths are available.

    When you take Tranxene,its effects take hold quite rapidly. In fact, it will begin to alter your brain function in as little as half an hour. The medication is also short-acting. Depending on your level of intake and other factors, it takes only three to eight hours for an individual dose to wear off.

    In the U.S., clorazepate is also available under the brand name Gen-Xene. In addition, you may receive a generic equivalent labeled as clorazepate dipotassium. When used illicitly, prescription drugs are sometimes identified by specific street names. But Tranxene does not appear to have a commonly used informal name. Benzodiazepines in general, however, may be referred to by street names such as:

    • Benzos
    • Tranks
    • Blues
    • Chill Pills
    • Downers

    Possible Symptoms in Tranxene/Clorazepate Users

    If you take Tranxene or generic clorazepate, you may develop any one of a range of side effects. Specific symptoms you may experience include:

    • Lightheadedness
    • Fatigue
    • Sleepiness
    • Headaches
    • A confused mental state
    • A nervous mental state
    • Lack of normal saliva production

    Medical attention is only required if these symptoms persist over time or take a severe form.

    Use of the medication can also trigger side effects that always require immediate evaluation by a doctor. This list of symptoms in this more serious category includes:

    • The appearance of a rash on your skin
    • Blurry vision
    • Double vision
    • Slurring of your speech
    • Involuntary muscle tremors
    • Loss of your normal sense of balance

    You should also contact your physician if any other unexpected symptoms appear.

    Long-acting benzodiazepines are known for their potential to trigger an overdose. This power is due, in large part, to the amount of these substances that can build up in your bloodstream over time. Since your body eliminates Tranxene rapidly, its use does not come with the same degree of overdose concern. Despite this fact, an overdose is still possible if you use this prescription drug in excessive amounts.

    You can seriously increase your chances of life-threatening problems if you ever combine the use of clorazepate with the use of opioid drugs or medications. The same fact applies if you drink alcohol while taking the medication. Why?

    Opioids and alcohol both slow down your central nervous system, just like Tranxene and other benzodiazepines. When you take these substances together, they have an additive effect. This means you will experience more of a system slowdown than you would if you took any of these substances by themselves. The effect can easily exceed your body’s limits for normal, safe function. The end result can be a medical emergency with symptoms such as extreme drowsiness, intense lightheadedness, slowed breathing or other breathing problems, and unresponsive loss of consciousness.

    The combination of opioids and benzodiazepines is of particular concern. That’s true because many people who hold prescriptions for Tranxene or similar treatments also hold prescriptions for opioid painkillers. In these situations, even small errors in dosage or increases in consumption can have major negative consequences. In fact, nearly one-third of all Americans who overdose on an opioid also have a benzodiazepine circulating in their systems.

    Tranxene Dependence

    Dependence is a possibility even if you take Tranxene at dosages prescribed by your doctors. Doctors and other health experts use the term dependence to describe certain changes in your normal brain function. These changes make your brain reliant on continued medication use in order to maintain a stable chemical environment. Dependence may be more likely if you take this prescription drug as a long-term treatment for seizures or anxiety.

    If you bring your intake to a quick halt after dependence sets in, you stand a high chance of developing a significant case of Tranxene withdrawal. The same issue can also appear if you abruptly switch from a high dosage of the medication to a low dosage. Potential withdrawal symptoms you may experience include:

    • Seizures or convulsions
    • Memory disruptions
    • A nervous or irritable mental state
    • Insomnia
    • Abdominal cramps
    • Achy or cramping muscles
    • Unusual sweating
    • Uncontrollable body tremors
    • Diarrhea
    • A confused mental state
    • Vomiting

    If you take high dosages of a short-acting benzodiazepine like Tranxene, your symptoms may take a severe form.

    Despite the potential for withdrawal, clorazepate dependence is not synonymous with addiction. If you become dependent, your doctor can alter your dosage or take other steps to manage your health and help you remain functional. In stark contrast, the hallmark of addiction is an unstable state of health that disrupts your ability to avoid serious, substance-related harm.

    Tranxene Addiction

    Some people may become addicted even when using the medication appropriately. However, addiction is more often associated with some form of prescription drug misuse or abuse. You can misuse or abuse clorazepate in three ways. First, if you don’t have a prescription for it, intake of even a single dose of Tranxene is illicit and improper. You can also engage in misuse/abuse if you hold a prescription but fail to follow the terms of that prescription. In these circumstances, consumption of individual excessive doses qualifies as abuse or misuse. You also meet the same standard if you consume normal doses at intervals that are too close together.

    Tranxene addiction falls under the larger heading of an officially defined mental health condition called sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic use disorder. Doctors and addiction specialists can also apply this diagnosis to cases of non-addicted abuse that are serious enough to disrupt key aspects of your life.

    Possible Symptoms of Tranxene Abuse and/or Addiction

    You can have a maximum of 11 separate symptoms of sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic use disorder. At the low end, you must suffer from at least two of these symptoms in a 365-day timespan to receive a diagnosis. In moderately affected people, four or five symptoms are present. At least six symptoms affect the health of severely impacted people. When making a diagnosis in Tranxene users, doctors and other experts check for:

    • Repeated use of excessive single doses of the prescription drug
    • A recurring pattern of taking it too often
    • The appearance of strong substance cravings during various times of the day
    • Reliance on medication misuse/abuse as a favored leisure activity
    • Tolerance to the drug effects of typical doses of Tranxene
    • Use of the medication that repeatedly endangers your own physical safety or that of others
    • Refusing to change your habitual use after it produces obvious signs of harming your mental or physical well-being
    • Refusing to change your habitual use after it produces obvious signs of disrupting your most meaningful relationships
    • Scheduling your day around your need to obtain the medication, use it or recover from its drug effects
    • Shirking or otherwise failing to meet important obligations as a result of your prescription drug use
    • Appearance of the same withdrawal syndrome that affects dependent users of Tranxene

    Detox Comes Before Active Treatment in Rehab

    Before you can undertake active enrollment in a substance program, you must go through a course of medical detox (also known as medical detoxification). Detox is designed to provide proper support while you break away from your habitual pattern of substance abuse/misuse. It can take months to go through this process if you’re addicted to a long-acting benzodiazepine. However, it takes far less time to detox from a short-acting product like clorazepate.

    Benzodiazepine detox differs from many other forms of medical detoxification. To begin with, it does not involve the use of other types of medications to ease the intensity of your withdrawal symptoms. Instead, effective treatment is provided by gradually lowering your level of benzodiazepine consumption. This approach aims to stabilize your system while keeping you as free as possible from any withdrawal-related problems. At this stage, you may undergo a switch to a less powerful option from the same prescription drug family. Diazepam (Valium) is the common treatment choice in these circumstances.

    During detox, your doctor may aim to completely halt your medication intake. This abstinence-based approach prepares you for a life in which benzodiazepine use does not play a role. However, if you have ongoing problems with an anxiety disorder or seizure disorder, your doctor may decide to take another approach. Instead of halting intake use altogether, you may taper down to a lower level of intake. In this way, you will still receive the help you need for your anxiety or seizure symptoms.

    Next Stop: An Addiction Treatment Program

    The efforts you make to complete detox can quickly go to waste if you don’t continue on to enrollment in addiction treatment. For this reason, rehab is considered an essential component of any recovery process. There are several reasons why rehabilitation plays such a vital role.

    Perhaps most importantly, detox does not provide you with an opportunity to understand how and why addiction has become part of your life. It also doesn’t help you address the underlying behaviors and attitudes that help keep a pattern of substance abuse alive. In contrast, these important objectives are at the core of effective rehab programs.

    Rehab addiction treatment also supports your recovery in other ways. For example, while you’re enrolled in treatment, your care team will help you avoid relapsing back into active substance abuse. During participation, you can also reduce or eliminate your exposure to places or situations that make abuse more probable.

    Outpatient Care and Inpatient Care

    In consultation with your doctor, you can choose the best setting for receiving required care. If you only suffer from two or three symptoms of addiction, your doctor may recommend that you enroll in outpatient treatment. This form of care gives you the freedom to live at home while still receiving the help needed to support your recovery. To gain access to that help, you make regular visits to your program’s main location.

    If you suffer from more than three addiction symptoms, your doctor may instead recommend that you seek help by enrolling in inpatient treatment. This form of care requires you to reside onsite for the duration of your rehab program. While in residence, you receive ongoing oversight from your care team.

    This ready availability cuts down any risks for unforeseen treatment complications. And if complications do occur, you’ll have prompt access to medical assistance. Inpatient addiction treatment also simplifies the process of modifying or updating the specifics of your recovery plan. If you’re severely impacted by addiction, you may go through a period of hospitalization before continuing on to an inpatient facility.

    Even if you only experience two or three symptoms of Tranxene addiction, inpatient care may be better for you than outpatient care. That’s especially true if you have an anxiety disorder, personality disorder (PD) or any other life-disrupting mental health condition. When they overlap, substance issues and separate mental health issues can make a successful recovery much more difficult to achieve. Residential treatment may be essential for providing the needed level of help.

    You may also decide to enter residential rehabilitation for a couple of other reasons. For example, your home life might not be stable enough to support your recovery needs. In addition, you may want to purposefully isolate yourself so you can avoid any harmful influences in your daily life. Conversely, you may choose outpatient care over inpatient care if you lack the funds or scheduling flexibility for residential treatment.

    Proven Treatment and Recovery Options

    Unlike some types of substance treatment, benzodiazepine-related care does not focus on the use of medication. Instead, most of the assistance you receive will come in the form of behavioral psychotherapy. This modern school of treatment uses active methods to help you address the deep-seated habits that provide support for abuse and addiction.

    If you’re addicted to a benzodiazepine, you have three evidence-based options for behavioral psychotherapy. Perhaps the most common choice is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT starts by helping you realize how your typical behaviors and thoughts can bind you to a cycle of addiction. It follows up on this insight by helping you make changes that break that cycle and promote short- and long-term sobriety.

    Programs may also use a motivation-based therapy designed to help you come to grips with the need for addiction treatment rehab. A specific approach called motivational enhancement therapy is often used for this purpose. In addition, you may receive something called psychoeducation. This family-centered approach to therapy helps you and your loved ones improve your knowledge of addiction and its widespread impact. It also helps you learn how to speak up for yourself during treatment and voice any concerns.

    Picking the Right Addiction Program

    Now that you’ve improved your understanding of how programs for Tranxene addiction treatment work, you can begin choosing the right program for your needs. For starters, you should exclude any option that does not follow the accepted model for proper treatment. That model is based on medical detox followed by active recovery techniques proven to produce benefits.

    Any program you consider should be staffed with experienced experts who know how to deal with addiction in its many forms. A call to that program’s hotline should provide you with ready answers to all your questions. If necessary, the person you speak to should also be able to direct you to additional resources.

    At the start of treatment, the first thing you should expect is an intake interview that includes a complete health assessment. That assessment should cover all topics that have an impact on your odds for effective rehabilitation. In addition to your addiction symptoms, that includes the presence or absence of PD, anxiety disorders or other notable mental illnesses.

    Be aware that the best programs do much more than cover the basics in a competent way. They take a wider perspective that views addiction as just one part of your unique personal situation. By doing so, they make it much more likely that you will make effective progress on your path to sobriety. Specific things to look for in exemplary programs include supportive care options (e.g., stress management, yoga) and advanced treatments like EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing).

    Bear in mind that the right facility improves your odds for success, but it won’t do the work for you. The main factor in your recovery remains your commitment to the process. But without a doubt, it’s best to maximize your chances by choosing your treatment destination wisely.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • How to Find Butrans Addiction Treatment

    How to Find Butrans Addiction Treatment

    Trying to find a Butrans rehab? Look no further than our guide on finding the best options to recover in luxury.

    Table of Contents

    1. What is Butrans and How is it Used?
    2. How Buprenorphine Dependence Occurs
    3. How Buprenorphine Addiction Occurs
    4. Potential Abuse and Addiction Symptoms in Users of Butrans/Buprenorphine
    5. Detox and the Road to Recovery
    6. From Detox to Buprenorphine Rehab
    7. Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment
    8. Evidence-Based Treatment and Recovery Options
    9. Choosing the Best Rehab for You

    What is Butrans and How is it Used?

    Butrans is the brand name of an extended-release, transdermal medication made from the opioid prescription drug buprenorphine. Transdermal treatments deliver medication to your bloodstream through a patch applied to your skin. Once the patch is placed, you gradually receive your prescribed treatment over an extended period of time.

    Buprenorphine is not a full opioid like medications such as morphine, oxycodone or fentanyl. Instead, it belongs to a group of substances called partial opioids. Substances in this category are strong enough to produce a drug effect, but that effect is weaker than the one produced by a full opioid.

    When it enters your central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), buprenorphine does several things. First, it alters your nerve perceptions in a way that reduces pain. The medication also produces notable sensations of pleasure. In addition, like all other opioids, buprenorphine decreases the speed of cell-to-cell communication within your central nervous system. In turn, this drop in activity triggers a significant slowdown in your breathing rate and certain other involuntary nerve functions.

    Butrans is designed to treat pain in specific circumstances. First, to qualify for legitimate use of the medication, you must have long-lasting pain so severe that it can only be controlled with ongoing, 24/7 treatment. You must also be unsuited for the use of non-opioid medication or other, less risky treatment options. (Reasons you may not benefit from these safer alternatives include a lack of adequate pain relief and an inability to tolerate their side effects.) In addition, you cannot receive Butrans only on an occasional, as-needed basis.

    Butrans comes in several strengths. A low-dose version of this prescription drug is available for people who have never taken opioids before. There are also four higher dosages available for people with previous opioid exposure. Once applied, a patch of the medication stays in place for one week. Potential side effects of Butrans use include sleepiness, lightheadedness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth and constipation. They also include itching, skin redness or rash at the site of the patch.

    When sold or used illicitly, buprenorphine-based medications are sometimes known by certain street names. These names include:

    • Stops
    • Strips
    • Buse
    • Sobos
    • Subs

    How Buprenorphine Dependence Occurs

    Butrans can form an important part of a plan to control serious, long-term pain. However, since it contains an opioid as its active ingredient, its use can trigger a state of substance dependence. In the case of Butrans, this state is defined by a reliance on the drug effects of buprenorphine. Since a transdermal patch delivers the medication to your system around the clock, dependence risks are relatively high.

    The most common sign of dependence is the appearance of opioid withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking Butrans or switch to a much weaker medication strength.When withdrawal first begins, you may experience symptoms such as a runny nose, increased sweating and mucus production, frequent yawning and disruption of your normal sleep patterns. If withdrawal progresses, you may also experience symptoms that include nausea, vomiting, loose bowels, cramps in your abdomen and abnormally widened pupils.

    Opioid dependence and opioid addiction do not have the same effects on your health and well-being. Dependence is a manageable reliance on opioids commonly found in long-term patients with legitimate prescriptions. You can work with your doctor to keep this condition in check while you lead a normal life. Crucially, the parts of the brain affected by opioid dependence differ from those affected by opioid addiction.

    How Buprenorphine Addiction Occurs

    Buprenorphine addiction marks a transition from a controlled, relatively safe pattern of medication use to an uncontrolled, dangerous pattern. Unlike dependence, it cannot be managed as a stable condition. Instead, it produces a serious, damaging impact on one or more areas of your daily life.

    You can get addicted to Butrans even if you take the medication according to your doctor’s instructions. However, your addiction risks escalate when you take actions that qualify as prescription drug abuse. If you have a legitimate prescription, these actions include applying patches to your skin more often than directed. They also include using multiple patches at once or using a single patch with a higher dosage than prescribed. If you don’t have a Butrans prescription, drug abuse occurs when you use even a single patch of the medication.

    Buprenorphine/Butrans addiction is one specific example of a diagnosable illness called OUD or opioid use disorder. You can also receive a diagnosis for this condition if you’re not addicted, but still suffer significant harms as a result of your medication abuse.

    Potential Abuse and Addiction Symptoms in Users of Butrans/Buprenorphine

    • Inability to control how often you apply the medication to your skin
    • Inability to control how much of the medication you apply to your skin
    • Using Butrans abuse as a substitute for recreational or leisure-time activities
    • Establishment of a daily routine than centers on your medication abuse
    • Rising tolerance to the effects of accustomed buprenorphine intake
    • Continuation of a mentally or physically damaging pattern of patch use after you become aware of its impact
    • Continuation of a pattern of use that you know disrupts your ability to sustain personal, intimate or social connections
    • Strong desires for buprenorphine use while doing other things
    • A pattern of medication intake in situations that carry a risk for physical harm
    • Withdrawal symptoms that arise if your brain doesn’t get its expected medication intake

    All cases of OUD are graded as mild, moderate or severe. Milder cases are limited to just two or three symptoms that appear over the course of a single year. If you have four or five of the possible symptoms during that same timeframe, you fall into the category of moderate OUD. If you have at least six symptoms, you will qualify for a diagnosis of severe OUD.

    The most severely affected people have all 11 of the potential symptoms. The intensity of individual symptoms can vary between people, and may have a meaningful impact on your ultimate diagnosis.

    Detox and the Road to Recovery

    To begin your road to addiction recovery, you must break the cycle of uncontrolled substance use. This process begins during an initial step called detoxification or detox. The goal of detox is to halt (or, in some cases, significantly reduce) your medication intake while avoiding or limiting the worst effects of withdrawal. No one can tell in advance how long you will take to detox from Butrans addiction. While the average timeframe is a week to 10 days, factors specific to your situation may alter this estimate.

    The symptoms of opioid withdrawal can leave you feeling awful. However, on their own, they can usually be managed without endangering your life. This does not mean that detox is free from the potential for life-threatening complications. For instance, untreated diarrhea and vomiting during withdrawal can trigger medically serious dehydration. If you inhale particles of your vomit during detox, you can develop a serious lung infection.

    Despite the reality of these risks, the main dangers to your health during opioid detoxification are undoubtedly relapse and overdose. This is true because the process of detoxing lowers your tolerance to the drug effects of buprenorphine. As a result of this change, a dose of Butrans that was once safe for you to use may now stop your central nervous system from functioning normally. And without prompt medical attention, you may die as a result. Every day of the year, fatal opioid overdoses in the U.S. claim an average of more than 100 victims. The mixing of opioids with alcohol or benzodiazepines can significantly increase your overdose risks.

    As a rule, detox and addiction treatment are more difficult for people who have substance problems combined with mental illness. That’s true whether you abuse opioids, alcohol or any other addictive drug/medication. It’s also true whether you suffer from anxiety disorders, depression, a personality disorder (PD) or any other serious mental health condition. To provide adequate care, doctors must address both abuse/addiction and mental illness. Without treatment for both issues, your chances for a sustainable recovery will diminish.

    From Detox to Buprenorphine Rehab

    When your time in buprenorphine detox comes to end, addiction experts strongly recommend that you move on to a Butrans rehab program. This recommendation is based on a couple of critical points. First, after detoxing from the medication, you will have a much smaller tolerance to its effects. If you relapse back into a pattern of abuse for any reason, this susceptibility to the impact of buprenorphine can put your life in danger. Participation in a rehabilitation program is the best possible way to avoid a quick relapse and its unwanted consequences.

    But Butrans rehabilitation does more than help you decrease your short-term relapse risks. It’s also designed to give you the tools to learn how to stay sober long-term. Rehab programs achieve this goal in three ways. First, they help you clearly understand what addiction is and how it works. Rehabilitation also helps you recognize the behaviors, thought patterns and life attitudes that contribute to substance abuse. In addition, it helps you make new choices that keep your future abuse risks in check.

    Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment

    The vast majority of people with opioid use disorder receive addiction treatment in either an inpatient or outpatient facility. Inpatient rehab is a residential approach that requires you to live in a facility while you receive treatment. During your stay, you receive the benefit of constant support and staff availability. You also have the opportunity to put aside everyday responsibilities and focus on your efforts at recovery. And if any complications arise, immediate medical care will help keep you safe.

    Inpatient Butrans rehab is typically recommended for anyone with moderate or severe varieties of opioid use disorder. (In some situations, treatment for severe symptoms may begin in a hospital, instead.) Outpatient rehabilitation is the destination for many people with mild symptoms. This non-residential approach requires you to make periodic visits to a substance treatment facility while you continue to live at home. During your visits, you will do such things as participate in counseling sessions, undergo health assessments and receive any needed medication adjustments.

    Outpatient addiction treatment is an excellent way to make effective rehab part of your ordinary, daily routine. However, even people with mild symptoms of buprenorphine addiction sometimes seek inpatient care. The presence of serious mental illness is just one of the reasons for addressing mild addiction in a residential setting.

    Evidence-Based Treatment and Recovery Options

    The twin pillars of modern opioid addiction treatment are medications and behavioral therapies with demonstrated usefulness for your recovery. If you have Butrans-related problems, you may be surprised to learn that buprenorphine is also a frontline treatment option. It helps to understand that Butrans itself is not used for addiction rehabilitation. Instead, doctors use other medications that contain smaller amounts of buprenorphine. When given to you in the proper dosages, these medications help stabilize your condition, but they don’t get you “high.” Another opioid-based option, methadone, can also be used to achieve the same goals.

    When all opioids have left your system, your doctor may help you avoid a relapse by prescribing the anti-opioid medication naltrexone. When present in your bloodstream, this medication creates a chemical barrier that opioid substances can’t cross. By doing so, it prevents the reactions in your brain that make use of these substances feel pleasurable.

    Behavioral therapy for Butrans addiction can take several different forms. If you’re unsure of your reasons for seeking help, a technique called motivational interviewing can help you gain needed clarity. Two evidence-based therapies (contingency management and CRA, or community reinforcement approach, plus vouchers) produce results by offering rewards or incentives when you make progress in your program.

    A fourth well-known approach, cognitive behavioral therapy, helps you gain insight into how your habitual actions and attitudes support substance abuse. It also helps you establish alternative thoughts and behaviors that don’t provide such support.

    Choosing the Best Rehab for You

    When making your choices for Butrans rehab, your search should begin with reputable programs that meet modern standards for evidence-based therapy and medication. Your list of options should also be limited to programs that rely on expert caregivers with plenty of addiction-related experience. To make the most of your recovery efforts, look for programs that pair this level of expertise with secure and well-maintained treatment facilities.

    Today, most addiction centers have a hotline that you can call for advice and information. When you call a hotline, you should have access to someone who can answer all your questions and help you sort out your possible options. The person you speak to should be ready to address any of your concerns.

    At all professional, well-run programs, a doctor or addiction specialist will conduct an interview and assessment as the first steps in the intake process. One of the main purposes in these procedures is to determine the extent of your addiction and identify your specific symptoms. Your doctor or specialist will also take the opportunity to identify PD, anxiety disorders or other mental health conditions that must be addressed during treatment.

    Once you know that the facilities on your short list follow these accepted practices, you can look for the extra benefits provided by truly exceptional buprenorphine rehab programs. The best programs view their participants as individuals, not faceless victims of addiction. This holistic approach can be an essential factor in making you feel comfortable and welcome. It often includes personalized supporting treatments that focus on mind and body wellness. Top programs may also offer cutting-edge, supportive options not found in most facilities.

    Once you complete primary treatment, aftercare can also play an important role in your long-term recovery. Look for rehabilitation programs that allow you to check in periodically for follow-up assessment and assistance.

    No matter which program you choose, only you can take the gradual steps that lead to sobriety. However, by choosing your buprenorphine rehab options wisely, you increase your chances of making that journey a reality.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Finding Treatment for Lorazepam Addiction

    Finding Treatment for Lorazepam Addiction

    Are you looking for lorazepam addiction treatment? Our guide can help you find the treatment you need.

    Table of Contents

    1. What is Lorazepam and What is it Used For?
    2. Other Names for Lorazepam
    3. Lorazepam Side Effects
    4. Lorazepam Overdose
    5. Lorazepam Addiction
    6. Symptoms of Lorazepam Addiction
    7. Lorazepam Withdrawal Effects and Detox
    8. Lorazepam Addiction Treatment

    Lorazepam is a prescription drug that doctors prescribe primarily as a treatment for anxiety. Its purpose is to provide relaxation. While this drug can be beneficial, it also comes with risk. The problem is that it can be habit-forming, which creates a high risk that it will lead to lorazepam abuse and addiction.

    This drug can cause withdrawal symptoms, so it’s a good idea to stop its use with the help of medical professionals. If you need assistance, a detox and rehab program can help your body and mind adjust to no longer receiving the drug. A high-quality, customized treatment program may help you recover and change your life for the better.

    What is Lorazepam and What is it Used For?

    Lorazepam is in the drug class of benzodiazepines, commonly known as benzos. These drugs are tranquilizers that provide a sedative effect. Like other benzodiazepines, Lorazepam depresses the central nervous system. It slows the brain’s activity to provide a calming effect, with the intention of relieving anxiety. Lorazepam comes in tablet, injection and liquid concentrate forms.

    This medication is used to help the various difficult symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which features a higher than normal level of anxiety or worry for six months or longer. This disorder is also characterized by irritability, fatigue, trouble concentrating and other symptoms.

    While this drug is mainly prescribed to treat anxiety, it is also used for other health conditions and situations. These include:

    • Epilepsy
    • Insomnia or other sleep difficulties
    • Irritable bowel syndrome
    • Alcohol withdrawal
    • Nausea and vomiting associated with cancer treatment
    • Pre-anesthesia medication

    Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed to people, and Lorazepam is included in the top five most prescribed of this type of drug.

    Other Names for Lorazepam

    Lorazepam is the generic name for this drug. The main brand names are Ativan and Lorazepam Intensol. Nonetheless, Lorazepam is also sold illicitly and is not always referred to as its generic or brand names. You might instead hear Lorazepam called by its street names, which include:

    • Benzos
    • Downers
    • Tranqs/tranks
    • Nerve pills

    Lorazepam Side Effects

    The use of Lorazepam may come with a long list of potential side effects. Some of the most serious side effects are cause for seeking immediate medical attention. These include:

    • Fever
    • Trouble breathing
    • Trouble swallowing
    • Irregular heartbeat
    • A consistent tremor
    • Inability to sit still
    • A shuffling walk
    • Yellowing of the skin and eyes
    • A severe skin rash

    This drug can also cause other side effects that are considered serious if you experience them at a severe level or if they persist. These include:

    • Feeling dizzy, drowsy, tired or weak
    • Feeling restless
    • Experiencing changes in appetite or sex drive
    • Difficult or frequent urination
    • Nausea or diarrhea
    • Dry mouth
    • Constipation
    • Blurred vision

    If you experience any of these or other side effects while taking Lorazepam, you should talk to your doctor.

    In addition, various dangerous side effects can occur from taking Lorazepam along with other types of prescription medicines or other substances. Combining Lorazepam with various medications has the potential to cause sedation, coma or breathing problems that can become life-threatening. You should discuss any other medications you’re taking with your doctor before you take Lorazepam. Also, combining this drug with alcohol or other street drugs can lead to dangerous side effects.

    Lorazepam Overdose

    Taking Lorazepam also has the potential for overdose. A Lorazepam overdose comes with signs such as:

    • Seizures
    • Collapsing
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Not waking up

    If signs of overdose happen, call 911 immediately.

    Lorazepam Addiction

    An addiction to Lorazepam can start by first taking the drug legally according to a doctor’s prescription. Then you can become dependent on it and turn to illegal sources of obtaining more of the drug. It’s also possible to use this drug illicitly from the start. It’s sold illicitly for different purposes, including for the euphoric feeling it creates and for the intention of drugging someone to perform a sexual assault. Also, people often take Lorazepam with other substances either to enhance the effects or to counteract unwanted side effects, such as agitation that can come from using cocaine.

    Lorazepam has a high risk of abuse. Its use can turn into drug misuse or Lorazepam abuse, meaning that you use the drug differently than its prescription use. For example, you might take higher doses than intended or continue finding the drug and using it after your prescription runs out.

    Short-term use of up to four weeks has less of a risk of dependence, while ongoing use of this addictive drug can cause both physical and psychological dependence. One problem that can contribute to dependence is that the conditions this drug is used for, such as anxiety, tend to be ongoing rather than short-term. This may cause people to continue using the drug as a long-term way to manage their symptoms, encouraging the risk of dependence. In many cases, doctors extend the prescription and contribute to the risk.

    When you continue to take lorazepam, your body can develop a tolerance to it. This results in needing to use more of the drug to continue getting the same effects. Your body can become accustomed to the prolonged use and high doses, so it becomes dependent on the drug. Once your body has adjusted to having the drug continuously in its system, you can experience withdrawal symptoms when you try to take it away. This means you are physically dependent on the drug, and you can also develop a psychological dependence. When you become addicted, your behaviors change as your life becomes centered on the drug use.

    Symptoms of Lorazepam Addiction

    It’s not always easy to tell if you’ve become addicted to a substance. The process can happen without you realizing it. Since this is a legal prescription drug, people don’t always take the addiction risk seriously. A main characteristic of addiction is continuing to use the drug even though it’s causing problems in your life.

    You can determine whether you have become addicted if you’re noticing signs and symptoms of Lorazepam addiction. These include:

    • Being unable or unwilling to cut back or stop using Lorazepam
    • Needing higher doses to achieve the same effects
    • Feeling like you need Lorazepam to function
    • Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you try to cut back or stop the drug use
    • Having difficulty keeping up with work, family and other responsibilities
    • Experiencing problems from the drug use, such as legal trouble and relationship strain
    • Using more of the drug than you intended
    • Focusing your life on the drug, using it and how to get more
    • Withdrawing from people and activities that you previously engaged in

    You can also experience changes to your mental and physical health from the addiction. For example, you could experience quick weight, appetite and mood changes.

    Lorazepam Withdrawal Effects and Detox

    Even if you’re taking Lorazepam as directed by your prescription, stopping its use can cause withdrawal symptoms. Because of this, it’s not recommended that you stop using it suddenly but instead that you work with your doctor.

    Lorazepam withdrawal symptoms include:

    • Dizziness
    • Irritability
    • Tremors
    • Quick heart rate
    • Seizures
    • Nausea
    • Changes in blood pressure

    A detox program can help you safely and more comfortably get through the withdrawal period. Detox often acts as the first step of treatment before you enter a rehab program. During inpatient detox, you stay in a facility with round-the-clock monitoring and support. In many cases, you will also receive medication to manage symptoms of withdrawal. As an added benefit, staying in a detox facility keeps you away from the substance and triggers, to improve your chances of success with quitting.

    Lorazepam Addiction Treatment

    When you are ready for treatment for an addiction to lorazepam, you first need to stop using the medication. This is when entering a detox program or tapering down with your doctor is beneficial. Once the drug is out of your system and you have gotten past acute withdrawal symptoms, you can continue with rehab treatment. This type of treatment focuses on psychological dependence and the unhealthy behaviors you may have developed as part of the addiction.

    Through individual therapy, group therapy and other approaches within rehab programs, you can explore how you became addicted and learn to change your thoughts, habits and behaviors. The goal of rehab is to help you change your lifestyle from one that’s focused on drug use to one that is healthy and sober.

    Rehab can also help with co-occurring mental disorders, relationship problems that developed from the addiction and other associated concerns. Focusing on a mental disorder is particularly important in this case, because people with certain ones, such as anxiety and sleep disorders, are more likely to become addicted to benzodiazepines like Lorazepam. Also, it will be harder to stick with recovery if you treat the addiction but continue to have difficulty managing the mental disorder.

    A customized treatment plan designed to fit your specific needs will be the most helpful. Also, many treatment programs include an aftercare component aimed to keep you on track with recovery. This can help prevent relapse.

    There are different types of addiction treatment programs you can explore to find the right fit. Some people enter partial hospitalization or outpatient programs, which provide some flexibility and free time while guiding and supporting you to overcome the addiction. An intensive outpatient program (IOP) provides a more comprehensive treatment program that is likely to be more effective than a regular outpatient program. An IOP provides a similar level of support as an inpatient program, which is different because it involves living on-site during treatment.

    Inpatient programs are generally the most supportive and comprehensive forms of treatment. By living at the facility, your full focus is on recovering, and you are separated from the substance and the triggers of your daily life. You also receive around-the-clock support and care. These facilities tend to include a broad range of services to support your mind, body and spirit, and you also gain a deeper level of peer support from the people living on-site and sharing the experience with you.

    There are also less intensive forms of treatment, such as office visits with a professional or attending 12-step meetings. Many people need more support than what these and regular outpatient treatment offer. A common approach is to start with an intensive outpatient program or inpatient program and then to continue with one of the less-intensive forms of treatment. This can provide a better transition from rehab back to regular life, helping you prevent relapse and continue with recovery.

    Lorazepam is an addictive drug, so the risk is high that you’ll become addicted, even if you are following your prescription. If your life has become focused on Ativan or other forms of Lorazepam, treatment can help you undo your dependence and change your behaviors to have a life free of addiction.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • A Practical and Comprehensive Guide to Finding a Suboxone Clinic

    A Practical and Comprehensive Guide to Finding a Suboxone Clinic

    It took me 10 hours of phone calls, 20 voicemails, 3 chewed fingernails, and many packs of cigarettes before I found a Suboxone provider in my new town. This is the list I wish I had then.

    When I pulled a “geographic” a few years ago, leaving Portland for my home state of North Dakota, I underestimated the stress of starting over. In fact, stress isn’t a strong enough word to describe driving 1,300 miles with my recent ex-boyfriend in the passenger seat and the fear of restarting life without heroin; not to mention I had no full-time job prospect, no health insurance, no apartment, and very few of my possessions. I also had a unique fear that loomed over me like an ominous storm cloud: trying to find a new Suboxone* provider in a rural state. 

    It took me almost ten hours of phone calls, twenty voicemails, ten games of phone tag, three chewed fingernails, and many packs of cigarettes to find a clinic that would dispense the medicine I take to maintain my recovery. 

    Unfortunately, my situation is a common one. Despite our nation being in the throes of an opioid epidemic, finding a Suboxone provider is a widespread problem; only about one-third of addiction rehabilitation programs offer long-term use of methadone or buprenorphine (the active ingredient in Suboxone). And according to the National Alliance of Advocates for Buprenorphine Treatment (NAABT), only about half of all Suboxone providers are accepting new patients.

    Finding this life-saving medication shouldn’t be so hard. When you are committed to getting better, you shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not you’ll be able to find a clinic to dispense your medicine. A person with diabetes wouldn’t have to search hard to find insulin. So I’ve compiled a round-up of tips and suggestions. 

    This is the list I wish I’d had in early recovery:

    1. Find friends and family who are supportive of your Suboxone journey.

    2. Remember that your form of treatment is just as valid as all other types of treatment and recovery.

    Although Suboxone is a widely stigmatized and divisive medication in the recovery community, it has been shown to reduce opioid overdose death rates by 40 percent.

    3. Join online support groups and forums for people on Suboxone.

    Since I lived in a rural area, I couldn’t find any in person groups. So I joined secret social media Suboxone support groups on Facebook, recovery Reddit threads, and peer-support forums such as the Addiction Survivors website and Suboxone Talk Zone.

    4. Allow Plenty of Time to Research, Call, and Locate Providers.

    This was the most daunting and lengthy part of finding a new provider. Dr. Bruce Seligsohn has been a board-certified internist in Southern California for 30 years and practicing addiction medicine for 10 years. Dr. Seligsohn advises: “Patients really need to be very careful selecting a doctor if they have a choice. I would suggest that a patient looking for a new doctor do their due diligence and see what comes up online about the doctor.”

    I have compiled the most current resources available as of August 2018. See the sidebar for a sample phone script for calling providers.  

    Pros: Convenience, ease of navigation. You will be able to easily search for a provider based upon zip code, state, and the distance that you’re able to travel for a clinic.

    Cons: Out of date, inaccurate, not comprehensive. Be prepared for hours of phone calls depending on your location and financial situation. Not all providers are listed on the site. I also found that some of the clinics listed were not accepting new patients, had been closed, or had their numbers disconnected.

    Pros: Ease of navigation, instant results. Similar to the Suboxone manufacturer’s website, this is a good launching point for starting your search based upon zip code, state, and the distance that you’re able to travel. 

    Cons:  Not comprehensive and despite being a government resource, it is not up-to-date.

    Pros: Easy to use, more accurate. Treatment Match only connects you with providers in your area who are accepting new patients, reducing dead ends and calls to providers who aren’t accepting new patients or insurance. 

    Cons: Wait time/ lack of timeliness, not as many provider connections. This is not a straightforward directory and while it’s easy to sign up, you have to wait for a provider to respond to your email. The site claims that doctors respond 24/7, including weekends and holidays, but I only heard from them during normal business hours.

    • Yelp Reviews of Clinics

    Pros: Hearing directly from other patients about their experiences, easy to use, instantaneous, accessible.

    Cons: Questionable trustworthiness. Dr Seligsohn said: “Patient reviews can sometimes be very misleading.”

    • Calling Your Insurance Company

    Note: Insurance companies vary widely, so I can only speak from my experience. For example, in Oregon I was easily able to locate a Suboxone provider through my insurance company, but my North Dakota insurance did not provide referrals. They stated that their preferred addiction treatment was therapy and 12-step based treatment programs rather than medication.  

    Pros: Possible thorough list of doctors certified to prescribe Suboxone. Those Suboxone providers who accept your insurance are required to keep their information listed and up-to-date.

    Cons: Time-consuming and you have to deal with the hurdles of bureaucracy. Plus, some studies have found that only about 50% of eligible Suboxone doctors accept insurance. Some insurance companies like mine will allow you to submit an appeal asking them to cover part of your Suboxone visit or prescription, especially in rural areas. I saved all of my receipts and had my psychiatrist and Suboxone doctors write letters of support. After months of appeals, the insurance company agreed to cover part of each appointment. Each month I sent in a claim and receipt, and then I received a reimbursement check about a month later. 

    • Asking for a referral from your primary care provider, psychiatrist, or hospital.

    Another note: This is also difficult to give specific advice on because they vary depending according to location and providers, among many other factors.

    Pros: In-person support and assistance, more direct medical guidance and advice. 

    Cons: Stigma, lack of education about Suboxone, judgement, lack of timeliness. 

    5. Be Persistent!  

    6. Moving? Set Up an Appointment Months in Advance.

    Dr. Seligsohn advises finding a doctor and setting up an appointment prior to moving. “Patients need to find out as much information about how their perspective new doctor runs his practice…They also need to find out what the doctor’s philosophy is about long-term vs short-term Suboxone. If I was a patient I’d be reluctant to move to an area where there’s a shortage of Suboxone doctors.”


    Sidebar: Sample Phone Script for Calling Suboxone Providers

    I remember being so nervous, overwhelmed, and frustrated while also dealing with the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Make sure you set aside a few hours for making calls in a quiet, safe place. I know some of these tips might seem like common sense, but when you’re in crisis and everything feels overwhelming, it can be a relief to have a guide.

    1. Introduce yourself and tell them that you’re looking for a suboxone provider.

    2. Where are you located?

    3. Are you accepting new patients?

    • If yes- when is your earliest available appointment?
    • If no- don’t hang up just yet! Ask: do you have a waiting list? Can you give me an estimate for how long it would take me to get an appointment? 
    • Do you have a cancellation list and if so, can you please add me to it?

    4. How often do I need to come to the clinic or office? 

    • Most clinics and offices require monthly or bi-monthly visits, but some require daily visits and dispense suboxone in a similar manner to methadone.

    4. Do you accept my insurance? 

    5. If the clinic does not accept insurance, how much does each appointment cost?

    • How much does the intake appointment/ first visit cost? This is an important question to ask because initial intake appointments can cost anywhere from $100 – $200 more than a regular visit.
    • Some clinics require pre-payment to reserve your appointment and prevent cancellation. Do you require a down payment before the appointment?
    • What forms of payment do you accept? (cash, credit, check?) Note that most clinics do not accept checks.
    • Do you allow payment plans or is payment due on the day of the appointment? A majority of clinics will not allow patients to do a payment plan and payment is due on the day of the appointment.
    • Are there any additional costs or required fees? Some charge additional fees for mandatory counseling, drug screens, etc.

    6. What are the counseling requirements?

    • You may be required to do weekly or monthly therapy groups with others at the clinic, and/or meet with an addiction counselor. This varies depending on how long you’ve been clean and your insurance coverage. (For example, one of my previous clinics had no counseling requirement, but my new clinic requires me to meet with an addiction counselor for one hour each month. Other clinics require weekly or bi-monthly group support meetings.)

    Quick Resource List:

    The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA)’s Buprenorphine Treatment Practitioner Locator

    Suboxone Website’s Treatment Provider Directory

    Buprenorphine Matching System on Treatment Match on The National Alliance of Advocates for Buprenorphine Treatment (NAABT)

    Addiction Survivors

    Suboxone Talk Zone

      

    *(Writer’s Note: Suboxone is the most common brand-name buprenorphine medication, but this article is also applicable for patients seeking any form of buprenorphine treatment including: Subutex, Zubsolv, Bunavail, and Probuphine).  

    View the original article at thefix.com