Suboxone®: Your Path to Stopping Opioid Dependence

Opioids are a highly addictive and dangerous type of drug. Some opioids are legal prescription painkillers, while others are illegal drugs, like heroin. But whether they are legal or illegal, it’s possible to abuse and become dependent on them.

Opioid dependence is a growing health crisis in the United States. In fact, an estimated 40,000 Americans die from opioid-related causes each year. 

When used and abused, opioids cause mental fog, slowed breathing, and risk of overdose and death. Opioid dependence is a medical condition that causes physical changes in the body and an increased risk of dangerous, drug-seeking behavior despite negative consequences.

Latif Ziyar, MD is a highly trained specialist in addiction and mental health. He understands the complexities of opioid dependence, and he’s here to support you if you’re ready to overcome dependence and addiction.

Dr. Ziyar is licensed to prescribe Suboxone®, a medication that’s FDA-approved to treat opioid dependence and support recovery.

How Suboxone treats opioid dependence

When you take opiates, they bind to receptors in your brain and change the way you think and feel. Suboxone is an effective treatment to decrease opioid dependence because it binds to those same receptors, effectively blocking many of the addictive effects that other opiates have.

Suboxone is a prescription medication that combines buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is a type of opiate that delivers some of the same effects as other opiates, but blocks other effects. Naloxone blocks the effects of opioids.

The combination of these drugs helps you gradually detoxify and reduces cravings for opiates. It can minimize withdrawal symptoms and support you during recovery.

Dr. Ziyar often prescribes Suboxone to patients struggling with opioid dependence. He may recommend medication-assisted therapy (MAT), a method of treating addiction that combines medication with counseling to help you recover. MAT is an effective way to address substance dependence, and it can lower your risk of a fatal overdose by about 50%. 

What to expect with Suboxone treatment

Suboxone is available in a range of dosages, and Dr. Ziyar works with you to determine the strength that’s right for you. Expect to stay in close contact with Dr. Ziyar and our team throughout treatment, and make sure you tell us about any preexisting health conditions before starting Suboxone.

It's a film that dissolves in your mouth. Either place it under your tongue or between your gums and cheek, and allow it to dissolve completely. Depending on your needs, you might take it one or two times a day for a period of several weeks.

Although the main purpose of Suboxone is stopping opioid dependence, it can be abused. Be sure to follow the doctor’s dosage instructions and never take more than what’s prescribed to you. Talk to our team if you experience negative side effects, and we can adjust your treatment plan.

Abruptly stopping Suboxone therapy can trigger severe withdrawal symptoms that may be life-threatening. Combining Suboxone with other drugs or alcohol can cause serious side effects or death.

If you’re one of the millions of Americans struggling with opioid dependence, there’s hope for recovery. Book an appointment with Dr. Ziyar and our team to find out how Suboxone could be your path to stopping opioid dependence.