You’re probably here because you have back pain and know someone who has dealt with opiate addiction. You’re probably trying to figure out if suboxone for chronic back pain is a good idea. It can be, but you have to understand the risks first.
This article will give you all the information you need to make an informed decision about whether or not suboxone treatment is right for you right now.
What Is Suboxone?
Suboxone is a prescription medication that is used for treating opioid addiction. It’s a combination of two drugs: Buprenorphine and Naloxone. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. That means that it has some of the same effects as opioids, but not as strongly.
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, meaning that it blocks the effects of all other opioids.
Suboxone is a daily medication that is taken under the tongue. A patient would then use a film strip or a lozenge to help the drug dissolve.
How Does It Work?
Suboxone works by blocking the receptors in the brain that respond to the effects of heroin and other opioids. When those receptors are blocked, you don’t feel the effects of opioid withdrawal. Those effects can include: Anxiety, nausea, insomnia, diarrhea, stomach cramps, sweating, and more.
Because it blocks the receptors in the brain, suboxone also changes the way you experience pain. All types of chronic pain, like back pain, fibromyalgia, or arthritis, are caused by an over-sensitized nervous system. You could think of it like the way your TV remote works.
There’s a signal coming from the device that you’re trying to control. But if the signal is weak, you might have to press the buttons a couple of times to turn the TV on. In the same way, chronic pain is a weak signal from your body, so it takes more effort to make it less painful.
Are There Any Side Effects?
As mentioned above, when suboxone blocks the receptors in your brain, it also changes the way you experience pain. Chronic pain is caused by an over-sensitized nervous system. So when suboxone blocks the receptors, it also changes how you feel pain. That’s not always a good thing.
In general, when suboxone is used to treat chronic pain, it works well at first. But the more you take it, the less effective it becomes. You may even find that you need to take a higher dose of suboxone for the same effect.
Pros of Suboxone for Back Pain
- It can help you transition off other opioids because it has a lower risk of overdose.
- It can treat opioid addiction without forcing you to go cold turkey.
- It can provide immediate relief from withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and anxiety.
- It can reduce your daily dosage to help you taper off the drug.
- It can be used to treat a variety of chronic pain conditions.
Cons of Suboxone for Back Pain
- It’s a daily medication that is used to treat chronic pain. It’s not meant to be used on an as-needed basis.
- It can cause tolerance if you take it for an extended period of time. You’ll need to increase the dosage over time to get the same effect.
- You may experience a decrease in your quality of life over time. This can happen if you start taking higher doses.
- It can be difficult to taper off the drug once you’re done with the treatment. You may need to get medical assistance in order to do so.
Final Words
Suboxone can be a great option for people who are dealing with chronic pain and also happen to be dealing with an opioid addiction. It can help reduce the cravings that you’re having, it can help reduce the amount of pain that you have, and it can help you to wean off of opioids.
You can only take suboxone for as long as your doctor prescribes it. Make sure that you’re aware of the risks of taking this drug for an extended period of time. If you have any questions about suboxone, talk to your doctor.
