Ohio is in the midst of a heroin epidemic, and The Center for Effective Living treats a lot of people who are struggling with addiction to this and other opiates. One of the treatments we rely on for heroin addiction is the drug Suboxone®, which you may have heard of.
As the Suboxone® website says, “Suboxone® … is a prescription medicine indicated for treatment of opioid dependence and should be used as part of a complete treatment plan to include counseling and psychosocial support.” We have used it with great success, and our Dr. James Rodio, MD, frequently chooses to include it in the treatment plan he prescribes. But is it right for you?
The first step in determining any treatment plan is evaluation—meeting with a doctor or mental health professional to seek diagnosis and make a treatment plan. If you’ve been using opiates outside the bounds of a trusted doctor’s prescription, this is a step we’d recommend you take as soon as possible.
When making your treatment plan with your doctor or mental health practitioner, you might want to ask if Suboxone® is right for you. Since every patient’s treatment is designed to meet his or her unique needs (both physical and otherwise), Suboxone® may or may not be an appropriate choice. The doctor or mental health practitioner you’re working with will be able to talk through this, and every other, aspect of their recommended treatment plan, and you should walk away with a clear understanding of the path you’re about to embark on and the tools you’ll be using. (Here at the Center of Effective Living, Suboxone® is part of a total approach to being free from opiates and our patients need to be in routine, individual or group treatment here to be part of Dr. Rodio’s Suboxone® treatment.)
Choosing to seek help in discontinuing the use of heroin or any other substance is an act of strength, and we are always honored to be a part of our patients’ progress towards a healthier life. Remember that your interactions with licensed doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists are confidential, and that you have the option of seeking a second opinion of you aren’t completely satisfied with your practitioner’s assessment or recommendations. Your health is, ultimately, in your own hands, and professionals like us are here to help you take control of it.