FAQ's
(Frequently Asked Questions)
What pain killers does Suboxone work with?
Suboxone works with opiate pain killers, including Oxycontin, Percocet, Vicodin, Dilaudid, Darvon, Demerol, Morphine and many others. If you're not sure whether Suboxone is right for you, please call us and ask at (617) 510-8474.
What is Addiction?
Addiction is the continued use of something, despite negative consequences related to your health, finances, work and/or family life. People can be addicted to substances and behaviors like gambling.
What is Dependence?
Dependence is a medical issue, not a behavioral one. Almost always, a dependence on alcohol or a substance means addiction. Addiction begins when repeated use of alcohol or a substance causes a process called Tolerance in the body. Gradually, the same amount of the substance has less of an effect. Thus, the person needs more just to get the same effect. Moreover, the person develops uncomfortable side effects if the substance isn't taken. This is called Withdrawal. For example, an alcoholic who has shakes in the morning and needs an "eye opener" is dependent. His body washed out alcohol during the night, and he needs some alcohol just to remove the shakes (withdrawal feelings) and feel "normal". He will need more and more alcohol as he becomes more and more dependent. Ultimately, many people with alcohol or opiate dependency devote most of their time, energy, and money on getting more of the substance. Soon, this interferes with other aspects of life, such as work or family life.
Why do doctors prescribe addictive medications?
Doctors frequently prescribe medications that are potentially addictive - particularly painkillers. They do this when they think the benefit of pain relief outweighs the risk of addiction. However, this is a difficult tradeoff, and many patients end up addicted through no fault of their own. For example, a patient coming out of surgery might have terrific pain. He or she needs the benefit of the pain killer, even though there is a risk of becoming addicted.
Why do some people become addicted to substances, while others do not?
There is no known scientific reason why some people become addicted to substances, while others do not. In the past, it was thought that some people had more addictive personalities than others, or they had a genetic predisposition to addiction. However, there is little basis for this in scientific research. The best doctors can do is recognize addiction as soon as possible, and treat it as soon as possible with medications like Suboxone.
What is detox?
Detoxification is the process of cleansing the body of the addictive substance. It is usually an uncomfortable process, and if done alone ("Cold Turkey") it can be painful and even medically dangerous. For example, some alcoholics have withdrawal seizures. In the past, detoxification could be done safely only at a hospital or inpatient facility. Fortunately, Suboxone makes the detoxification process mild and safe, so it can be done outside the hospital under the supervision of a doctor.
How Can I Avoid The Temptation To Use?
This is a very common and crucial problem. Just like the dieter who should never bring sweets into the home, people who are addicted to painkillers must not only stay away from friends and others who will tempt them, but they must rid their homes of all painkillers. In fact, it is best to rid your home of all unused medications. Some could be dangerous to children, for example.
Suboxone works with opiate pain killers, including Oxycontin, Percocet, Vicodin, Dilaudid, Darvon, Demerol, Morphine and many others. If you're not sure whether Suboxone is right for you, please call us and ask at (617) 510-8474.
What is Addiction?
Addiction is the continued use of something, despite negative consequences related to your health, finances, work and/or family life. People can be addicted to substances and behaviors like gambling.
What is Dependence?
Dependence is a medical issue, not a behavioral one. Almost always, a dependence on alcohol or a substance means addiction. Addiction begins when repeated use of alcohol or a substance causes a process called Tolerance in the body. Gradually, the same amount of the substance has less of an effect. Thus, the person needs more just to get the same effect. Moreover, the person develops uncomfortable side effects if the substance isn't taken. This is called Withdrawal. For example, an alcoholic who has shakes in the morning and needs an "eye opener" is dependent. His body washed out alcohol during the night, and he needs some alcohol just to remove the shakes (withdrawal feelings) and feel "normal". He will need more and more alcohol as he becomes more and more dependent. Ultimately, many people with alcohol or opiate dependency devote most of their time, energy, and money on getting more of the substance. Soon, this interferes with other aspects of life, such as work or family life.
Why do doctors prescribe addictive medications?
Doctors frequently prescribe medications that are potentially addictive - particularly painkillers. They do this when they think the benefit of pain relief outweighs the risk of addiction. However, this is a difficult tradeoff, and many patients end up addicted through no fault of their own. For example, a patient coming out of surgery might have terrific pain. He or she needs the benefit of the pain killer, even though there is a risk of becoming addicted.
Why do some people become addicted to substances, while others do not?
There is no known scientific reason why some people become addicted to substances, while others do not. In the past, it was thought that some people had more addictive personalities than others, or they had a genetic predisposition to addiction. However, there is little basis for this in scientific research. The best doctors can do is recognize addiction as soon as possible, and treat it as soon as possible with medications like Suboxone.
What is detox?
Detoxification is the process of cleansing the body of the addictive substance. It is usually an uncomfortable process, and if done alone ("Cold Turkey") it can be painful and even medically dangerous. For example, some alcoholics have withdrawal seizures. In the past, detoxification could be done safely only at a hospital or inpatient facility. Fortunately, Suboxone makes the detoxification process mild and safe, so it can be done outside the hospital under the supervision of a doctor.
How Can I Avoid The Temptation To Use?
This is a very common and crucial problem. Just like the dieter who should never bring sweets into the home, people who are addicted to painkillers must not only stay away from friends and others who will tempt them, but they must rid their homes of all painkillers. In fact, it is best to rid your home of all unused medications. Some could be dangerous to children, for example.