Opioid addiction is a serious illness that can be treated through medication-assisted treatment (MAT) using medicine like Belbuca vs Suboxone. Both medications are strong treatments for symptoms related to opioid use disorder (OUD) but have different purposes. Although medication must be prescribed through your medical treatment provider, it’s good to understand each one.
Belbuca vs Suboxone: What’s Better for Opioid Recovery?
Both Belbuca and Suboxone contain the opioid antagonist ingredient buprenorphine. Belbuca is the brand name for buprenorphine on its own, while Suboxone is the brand name for the combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Thus, both medications have some similarities in what they treat and their effects. When it comes to choosing one medication for recovery from opioid use disorder (OUD), there are factors to consider. Firstly, your medical practitioner will be the one to prescribe either medication to you, as both must be used with a prescription. Therefore, they will know which medication is right for your issues. But it’s good to understand both options and how they treat opioid addiction.
What Is Belbuca?
Belbuca is a brand-name opioid treatment containing buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is a synthetic opioid with a ceiling effect, meaning it doesn’t provide the same high as illicit opioids like fentanyl and heroin. Also, buprenorphine blocks the positive effects of opioids, which helps with withdrawal. Belbuca utilizes this ingredient for the purpose of alleviating severe chronic pain. This medication is prescribed for intense cases where other medications aren’t having enough of an effect. Notably, Belbuca is intended for pain relief but is also used in the treatment of opioid withdrawal because pain is a common symptom.
How Does Belbuca Work?
Belbuca medication works by binding to mu-opioid receptors that control how one feels pain, pleasure, stress, and mood. Opioids are highly addictive because they target these receptors, which have a high risk of addiction. Yet, Belbuca treats severe pain by reducing pain in the central nervous system. It comes in the form of a fast-dissolving film. Belbuca film can be placed on the cheek, under the tongue, or as a patch on the skin.
What Is Suboxone?
Suboxone is a branded medication of the ingredients naloxone and buprenorphine. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, and buprenorphine is a partial opiate antagonist. Together, this fixed-dose medication alleviates symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Suboxone comes as a film that goes under the tongue, and it is a tablet that is dissolved in the same way.
How Does Suboxone Work?
Suboxone is an effective treatment approach to opioid addiction because it blocks the effects of opioids. Notably, it decreases the symptoms of cravings and discomfort and prevents relapse by blocking a high. All of this works together to prevent individuals from getting the positive effects of opioids, thus helping in the withdrawal process. Even though it’s in the opioids class, Suboxone has a low misuse risk because it doesn’t allow for a high. It also blocks the effects of opioids, making it unpleasant to mix with other drugs.
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Speak With Our Admissions TeamMain Differences Between Belbuca and Suboxone
A common question is, Is Belbuca the same as Suboxone? Belbuca and Suboxone are two medications with some similarities, but they are not the same. Belbuca is a brand-name medication with the ingredient buprenorphine, but Suboxone is the branding of buprenorphine and naloxone as a mixture.
Above all, the medications differ in their intended use. Belbuca is prescribed for chronic pain, including in people who are taking opioids or have a history of opioid abuse. Yet, it is also prescribed for people without a background in opioid addiction.
Conversely, Suboxone is a medication for individuals undergoing the opioid withdrawal process to alleviate symptoms of cravings and discomfort. Some people are prescribed Suboxone for the short process of detoxification, while others remain on the meds for maintenance indefinitely.
What Other Medications Are Used for Opioid Addiction?
Belbuca and Suboxone are only a few medications for opioid addiction. Both contain buprenorphine, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medication for OUD. The FDA approves two additional ingredients for opioid treatment, which we administer in our addiction facilities.
Methadone
Methadone is a synthetic opioid that treats severe pain and opioid addiction. It works by reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings to make the process of sobriety smoother.
Naloxone
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist medication that binds to opioid receptors to block the euphoric effects of opioids. This makes them unpleasant to use while on the medication, which assists in recovery from opioid dependency. Naloxone also reverses opioid overdose, which is why Naloxone kits are widely circulated to prevent overdose deaths.
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Check Your CoverageWhich Medication for Opioid Addiction is Right for Me?
It may feel confusing to know which medication is right for you. All opioid antagonists are extremely strong medications that must only be used in treatment through a licensed medical provider. Thus, rest assured that you won’t have to figure out your treatment by yourself. Only treatment professionals can offer medication help for OUD. At Aliya, we have a treatment track for overcoming opioid addiction. Our medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid abuse combines medication management with traditional and holistic therapy.
What Is Opioid Addiction Treatment Like?
Opioid treatment in a rehab center is safe and comfortable and teaches you independence and resilience. We understand that healing is a complex process. Some people need additional support from prescription medication to overcome their substance addiction. There’s no shame in that! In fact, we provide MAT for opioid recovery with medications like Suboxone and Belbuca at each level of care.
Medical Detox for Opioid Addiction
Many clients begin treatment with detoxification. This is if they’re entering treatment with substances in their system. Opioid detoxification generally lasts between 4-8 days. During detox, clients are provided around-the-clock care and monitoring to ensure their safety. We can prescribe comfort medications to make the process less painful and alleviate symptoms of withdrawal.
Inpatient Treatment for Opioid Addiction
During residential inpatient care, clients live in a center and have 24/7 aid available to them. Through therapy and counseling, they unpack the deeper reasons behind their substance abuse. Inpatient treatment is the beginning stage of rehab, where the emphasis is on growth, self-awareness, and goal-setting.
Outpatient Treatment for Opioid Addiction
During outpatient care, clients attend sessions during the day and return home in the evenings. The focus of outpatient rehab is more on sobriety, so individuals build skills like coping mechanisms and relapse prevention. Clients meet with their case managers to prepare for the future and work toward their sobriety goals in concrete ways. We also offer flexible rehab options as part of outpatient treatment, such as partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programming.
Please reach out today with any questions about pain management and medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction, including questions about partial opioid agonists such as Belbuca vs. Suboxone. Once you call, we can begin an insurance verification to get started treating opioid use disorder. Prescription opioids can be dangerous, but a treatment center that offers behavioral therapy and addiction recovery can help. Addiction therapy at a drug and alcohol recovery center is safe and effective.
