Suboxone Uses, Addiction Potential & Treatment Costs Q&A

Suboxone comes in several different forms such as dissolvable strips, sublingual pills, or tablets. Each type also comes in different colors, shapes, and sizes, and is imprinted with the strength of the dose so that they can be easily distinguished from each other.

When you are taking suboxone as part of medication-assisted treatment (MAT), it’s very important that you take the prescribed dosage to ensure safety and efficacy. Knowing what your suboxone prescription looks like will help protect you from taking the wrong dose by mistake. If you’re unsure, always contact your provider for more information.

Those who are undergoing treatment for opioid addiction typically take suboxone to manage their withdrawal symptoms while they’re detoxing. Suboxone is also used to help control cravings as patients progress through therapy and rehabilitation.

While suboxone can potentially be addictive, the risk of becoming addicted is minimal. Suboxone is not as intense of a sedative as other drugs and is far less likely to cause the cravings that inspire repetitive, compulsive use. Buprenorphine which is the opioid ingredient that makes up part of suboxone, may cause some moderate withdrawal symptoms once the patient begins weaning off of it. This includes symptoms such as headaches, muscle pains, and nausea. However, to mitigate this doctors tend to gradually reduce the amount of suboxone given to a patient as they move through treatment.

In addition to this, buprenorphine also has a “ceiling effect” which means that its potency won’t grow with bigger or more frequent doses. This means that those who have built up a tolerance to buprenorphine will not be able to compulsively or repeatedly increase how much Buprenorphine they take to overcome that tolerance.

The cost of suboxone treatment can vary depending on where you’re located, where you’re getting the medicine from, the strength of the prescription, the length of the treatment period and any insurance coverage that you may have.

On average, suboxone medication costs range from $60 for 14 doses of the 2 mg/0.5 mg formulation to $220 for the 12 mg/3 mg formulation. Several doses of suboxone are often needed each day to manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms which can add up to quite a bit of money out of pocket.

However, it’s important to note that suboxone treatment is usually partially or fully covered by insurance. In addition, there are also usually discounts and financing options available for those who need more financial support as they move through the recovery process.

In most cases insurance will either partially or fully cover the cost of suboxone treatment. This is due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) which requires that addiction treatment and behavioral healthcare services be covered by the majority of major healthcare plans for more comprehensive patient support.

However, it’s important to note that health insurance policies and coverage will vary by state, insurer, and the individual plan that has been purchased. Coverage to pay for suboxone will require that the medication be included on the individual plan’s approved medication list, so it’s best to check in with your provider to see if this is the case.

As suboxone is a monitored drug there may also be stipulations on when and how often the prescription can be refilled.

If you’re looking for safe and effective treatment for opioid addiction, Marcellus Wellness & Addiction Services can provide you with the dedicated support you’re looking for. Contact us today for more information about our suboxone treatment plans or book in with us online at your earliest convenience. We serve patients from Rockville Centre NY, Brooklyn NY, Queens NY, Staten Island NY, Manhattan NY, Bronx NY, and surrounding areas.