At Niagara Falls Urgent Care, our dedicated team of healthcare providers is committed to offering comprehensive medical care, and that includes treatment for opioid use disorder. We understand the challenges posed by addiction and the bravery required to get treatment. Our medical practice follows a structured protocol for initiating Suboxone treatment, a medication designed to help those struggling with opioid dependency.

Our expert healthcare provider conducts a thorough medical evaluation as the first step towards initiating Suboxone treatment. This includes a detailed assessment of your medical history, physical examination, understanding of the nature of your opioid use, and gauging your readiness for change. Honesty during this stage is critical for tailoring the most effective treatment plan for you.

Once the evaluation is complete, our healthcare provider will discuss various treatment options with you. If Suboxone is considered the most appropriate treatment, we ensure you fully understand the benefits, potential risks, and possible side effects. We will get your informed consent in writing before commencing the treatment, providing an opportunity to voice any questions or concerns you may have.

The initiation of Suboxone treatment follows an induction protocol. This phase begins when you start experiencing mild withdrawal symptoms, marking the start of your body withdrawing from the opioids it’s dependent on. The initial Suboxone dose is administered under our healthcare provider’s supervision, who will monitor your physical response and adjust the dosage if necessary.

We employ a withdrawal management strategy for individuals who are physically reliant on opioids. This phase is crucial to prevent severe withdrawal symptoms, which can occur if Suboxone treatment is started prematurely.

Post-induction, the treatment enters the stabilization phase. Regular monitoring during this stage helps to ensure treatment effectiveness, manage any side effects, and modify dosage if required. This includes urine drug testing, blood work, and ongoing counseling sessions.

The final phase is maintenance, which can last from several months to a lifetime, depending on your individual needs. Regular monitoring and support during this period are critical to prevent relapse and promote sustained recovery. We encourage you to follow the prescribed regimen, attend all scheduled appointments, and communicate openly with our healthcare provider about your progress and any concerns you may have.

Suboxone treatment under Dr. Santanu Som’s expert guidance typically involves three phases. The first, known as the induction phase, lasts up to a week, during which he closely monitors patients to determine the most effective dosage and manage withdrawal symptoms. He then transitions her patients to the stabilization phase, which may take a few weeks or multiple months. During this phase, his goal is to determine the lowest dosage of suboxone at which the patient won’t have cravings or withdrawal symptoms.

The final phase, known as the maintenance phase, can extend from months to years or even indefinitely. In this phase, patients are expected to have significantly reduced their misuse of opioids and lead a generally stable life, free from cravings.

He emphasizes the fact that suboxone, while effective, is not a cure for opioid addiction. Regular consultations with her are necessary to monitor progress and adjust treatment plans as needed. He also advises that the medication dose may be gradually reduced and discontinued, but this decision should only be made under her direct supervision to prevent withdrawal symptoms and relapse.

We are conscious of how challenging it is to overcome addiction. We know that Suboxone, an opioid agonist-antagonist medication used to treat opioid addiction, can play a pivotal role in managing the cravings and withdrawal symptoms associated with opioid addiction.

However, it’s not uncommon for our patients to experience withdrawal symptoms, particularly in the initial phases of suboxone therapy. These symptoms may occur due to incomplete receptor activation, decreased use of opioids, a quick reduction in dosage, or drug stoppage.

Similar to other opioid withdrawals, suboxone withdrawal produces similar symptoms. They may include restlessness, muscle aches, nausea, and cravings for the drug, among others. These symptoms typically peak within 2-3 days and gradually subside within a few weeks.

To manage these symptoms, we recommend staying hydrated, getting adequate rest, taking warm baths, using over-the-counter medications as needed, and avoiding other opioids. Misuse of suboxone, including injecting it, can cause significant withdrawal symptoms because the drug contains naloxone. Therefore, taking Suboxone exactly as prescribed by our healthcare professionals is of utmost importance.

Our team is trained to provide the necessary support should your withdrawal symptoms become severe or persistent. We can assess your condition and adjust your Suboxone dosage as necessary. Remember, changes to the dosage or discontinuation of the medication should always be done under our medical supervision.

At Niagara Falls Urgent Care, the frequency of your visits during Suboxone treatment will depend on your unique circumstances, including the severity of your opioid use disorder, your response to treatment, and your overall health. When you first start your treatment, our medical provider may need to see you more frequently. This could range from daily to weekly visits, allowing our provider to monitor your response to the medication, manage any potential side effects, and adjust your dosage as necessary.

As your treatment progresses and your condition stabilizes, the frequency of these visits may decrease. You may be able to transition to biweekly or monthly appointments. Our physician will collaborate directly with you to shape a treatment plan that meets your individual needs, keeping a close eye on your growth and modifying your treatment plan as needed.

Attending all your visits during Suboxone treatment is important as it helps our medical provider assess your progress, provide support, and ensure you are receiving the best possible care. Even after you’ve completed your Suboxone treatment, you may still need to visit our office for follow-up appointments. These visits offer an opportunity for our provider to assess your long-term recovery and address any potential relapses or other issues. For more information, please contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 3117 Military Road Suite 2, Niagara Falls, NY 14304. We serve patients from Niagara Falls NY, Lewiston NY, Sanborn NY, Walmore NY, Tonawanda NY, Model City NY, and Grand Island NY.