Is Suboxone the best treatment for opiate addiction?

Suboxone for opiate addiction

No one wants to take a pill the rest of their lives.

No one wants to be controlled by outside forces.

No one wants to suffer withdrawal.

No one wants to feel the undertow drag them deeper.

No one wants to be found dead with a needle in their arm.

No one wants to admit they need help.

No one wants to lose loved ones.

No one wants to file bankruptcy.

No one wants to be a disappointment to their mother.

No one wants to steal from their kids.

No one wants pain over pleasure.

No one wants suffering over joy.

No one wants to say they are powerless.

No one knows what to do.

Opiate addiction.  It either affects you or someone you know.   I’ve treated teachers, preachers, nurses, entrepreneurs, carpenters, mechanics.  You name it, I’ve seen it.

The common thread: Guilt.

The common question: How did I end up here?

And despite what some say, how you got here matters.  But what matters more is what you do now.  You are not your past.  You are the actions you take today.

Suboxone is an effective method of treatment for many people.  But it isn’t the only treatment option.  I’m not trying to push a pill.  I’m trying to open your eyes to the possibility of a new life.

Most people are too worried about what the outside world thinks.  They don’t walk in your shoes.  And you will never fit their mold, no matter how hard you try.  So don’t try.  God made you.  That’s the mold you fit in.  No one else’s.

Is Suboxone the best treatment for opiate addiction?  Here are a few other options:

  • Group meetings
  • Counseling (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Psychoanalysis, Etc)
  • Vivitrol
  • Kratom
  • Clonidine
  • Hypnosis
  • Inpatient Intensive Treatment
  • Outpatient Intensive Treatment
  • AA/NA
  • Celebrate Recovery
  • Ayahuasca

There are more.  But you get the idea.

The internet has become a breeding ground for trolls, negativity, and destruction.  Used to be, the bully was the biggest guy around.  Bring him down and you’re safe on the playground. But from the shadows of the internet, anyone can be a bully.

There’s a trend for bullies in the addiction world as well.  Or maybe they aren’t bullies, just zealots.  You see everyone thinks their way……is THE WAY.   And if you aren’t following their steps, then you aren’t sober.

We are trapped by our own experiences.  What worked for us must work for someone else.  What didn’t work for us must not be worth a flip.

It’s sort of like this:  “I know you’ve failed our 30 day inpatient treatment program twice already, but you obviously didn’t pray hard enough.  This is really the only way to get clean.  You can’t take Suboxone, that’s cheating. You’re just substituting one drug for another.”

“Suboxone is big Pharma, Kratom is the answer”

“Just stick to the 12 steps”

“Take this expensive vitamin, get in a hot sauna, and learn some basic self help. Trust me, it works.”

“All you need is willpower. Addicts are just weak minded”

I see it time and time again: People judging other people’s methods to get better.

I’m not saying everyone needs to take a pill for every problem they have.

I’m saying this is a war.

I’m saying you need whatever weapons that help keep you alive.

Everyone is different.   And recovery is different for different people.

Suboxone is a part of what we call Medication Assisted Treatment.  And that means just what it says.  You use  medication to assist in helping the withdrawal symptoms and the cravings.  That way you can face your inner demons without the constant fear of imminent death hovering over you.

I was talking to a world renowned addiction specialist at a conference in San Diego.  He told me counseling wasn’t necessary for opiate addiction.  Only Suboxone.   His point was that Suboxone was so much more effective than any treatment option for opiate addiction, it was all that was needed.

But I disagree.

To truly heal, I believe you have to go deep.  Inside that crusted over soul of yours.  To find your purpose, your calling, your meaning.  It’s right there inside you.

And you can’t do that with a medicine.  But the medicine can give you the head space you need to accomplish this.  And that’s why the medicine is important.

Maybe I should take a few seconds to explain something.

You won’t just wake up some day and be whole.  It’s a process.  A journey into dark nights and bright blue days.  But a journey worth taking.

If you’re taking Suboxone, stop feeling guilty.  Start feeling proud that you’re making progress.  That you’re walking a path.  Help those around you and enjoy the process.

Your life is just beginning.  No matter how old you are.  We all have to start with today.

Life is short.  Time is not on our side.

Is Suboxone the best treatment for opiate addiction?

No.

Why? Because it’s not a competition.

The only treatment that matters is the one that helps you succeed.

p.s.

Need help? 662-322-0996

p.p.s.

clp Written by:

2 Comments

  1. Kim Middleton
    May 24, 2018
    Reply

    Oh Dr. Park, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE LOVE LOVE your perspective on addiction and the various modules of treatment, and your response on “is subuxone the best treatment?”..I LOVE the fact that you stated this is not a competition,. Your “laundry list” of the various tactics bullies use was EYE-OPENING for me. I do not remember a time when I didn’t feel “less than”, That was my whole way of life. I went into relationships, jobs, TREATMENT, etc, with that very mindset. Its has only been in the last 8-10 years, ( and I am 56,slow learner..lol). that I have felt some self worth and value. The important thing for me to emphasize (and this is just my take on things and what has FINALLY worked for me) is that I needed to get a grip on my “higher power” whom, I, proudly today refer to as “MY MAIN MAN, JESUS”…I tried for years to fill that hole. that emptiness inside with everything and everyone imaginable. Never worked. Neither did putting conditions on going to treatment, “I will go,, because perhaps then, God will restore my relationship with my kids”..anyway, I’ve made this comment into a term paper, and let me end with. I am so blessed to have found your yt channel.Not a coincidence (in my humble opinion) A coincidence is when GOD chooses to remain anonymous…lol…Looking forward to learning from you. Thank you for helping us all!! : : )

    • clp
      May 24, 2018
      Reply

      Filling our lives with TRUE MEANING makes all the difference in the world. Thanks for your comment,perspective, and being a part of this community!

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