Addiction Medicine

If you’re experiencing difficulty discontinuing opioid medications, you’re not alone: About 3 million Americans have opioid use disorder today. At their office in the Toluca Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, the addiction medicine professionals at Premiere Medical Center can help. To learn how Suboxone® treatment works and what it can do for you, call the office or click the online scheduler to arrange your appointment today!

What is addiction medicine?

Addiction medicine helps people who rely on illicit drugs or overuse pharmaceutical medications to overcome dependency. 

Premiere Medical Center specializes in addiction medicine for opioid use disorder. People with opioid use disorder rely on prescription medications such as hydrocodone, morphine, and fentanyl.

When might I need addiction medicine? 

You might need addiction medicine if you have a problematic history of opioid use. Signs of this include: 

• Trying unsuccessfully to cut back
• Powerful opioid cravings
• Increased tolerance over time
• Frequently taking more medication than intended 
• Spending considerable time arranging access to and using opioids
• Missing social activities 
• Missing work
• Relationship problems
  
  

One of the biggest indicators of opioid use disorder is withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit using the medication or go a long time between doses. 

Common withdrawal symptoms include muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, insomnia, and a runny nose. Many people also experience an overall feeling of discomfort and unease. 

Premiere Medical Center treats opioid use disorder in patients taking opioid medications for two or more years. The team can help you transition off your current medication successfully while minimizing your withdrawal symptoms so you can do so comfortably. 

How does addiction medicine work?

Premiere Medical Center  prescribes Suboxone, a treatment that contains buprenorphine, an opioid medication, and naloxone, which blocks the effects of opioids. 

This combination drug allows you to transition off your current opioid medication without the highly disruptive side effects you’d otherwise experience. 

Suboxone comes in a sublingual (under the tongue) film. Use the films every day according to your provider’s directions. Generally, you drink water before placing a film in your mouth; this creates moisture to help the films dissolve quickly. 

Your Suboxone treatment is usually just one part of addiction medicine. Learning healthy, new habits and thought patterns is just as important as transitioning off the medication for long-term success, so you’re likely to participate in psychotherapy or other counseling.

Continue to use Suboxone according to your provider’s directions, but they’re likely to gradually taper your dose to a smaller, maintenance dose long-term.

Addiction medicine at Premiere Medical Center can guide you to a healthier, happier life. If you’re ready to start transitioning off opioid medication, call the office or click on the online scheduler for help today.