Suboxone Doctor Baltimore Medicaid

Suboxone is a mild narcotic medication used for treating opiate dependence through medication-assisted drug treatment. Suboxone is not an ideal painkiller, but for some people it offers more relief and is much safer than other typical opiate medications. Chronic pain and addiction commonly occur together, it presents a very real dilemma for many pain specialists and addiction professionals.
How Do You Taper Patients Off Opiates and Still Manage Chronic Pain?
Non-medical use of opiates is an ever-rising concern, with recent reports showing about 5% of the population in the U.S. abusing opiates. Patients with opiate addiction frequently report having chronic pain and it may cause an increased risk for trauma, sympathetic arousal, sleep problems, increasing tolerance and many other issues. Tapering from the drug happens gradually and over time, with constant supervision for a suboxone doctor.
What is the Strategy in Using Suboxone for Chronic Pain?
An opiate addicted patient with chronic pain is at an increased risk of overdosing. The reasons for the increased risk are complicated and include the person having an increased tolerance, opiate cravings related to the addiction, using opiates to self-medicate against the symptoms of depression and the impact of withdrawal. It is safer to use suboxone for pain management, because the medication reduces the cravings for opiates and it alleviates withdrawal symptoms which means less can be taken. In time, a person can be tapered down from the medication and find other healthier ways of managing pain.
What About People Already on Opiates for Chronic Pain?
It’s recommended that all people under treatment for chronic pain be screened for addiction, before a doctor prescribes any opiates. It won’t be easy to screen for addiction because the hallmark of an addiction issue is for the person to deny there’s a problem. Appropriate screening which includes a history, physical examination, and urine drug test can help make a determination ahead of time, what the relative risk factors are for a patient. People who are already on opiates for chronic pain management will need to visit their doctor regularly to make sure their treatment plan is working and to ensure the medication isn’t becoming addictive.
Suboxone for Pain Management Can Work
Once a decision has been made to use suboxone for pain management, it’s important for a person to be under the strict supervision of a skilled medical professional. As with any medication, suboxone carries with it many risks, which is why it’s important to only take it as it’s been prescribed and only for as long as a doctor determines it is necessary. Also know about Suboxone Doctors in Baltimore that Accept Medicaid