If you are struggling with an addiction to opioids, you probably know that the safe and effective treatment is opioid replacement therapy. This involves taking a medication every day that reduces cravings for opioids and blocks their effects, so users can experience normal functioning without the negative side effects of withdrawal or overdose.
Wrong. Many recovering addicts might think that suboxone is a safer option than methadone or other methods of opioid replacement therapy because it’s not as potent as other opioids. But in truth, suboxone is just as dangerous and addictive as any other opiate drug when taken in excess.
Here are some things you should know about suboxone if you are considering this drug as part of your recovery plan:
Table of Contents
What is Suboxone?
Suboxone is an opioid agonist (or, put simply, a synthetic opioid). It is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is an opioid medication that can be used to treat opioid addiction by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of opiates, including Suboxone, so that people don’t misuse it (take it for the “high”). If someone on Suboxone misuses the drug by taking it in large amounts or crushing it and injecting it, the naloxone blocks the effects of the buprenorphine and can lead to withdrawal symptoms.
Given the fact that Suboxone is an opioid, all the same risks and dangers of abuse and addiction apply as to any other opioid drug.
The Dangers of Suboxone
There are many dangers associated with suboxone, and they are not only inherent to the drug itself but also to the process of getting prescribed it.
As with any prescription, there is always a risk with the doctor’s prescribing it that they will make an error. Once you have the prescription in your hands, there’s always the risk of misusing it and taking too much.
As with any other drug, there are dangers if you try to get high off of it without a prescription. And, as with any other drug, there is always the risk that you will use it as a crutch and get addicted.
Why is it So Addictive?
Addiction is a complex disorder that involves both a physical and a psychological component. When an individual misuses a substance, such as suboxone, the brain reacts in a way that makes that person crave the substance. The addicted person doesn’t necessarily need the substance to function, but they develop a psychological dependence on the substance. Here are a few theories as to why suboxone is so addictive:
– Buprenorphine’s slow-release mechanism: Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that produces a relatively mild high and has a slow-release mechanism, so symptoms of withdrawal are mild. This can lead to dangerous overuse and a growing dependence on the drug.
– Naloxone’s time-release mechanism: The naloxone in suboxone is released slowly, too. But its job is to prevent people from abusing the suboxone by taking too much of it at once. If a person takes more than prescribed, the naloxone will be released quickly and will counteract the buprenorphine.
How to Tell if You’re Addicted to Suboxone
If you suspect that you or someone you love might be addicted to suboxone, you should get help. The first step is to see a doctor and discuss the symptoms of addiction. The following are signs of an addiction to suboxone:
- You are taking more suboxone than prescribed or for longer than prescribed.
- You are experiencing cravings for the drug and trouble controlling your use.
- You are experiencing physiological withdrawal symptoms when you don’t have the drug.
- You are engaging in risky behaviors to obtain the drug.
- You are experiencing negative life consequences from your use.
What Can Help With the Withdrawal Process?
Withdrawal from suboxone is not physically dangerous but can be difficult and uncomfortable. The best way to ease withdrawal is to slowly taper off of the drug. This can be done with the help of a doctor or in an inpatient or outpatient detox program.
During withdrawal, people often feel flu-like symptoms such as aches, nausea, sweating, weakness, and stomach cramps. These symptoms are generally not life-threatening, but they can be uncomfortable and can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.
There are medications that can help ease symptoms, and in some cases, doctors may recommend a short hospital stay.
Conclusions
Suboxone is a synthetic opioid drug that is used to treat drug addiction. It is an agonist, or synthetic opioid, and is used to help ease the symptoms of withdrawal from opioids. Suboxone is also used to help people stop using other opioids and ease the transition to a drug-free life.
Suboxone is helpful for some people if it is used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes therapy and other services designed to help people recover from drug addiction. However, it is important to understand that suboxone itself is addictive and can cause both psychological and physiological dependence.
If you or someone you know is dependent on suboxone, it is important to get help. Treatment can help you stop using suboxone and learn how to live without it.
