Suboxone

Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is an opiate created for medication to assist in withdrawal from opiates. It is smiliar to other opiates like heroin and codeine, however, it gives less of a euphoria or high and it is hoped that it would be easier to discontinue using because of this. Naloxone is an opiate blocker. If the Suboxone were to be crushed and used for injection it would give withdrawal symptoms and block the effects of the opiate. Suboxone is to be used to treat opiate addiction.

Warning - People do overdose and die from Suboxone. The potential for addiction to Suboxone exists for those who stop this medication too quickly, they can experience withdrawals. Suboxone may cause drowsiness and impaired thinking. The use of alcohol with this medicine may dangerously increase drowsiness and dizziness. Use of Suboxone may dangerously increase the effects of many things like antidepressants, sleeping aids and medications for anxiety. Risks to unborn babies is unknown. And the potential for an unborn infant to suffer withdrawal is everpresent.

Both Methadone and Suboxone have longer lasting, more painful withdrawal then the opiate they were using. Also, the misinformation addicts receive concerning opiate replacement therapies is an injustice, in essence, they are still using an opiate.

Further, these therapies teach a sort of learned Helplessness when addicts are told they may require these medications for life.

Pro and Con user experiences can be located at www.Choosehelp.com a few are represented below:

“I am been clean 24 years and know thousands of others just like me. Addicts can and do recover without becoming enslaved to another drug.” Used appropriately, these medications are short term, and may help the addict reduce dependence and reliance on RX and opiates available on the street.”

“I have seem the damaging effects of long term opiate replacement therapy and the withdrawal I would not wish on anyone.”

“I did the Methadone lines in the late 70's and early 80's and am not a big fan of drug replacment therapy as a long term solution. In a Detox setting it has it's place. My biggest concern is withdrawl from any of the opiate replacement therapies. Both Methadone and Suboxone have longer lasting, more painful withdrawal then the opiates they were using. Also the mis-information of telling addicts they are clean on these replacement therapies is an injustice, as they are still using an opiate.”

“I have gone through withdrawals many times, and I can say without reservation that without Suboxone, I would not be functional, and find the process to procure the medication much more suited to my family life than the imposition methadone maintenance caused.”