About the Buprenorphine in Suboxone and Subutex
Suboxone and Subutex contain Buprenorphine. Like Heroin, OxyContin, Morphine, and Codeine, Buprenorphine is an opiate drug made from an extract of the opium poppy plant, Papaver somniferum. Some drug addiction professionals prescribe Buprenorphine to replace the existing opiate of choice. This is to help drug-dependent patients delay withdrawal symptoms long enough to control opiate intake, minimize risk of overdose and allow individual to participate in some sort of behavior modification or rehabilitation program.
What’s in Suboxone and Subutex
Subutex contains only buprenorphine while Suboxone also contains naloxone to guard against misuse. Buprenorphine is a semi-synthetic drug, meaning scientists create buprenorphine in a laboratory from natural chemicals extracted from the poppy plant. Opium poppies have three main active ingredients: morphine, codeine, and thebaine. Scientists extract these three chemicals to create opiate drugs. The active ingredient in Vicodin® is hydrocodone made from codeine extracts, for example, and scientists then use the hydrocodone to synthesize other powerful drugs, such as hydromorphone (Dilaudid) and oxycodone (OxyContin).
Scientists create buprenorphine from the opium extract, thebaine, to help patients delay symptoms of withdrawal from dependence on heroin and other opiates. Interestingly, criminal scientists also use thebaine to create heroin. All opiates created from poppy plant extracts work in a similar way – by binding to opioid receptors to create changes in the central nervous system and elsewhere in the body. These changes cause the hallmark effects of opiate use – pain relief, relaxation, and a pleasant sense of euphoria.
What are the Effects of Suboxone and Subutex
The effects vary slightly between opiates, with heroin causing great euphoria and buprenorphine creating almost none. Buprenorphine is also different in that tends to hold onto the opioid receptors better than heroin, so the effects of buprenorphine last longer. With continued use, all opiates pose the risk for physical dependence and addiction. Physical dependence causes significantly uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that last for several days or weeks. Addiction results in cravings and unhealthy drug-seeking behavior.
Doctors sometimes prescribe buprenorphine products to delay withdrawal while the plan is made for patient rehabilitation. Buprenorphine works by attaching to the opioid receptors; the body thinks it has had its daily dose of the usual opiate in order to skip the withdrawal symptoms. The patient continues taking buprenorphine products to manage opiate intake and control withdrawal symptoms, while making a plan to learn how to live without drugs. He then try to wean himself from Suboxone and Subutex with the assistance of the prescribing doctor. This second phase does not always works as plan because of the difficult aspects of Suboxone withdrawal.
The primary problem with this approach is that, as an opiate, buprenorphine can result in addiction and physical dependence. Furthermore, the long-lasting effects of buprenorphine lengthen the withdrawal process, as it takes longer to detoxify the body.
Treatment for Suboxone and Subutex
Suboxone and Subutex have undoubtedly saved lives from dangerous heroin abuse, uncontrolled painkiller use, and potential overdoses from these drugs. However, buprenorphine is still an opiate that presents a significant risk for dependence and withdrawal. Many patients do not fully understand the risks when they begin buprenorphine therapy. This may be due to prescribing physicians not properly informing patients of the risks involved.
Waismann Method® has the tools and expertise patients need to stop help patient get through buprenorphine detoxification, with the use of the medically monitored detox while inpatient in a private room of our hospital . If you or someone you love is taking Suboxone or Subutex and wants to put an end to this addiction, with the best opiate detoxification treatment available, contact Waismann Method® today.
