Addiction To Suboxone
Addiction To Suboxone
Addiction To Suboxone : Not Usually; But Physically Dependent: Yes
Addiction to suboxone involves more than being physically dependent. When one is physically dependent on a drug (or medication), when they stop the drug they will have physical withdrawal symptoms. One example would be narcotics. The withdrawal symptoms from narcotics are particularly severe (although not usually dangerous) and include: sweating, runny nose, bones aching, abdominal cramping, yawning, goosebumps, anxiety, in insomnia. During Suboxone Treatment, you Will become physically dependent. These symptoms drive most narcotic users back to using within the first few days.
Suboxone Addiction: Is It Real?
Are you still “Addicted” when taking Suboxone instead of heroin, oxycontin, or other narcotics? The answer is “No.” Those who argue otherwise mainly have moral objections to using Suboxone rather than scientific objections. We really need to take a look at what is considered addiction first. Below are some examples of addictive behaviors:
- Thinking about the drug all the time or frequently
- Actively seeking out the drug often in illegal ways
- Repeatedly placing the person’s reputation, employment, or social relationships at risk in order to use or find drugs.
- Denial that the above are causing problems
- Engaging in other compulsive drug (alcohol) use or behaviors (sexual, exercise, gambling)
Supervised Suboxone Use is Not Addiction to Suboxone
Addiction is like any other chronic illnesses. A patient will go to a suboxone doctor for medication and counseling. This is not considered an addiction to suboxone. Similarly, patients with diabetes require life-long medications, and others can simply get off medication with diet and exercise. Narcotic addiction is very similar, with the exception that most addicts eventually relapse when either taken off buprenorphine or when stopping the narcotic.
When I have a patient on buprenorphine, the obsessive thinking about narcotics usually completely goes away. They no longer go to dangerous areas to acquire drugs and they reduce or stop illegal activities such as doctor shopping. Their financial condition improves because they are spending less money for buprenorphine than they did for narcotics (and many insurance companies are starting to cover buprenorphine). They also have less job changes or job firings. Instead of having to take pills four or five times per day, they can take this medication once per day and are not spending time worrying about it. Patients are able to begin improving their relationships with others once they are stable on Suboxone.
Taking a pill is NOT the end of treatment of patients with addictions. It only allows approaching therapy, a 12 step program, or some other recovery plan with a clear mind. Our experience with Methadone maintenance over decades has show substantial benefits to both patients and society. Gainful employment, reduction in other illnesses such as hepatitis or HIV, and a reduction in crime have all been shown. Yes, a person becomes physically dependent on Suboxone (buprenorphine), but they are not addicted to suboxone. They now have to ability to address their addictive behaviors.
Here’s a cool video I found:
- Suboxone Clinics in KY – If Suboxone minimizes opiate cravings, how’s it work. DO you feel high on suboxone? I Don’t want to be judged, but my life is ready for a change.
Find Suboxone Doctors:
If you feel you need help and are looking for a doctor who prescribes Suboxone, click here for our buprenophine physician registry. If you think you may need more intensive treatment such a methadone detox, other opioid detox, or getting started on buprenorphine inpatient, click here for our state opioid treatment center registry.
More related links for suboxone addiction :
- Intelligence Bulletin: Buprenorphine: Potential for Abuse – It remains available to provide access to historical materials. This bulletin addresses the use of buprenorphine, a drug recently approved for use in opiate addiction therapy. It examines the drug’s effects, advantages of traditional treatment options, and vulnerability to diversion and abuse.
- Buprenorphine Treatment Peer-Support Forum – Jul 23, 2007 – … dependance do you think they have had an addiction to suboxone? …… This page was generated in 1.05 seconds. Snitz Forums 2000 …
- Websites – Longer is Not Easier, But Better, In Rapid Detox Under Anesthesia
