The DATA 2000 or Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 suggests
Suboxone as the first line of treatment for anyone who has been
diagnosed with opioid dependence. Suboxone is consumed as sublingual
tablets and reduces the intensity of the withdrawal symptoms of
opioids. It decreases the craving and can help in overcoming the
dependence.
What is Suboxone used for?
Suboxone is primarily used to decrease the difficulty in getting rid
of opiate abuse. It eases the entire process by making withdrawal
symptoms less extreme so that they are relatively easier to bear and
tolerate. Formal treatment of drug abuse starts with an evaluation of
whether the drug addict requires Suboxone in the first place or not.
In addition to that Suboxone is only administered when the withdrawal
symptoms trigger off. Early administration can have a
counterproductive result.
How does Suboxone Work?
The active ingredient in the drug is Buprenorphine, a partial opioid
agonist. This means that the drug itself has some effects that are
similar to opioids. However, the symptoms are lesser than those that
are experienced when a full opioid like methadone, oxycodone, heroin
or hydrocodone is consumed. It therefore helps in the withdrawal
symptoms that can otherwise be extremely acute.
Suboxone also contains naloxone, something that blocks the effect of
opiates. However, it should be kept in mind that if Suboxone is
injected, the naloxone in it is known to block the effect of
buprenorphine, thereby causing withdrawal symptoms to occur. However,
when it is consumed sublingually, it does not affect the working of
buprenorphine. Therefore, it helps significantly in keeping off the
drug completely.
How can Suboxone be Abused?
Even though Subozone is used for patients who are in the maintenance
phase of recovery from opiate dependence, the fact is that Suboxone
itself is addictive in nature. The drug should be used exactly as it
has been recommended and it cannot be treated like SOS mediation. This
is mainly because stopping the use of Subozone can cause withdrawal
symptoms to return immediately.
Even though the effect of Subozone is relatively milder than that of
regular opiates, recreational users combine it with benxodiazepines,
sleeping pills, tranquilizers and alcohol to increase the overall
effect. Such combinations can cause extreme drowsiness, sedation and
even death.
What are the Side Effects of using Suboxone?
Suboxone should not be taken if it has not been prescribed. Those
allergic to buprenorphine or naloxone should also avoid this opiate
recovery drug. Some of the side effects that one can expect during a
Suboxone detox include flu like symptoms, headaches, chills, sweating,
issues with sleeping, nausea and mood swings. Diminished breathing is
one aspect of the drug that needs to be monitored since fatal
incidents have been reported.
Overuse of Suboxone can cause cold and clammy skin, weakness,
fainting, low blood pressure, pin point pupils, sedation and coma too.
There are people who try and use Suboxone on their own too since it is
a partial opioid. Checking out whether an individual is on Suboxone is
easy and can be done with a simple
Suboxone
drug test.