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Is Buprenorphine (Suboxone) Treatment Right For You?

The epidemic of opioid abuse throughout the United States has greatly increased the number of opioid dependent individuals.  With a much larger population dependent on opioids, there is also a larger population of those seeking help.  In the past decade, prescription opioid drugs have become a major part of this national epidemic. The first step is to understand which phrase defines the person looking to begin recovery.  The person has either an "opioid dependence" or an "opioid addiction".  This is important to distinguish early on to pick the proper path for recovery. Opioid Dependence  - an individual with opioid dependence has been using opioids for an extended amount of time, and their body and mind has become accustomed to the drug and its effects (can acquire dependence to opioids in as little as 1-2 weeks).  If the opioid use is stopped or greatly reduced the body and mind will react negatively, the person experiences withdrawal symptoms.  Most individua
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Pain Patient Dependent on Opiate Painkillers


Opiate addiction does not discriminate, this point was mentioned in my first post.  This is true with all drug addictions in fact, but what makes opiate addiction unique is that some individuals have found themselves addicted to opiates, simply by following doctors orders. I will say that I believe there is a difference between "addicted" and "dependent" when referring to status of drug use. Unfortunately, those merely dependent on opiate pain killers prescribed to them are stuck with facing the same hard reality as addicts when their drug is cut off.

Withdrawals are hell. The human body will not favor an individual using 60 mg/ day of hydrocodone just because they were prescribed legally by a physician. The truth is you face the same withdrawals as an addict popping those 60mg/ day for the fun of it.  This dilemma has become the nightmare of countless people in the united states. Dependent on pain meds, and the doctor says he is cutting the meds. It has caused everyday people to turn to the streets to fuel an addiction they didn't even know they had.

The good news is that there are ways to make things easier on yourself. Educate yourself about the options available. Suboxone aka buprenorphine is a great way to assist in detox, or can be used as a maintenance drug. Many of those who were merely dependent on opiates for pain issues can utilize buprenorphine for 3-5 days to ease your way into detox. It usually is not necessary to start a maintenance program with buprenorphine unless you were heavily dependent on opiates or using them for a long period of time.

Beginning a buprenorphine maintenance program can put you right back in the same spot further down the road though. Buprenorphine will cause withdrawal symptoms that are nasty to deal with, but you are not likely to be cut off without warning.

NAABT.org is a great tool for finding a buprenorphine doctor in your area, as mentioned in an earlier post.

P.S. - It is not my intention to advocate buprenorphine treatment for all opiate addicts. In fact I believe it not necessary in many cases.

Questions or comments welcome

Take care


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