Drug and Alcohol Rehab Solutions for Addiction

Before we can answer the question, what is Suboxone? we have to first ask the question, what is an opioid? To start, an Opiate is any of the various sedative narcotics containing opium or one or more of its natural or synthetic derivatives. Also defined as a drug, hormone, or other chemical substance having sedative or narcotic effects similar to those containing opium or its derivatives; also called an opioid.

Suboxone is the first narcotic drug available from a doctor’s office for use in the treatment of opioid dependence, under the Drug Addition Treatment Act of 2000. Suboxone contains an ingredient called naloxone, which blocks the effects of drugs like methadone, morphine, and heroin. This is added to prevent people from injecting Suboxone or the improper use of the medication. Injecting naloxone can also cause withdrawal symptoms. If opioid use suddenly stops, patients who are physically dependent will experience withdrawal symptoms. Avoiding this withdrawal is the main reason behind the drug seeking and drug use of someone who is physically dependent on opiates. A physical dependence means that the brain has made so many changes in response to repeated opioid stimulation that it needs opioids to function normally.

Common Characteristics of Opioid Dependence Include:

Tolerance to opioids
Withdrawal symptoms occur when not using
Taking other drugs to help relieve withdrawal symptoms
Increase of amount and/or duration of the use of opioids
Desire to quit and/or unsuccessful attempts to quit
Excessive amounts of time and effort to obtain, use, and recover from use
Giving up or reducing social or recreational activities
Continued or prolonged use of opioids, regardless of negative consequences

If opiate use suddenly stops, patients who are physically dependent will experience withdrawal symptoms. Avoiding this withdrawal is commonly the reason behind the continued drug use of someone who is physically dependent on opioids. Withdrawal from opiates can be painful.

Symptoms can include:

Inability to sleep
Muscle cramps and aching
Diarrhea, nausea, constipation and/or vomiting
Opioid cravings
Extreme irritability
Loss of appetite

Over time, repeated use of an opioid causes certain receptors in the brain to become tolerant (less responsive) to opioids—in other words, more of the substance is needed to create the same effect. The primary active ingredient in Suboxone is buprenorphine which is a partial opioid agonist, (a chemical substance capable of activating a receptor to induce a full or partial pharmacological response.) Its opioid effects are limited compared with those produced by full opioid agonists, such as Oxycodone or heroin. Suboxone also contains Naloxone, which is there to discourage users from injecting it. When Suboxone is placed under the tongue, as directed, very little naloxone reaches the bloodstream. What the patient feels is the calming effect of the buprenorphine. However, if Naloxone is injected, it can send a person dependant on opioids into a full withdrawal.

It is extremely dangerous to take benzodiazepines or other depressants while taking Suboxone. Overdose and death may occur if benzodiazepines, sedatives, tranquilizers, antidepressants, or alcohol are taken while taking Suboxone.