The Suboxone Debate

Posted by azdrugrehabctr on March 6, 2015 under Opiate Abuse | Comments are off for this article

The addiction treatment community has been at odds about drug replacement therapy for years. Many are wary to recommend long-term drug replacement therapy, especially given the storied history of methadone. However, Suboxone varies significantly from methadone in that users are less able to abuse the drug and there is less risk of impairment as well. Many treatment centers have begun to administer their programs after a short taper of Suboxone is given to clients.

For several decades the traditional way to approach treatment was the 12-step method. This method subscribed to the idea that in order to overcome an addiction one was to remain completely abstinent and attend 12-step meetings designed to repair the damage caused by addiction both on the individual and on the other components of their lives like; family, work and religion. While this is still a viable option for treatment, many treatment centers have integrated other aspects to treatment that make attaining sobriety much swifter and long lasting. In addition to 12-step meetings, some treatment centers are incorporating trauma resolution – working with the client to get to the bottom of traumatic incidents in their life that may have caused the addiction. Working with trained therapists, an addict is able to confront their past and learn how to deal with problems in the future. This is different from traditional rehabilitation programs in that it provides another layer of treatment in addition to meetings.

Still, other treatment centers have moved away from 12-step altogether and focused instead to the physical and mental aspects of addictions using other forms of therapy. Either way, before a person can successfully focus on their treatment, they have to get over the painful withdrawal symptoms. Instead of quitting cold turkey, which often times is the quickest way to get back on heroin; treatment centers are beginning to introduce a Suboxone taper in their detox programs on a more regular basis. This allows the addict to safely and gradually wean off from heroin and get to a point where they are able to focus their energy into their recovery.

Suboxone and drug replacement therapy can vary in terms of length of time, and it may not be fore everyone, but there is a market out there for a safe way to come off a drug that is killing people otherwise.

Children Poisoned by Buprenorphine

Posted by azdrugrehabctr on September 17, 2014 under Opiate Abuse, Prescription Drugs | Comments are off for this article

An alarming trend has started to develop where children are being poisoned by buprenorphine, which a drug commonly prescribed to treat opiate addiction. Suboxone is a form of buprenorphine and is usually prescribed to heroin or opiate addicts to help them get over the painful withdrawal symptoms associated with the drug use. Suboxone comes in the form of a dissolvable strip that is placed under the tongue. Since the medication contains a synthetic opiate, it can be very dangerous for children.

The study shows that Suboxone was the most common drug stated during emergency room visits for children aged six and younger. This means that not only are these children gaining access to this harmful drug, but it also means that they are surrounded by someone or a group of people who are or have been abusing opiates. In its pure state, buprenorphine is actually much more powerful than morphine.

The study showed that for every 100,000 people who are prescribed buprenorphine, 200 children will be hospitalized from the medication. Almost 800 children were hospitalized last year for buprenorphine poisoning, with some of them not making it out alive.

Some people wonder if the reason why these children are gaining access to the drug is because the parents or guardians are irresponsible. In order to be in a situation where one needs Suboxone, the person has to be dependent on heroin or prescription painkillers in the first place. There can be a carelessness associated with the behavior.

Thankfully, the Federal Government wasted no time in ordering that new childproof packaging be developed for medicine like Suboxone. It is believed that this new packaging will help reduce the number of children from ingesting the drug. Other buprenorphine makers are also marketing individually wrapped tablets. It is thought that these individually wrapped tablets can reduce the harm associated with accidental overdoses by children. However, regardless of how the Suboxone is packaged, it is vital that it is kept far out of reach of children.