Buprenorphine Addiction
Buprenorphine opiate addiction easily develops from using this drug to treat other opiate addictions to drugs such as heroin, morphine or oxycontin. Buprenorphine is the active ingredient in brand name drugs Suboxone and Subutex. These drugs diminish the painful withdrawal symptoms that stem from opiate addiction and withdrawal.
Using Suboxone for long-term relief or withdrawal may cause the same cycle of addiction to repeat itself, the only major difference is that Buprenorphine addiction is a legal addiction which replaces the illegal addiction. As with other opiates, the fear of painful withdrawal symptoms prevents many Subutex addicted people from seeking addiction treatment.
Though Suboxone is not supposed to be addictive, and it is said that this drug does not produce the effects of feeling “high”. While this may be partially true, it still can cause physical and mental dependency. It may not produce the exact same effects of feeling high that other opiates do but, it does this drug does block 95% of the person’s pain receptors. Subutex also has similar painful withdrawal symptoms to other opiates when discontinuing use of it. Subutex is used to “treat” addiction to opiates but it is a semi-synthetic opiate itself and in the long run can lead to another round of opiate addiction and Suboxone withdrawal.
Buprenorphine can be a great tool when it is used for a short period of time under medical supervision during an opiate cessation process. Since this drug greatly decreases the symptoms of opiate addiction withdrawal; trained rehabilitation and cessation facilities sometimes use it for 1-2 weeks while the person cessation ifies their body of the opiate they were previously addicted to. Once the person surpasses the physically painful stage of opiate withdrawal, the Suboxone would be tapered out of their system; slowly over another 1-2 week period of time. Doctors who are licensed to prescribe Suboxone or Subutex usually recommend that their patients stay on the medication for one year. The course of one year gives the patient’s body enough time to become physically dependent upon the medication and this is often where buprenorphine opiate addiction occurs. The fear of painful withdrawal can drive a person to take Suboxone for much longer than a year, sometimes; a whole lifetime.
Many opiate addicted individuals were initially drawn to opiates not only for their effects of physical pain relief but the dampening effects opiates have on emotions too. This is because opiates mimic the actions of endorphins or enkephalins, the natural pain killers in the body. Endorphins are what block not only physical sensations of pain, but they also lessen emotional pain. The natural ability of a mammal is to perceive the feelings of other mammals. This is because all mammals contain a limbic (emotional) brain, and the limbic brain is where endorphins are mostly used and synthesized. The natural ability to “feel” another human’s emotions allows us to perceive a threat, or engage in a bonding experience. Endorphins are what BLOCK this ability. So when an individual is low on endorphins, they will pick up others feelings too acutely. This over-sensitivity can become extremely emotionally painful. When an individual with this kind of personality takes opiates, they usually feel “okay” for once. Some individuals even cut themselves, as this releases endorphins, to provide a similar feeling of relief.
At Alternative to Meds Center, we help individuals to reduce their dependence upon pain pills, alcohol and other drugs. Buprenorphine withdrawal, when done properly, is relatively uncomplicated and surprisingly tolerable. Using nutrients that build endorphins make this a mild withdrawal. Building the natural body’s pain killers with nutrients lessens symptoms of withdrawal, and also provides relief that is long-lasting which greatly reduces the chance of future relapse. Individuals trying to overcome Buprenorphine opiate addiction will also receive amino acids created to replenish low endorphin states, exercise, diets high in protein, sauna therapy, and the elimination of processed foods, sugars, and cigarettes.
Learn more about why a person experiences Buprenorphine opiate withdrawal, and how we may help you to significantly lessen it.
Though Suboxone is not supposed to be addictive, and it is said that this drug does not produce the effects of feeling “high”. While this may be partially true, it still can cause physical and mental dependency. It may not produce the exact same effects of feeling high that other opiates do but, it does this drug does block 95% of the person’s pain receptors. Subutex also has similar painful withdrawal symptoms to other opiates when discontinuing use of it. Subutex is used to “treat” addiction to opiates but it is a semi-synthetic opiate itself and in the long run can lead to another round of opiate addiction and Suboxone withdrawal.
Buprenorphine can be a great tool when it is used for a short period of time under medical supervision during an opiate cessation process. Since this drug greatly decreases the symptoms of opiate addiction withdrawal; trained rehabilitation and cessation facilities sometimes use it for 1-2 weeks while the person cessation ifies their body of the opiate they were previously addicted to. Once the person surpasses the physically painful stage of opiate withdrawal, the Suboxone would be tapered out of their system; slowly over another 1-2 week period of time. Doctors who are licensed to prescribe Suboxone or Subutex usually recommend that their patients stay on the medication for one year. The course of one year gives the patient’s body enough time to become physically dependent upon the medication and this is often where buprenorphine opiate addiction occurs. The fear of painful withdrawal can drive a person to take Suboxone for much longer than a year, sometimes; a whole lifetime.
Many opiate addicted individuals were initially drawn to opiates not only for their effects of physical pain relief but the dampening effects opiates have on emotions too. This is because opiates mimic the actions of endorphins or enkephalins, the natural pain killers in the body. Endorphins are what block not only physical sensations of pain, but they also lessen emotional pain. The natural ability of a mammal is to perceive the feelings of other mammals. This is because all mammals contain a limbic (emotional) brain, and the limbic brain is where endorphins are mostly used and synthesized. The natural ability to “feel” another human’s emotions allows us to perceive a threat, or engage in a bonding experience. Endorphins are what BLOCK this ability. So when an individual is low on endorphins, they will pick up others feelings too acutely. This over-sensitivity can become extremely emotionally painful. When an individual with this kind of personality takes opiates, they usually feel “okay” for once. Some individuals even cut themselves, as this releases endorphins, to provide a similar feeling of relief.
At Alternative to Meds Center, we help individuals to reduce their dependence upon pain pills, alcohol and other drugs. Buprenorphine withdrawal, when done properly, is relatively uncomplicated and surprisingly tolerable. Using nutrients that build endorphins make this a mild withdrawal. Building the natural body’s pain killers with nutrients lessens symptoms of withdrawal, and also provides relief that is long-lasting which greatly reduces the chance of future relapse. Individuals trying to overcome Buprenorphine opiate addiction will also receive amino acids created to replenish low endorphin states, exercise, diets high in protein, sauna therapy, and the elimination of processed foods, sugars, and cigarettes.
Learn more about why a person experiences Buprenorphine opiate withdrawal, and how we may help you to significantly lessen it.
