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Methadone v Suboxone

Methadone v Suboxone

Heroin is a major problem in American society. There are approximately 1.8 million regular Heroin users. This is classified as an opioid and produced from morphine, a substance that is a natural-by product of the poppy plant. Heroin like every opiate and are very addictive. Those addicted to the drug dire consequences and society also suffers from these addicts criminal activities. It should be remembered that addiction to the drug often leads to severe health problems and can even result in fatal overdoses.

There are many ways to treat an addiction to heroin. The two most common are methadone and Suboxone.

Methadone is perhaps the best-known treatment for opioid addiction and it is widely prescribed in the treatment of heroin addiction. Methadone is a slow acting opioid, and this means that the often-severe withdrawal symptoms associated with heroin addiction are limited and eased. Methadone is a means of helping an addict to recover and not to relapse and they remain trapped in the dark world of addiction. Many users need Methadone to stay off heroin, often for a period of years.

Methadone Concerns

The risks of Methadone treatment have been of concern for many years. Methadone is not as potent or as an addictive drug when compared to heroin. However, it is still addictive, and it can lead to all the problems that are associated with addiction such as overdoses. Indeed, many of the dangers associated with heroin dependency are also associated with Methadone addiction such as respiratory failure.

Therefore, not all states endorse Methadone as a suitable treatment for recovering addicts and this means that many addicts are forced to go out of state to receive the drug. Then there are many restrictions on the taking of the drug.  Supervised treatment at a clinic for up to five years is an example of the riggers of this method.  Many patients report that this can be very demeaning.

Suboxone Advantages

Because of the real problems associated with Methadone, scientists sought alternatives to this medication. In 2002, a new opioid medication entered the market, this was designed to offer a better alternative to Suboxone. Suboxone is a brand name for a drug made up of the following properties such as Buprenorphine and one-part opioid antagonist, Naloxone. Buprenorphine acts on the opioid receptors in the brain, but only activate them partially. Suboxone is therefore not as addictive.

The addition of Naloxone, an antagonist stops people from injecting Suboxone to get high and this encourages sobriety. Naloxone means that Suboxone cannot be abused by a recovering addict.

Suboxone can be taken as a pill or as a film placed under the tongue.

The Drug Treatment Act 2000, determined that qualified physicians can prescribe Buprenorphine from their practices, instead of clinics. This meant that a person taking Suboxone only had to visit a clinic once a week or even a month to receive the medication. This meant that an addict did not have to attend a clinic and could enjoy a relatively normal life.

Suboxone has all the advantages of Methadone without the disadvantages. Those who take the medication usually prefer it to Methadone and highly recommend it. They often report feeling like their own self after a short period of time. Because Suboxone is only a partial opioid it only causes a mild high or euphoria and it is very hard to abuse.  It is considered much superior to Methadone.

However, like methadone and heroin, Suboxone can cause symptoms such as vomiting. Suboxone is a powerful drug and should only be taken when prescribed and under the care of a doctor. It is highly recommended that Suboxone is only taken in conjunction with professional help from counselors and therapists.

Suboxone is the better option or those who seek to overcome an addiction to heroin.