Suboxone Use
Suboxone Use
Suboxone is a prescription medication that is a mixture of buprenorphine and naloxone. It can come in pill form or in strips both which are meant to be taken orally on or under the tongue. Buprenorphine is an opioid. An opioid is known as a narcotic painkiller. Naloxone is a unique narcotic drug that reverses the effects of any other opiate narcotics. Most individuals use Suboxone to treat opiate addiction. With the mixture of buprenorphine and naloxone makes Suboxone an effective drug to help people with opiate withdrawal. The whole idea of Suboxone use as directed is to taper a person off the other opiate drug gradually so they can become free from opiate addiction with the unpleasantness of actual opiate withdrawal. When a person who is tapered off using Suboxone is finished with their withdrawal they still may have a hard time staying clean and may return to abusing opiates. This is why Suboxone is sometimes used for long-term maintenance of opiate addiction.
Suboxone can be used recreationally and when it is it produces euphoric effects much like other opiates. Some signs and symptoms of Suboxone use are respiratory suppression just like with any other opiate. When mixed with benzodiazepines which can suppress respiration also, Suboxone use can even be fatal. Deaths have occurred with Suboxone use when it is mixed with other drugs or even when alcohol was used. Suboxone even when used in accordance with a prescription can make it dangerous for someone to operate machinery or drive. Some common effects of Suboxone use are sleeping problems, cold or flu symptoms and nausea.
Someone who uses Suboxone may experience some of these signs and symptoms such as:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Muscle pain and cramps
- Watery eyes
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Depression
- Slurred speech
- Increased blood pressure
- Poor memory
- Small pupils
- Apathetic mood
When Suboxone use is carried on for long periods of time it can also result in:
- Loss of interest in sex
- Hair loss
- Abnormal responses to stress
- Inability to accept and manage emotions
When Suboxone is used for long periods of time and then stopped a person can still experience Suboxone withdrawal even though Suboxone is meant to be the drug to help with opiate withdrawal. The withdrawal symptoms from Suboxone are similar to the withdrawal symptoms from other opiates. The catch with Suboxone is that it will also produce feelings of withdrawal if it is not taken orally. So if Suboxone use is done by shooting or snorting the user will experience withdrawal symptoms. It is best to never stop taking Suboxone without talking to a health professional first and to always use suboxone as directed.
Suboxone is a great drug for those who want to overcome their opiate addiction and move on to total abstinence. Depending on what is recommended for each individual person it can be something that really makes opiate withdrawal painless and easy so they can leave their opiate addiction behind. Unfortunately Suboxone use is not just limited to those wanting to get clean but also those wanting to get high and the effects of recreational Suboxone use can be very dangerous.
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