Heroin and Opiate Addiction Treatment Options

Please note that this is not a Suboxone endorsement or advertisement. This author simply experiences a number of clients that have little to no understanding of the available treatment aids that accessible and wishes to be informative. What’s the big deal about Suboxone? What does Suboxone do? Why do some individuals feel Suboxone has an advantage over other similar pharmaceuticals?

Suboxone comes in both a sublingual tablet and film, while the film is becoming the mainstream delivery mechanism. Suboxone is composed of 8 mg buprenorphine and 2 mg naloxone. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist for dopamine whereas naloxone is a pure antagonist. The two parts have opposite functions; buprenorphine acting to establish homeostasis in the absence of opiates or heroin and naloxone decreasing the risks for abuse of Suboxone.

 The fact that Suboxone acts as a partial agonist for dopamine allows physicians to keep their clients from experiencing withdrawal symptoms associated with opiate dependence while decreasing the likelihood that those seeking such pharmaceuticals are abusing the substance. Suboxone is being used as both an agent in detox protocols, as well as a maintenance aid for long-term treatment. Individuals who are involved in maintenance would experience no effects from opiates due to naloxone if they were to use an opiate while using also using Suboxone. Because of this added agent, lower levels can be used compared to the protocol used by many methadone clinics; since that protocol utilizes the principle of maintaining a high enough dose that would limit illicit drugs effects on the client.

 Heroin and opiate detox programs utilize Suboxone, especially in the outpatient setting, since the chemical Naloxone helps decrease the chances of relapse throughout the protocol. Suboxone, in the detox program, can help minimize the effects of withdrawal over the duration of treatment. Many of these programs will put the client on Naltrexone upon completion of the detox. Naltrexone and Naloxone are very similar compounds that differ in their half-life, or the amount of time that the chemical stays within the clients system. Vivitrol is now being used to deliver this pure antagonist that blocks the effects of heroin, opiate, and opioids. This is done by a polymer compound that contains Naltrexone breaking down in the blood and slowly releasing the chemical.

 Whatever the program, Suboxone has been proven effective in a multitude of treatment protocols and is a beneficial tool in opiate addiction treatment. It is important to note however that Suboxone and medications alone have not been proven to be as successful alone as compared to programs that combine medications, psychiatric care, and counseling. When choosing your treatment be sure to do your research and choose a comprehensive program that treats you where you are at…

Midwest Institute for Addiction