Help for Opiate Withdrawal
Do You Need Help For Opiate Withdrawal?
Fear of opiate withdrawal symptoms often prevents many people from getting clean and coming off of opiates. In the past, people had to quit “cold turkey” without the help of any other kind of drug. There are now drugs, however, that help for opiate withdrawal. The most popular medications people use to come off of opiates are methadone and suboxone.
What is Methadone?
Methadone is a synthetic opioid that doctors can prescribe to help an addict get off of heroin or other opiate-based narcotics. Methadone is a synthetic opioid and is used in some cases to manage chronic pain. Methadone is given to opiate addicts mainly to help lessen the severity of the opiate withdrawal symptoms.
What is Suboxone?
Suboxone is very similar to Methadone, as it is also used to wean opioid addicts off of heroin or other opiate-based narcotics. The most significant difference between the two is that Suboxone is only a partial opioid, whereas methadone is a full opioid. This means Suboxone has less potential for abuse because it is not as likely to produce euphoric feelings. Both methadone and suboxone block the opioid receptors and stop a person from feeling the high of other opiates. They should both also help reduce cravings for other opiates.
Miracle Drugs For Opiate Withdrawal or Just Another Form of Opiate Abuse?
Many people see drugs like Methadone and Suboxone as some kind of magical cure for addiction. These drugs will help lessen the severity of withdrawal from opiates, and they may stop a person from using other opiates. Still, it’s important to remember that many negative consequences can come from these drugs. These medications are most effective when taken as prescribed and in conjunction with a recovery program or plan.
Ideally, a user will take Methadone or Suboxone for a limited time, slowly lowering the dose until they do not take anything. Opiate withdrawal can be painful and scare people away from attempting to get clean, so just knowing that these medications are available may help many people decide to enter treatment. Therefore, I think that in some circumstances, these drugs can be excellent.
The most important factor is that these drugs are taken at an appropriate dose, and there is a knowledgeable medical staff readily available. If someone is taking one of these drugs without a professional’s oversight, they can be abused very easily.
A lot of people go on one of these drugs expecting it to cure all of their problems – and for a time, it might seem like it does. But if the user doesn’t figure out why they used in the first place and doesn’t work on other parts of their recovery, they are unlikely to stay away from their drug of choice. Many people stay on these medications for an extended period of time, or even for their entire lives. Again, this is something that should be discussed with a professional.
Read More About Suboxone v. Methadone If You Need Help For Opiate Withdrawal
Suboxone and Methadone can be beneficial, but there are risks involved in taking them.
- Both of these drugs are very addictive and can cause an overdose if too much is taken.
- The withdrawal symptoms from these drugs can be worse than actual opiate withdrawal from heroin or other narcotics.
If you can get clean without the aid of other drugs, that is likely the best way to go. When something like Suboxone or Methadone is needed, take these drugs with extreme caution and under proper supervision.
I have done a lot of research and read many personal experiences of people who have used both Methadone and Suboxone. The consensus seems to be that Suboxone has less of a potential for abuse, and the withdrawal from Suboxone is significantly less severe than the withdrawal from Methadone.
Always consult a professional and make sure you are taking these drugs as prescribed. Make sure you also try to incorporate other types of recovery into your plan, such as rehab, intensive outpatient, therapy, 12 step meetings, or anything else you might incorporate into your recovery.
Different drugs work for different people, but there is always a way to get clean. As long as you are willing to do whatever it takes and are eager to follow directions and put in some hard work, long term sobriety is possible.
What is your opinion on drugs like Suboxone and methadone? Please share your experiences and your views with us!