Used to treat users with opioid addiction, Suboxone/Subutex (Buprenorphine) is an addicting opiate drug. Approved in October 2002 by the FDA, the high-dose sublingual pill Suboxone/Subutex has also recently been introduced in European countries as treatment for chronic pain. It can be used both for chronic cancer pain as well as chronic non-malignant pain.

Why is Suboxone prescribed?

Many doctors prescribe this drug for withdrawal and/or addiction without warning the patient about the drug’s addictive nature, and the fact they are trading one opiate for another. Some Anesthesia Detox Facilities (2 facilities at this time) give it to patients for up to 6-12 weeks after the detox procedure, and approximately 99% of in-patient rehab centers are using it. These patients do well while taking the drug, but after being discharged and within 3 days, patients typically suffer from withdrawal and seek help for Suboxone/Subutex addiction.

What are some Suboxone side effects?

Suboxone side effects may include:

• Drowsiness, dizziness, weakness
• Constipation
• Headache, nausea, or vomiting
• Slow, shallow breathing
• Heavy feeling in the chest
• Mental and mood changes
• Stomach/abdominal pain
• Dark urine, yellowing eyes and skin, vision changes
• Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
• Loss of libido
• Frequent night time urination
• Anxiety
• Depression/sadness
• Lack of interest (no “zest” for life)
• Personality changes

What are symptoms of Suboxone withdrawal?

Symptoms of Suboxone withdrawal can be very uncomfortable and cause patients to revert back to their original drug use. Suboxone withdrawal symptoms can also last up to 2-5 weeks.

• Severe anxiety, thoughts of suicide, malaise & severe depression
• Diarrhea & sweating
• Cramp-like pains in the muscles, leg kicking, convulsions
• Severe and long lasting sleep difficulties (insomnia)
• Goose bump skin (cold turkey)
• Cramps, abdominal pain
• Dehydration & fever

How do I choose a Suboxone detox program?

Talking to a trained detox or medical professional is the right first step in choosing the appropriate program. Call the Rapid Drug Detox Center at 1-888-825-1020 or contact us if you’d like to learn more.

Investigators and specialists say that the drug world is ‘trendy’. These days Suboxone is becoming the street drug of choice and is an emerging threat in the U.S. Police are stepping up efforts to get the prescription drug off the streets. In 2008, the number of ‘busts’ for Suboxone was increasing. This year, as the demand for Suboxone on the streets increase, drug units across the country are making even more arrests.

Suboxone is fast becoming a much abused illicit opiate drug. Undercover officers believe the rise in Suboxone is tied to an increase in heroin use. They say that if users can’t find heroin or don’t want to go through the withdrawals they will seek out Suboxone. It is popular among younger people because it is relatively cheap; Suboxone is sold in pill form, which can go for as little as $3 on the street.

A few states have reported problems with doctors who are selling Suboxone prescriptions. It is ‘officially’ used to replace the opiate that addicts need to prevent withdrawal, but Suboxone is highly addictive and users often suffer tougher withdrawal symptoms than they would with a traditional opiate. Taken the wrong way Suboxone is deadly. Users, teenagers especially, often mix Suboxone with other drugs or alcohol; leading to higher chances of overdose and death.

The most recent letter we received about Suboxone Side Effects really captures the pain that people feel when they realize they have now become addicted to Suboxone:

I have been on suboxone for the last few years after being addicted to pain pills from my many surgeries. I was never told about the many negative side effects from this drug. After reading about them I realize I suffer from all of them. I went from a happy, confident, popular guy to now having no friends, very depressed, and isolated, basically feeling like hell. I’ve been trying to get off of it for more than 6 month’s now and every time I stop taking it, the month or two of withdrawal outlasts my will.

I need help to get off of it and if I don’t, my fear is I won’t be alive in a year. It has ruined me in every way; most of all financially. I need advice, please help me.

Tags: Drug Detox, Suboxone Detox