Drug Addiction Are We Winning The War?

Before the passage of the Drug Addiction Treatment Act in 2000, the primary medication to treat opiate addictions was methadone. In 2000, however, burprenorphine was approved in the law, and it could be prescribed by physicians who have been trained and certified by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment to treat opioid addiction. The main difference is that Suboxone contains both buprenorphine and naloxone, whereas Subutex contains only buprenorphine.



However, unothrodox use of Subutex has been growing in recent times , it is not uncommon to hear questions like Can you snort subutex and others . This actions are further complicating the drug war and making users more dependent on these drugs. Drug abuse is the use of illegal drugs or the use of prescription or over-the-counter medications in ways other than recommended or intended. It also includes intentional inhalation of household or industrial chemicals for their mind-altering effects. Tobacco use and problem drinking are sometimes included in the definition of drug abuse. Chemical abuse and substance abuse are terms sometimes used interchangeably with the term drug abuse, or they may be used to refer to a combination of drug abuse and tobacco use or problem drinking.

Many drugs that are abused are also addictive; they cause cravings and a continued desire to use them despite negative consequences. Drug abuse can start in childhood and continue in adulthood. Studies of high school students indicate that approximately 42% drink alcohol, 21% use marijuana, and 3% use cocaine. Approximately 12% have used inhalants, and 20% have abused prescription drugs (Source: CDC).

People who abuse drugs may take them initially out of curiosity, to escape, to feel good, due to peer pressure, or for a variety of other reasons. Drugs can affect a number of different organs, and complications can result from damage to the brain or to other parts of the body. Other negative consequences often result from the effects drugs have on a person’s mind, as well as actions an individual may take while under their influence.

According SHAMHSA, Several federal laws and regulations permit physicians and other medical personal to administer medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of opioid use disorders (OUD) under special circumstances. Buprenorphine offers several benefits to those with OUD and to others for whom treatment in a methadone clinic is not appropriate or is less convenient.

When you take Subutex, the theory is that you don’t experience the cravings for opioids that you would otherwise. It’s essentially a way to trick your brain into thinking you’ve been exposed to opioids, which can help prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms occur because your body has become physically dependent on the presence of opioids to bind to these certain central nervous system receptors. When the opioids aren’t present on the receptors, it sends your body into a type of shock. This can cause a variety of physical and psychological symptoms, which make it difficult to stop using opioids.

What happens when Subutex is taken is that it binds to these certain receptors, but without allowing for the euphoric effects of other drugs. If you were to take another opioid, the buprenorphine wouldn’t let it bind to these receptors.