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Buprenorphine Detoxification
Buprenorphine is typically prescribed for use in treating opioid use disorders, or addictions to opioid drugs like heroin, prescription pain relief medications, fentanyl, among other opioids.
However, there is also a high risk that you could also develop chemical dependence as a result of taking this drug. This is because it comes with a moderate risk for substance abuse and addiction.
When this happens, you are going to need professional buprenorphine detoxification services to guide you on the road to recovery so that you do not suffer from another addictive disorder.
Buprenorphine Addiction
Buprenorphine, which is derived from an opium extract known as thebaine, produces effects that are similar to those of methadone and heroin - although they are not quite as strong. This means that you may feel slightly sedated or euphoric when you have been taking it.
Even though the risk of abusing buprenorphine and developing a substance use disorder as a result is relatively low if you are already tolerance to higher doses of other strong opioids, it still exists.
In fact, taking buprenorphine in high doses could trigger withdrawal symptoms even if you had previously been diagnosed with a severe opioid use disorder. On the other hand, if you were not severely addicted to opioids, you may become addicted to buprenorphine.
Also known as Subutex, this drug is often prescribed for the management of withdrawal from drugs such as oxycodone and heroin. This is because it is effective at reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings for these strong opioids.
Buprenorphine Withdrawal
If you are addicted to buprenorphine and you suddenly stop taking it - or significantly reduce the dosage or frequency of its use - you may experience withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms and effects are similar to those that you would feel if you were addicted to heroin, although they are typically milder.
These buprenorphine withdrawal symptoms include but are not limited to:
- Bodily aches
- Changes in appetite
- Changes in your sleeping habits
- Cold sweats
- Flu-like symptoms
- Headaches
- Mood swings
- Nausea
Most of these symptoms will peak within the first couple of days after you have stopped taking the medication. After they peak, you will experience mild symptoms that will last for a couple of weeks.
Buprenorphine Detoxification
Also known as buprenorphine withdrawal treatment, buprenorphine detoxification is designed to ease the withdrawal process as well as help you abstain from the abuse of this drug.
Depending on your personal needs and preferences, such treatment would be provided in an outpatient or an inpatient clinic or treatment and recovery center. This will largely depend on your substance abuse history and medical needs.
If you were taking buprenorphine as a result of your previous oxycodone or heroin addiction, you may be tapered off the drug. This will potentially help you make the transition away from it. Alternatively, your treatment team might prescribe the use of other types of medications especially if you have displayed problems as a result of using buprenorphine.
On the other hand, if you were abusing buprenorphine without a prescription, the treatment team might encourage you to detox from it before checking into a substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation program.
Alternatively, you might benefit from medication management and many other treatment options during your buprenorphine detoxification process. The important is to enroll for such treatment at the right facility as soon as you realize you have developed chemical dependence as a result of abusing buprenorphine.
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