The United States has been caught in the middle of an epidemic of opioids for over 10 years now. Starting with heroin, OxyContin to hydrocodone and fentanyl millions of Americans are abusing opioids and are doing in alarmingly high numbers. In reality, around 130 people are killed every day in the United States because of an overdose of opioids. This shouldn’t come as a surprise since in the United States (which makes up just 4.4 percent of the total population) is the largest consumer of worldwide opioids. But two of the known and tested weapons to fight the problem of addiction is methadone, and Suboxone drugs specifically designed to treat withdrawal from opioids and addiction. If you are ready to take your life back from alcohol, visit at Alcohol Rehab Places Coppell.
The epidemic of opioids did not appear overnight, however it was a gradual development through the first half of 2000 before reaching a point that it was too big to be ignored by the close of the decade. In 2011 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declared the ever-growing opioid issue as an epidemic. As addiction grew more widespread, more needed been done to reduce the rising rates of addiction to opioids using the use of methadone or Suboxone.
What exactly is Methadone?
Methadone is a substance which was initially developed in the 1960’s , but it is currently used for treating addiction to opioids. It is an opioid agonist, which means that once consumed, it triggers opioid receptors within the brain. This is because methadone it’s own sense is an opioid but it’s nowhere near as powerful or dependent as stronger opioids such heroin or the oxycodone. When methadone is taken under the guidance of a physician it can help reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms and cravings for continual the use of opioids. If you are looking for the best methadone rehab clinic in Los Angeles, CA, Local Methadone Rehab Clinic is one of the top Rehab Clinics of Los Angeles near you. This methadone center has the best methadone doctors that describe the best treatment.
What’s Suboxone?
Suboxone is the name used for buprenorphine, the drug. Suboxone hasn’t been in use for nearly the same amount of time as methadone when it was created around the middle of 2000. At the time of its creation it was described as being the “gold gold” of opioid therapy due to its efficacy in minimizing withdrawal symptoms as well as fighting off the urge to use again. This is an partial antagonist of opioids and, therefore, is able to bind on the receptors of opioids within the brain, but doesn’t stimulate these receptors.
Suboxone and Methadone: The differences
The simple and straightforward descriptions of methadone as well as suboxone instantly highlight the most fundamental differences between them. As was said that methadone acts as an opioid antagonist, while suboxone is an antagonist of opioids. So, when methadone is taken, it stimulates the opioid receptors that it binds to. When suboxone is used it also binds the opioid receptors, but it does not activate these receptors. Suboxone and methadone differ in the length of time they’ve been in use in the sense that methadone has been employed in opioid addiction treatment for more than two times longer than suboxone. What are the most notable distinctions between these two drugs?
Suboxone is a drug that can be taken to home
Each of methadone and Suboxone are habit-forming when they are used in excess. But, methadone is more addicting than Suboxone because it requires large quantities of Suboxone in order to create the high. This is why doctors typically give Suboxone to patients and let them bring it home. It isn’t common for someone recovering from addiction issues to be prescribed methadone before being taken home, since methadone can be more habit-forming. In contrast, those given methadone are required to visit your local pharmacy on a regular basis to get their dose.
Suboxone treats opioids that are short-acting and methadone is a treatment for long-acting opioids.
They both methadone and Suboxone are able to treat any substance abuse disorder, however, most of the time Suboxone will be prescribed as a response to the kind of opioids that the patient was taking. Patients who abuse short-acting opioids such as heroin and certain prescription painkillers could gain more benefit from the introduction Suboxone in their treatment. However those who have been dependent on long-acting opioids such as Fentanyl could benefit the most from using methadone in treating their symptoms.
Methadone can be used by pregnant/breastfeeding women
The research has proven that methadone is a safe drug to use by mothers who are pregnant or breastfeeding without harming their children. This is an important benefit in the treatment of mothers who are addicted to opioids, since it could help them end their dependence on opioids completely. If the addiction to opioids is addressed, it lowers the chance of developing neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and other health problems for the mother and baby. Suboxone is, however is listed in the category C drug and, therefore, no enough research has been done to establish whether or not using the drug during pregnancy causes negative adverse effects or not. In general, Category C drugs are considered for those pregnancy in which the benefits of the drug outweigh dangers, which makes Suboxone one to be used according to the recommendation of an Obstetrician.
Each of methadone as well as Suboxone have revolutionized the game in the field of opioid dependency, as both have the potential to stop active opioid addiction, assist in the struggle from withdrawal. They also help keep patients focused on recovery, not their physical and mental turmoil. It is essential to however seek out professionals who are able to determine the right treatment for your specific situation to ensure you get the greatest benefit.