Suboxone - Frequently asked Questions
Suboxone is easier and safer than methadone and It should also be cheaper, but not yet. I like the convenience of picking up two month’s worth of medication without all the hassle of going to a methadone clinic daily. I’ve tried Methadone for almost a full year and it was a huge hassle. For people hooked on Vicodin or Oxycontin, Subutex is a cheaper, safer, and legal alternative than both Vicodin and Oxycontin, not to mention the doctor shopping.
I frequently get asked if you have to stay on Suboxone for life, and the answer is no. After 6-8 weeks of stabilization, I’d encourage a gradual taper. Of course, this only works when people are doing the work they need to do to get their lives back on track. they must get a stable job or they must really want to be clean before a change can happen.
I only use Subutex for detox. Naloxone, the opiate blocker in Suboxone is supposedly not absorbed orally. This is why Suboxone is supposed to be placed under the tongue until the pill is disolved, It is a problem if it is injected, at least 30% of the people on Suboxone complained of nausea, headache or decreased efficacy. These symptoms usually will disappear after the first week of dosage.
“Subutex is easier and safer than methadone” Other Questions I’ve been asked:
Does Suboxone show up on Drug Tests?
No not unless they test specifically for buprenorphine.
What’s the difference between Subutex and Suboxone?
Both contain buprenorphine but Suboxone has an added ingredient called Naloxone, which if injected will precipitate withdrawal. The theory is that this decreases the desirability of selling Suboxone to get high.
Is it addictive?
Yes, it is addictive, although somewhat less so than other opiates. However, due to the longer half-life of buprenorphine, it can take more time to get through the detox period when you do decide to stop. Most people report that quitting buprenorphine is easier than quitting pure opiates. Do I need to go to rehab to do it?
Do I need to go to rehab to do it?
No, However Subutex and Suboxone is prescribed in inpatient settings.
