What are the distinguishing features of Methadone and Suboxone
Methadone and Suboxone are recognized as a substitute for heroine. Substitution treatment means that one takes a substitute in place of heroine. There are two forms of treatment one focused on abstinence and relapse and other on prevention and maintenance
Methadone is an artificial opiate. It is made in a laboratory, is a controlled drug and only be prescribed for medical purposes. It is used by heroin addicts, in particular, in order to cope up with the symptoms of withdrawal that occur after stopping the use. Heroine addiction is chronic, so methadone is prescribed at a constant dose.
Suboxone is a prescription medicine for opioid medication with active ingredients Buprenorphine and Naloxone. In a treatment focused on abstinence, the user takes Suboxone daily and the dose is gradually reduced, in combination with psychosocial support. When user receives Suboxone daily under the supervision of a prescribed dose, it allows the user to concentrate more on his recovery and continues to cope up with the physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. During maintenance, treatment is provided with a wide range of psychosocial support.
Suboxone is administered in the form of tablets which dissolves under the tongue. It does not hurt if the tablets are accidentally swallowed, because buprenorphine is inactivated by stomach acid. This is an important advantage over Methadone, because every year several children die after they ingest methadone accidentally.
Suboxone is an alternative to methadone, but is more expensive for the patient.
EFFECTS AND RISKS
Side effects mainly occur during the first few days of treatment and are similar to the side effects of opiates: intestinal problems, sleep disturbances, headaches, nausea, sweating, dizziness, drowsiness, difficulty breathing etc.
Suboxone effect is similar to that of Methadone, as well as the risks (injection into the veins and risk of overdose). Use of suboxone is dangerous in combination with sedatives and tranquillizers, even at doses that are not fatal separately. The two active substances in Suboxone® (buprenorphine and naloxone) each having a different purpose when taken as prescribed, namely as a tablet under the tongue acts as an opiate buprenorphine and is the only active ingredient. The other component, naloxone is added only to the injection which is less effective.
When heroine is injected the effects are severe within few seconds. This is called the flash by users. Methadone does not give this flash effect. For this reason, in addition to using methadone chronic addicts sometimes still use heroine, which, moreover increases the risk of an overdose. Methadone works longer than heroine. Another difference is that methadone is pure and not adulterated with other substances. Methadone has the same effects and hazards as heroine. The addictive effect is the same. After a number of weeks, methadone users also experience methadone withdrawal symptoms.
Methadone works longer than heroine. Heroin works 4 to 6 hours and methadone 24 to 36 hours. This long effect helps the addict to get back in the normal rhythm of life.
Center for Network Therepy, led by Dr. Indra Cidambi who is a nationally acclaimed chemical dependence expert, and M.D. at CNT explains why the ambulatory detox model will eventually marginalize the inpatient model. The infusion of home environment into treatment, customized medication management and good amount of support at home and other factors, would ultimately drive the higher efficacy of outpatient detoxification. CNT offers an exclusive and high quality Ambulatory (Outpatient) Detoxification services from alcohol, benzodiazepines, opiates (heroin, pain killers) and Suboxone, while taking into consideration co-occurring psychiatric issues.
The Ambulatory Detox program at Center for Network Therapy is structured and clients are at the center from 9-5 M-F and 9-4 on weekends and holidays. Physicians and nurses at CNT work together to monitor progress and titrate medications on the patients depending upon their needs and after monitoring their progress. At CNT, all detox-related medications such as Valium, Buprenorphine (Suboxone), Librium, etc. are facilitated at no expense to the client. You can access more information at www.recoverycnt.com;
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