You need to know about diversion and abuse of suboxone. We’re deeply disturbed with the way it’s being misused under the guise of opioid dependency treatment.
What is Buprenorphine?
You may not realize that buprenorphine has its own medical indications. It’s used as a painkiller for moderate to severe pain. It is considered a narcotic and works on the brain and nervous system.
Most people are familiar with buprenorphine as part of a combination with another drug named naloxone. As a combination, they come in either a tablet form or sublingual film which is known as Suboxone. The drug combinations are used to treat opioid addiction and can be prescribed in a physician’s office.
Unfortunately, we at Clearbrook have come across some issues concerning the divergence and abuse of buprenorphine.
Diversion and Abuse of Buprenorphine
So, what’s the issue? Why are there such clear cut problems with using buprenorphine or its combinations? We think a recent article from Science Daily sums up the issue well. It states that the medication has its own abuse potential.
It’s not like this is a new idea. Buprenorphine was approved to combat opioid addiction back in 2003. In 2012, a medical journal article reported on a survey it took over a four-year time period. It found that “46% of the prescribing physicians believed that buprenorphine/naloxone was diverted, but 44% believed illegal use was for self-management of withdrawal and 53% believed the source of the medication was substance abuse patients.”
What does this mean exactly? A great number of those prescribed the medication are passing it on to others. Those who won’t be monitored by medical professionals.
It also suggests that suboxone has become another street drug. We suspect many know that they can get it illegally. It’s no secret that there are a number of people out there using it to get high.
Take Chris, for example. He’s in his third year of college and started using suboxone when a friend suggested it would make him feel good. It did. It wasn’t like he was addicted or anything. Or so Chris thought.
And then there was the day Chris got behind the wheel of a car. He has no idea how he wound up in the woods. Thankfully, he survived the accident. However, he was incoherent and confused.
Thanks to the accident, Chris was able to figure out that the suboxone was having ill effects on his well-being. He started to withdraw and sought treatment. Chris was able to get into a twelve step program. He is grateful that his life is back on track.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has addiction issues, we at Clearbrook have the experience to assist you. Contact us for an immediate consultation. We provide confidential and compassionate guidance towards your recovery.
