Semi-Synthetic Pain Killer Addiction And Withdrawal
Opiate abuse is one of the major concerns in our society. Opium, the latex substance taken from poppy flowers, has long been used in various parts of the world. It has substances that help relieve pain and discomfort. From its organic form sprang a number of narcotic drugs in the market for the purpose of pain treatment. They are known as narcotics or opiates. Most narcotic medications have been abused which resulted to addiction instead. Many of those addicted to opiates experience difficulty in stopping because of the severe withdrawal symptoms felt when there is a sudden stop of drug use. In order to have effective recovery from opiate addiction, treatment is needed.
Therapy for opiate abuse begins with assessment and then detoxification. Detoxification is simply stated as a means of ridding off the body from the harmful chemicals of addiction. For many patients with opiate addiction, medication is needed in the detoxification process. These medicines help in reducing the withdrawal symptoms experienced by the person. One of these medications used is derived from opium and is called Buprenorphine. It is a semi-synthetic drug derived from thebiane, the main alkaloid from poppy flowers.
Buprenorphine is administered during the detoxification process in the management of opiate abuse among long time opiate addicts. It has been discovered that it is twenty to forty times more powerful than morphine and can be given at low doses. When properly administered and monitored, the use of this medicine truly helps patients by making them feel less of the withdrawal symptoms related to opiate addiction. One advantage of using buprenorphine is that a patient may be able to take the medication at home for at least thirty days without having to go to the treatment facility. It saves money and time for families and loved ones involved as well. There’s one danger in this practice somehow. Buprenorphine is also considered a narcotic and therefore has addictive qualities. Possible addiction to this drug can happen specially if prescriptions are not followed.
When one is dependent on buprenorphine, an abrupt stop of usage could lead to withdrawals from an addiction to buprenorphine. The withdrawal symptoms are less severe however, as compared to other highly addictive opioid drugs sold in the market. Possible withdrawal symptoms include but are not limited to excessive sweating, headaches, mood changes, nausea, insomnia and hallucinations.
How can we determine buprenorphine addiction? What are buprenorphine addiction symptoms? Impulsive behaviour and increased usage of the drug beyond prescription are common symptoms of abuse. Some individuals would fake or buy prescriptions at internet drug stores to avoid questioning. Anti-social behaviour is also manifested among those addicted. When these signs are present, it’s best to discuss these situations to a doctor and seek for help.
