The United States has been caught in the grips of an epidemic of opioids for over 10 years now. Starting with heroin, OxyContin to hydrocodone and fentanyl millions of Americans have been consuming opioids and are doing in alarmingly high numbers. As a matter of fact, about 130 people die every day in the United States because of an overdose of opioids. This shouldn’t come as a surprise since it is the case that United States (which makes up just 4.4 percent of the populace) is the largest consumer of opioids in the world. But two of the known and tested weapons to fight the problem of addiction is methadone, and Suboxone specially-designed medications 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 developed slowly in the early 2000’s, before it became too large to be ignored by the time the decade was over. In 2011 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declared the ever-growing opioid issue as an epidemic. As addiction grew more widespread the need for more 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 medication which was initially developed in the 1960’s , but it is currently used to treat addiction issues. It is a complete opioid agonist. This means that when consumed, it stimulates opioid receptors that are located in the brain. This is because methadone its own is an opioid but it’s not as powerful or as addicting as stronger opioids such as heroin or Oxycodone. When methadone is taken under the instructions of a physician it can help reduce the intensity of withdrawal symptoms and cravings for continual addiction to 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 exactly is Suboxone?
Suboxone is the name used for buprenorphine, a drug. Suboxone hasn’t been for the same amount of time as methadone since it was first developed during the second half of the 2000s. When it was first developed, however it was described as being the “gold benchmark” of treatment for opioids due to its efficacy in reducing withdrawal symptoms and stopping cravings to take it again. The drug is considered to be a partial antagonist of opioids and, therefore, is able to bind on the receptors of opioids of the brain, but doesn’t stimulate the receptors.
Suboxone and Methadone: The Differentialities
The straightforward and easy descriptions of methadone as well as suboxone will reveal some of their fundamental differences. As previously said that methadone can be described as an opioid receptor while suboxone is an antagonist of opioids. So, when methadone has been consumed, it triggers the opioid receptors that it binds to. If suboxone is consumed it also binds the opioid receptors, but doesn’t activate these receptors. Suboxone and methadone differ in terms of how long they’ve been around in the sense that methadone has been employed in opioid addiction treatment for more than two times longer than suboxone. What are the specific distinctions between these two drugs?
Suboxone is a drug that can be taken to home
Each of methadone and Suboxone can cause dependence if they are misused. However, methadone is much more dependent than Suboxone as it requires large doses of Suboxone to get the high. Therefore, doctors generally give Suboxone to patients and permit them to take it home. It’s not typical to find a person suffering from addiction issues to receive methadone prescriptions and taken home, since methadone has a tendency to make you more dependent. In contrast, those prescribed methadone are asked to visit your local pharmacy on a regular schedule to receive their dose.
Suboxone treats opioids that are short-acting and methadone treats opioids with long-acting effects.
They both methadone and Suboxone are able to treat any kind of addiction to opioids, but typically they are prescribed as a response to the kind of opioid the person was taking. Patients who abuse short-acting opioids, such as heroin, and prescription painkillers may gain more benefit from the introduction Suboxone in their treatment. On the other hand those who had been addicted to long-acting opioids, such as Fentanyl could benefit the most from using methadone for treating their ailments.
Methadone can be used by pregnant/breastfeeding women
Studies have shown that methadone can be utilized by breastfeeding and pregnant mothers without harming their children. This is an enormous benefit in the treatment of mothers who are addicted to opioids, since it could help them end their dependence on opioids completely. When the addiction itself is addressed, it lowers the chance of developing neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and other health problems for the mother and baby. Suboxone however is listed as being a Category C drug and, therefore, there isn’t enough research done to establish whether or not taking the drug during pregnancy causes adverse side adverse effects or not. In general, Category C drugs are used in pregnancy in which the benefits of the drug outweigh risks, and Suboxone is one to be used in conjunction with the advice of an Obstetrician.
Each of methadone along with Suboxone have altered the rules in the field of addiction to opioids, since they both can aid in stopping active addiction to opioids, assist in the struggle that comes with withdrawal and help keep people focused on their recovery, not their physical and mental confusion. It is crucial however to seek out professionals who are able to determine the right dosage for your particular situation, so that you reap the maximum benefit.
