Buprenorphine Addiction

Buprenorphine has been in the market since 1980s. The semi synthetic opiate was first put in the market to relieve pain. Today, the drug is used for the treatment of opioid addiction either in form of Subutex or Suboxone. Buprenorphine is classified among the opioid drugs.

Opioids are very addictive as they make those who use them to get an euphoric “high” after taking them and crave for more so as to repeat the experience. Buprenorphine is prescribed for the treatment of mild or moderate pain.

It is prone to misuse. Many times, the users do not realize when they are turning to dependents and they might easily become victims of Buprenorphine addiction. When the drug is used to treat addiction, the process is known as maintenance or replacement.

Buprenorphine functions by attaching to receptors in nervous system and brain. Apart from physical dependence or addiction, medication that has Buprenorphine can also lead to psychological dependence.

A person who is dependent on Buprenorphine will experience some side effects. The side effects that are caused by dependency are:

Buprenorphine addiction also affects the Central Nervous system. This is because Buprenorphine plays the part of a depressant and slows respiratory system down. This affects the level of consciousness. This increases the risk of an overdose. Because of the overdose risk, intravenous misuse of the drug might cause death. This is more likely if the drug is used together with alcohol, benzodiazepines or any other CNS depressant.

Those who abuse Buprenorphine might also get sleep apnea and hypo-ventilation. Other side effects that are caused by buprenorphine on CNS are:

Buprenorphine Psychiatric Effects

Buprenorphine addiction is associated with these psychiatric effects:

• Depersonalization
• Euphoria
• Depression
• Psychosis
• Dysphoria
• Visual and Auditory Hallucinations

Those who abuse Buprenorphine also experience other adverse effects and consequences. The progressive and habitual use of the drug takes a toll on the user’s mind and affects all kinds of relationship with other people. Those who are addicted to Buprenorphine usually suffer some or all of these effects:

1. Indifference towards the loved ones and family activities
2. Lack of pleasure for the interesting events in life
3. Decreased in interest for affection and sex
4. Impaired libido or impotence
5. Ignorance about how dependency on the drug n is affecting the other people
6. Loss of personal ambition
7. Lack of professional commitment
8. Self-criticism
9. Irritability
10. Lack of appetite
11. Emptiness and sadness
12. Lack of appetite
13. Sleeping hardships
14. Sadness or emptiness
15. Loss of appetite
16. Loss of restful sleep

Those who are addicted to Buprenorphine usually try to find ways of getting the drug even if it through illegal means. There are others who falsify the prescriptions in order to get more drugs.