Opiate addiction is becoming a pandemic in America. Among the more than 70,200 drug overdose deaths estimated in 2017, the sharpest increase occurred among deaths related to fentanyl and fentanyl analogs (other synthetic narcotics) with more than 28,400 overdose deaths. (Source: CDC WONDER). Suboxone is an effective treatment for opiate dependency.

Suboxone Treatment For Heroin

From 1999 to 2017, more than 700,000 people 0verdose have died from a drug overdose.
Around 68% of the more than 70,200 drug overdose deaths in 2017 involved an opioid.

In 2017, the number of overdose deaths involving opioids (including prescription opioids and illegal opioids like heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl) was 6 times higher than in 1999.
On average, 130 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose.

Suboxone Treatment

Suboxone therapy is one of the treatments for opiate addiction. Suboxone treatment has to be regulated and prescribed by a physician. Suboxone is also a treatment for other narcotics addiction.

Suboxone therapy is not the only treatment for opioid addiction. However, it is one of the most effective. Doctors use suboxone therapy because it is cheap and the dosage is usually just once a day.

People who are prescribed suboxone treatment usually have to go to the clinic daily, and they are allowed to take the medication home on the weekend.

This rise in opioid overdose deaths can be outlined in three distinct waves.

The first wave began with increased prescribing of opioids in the 1990s , with overdose deaths involving prescription opioids (natural and semi-synthetic opioids and methadone) increasing since at least 1999.
The second wave began in 2010, with rapid increases in overdose deaths involving heroin.
The third wave began in 2013, with significant increases in overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids – particularly those involving illicitly-manufactured fentanyl (IMF). The IMF market continues to change, and IMF can be found in combination with heroin, counterfeit pills, and cocaine.^2,4

Types of Opiates

Opium

According to statistics compiled by the Foundation for a Drug Free World, more than 13 million people worldwide use opium.

Opium has the appearance of black or brown tar and commonly smoked by the individual. Made from the white liquid found in poppy plants, opium is one of the most expensive opiates in the world and is attractive to many addicts drawn to the powerful nature of the drug.

Heroin

One of the most dangerous drugs in the world, heroin claims countless lives each year. Heroin can be snorted, smoked, or injected.

While all three methods are dangerous, injection is by far the most dangerous, as individuals who share dirty needles with other users after injecting heroin are at a high risk for contracting HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis.

Many people abusing heroin do not realize it is an opiate. Processed from morphine, this street drug has taken many lives over the years.

Oxycontin

Sometimes referred to as “Hillbilly Heroin”, Oxycontin has proven to be a problem for addiction treatment professionals and emergency room workers alike.

Oxycontin is a prescription painkiller like Vicodin, but the drug is a time-release medication –designed to distribute its active ingredients over time.

Problems arise when individuals begin snorting or injecting the addictive drug, allowing them to inject all of the opiates at once – thus putting themselves at risk for overdose and illness.

Hydrocodone

This opiate is known as a narcotic analgesic. It can be successfully used to relieve pain.

Hydrocodone is a prescription drug that is sold as Vicodin, Lorcet, Lortab and other name brand prescription painkillers.

An opiate drug, hydrocodone is highly addictive.

While not everyone with a hydrocodone prescription will develop hydrocodone addiction, most will become physically dependent on the drug.

This prescription drug is used to treat pain, but has also become popular on the street.

Codeine

According to the World Health Organization, Codeine is the most widely and commonly used opiate in the world. It is usually administered orally and has a reputation of being the safest of all the opioid analgesics.

However, this can be misleading since many individuals become physically dependent on the drug after extended and repeated use.

The most common medical use of Codeine is used to suppress chronic coughing. Almost all cough syrups in the United States require a prescription contain Codeine.

Morphine

The most active substance in opium is morphine—named after Morpheus, the Greek god of dreams. Morphine is a very powerful painkiller, but it is also very addictive.

Morphine is prescribed by doctors for the treatment of serious pain. Unfortunately, many people have come to abuse this drug illegally, as they enjoy the effects it has on their bodies.

Methadone

Methadone has been growing in popularity since the 1940s, at which time it was synthesized from methadone due to a morphine shortage.

It may not share the same chemical characteristics as heroin and morphine, but the end result is oftentimes the same. In today’s world, methadone is commonly used for the treatment of narcotic addiction.

However, many people become addicted to this drug due to the way it makes them feel.

(Resourced from https://casapalmera.com/blog/what-drugs-are-opiates)

Suboxone Treatment Opiate Addiction

Opiate addiction is considered a chronic illness. Opiate addiction has no cure, and it requires ongoing monitoring and treatment.

Despite the billions and billions of dollars that are spent on opiate addiction, the failure rates are staggering. It is estimated that 90% of people who seek treatment have a relapse.

Buprenorphine, which is the opioid in Suboxone.

Opioid Dependence

Buprenorphine or suboxone is an effective treatment for someone going through rehab. Opioid dependence is a very challenging disorder, So many people relapse.

Resources for Rehab

Here are a number of resources .