Thursday, May 5, 2011
Monday, May 11, 2009
Heroin Addiction and Treatment
Heroin is a powerful addictive drug sweeping the United States causing intense euphoria and strong physical dependence in its users. Heroin is processed from a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seedpod of certain varieties of poppy plants and appears as a white or brown powdery substance. Heroin is highly addictive because it enters the brain rapidly and affects those regions of the brain responsible for producing physical dependence.
This dangerous drug affects all decision-making, reaction time, the way one thinks, actions, and memory. Heroin addicts, who use regularly, develop a tolerance. To get the same effect from the drug, the user must have higher doses, which in turn causes physical dependence and addiction. Despite the glamorization of heroin chic in films, fashion, and music, heroin use can have tragic consequences that extend far beyond its users. Fetal effects, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, violence, and crime are all linked to its use. Long-term effects of heroin use are also devastating to the body and mind. The affect of heroin on the body is dependent on the method of administration.
Heroin can be taken orally, which is metabolized before crossing the blood-brain barrier; snorted, which results in onset within 10 to 15 minutes; smoked, which has immediate effects; intravenously injected, which results in rush and euphoria within 7 to 8 seconds; and, intramuscularly injected which takes longer but results in onset within 5 to 8 minutes. Finally, heroin can kill. Of all reported drug abuse deaths, heroin is one of the top two most frequent.
Withdrawal can occur anywhere from a few hours to 72 hours after the last dose and symptoms can include: drug craving, restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes, and kicking movements. For the user trying to quit, medications and behavior therapies are the most common treatment options.
This dangerous drug affects all decision-making, reaction time, the way one thinks, actions, and memory. Heroin addicts, who use regularly, develop a tolerance. To get the same effect from the drug, the user must have higher doses, which in turn causes physical dependence and addiction. Despite the glamorization of heroin chic in films, fashion, and music, heroin use can have tragic consequences that extend far beyond its users. Fetal effects, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, violence, and crime are all linked to its use. Long-term effects of heroin use are also devastating to the body and mind. The affect of heroin on the body is dependent on the method of administration.
Heroin can be taken orally, which is metabolized before crossing the blood-brain barrier; snorted, which results in onset within 10 to 15 minutes; smoked, which has immediate effects; intravenously injected, which results in rush and euphoria within 7 to 8 seconds; and, intramuscularly injected which takes longer but results in onset within 5 to 8 minutes. Finally, heroin can kill. Of all reported drug abuse deaths, heroin is one of the top two most frequent.
Withdrawal can occur anywhere from a few hours to 72 hours after the last dose and symptoms can include: drug craving, restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes, and kicking movements. For the user trying to quit, medications and behavior therapies are the most common treatment options.
Heroin Withdrawal Relief with Suboxone
Suboxone (buprenorphine with naloxone) is currently available for the maintenance treatment of opioid addiction. The intention of adding naloxone to the formulation is to deter intravenous misuse. . Suboxone treatment is intended for use in adults and adolescents more than 16 years of age who have agreed to be treated for addiction.
Suboxone is used during the withdrawal/detox phase of treatment. Suboxone has recently become the drug of choice instead of methadone. Suboxone has a lower potential for abuse and is less dangerous in an overdose. As patients progress on therapy in a residential program, the physician may write a prescription for a take-home supply of the medication. Suboxone Prescription Only those physicians who have approval from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) are able to start in-office treatment and provide prescriptions for ongoing medication.
The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) maintains an active database to help patients locate qualified doctors. Route of Administration Suboxone is available as a tablet which is always administered sublingually. The pill is placed underneath the tongue until it is fully dissolved. Swallowing or sucking on the pill does not offer any therapeutic benefit. When placed underneath the tongue, the pill dissolves and is absorbed in 10 -20 minutes. Suboxone treatment is generally done under medical supervision. During the induction phase, one is taught how to properly take the medications and dose adjustments are done during the phase. One is usually started on the smallest dose until the best therapeutic effect is obtained. Once the ideal dose is obtained, the individual is seen once in a while and prescriptions can generally be available from the same physician. Suboxone is available as 2 and 8 mg tablets. Most anecdotal reports indicate that the response to the 2 mg dose is suboptimal. The majority of individuals report benefit at higher doses of 8-16 mg. The aim of the maintenance treatment is to rid the drug craving and decrease the anxiety. The dose is usually adjusted until the drug craving features are diminished. . The majority of past drug users immediately adjust to Suboxone as the cravings disappear immediately and a smoother life style are accessible.
Suboxone is used during the withdrawal/detox phase of treatment. Suboxone has recently become the drug of choice instead of methadone. Suboxone has a lower potential for abuse and is less dangerous in an overdose. As patients progress on therapy in a residential program, the physician may write a prescription for a take-home supply of the medication. Suboxone Prescription Only those physicians who have approval from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) are able to start in-office treatment and provide prescriptions for ongoing medication.
The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) maintains an active database to help patients locate qualified doctors. Route of Administration Suboxone is available as a tablet which is always administered sublingually. The pill is placed underneath the tongue until it is fully dissolved. Swallowing or sucking on the pill does not offer any therapeutic benefit. When placed underneath the tongue, the pill dissolves and is absorbed in 10 -20 minutes. Suboxone treatment is generally done under medical supervision. During the induction phase, one is taught how to properly take the medications and dose adjustments are done during the phase. One is usually started on the smallest dose until the best therapeutic effect is obtained. Once the ideal dose is obtained, the individual is seen once in a while and prescriptions can generally be available from the same physician. Suboxone is available as 2 and 8 mg tablets. Most anecdotal reports indicate that the response to the 2 mg dose is suboptimal. The majority of individuals report benefit at higher doses of 8-16 mg. The aim of the maintenance treatment is to rid the drug craving and decrease the anxiety. The dose is usually adjusted until the drug craving features are diminished. . The majority of past drug users immediately adjust to Suboxone as the cravings disappear immediately and a smoother life style are accessible.
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