What Is Buprenorphine?

Buprenorphine is a medication much like the opiates that you might be addicted to right now - but it has some very special properties that make it extremely helpful in treating opiate dependence.

Buprenorphine has been available in the United States for opiate addiction treatment since 2002. It has revolutionized the way that this addiction can be treated.

The medication works by allowing those addicted to opiates be transitioned off the drug of abuse. This is helpful in treatment, because once you are stabilized on the buprenorphine, it is much easier to slowly withdraw it compared to typical opiates that are abused.

Now, not all formulations of this medication are approved for use in opiate addiction. Only the Suboxone and Subutex formulations can be legally used in the United States for opiate addiction treatment.

Other benefits of this medication is that it can be taken just once a day. This can help you to "unlearn" the addictive behavior of reaching out for your opiate as soon as you feel withdrawal or cravings. I'm sure you know the unpleasantness of having to always think about your next "fix" or pill, with it always being on your mind. Kind of like a mental prison.

But once on the buprenorphine (Suboxone, Subutex) there can be a decrease in this "reaching out" tendency because cravings are under control and you no longer think that much about using.

And the medication couldn't be easier to take. You just have to place the prescribed amount under your tongue and allow it to slowly dissolve. It needs to be given this way because you want it to get straight to your bloodstream and into your central nervous system - so it can get to work fast.

Buprenorphine - Like An Opiate, But Also Different

I'm not going to go into too much detail, I promise. But I want you to have a good idea how the medication is helping you to detox from heroin, Vicodin, Oxycontin, Percocet or whatever your opiate might be.

First, realize that all the above opiates create their effects by directly stimulating specific receptors in the brain called opiate receptors. The problem is when your brain gets used to the given dose of the opiate. For most people this is not a problem because opiates are usually used for the short term.

But for those predisposed to addiction, there is a tendency to keep increasing the dose as the initial euphoric (high) feeling wears off. And this tolerance develops quickly. So before you know it you are using extreme amounts of your drug and experiencing uncomfortable withdrawal if you go too long between doses.

Because these opiates strongly stimulate the opiate receptors, it can be difficult to take yourself off the drug by yourself. Many people fail.

Now enters buprenorphine. The way that it is different is that it not only stimulates those opiate receptors, but it also to a degree blocks them. This is where the power of the medication lies. This combined stimuating and blocking effect makes it possible to use it to be detoxed from those other opiates.

Here are some more facts about this medication

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