How are Suboxone Detox Centers Different from Methadone Detox Centers?

It is a well-known fact that opiate addiction is at an all-time high. This is primarily due to the abuse of opiate pain relievers. To anyone battling an opiate addiction, there are a number of treatment options available. Two of these are Suboxone detox centers and methadone detox centers. While they are both similar in that they treat opiate addiction through medication replacement therapy, there are also many differences. All of these differences are in the medications themselves. Understanding how Suboxone detox centers are different from methadone detox centers requires knowing a few things.

What is methadone?

The first thing to know is what methadone is. Methadone is an opioid (synthetic opiate) that is used to treat pain and, more commonly, treat opiate addiction.

Methadone works by blocking the opiate receptors in the brain, allowing an addict to avoid withdrawal symptoms and cravings. The dosage is slowly tapered off until the patient is drug free. However, methadone also has some disadvantages. These include:

• tolerance
• side effects such as: vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, insomnia, respiratory problems, and sexual dysfunction
• dependence
• addiction

Also, methadone has a relatively low rate of success in the treatment of opiate addiction unless combined with a rigorous long-term treatment program.

What is Suboxone?

Suboxone has a lower abuse potential than methadone.

The next thing to know is what Suboxone is. According to the United States Food and Drug Administration, Suboxone is a combination of two medications. The first is buprenorphine, an opioid similar to methadone, except that it produces less of the euphoric, or “high”, feeling in users. The second is naloxone. Naloxone is an opiate antagonist, meaning that if a user takes opiates while on naloxone, they immediately go into severe opiate withdrawal. However, as long as Suboxone is used as directed, this effect doesn’t occur. Just like methadone, Suboxone has some disadvantages, including:

• breathing problems
• light-headedness
• side effects such as: mouth pain or numbness, insomnia, mild nausea, and swelling of the arms and legs
• liver damage
• allergic reactions

It is also important to note that there is currently very little information regarding the long-term effects of Suboxone use, and it also requires long-term treatment in order to be successful.

How are Suboxone detox and methadone detox different?

The main difference between Suboxone detox and methadone detox lies in that Suboxone has less abuse potential than methadone does. When you take large amounts of methadone it will not only cause a high, you can easily overdose on it. When you take large amounts of Suboxone, you reach a ceiling effect. This means that no matter how much Suboxone you take it will only get you high to a point. Another difference between the two is Suboxone when ground up and injected, throws you into immediate withdrawal due to the presence of Naloxone.

These two medications essentially accomplish the same effect. They allow you to detox off opiates with little or no discomfort. For more information about Suboxone or methadone detox or to find a treatment center near you call us at 800-996-6135(Who Answers?) .