What are Opioids?

Opioids are a classification of drugs that can include both illegal drugs, such as heroin, and prescription pain medications. When prescribed by a doctor as a pain medication, opioids are meant to treat persistent or severe pain, such as that which is associated with chronic pain disorders are caused by surgery or diseases such as cancer. 

Opioids work by attaching to opioid receptors on the nerve cells in the brain, on the spinal cord and in other parts of the body. The opioid then blocks the pain messages that are sent from the body to the spinal cord and the brain, thereby effectively preventing your body from experiencing the pain. 

Signs of Opioid Addiction

While it is possible for someone who is addicted to opioids to hide their addiction from their loved ones, there are a number of signs that are commonly associated with opioid addiction. Some of these include:

• Changes in sleep habits
• Changes in exercise habits
• Decrease in libido
• Drowsiness
• Experiencing new financial difficulties
• Frequently experiencing flu-like symptoms
• Isolation from family or friends
• Poor hygiene
• Stealing from family, friends or the workplace
• Weight loss

If you yourself are using opioids and you find that you are unable to control your opioid use or you have uncontrollable craving for opioids, you may be struggling with addiction. 

If you or someone you care about is struggling with opioid addiction, contact Advanced Spine & Rehab today to learn more about our suboxone treatment program. 

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Uses

Both Methadone and Suboxone are opioids, but while Methadone is used to treat both chronic pain and opioid addiction, Suboxone is used only to treat opioid dependence. 

Drug Classification

Both Methadone and Suboxone are considered to be controlled substances. While Methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance, Suboxone is a Schedule III controlled substance. This means that both come with the risk of withdrawal as well as a risk of misuse. By definition, Schedule II drugs have a higher potential for addiction than Schedule III drugs. 

Names

Methadone is actually the generic name for a drug that is also available under the brand names of Dolophine, Methadone HCl Intensol and Methadose. Suboxone, on the other hand, is a brand name for the generic medication known as buprenorphine-naloxone. Other brand names for this drug incude Bunavail and Zubsolv.

Available Forms

Methadone is available in a variety of different forms. These include oral tablet, oral solution, oral concentrate, injectable solution and oral dispersible tablet, which means it has to be dissolved in a liquid before it can be taken. 

The brand name medication known as Suboxone comes in an oral film. This film can be dissolved under the tongue or placed between the cheek and gums in order to dissolve. Generic versions of the drug are available as both an oral film and as a sublingual tablet.

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The post Methadone vs Suboxone: What is the Difference? first appeared on Advanced Spine & Rehab, P.C..