In honor of the 25th year of National Recovery Month, we figured we’d shed some light on “recovery” maintenance programs. First things first, National Recovery Month is a national observance that is there to educate citizens on how mental health and addiction treatment services help those who are struggling to live a healthy and successful life. National Recovery Month is to spread a positive message about how behavioral health is important to overall health, drug prevention works, addiction treatment is extremely effective, and that recovery IS possible. We at Recovery Society are here to help National Recovery Month promote the benefits of recovery, and also shed some light on suboxone, subutex, and methadone maintenance programs. (Information provided by SAMHSA)
National Recovery Month: Pros And Cons On Maintenance Programs
The dangers of suboxone: also known as buprenorphine and naloxone (the active ingredients in the dug), is a FDA approved drug that helps addicts stop abusing opiates. Suboxone is commonly referred to as the “miracle drug,” but it is actually estimated to be up to 40% times more potent than morphine. Studies show that the FDA technically approved suboxone to be used for only 14 days, but doctors are now prescribing this medication for as long as 8 years, and counting, unaware of the long-term effects of suboxone.
The dangers of subutex: is a drug primarily used to help treat opiate addictions; such as heroin or prescription painkillers. Subutex is a mixture of buprenorphine and hydrochloride and is a narcotic medication meant to treat narcotic addictions. Subutex, like any other narcotic medication, can slow down your breathing, which could potentially result in death if breathing becomes too weak. Those who abuse Subutex generally grind it up to powder and snort it/smoke it/shoot it.
The dangers of methadone: Methadone, along with Suboxone and Subutex, has a purpose: to a) help with opiate withdrawal and b) relieve pain. All three of these medications have been labeled by many as the “miracle drugs”; they can be if used in moderation. However, there is a major problem throughout our communities with methadone maintenance and abuse. When patients are told that they will have to be on methadone for a long period of time, they are normally not told about the dangerous side effects of methadone that come along with the use.
Doctors today are continuing to over prescribe these medications and lie to their patients. In no way are we saying that these medications do not help people, but these medications are used and abused for much longer than they are intended to be. Many doctors who don’t even have experience with addiction medicine are making thousands by over prescribing these medications (Subutex, Suboxone, and Methadone) and telling their patients that they will have to be on them for the rest of their lives. There are many pros and cons that come along with these maintenance programs that they offer newly recovering addicts, such as suboxone, subutex and methadone programs. There are many great dangers that stem from these maintenance programs, such as long-term effects as a direct result of these substances. Suboxone, subutex, and methadone are prescribed to people who need to detox off of opiates, but little do people know that they are in fact opiates themselves. So, in honor of National Recover Month, we figured we would give the pros and cons of these dangerous maintenance programs.
Addiction Help
It’s time to say goodbye to addiction and hello to recovery. National Recovery Month promotes the choice of addiction treatment centers and how they do work for those who want addiction recovery. Choosing to attend an addiction treatment center is a much safer option than choosing a maintenance program. Whether you have insurance or not, there are many different options for addiction treatment, some even free for those who don’t have the means to go to a private facility. For more information on choosing an addiction treatment center, call (866) 323-6590 today. National Recovery Month is all throughout September, and they have many different things going on, so visit their site by clicking here.
