subject: Semi-synthetic Analgesic Abuse: Treatment And Symptoms [print this page] Buprenorphine is a semi-synthetic analgesic medication commonly used in the detoxification process of opioid abuse therapy. Other than this, buprenorphine is also used as a pain killer to patients with mild to severe chronic pain. Pain symptoms may occur due to disease or post operation. When pain tolerance is minimal, a prescription of utilizing this drug is provided by a physician to help ease the discomfort of patients.
Just like any other opioid drug, buprenorphine can be very addictive. This means that over time, an individual may get hooked on using this medicine even if symptoms of pain are no longer felt. The abuse of this medication is common in Scandinavia, much higher usage has been reported as compared to heroin, cocaine and ecstasy. This particular drug comes in tablet form. Most of those who make use of this drug ingest it but addicts opt to inhale it in powder form or dissolved it in a solution then inject it. The euphoric effects are comparatively higher in insufflations and injections according to patients. Common street terms of this medicine include Bups, Box, Sibs, Oranges, and Subs. This medicine can be bought illicitly by using these terms among those hooked on it.
Since buprenorphine is widely used as a medication treatment for opioid addiction, treating this addiction is a bit complicated. How can this type of drug be an actual source of addiction? Treatment for an addiction from buprenorphine is available and is considered similar to the remedy for other opioid addiction. It's best that consultation and assessment by physicians be done in order to correctly determine the degree of addiction. Duration of treatment may differ from one individual to another and therefore no general criteria are enforced. Cases of drug tolerance to buprenorphine are low due to its high potency. A small amount of the drug can be utilized and profound effects can come to users.
What will happen if a person is dependent on buorenorphine? Buprenorphine abuse signs include psychological and behavioral changes in a person. Individuals hooked on this drug show greater aggression towards using it so as to feel the euphoric effects. A change in mode of intake is also manifested. Abusers opt to use the powder form of this drug and sniff it or take the drug intravenously to get optimum elation effects. Other symptoms could include muscle tremors, depression, anxiety, vomiting and nausea. As a semi-synthetic opioid medicine, similar symptoms manifested from other opioid junkies can also be present in a buprenorphine addict.
