Methadone vs. Buprenorphine
We believe that Buprenrphine is better than methadone in treating opiate addiction, pure and simple.
Like the drugs it treats, methadone is a opioid, a synthetic one, often used my treatment centers and clinics as a controlled method to replace other opiates such as heroin or prescription opiates. At Sunrise Detox, as a matter of principle, we don't use methadone because methadone has a risk of addiction in and of itself and with methadone treatment prices dropping and supply increasing, we only see a negative trend developing. We believe that your body should be free of all substances that could cause addiction. By replacing one addictive drug with another, we believe you are continuing the vicious cycle.
Accordingly we believe that Buprenorphine is the answer and for now the best treatment available. According to a recent study*, when Buprenorphine was approved in 2004, it was touted as an effective alternative to methadone maintenance treatment for opiate addiction and dependence. However, since methadone is abused at a high level (30-35% of treatment seekers), it was presumed that Buprenorphine would be abused in similar fashion. Similar levels of abuse occurred during the 2nd quarter of 2006, but this number dropped to less than 20% in the second quarter of 2007. It is assumed that since Buprenorphine doesn't have the euphoric properties of opiates and methadone it was not as likely to be abused. We considered this any many other studies like it when deciding the best course of action for opiate withdrawal and we strongly believe that a qualified and licensed facility, like Sunrise Detox, can effectively administer a Buprenorphine treatment regimen as a safe way to get off and stay off of opiates.
*Cicero TJ, Surratt HL, Inciardi J.: Use and misuse of buprenorphine in the management of opioid addiction. J Opioid Manag. 2007 Nov-Dec;3(6):302-8.
Like the drugs it treats, methadone is a opioid, a synthetic one, often used my treatment centers and clinics as a controlled method to replace other opiates such as heroin or prescription opiates. At Sunrise Detox, as a matter of principle, we don't use methadone because methadone has a risk of addiction in and of itself and with methadone treatment prices dropping and supply increasing, we only see a negative trend developing. We believe that your body should be free of all substances that could cause addiction. By replacing one addictive drug with another, we believe you are continuing the vicious cycle.
Accordingly we believe that Buprenorphine is the answer and for now the best treatment available. According to a recent study*, when Buprenorphine was approved in 2004, it was touted as an effective alternative to methadone maintenance treatment for opiate addiction and dependence. However, since methadone is abused at a high level (30-35% of treatment seekers), it was presumed that Buprenorphine would be abused in similar fashion. Similar levels of abuse occurred during the 2nd quarter of 2006, but this number dropped to less than 20% in the second quarter of 2007. It is assumed that since Buprenorphine doesn't have the euphoric properties of opiates and methadone it was not as likely to be abused. We considered this any many other studies like it when deciding the best course of action for opiate withdrawal and we strongly believe that a qualified and licensed facility, like Sunrise Detox, can effectively administer a Buprenorphine treatment regimen as a safe way to get off and stay off of opiates.
*Cicero TJ, Surratt HL, Inciardi J.: Use and misuse of buprenorphine in the management of opioid addiction. J Opioid Manag. 2007 Nov-Dec;3(6):302-8.
posted by Sunrise Detox at
11:45 AM
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