In general the short term effects of buprenorphine are very similar to that of other opioids and opiates, but since the drug is not as powerful as heroin or morphine, the effects produced will not be as prominent.
However, buprenorphine is still highly addictive and individuals who take the drug in order to stop abusing opioids have found that sometimes their craving for buprenorphine or other opiates increases after they start to take the substance. The reason for this is partially because of the fact that drug staves off withdrawal symptoms but does not produce the intense euphoria that other opiates give the user. Sometimes these cravings can lead back to illicit substance abuse if they are not managed.
Beyond this, some of the other short term effects of buprenorphine mimic those of other opioids, the most common being lightheadedness and drowsiness. This is seen through the entire spectrum of opiates and opioids, but with buprenorphine it is sometimes an unexpected short term effect, since individuals are using the drug in order to manage their addiction.
Some people when they begin using buprenorphine, believe that is a miracle drug that will remove their withdrawal symptoms and not give them any of the unwanted side effects that opioids produce. However this is not true, and there are a number of similarities between the illicit opioids and buprenorphine.
It should also be noted that when an individual stops taking this drug, the withdrawal symptoms that they were attempting to avoid will return, although if a taper program is in place, it is possible to mitigate the effects of the withdrawals.
Many people will experience different short term effects of buprenorphine but with that said some of the most common short term effects seen are:
- Lightheadedness
- Fever
- Reduced sleep
- Feelings of euphoria
- Reduced perceptions of pain
- Labored breathing
- Muscle pains
- Cramping
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Respiratory depression
- Cardiovascular collapse
- Increased cravings for Subutex
- Constipation
Someone who is using buprenorphine will oftentimes be experiencing a number of profound things in their life. Emotionally they may be in a very precarious place and more then likely physically they are experiencing challenges due to their previous opioid addiction. They are probably also experiencing issues in their personal life, that may or may not include problems at work, problems with relationships, problems with money, or problems with the legal system. All of this combines to make coping with the short term effects of buprenorphine incredibly difficult for some individuals.
Along this same line, family members of people who are using buprenorphine will often times find it difficult to deal with the position that their loved one is currently in. They may have to drive their loved one to the doctor in order to get the drug, or they may have deal with dramatic mood swings, lying, stealing, or any of the problems that can come along with drug addiction.
This makes the entire situation tremendously trying, and so it is suggested that if you are a loved one of an individual on buprenorphine, that you seek counseling for yourself so that you can learn to deal with issues that are arising out of their addiction. It is important that you take care of yourself, so that you can live a life that is not full of anxiety and depression, and so that you can help your loved one if the time comes.
To this same accord if you are currently taking buprenorphine and would like to get off of this drug but are afraid of the withdrawal symptoms, then please read the section below so that you can learn where to turn to during this difficult time in your life. Believe that there is help out there for you, and that it is just a phone call away.
If you find that you cannot stop using buprenorphine even though you would like to, then you may be suffering from buprenorphine addiction. While you may be embarrassed by the fact that you cannot stop using drugs, it is important to understand that addiction is an actual recognizable disease and as such you’re inability to stop on your own should not be a cause for shame or guilt. It is estimated that 1 in 6 adults in the United States suffer from addiction, so you are not alone in your struggles, nor do you have to fight them by yourself. So if you are at the point where you would you like help overcoming your addiction, call us at 1-866-972-7714. We are standing by to provide you with the best treatment and recovery options, so that you can finally leave behind your old life of addiction and start new on the road to recovery. Call now!
