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Are you struggling with an addiction to Buprenorphine in Scotland? Get in touch with us today to find out more about getting the treatment you need to overcome your addiction in a safe and comfortable environment.

What is Buprenorphine?

Buprenorphine is a drug that was originally designed to help alleviate pain. After that, it was then approved for treating addictions to narcotic pain relievers. It is often used for helping to ease withdrawal symptoms for people who are detoxing from heroin or opiates. However, it does have the potential to be addictive.

This was the first medicine that was used to treat opioid addictions that was approved and prescribed by doctors. The way it works is by imitating the effects of heroin or opioids without being a risk to the patient due to dangerous side effects.

Is Buprenorphine Addictive?

This drug mimics the effects of heroin or opioids but at a much lower level and with less dangerous effects. However, it can still become addictive. This is particular true when the drug is abused.

People who consume Buprenorphine for reasons other than the intended use are at risk of developing an increased tolerance to the drug and causing a drug addiction.

Buprenorphine is very commonly administered with another drug – naloxone. This is common when treating opioid addictions to help prevent any risks of abuse. Naloxone works by limiting the effects of buprenorphine. This is why it is commonly known as a protection drug.

What Are The Side Effects of Buprenorphine

There are many negative side effects of buprenorphine and these only increase more and more the more you abuse the drug. Some of the main examples of side effects from this drug are listed below:

  • Problems with sleep
  • Drowsiness
  • Problems with breathing
  • Confusion
  • Headaches
  • Fever or chills
  • Back pain
  • Blurred vision
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea

The Buprenorphine Detox Process

When you go to rehab for a buprenorphine treatment plan, your treatment will always begin with a drug detox. You will be assessed by a medical professional who will determine what is needed during your detox stage.

It’s important that the professionals understand your medical condition and drug history before starting the detox so that it can be properly managed.

During a medical detox, you will be monitored on a 24 hours basis to ensure that you remain as safe and comfortable as possible throughout the entire detox process. Physical comfort and safety are the two main priorities when you go through detox from buprenorphine.

In order to keep you as safe and comfortable as possible during the detox stage, you will usually be slowly weaned off the drug by slowly decreasing the consumption until you achieve complete abstinence. This will help to minimise the withdrawal effects that come with detoxing from the drug.

Depending on your individual needs, you may be given other medications that are used to help you through your withdrawals. You will be constantly monitored and your detox plan may change depending on how you respond to the detox.

Treatments and Therapies for Buprenorphine Addiction

Once you have completed your detox stage, you will then go on to behavioural treatments and psychotherapies within the drug rehab centre. This aims to address all of the underlying psychological aspects that may have originally led to the addiction. You will also learn how to identify your triggers and improve your coping mechanisms for the future.

You will receive a unique and personalised treatment plan in rehab. This is constructed into daily group therapy sessions and individual therapy sessions.

This will be supported by some complementary therapies, relapse prevention techniques, educational sessions, along with healthy eating and regular exercise.

Some of the most common treatments that you may receive in rehab include cognitive behavioural therapy, group therapies, holistic therapies, and more.

The treatments that you receive will be customised to suit your personal needs. Your rehab treatment plan is created in this way to ensure that you get the best possible chances of successfully overcoming your prescription drug addiction.

You will learn the best ways to move forward so that you can avoid relapsing in the future. No matter how severe you think your addiction may be, rehab can provide you with all of the tools and skills you need to ensure that you can recover from your addiction on a long term basis.

Facts and Figures About Buprenorphine

  • Deaths as a result of buprenorphine poisoning are continuing to rise in the UK.
  • Buprenorphine is most commonly in tablet form and is taken through the mouth. It is usually placed underneath the tongue until it completely dissolves.
  • Buprenorphine can cause a range of withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking it. Therefore, it is always best to slowly wean off the drug over the course of several days.

Are You Struggling With an Addiction to Buprenorphine?

If you or someone close to you is struggling with an addiction to buprenorphine in any of its forms, get in touch with us to find out more about getting treatment. This can include addictions to Subutex, Buprenex, and Butrans.

A fully comprehensive inpatient treatment plan is considered to be the best possible way to overcome an addiction of this kind. Rehab has been proven time and time again for its effectiveness in helping people overcome addiction.

When you’re in private rehab, you will be outside of your usual environment, allowing you to remove yourself from your usual stressors and triggers. This is extremely beneficial as it allows you to go through your treatments with a clear mind.

We have a lot of experience in treating addictions of this kind. Our team of addiction experts are here to help you. If you feel like you’re ready to face your addiction head on, get in touch with us today on 01475 303998.

Our friendly, helpful team will be happy to answer any questions that you may have about addictions or the treatments available. We will also provide you with all the advice you need to get started with your recovery journey today.

John Gillen - Director & Author at Nova Recovery

John Gillen - Author - Last updated: December 19, 2023

John has travelled extensively around the world, culminating in 19 years’ experience looking at different models. He is the European pioneer of NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) treatment to Europe in 2010; and recently back from the USA bringing state of the art Virtual Reality Relapse Prevention and stress reduction therapy. His passion extends to other metabolic disturbances and neurodegenerative diseases. The journey continues. In recent times, John has travelled to Russia to study and research into a new therapy photobiomudulation or systemic laser therapy working with NAD+ scientists and the very best of the medical professionals in the UK and the USA, together with Nadcell, Bionad Hospitals own select Doctors, nurses, dieticians and therapists. Johns’ passion continues to endeavour to bring to the UK and Europe new developments with NAD+ Therapy in preventive and restorative medicine and Wellness. In 2017 John Gillen was made a visiting Professor at the John Naisbitt university in Belgrade Serbia.

Dr Stacey Vettraino

Dr Stacey Vettraino (General Practitioner) - Clinical Reviewer - Last reviewed: October 20, 2023

Dr Stacey Vettraino has been a GP for over 15 years and has been involved in GP management for 7 of these. Over the last few years, Dr Vettraino has worked towards a portfolio career, working as a GP in various parts of Scotland and within the private sector – including Bupa as a private GP, Health Assessments, and Menopause Clinics. She has had a longstanding interest in psychiatry and has previously held a post in Old Age Psychiatry post-GP training focusing on dementia. Her interest in addictions has steadily grown from work as a GP and Dr Vettraino is now excited and privileged to be part of addiction treatment.