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What’s the Difference Between Belbuca vs Suboxone?

Aliya on October 30, 2024

Opioid addiction is a serious illness that can be treated through medication-assisted treatment (MAT) using medicine like Belbuca vs Suboxone. Both medications are strong treatments for symptoms related to opioid use disorder (OUD) but have different purposes. Although medication must be prescribed through your medical treatment provider, it’s good to understand each one.

Belbuca vs Suboxone: What’s Better for Opioid Recovery?

Both Belbuca and Suboxone contain the opioid antagonist ingredient buprenorphine. Belbuca is the brand name for buprenorphine on its own, while Suboxone is the brand name for the combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Thus, both medications have some similarities in what they treat and their effects. When it comes to choosing one medication for recovery from opioid use disorder (OUD), there are factors to consider. Firstly, your medical practitioner will be the one to prescribe either medication to you, as both must be used with a prescription. Therefore, they will know which medication is right for your issues. But it’s good to understand both options and how they treat opioid addiction.

What Is Belbuca?

Belbuca is a brand-name opioid treatment containing buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is a synthetic opioid with a ceiling effect, meaning it doesn’t provide the same high as illicit opioids like fentanyl and heroin. Also, buprenorphine blocks the positive effects of opioids, which helps with withdrawal. Belbuca utilizes this ingredient for the purpose of alleviating severe chronic pain. This medication is prescribed for intense cases where other medications aren’t having enough of an effect. Notably, Belbuca is intended for pain relief but is also used in the treatment of opioid withdrawal because pain is a common symptom.

How Does Belbuca Work?

Belbuca medication works by binding to mu-opioid receptors that control how one feels pain, pleasure, stress, and mood. Opioids are highly addictive because they target these receptors, which have a high risk of addiction. Yet, Belbuca treats severe pain by reducing pain in the central nervous system. It comes in the form of a fast-dissolving film. Belbuca film can be placed on the cheek, under the tongue, or as a patch on the skin.

What Is Suboxone?

Suboxone is a branded medication of the ingredients naloxone and buprenorphine. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, and buprenorphine is a partial opiate antagonist. Together, this fixed-dose medication alleviates symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Suboxone comes as a film that goes under the tongue, and it is a tablet that is dissolved in the same way.

How Does Suboxone Work?

Suboxone is an effective treatment approach to opioid addiction because it blocks the effects of opioids. Notably, it decreases the symptoms of cravings and discomfort and prevents relapse by blocking a high. All of this works together to prevent individuals from getting the positive effects of opioids, thus helping in the withdrawal process. Even though it’s in the opioids class, Suboxone has a low misuse risk because it doesn’t allow for a high. It also blocks the effects of opioids, making it unpleasant to mix with other drugs.

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Main Differences Between Belbuca and Suboxone

A common question is, Is Belbuca the same as Suboxone? Belbuca and Suboxone are two medications with some similarities, but they are not the same. Belbuca is a brand-name medication with the ingredient buprenorphine, but Suboxone is the branding of buprenorphine and naloxone as a mixture.

Above all, the medications differ in their intended use. Belbuca is prescribed for chronic pain, including in people who are taking opioids or have a history of opioid abuse. Yet, it is also prescribed for people without a background in opioid addiction.

Conversely, Suboxone is a medication for individuals undergoing the opioid withdrawal process to alleviate symptoms of cravings and discomfort. Some people are prescribed Suboxone for the short process of detoxification, while others remain on the meds for maintenance indefinitely.

What Other Medications Are Used for Opioid Addiction?

Belbuca and Suboxone are only a few medications for opioid addiction. Both contain buprenorphine, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medication for OUD. The FDA approves two additional ingredients for opioid treatment, which we administer in our addiction facilities.

Methadone

Methadone is a synthetic opioid that treats severe pain and opioid addiction. It works by reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings to make the process of sobriety smoother.

Naloxone

Naloxone is an opioid antagonist medication that binds to opioid receptors to block the euphoric effects of opioids. This makes them unpleasant to use while on the medication, which assists in recovery from opioid dependency. Naloxone also reverses opioid overdose, which is why Naloxone kits are widely circulated to prevent overdose deaths.

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Which Medication for Opioid Addiction is Right for Me?

It may feel confusing to know which medication is right for you. All opioid antagonists are extremely strong medications that must only be used in treatment through a licensed medical provider. Thus, rest assured that you won’t have to figure out your treatment by yourself. Only treatment professionals can offer medication help for OUD. At Aliya, we have a treatment track for overcoming opioid addiction. Our medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid abuse combines medication management with traditional and holistic therapy.

What Is Opioid Addiction Treatment Like?

Opioid treatment in a rehab center is safe and comfortable and teaches you independence and resilience. We understand that healing is a complex process. Some people need additional support from prescription medication to overcome their substance addiction. There’s no shame in that! In fact, we provide MAT for opioid recovery with medications like Suboxone and Belbuca at each level of care.

Medical Detox for Opioid Addiction

Many clients begin treatment with detoxification. This is if they’re entering treatment with substances in their system. Opioid detoxification generally lasts between 4-8 days. During detox, clients are provided around-the-clock care and monitoring to ensure their safety. We can prescribe comfort medications to make the process less painful and alleviate symptoms of withdrawal.

Inpatient Treatment for Opioid Addiction

During residential inpatient care, clients live in a center and have 24/7 aid available to them. Through therapy and counseling, they unpack the deeper reasons behind their substance abuse. Inpatient treatment is the beginning stage of rehab, where the emphasis is on growth, self-awareness, and goal-setting.

Outpatient Treatment for Opioid Addiction

During outpatient care, clients attend sessions during the day and return home in the evenings. The focus of outpatient rehab is more on sobriety, so individuals build skills like coping mechanisms and relapse prevention. Clients meet with their case managers to prepare for the future and work toward their sobriety goals in concrete ways. We also offer flexible rehab options as part of outpatient treatment, such as partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programming.

Please reach out today with any questions about pain management and medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction, including questions about partial opioid agonists such as Belbuca vs. Suboxone. Once you call, we can begin an insurance verification to get started treating opioid use disorder. Prescription opioids can be dangerous, but a treatment center that offers behavioral therapy and addiction recovery can help. Addiction therapy at a drug and alcohol recovery center is safe and effective.

What Is a Suboxone Clinic, and How Does It Help Addiction?  

Aliya on October 16, 2024

When battling opioid addiction, the best way to detox and achieve sobriety is by entering treatment at a Suboxone clinic. This refers to a medical rehabilitation facility for individuals who experience opioid addiction and co-occurring disorders. In a Suboxone clinic, you will receive medication assistance to help you overcome withdrawal. Additionally, you’ll engage in therapy and counseling to heal the deeper reasons for substance abuse.

What Is Suboxone?

Suboxone is the brand name for a prescription medication used to help individuals overcome opioid abuse. Suboxone combines buprenorphine, a synthetic opioid, and naloxone, an opioid antagonist. The two ingredients work together to fight opioid addiction by targeting opioid receptors in the brain. A person on Suboxone experiences reduced withdrawal symptoms and an inability to get high from opioids. To elaborate, naloxone blocks the euphoric effects of a high, so the individual instead experiences symptoms of withdrawal when trying to use opioids.

What Is Opioid Addiction?

Addiction to opioids is a common issue that can occur quickly when you abuse opioids. Some opioids are prescription pain medications that can be misused. Opioids include methadone, fentanyl, oxycodone, heroin, and morphine. Unfortunately, opioids are highly addictive because they alter brain chemistry in a short amount of time. Eventually, you need to take more of the substance to function normally, at which point you are dependent on the drug. Because you’ve developed tolerance, you also need to increase your dose to put off withdrawal symptoms.

What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment?

Individuals with opioid dependency require medical treatment to help them overcome their addiction. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a program in rehab that combines prescription medication for overcoming opioid dependency with therapy and counseling.

Suboxone for Opioid Recovery

MAT for opioid recovery often utilizes Suboxone as an excellent medication for opioid use disorder (OUD). Suboxone rehab makes the recovery process more comfortable and safer by reducing withdrawal symptoms like cravings. Further, medications for OUD lead to less risk of overdose and increased time spent in treatment, making sobriety a personal goal. After treatment, clients are more equipped to lead a successful and positive life.

Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms

As mentioned, naloxone and buprenorphine work together to reduce withdrawal symptoms and the euphoria that comes from opioid use. Uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms are one of the main reasons why individuals aren’t successful at detoxing from drugs. Suboxone helps prevent relapse by making detoxification an easier and smoother process.

Manage Cravings

Once they’ve detoxed from substances, individuals can still feel the pull towards old habits. The medication-assisted treatment utilizes long-term medication to reduce cravings daily. Individuals remain on Suboxone indefinitely, depending on their personal care plan as created by their doctor. Because Suboxone helps prevent relapse, many people stay on the medication.

What Is a Suboxone Clinic?

Simply put, a Suboxone clinic is a treatment program for opioid addiction that takes place in medical Suboxone treatment centers. During rehab, clients engage in medically assisted treatment where they use prescription Suboxone and participate in therapy.

Who Runs Suboxone Clinics?

Suboxone clinics are run by an expert team of addiction counselors, behavioral therapists, doctors, nurses, counselors, and case managers. These are people who are experienced and certified to treat opioid use disorder using medications like Suboxone. 

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How Does Suboxone Treatment Work?

It’s important to understand why opioids are addictive. They activate opioid-sensitive receptors in the brain to block negative feelings like pain. At the same time, they trigger a rush of positive receptors like dopamine. Over time, the brain adapts to the changes opioids create. At this point, the individual is dependent on the drug. They also have a higher tolerance, so they must take more for the same effects.

Our Suboxone treatment program works in tandem with the detoxification process to reduce withdrawal symptoms and block the positive effects of opioids. After detox, most individuals stay on Suboxone to prevent withdrawal symptoms like cravings once they’re sober.

How Long Does Opioid Detox Take?

Generally, detoxification to remove opioids from the system lasts eight days, though sometimes as short as four days. During the process, individuals detox toxins of the drugs from their system. The process is fairly quick, and our medical staff makes it as comfortable as possible.

MAT and Psychotherapy

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a valuable step in recovery. However, medication is only part of a comprehensive opioid recovery plan. Each individual who enters a Suboxone clinic combines medication assistance with the deeper inner work of therapy. Their schedule will include traditional therapy and holistic counseling, both in group and individual sessions.

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What Are the Benefits of Suboxone Treatment?

Certainly, there are many benefits of Suboxone for opioid addiction rehab. Mainly, treatment raises individuals’ quality of life by making it possible for them to achieve lasting sobriety. Not only do people experience the physical health of being free from drugs, but also the mental and emotional benefits. After treatment, they can experience renewed relationships and a new fervor to live a fulfilling, sober future. Additionally, they receive a lifelong support team through their Aliya family. Having sober peers committed to the same convictions is key in the journey of abstinence.

Who Needs Suboxone Treatment?

Simply put, everyone who struggles with opioid use needs to enter opioid addiction rehab in a treatment facility. Of these individuals, many people should receive Suboxone treatment to help them reduce their withdrawal symptoms. There is no shame in needing the help of rehab, nor in needing the extra help of medication-assisted treatment.

Some signs of opioid dependency include:

  • Always talking about the next dose
  • Illicitly sourcing opioids
  • Misusing prescription pain meds
  • An inability to stop on your own
  • Increased tolerance to opioids

Opioid Addiction Treatment Near Me

At Aliya Health Group, we provide treatment options at our nationwide network of treatment centers from detoxification to aftercare. The levels are:

  • Detoxification
  • Residential inpatient treatment
  • Partial hospitalization
  • Intensive outpatient
  • Outpatient care
  • Aftercare

During your time in our centers, you will receive the highest level of care from our knowledgeable substance abuse treatment team. Notably, flexibility is one of our values, as we understand that drugs already create enough disorder in your life. As such, Our addiction treatment center offers flexible care and comprehensive addiction treatment, including online Suboxone medication treatment from certified Suboxone doctors. Don’t wait to reach out today to enter our Suboxone clinic and start walking the road to recovery-free from drug addictions.

Black Tar Heroin: What You Need to Know

Aliya on September 5, 2023

Heroin is an illegal and highly addictive drug that has destroyed many lives. A form of heroin called “black tar heroin” has been spreading across certain parts of the United States. If you or someone you know is using black tar heroin, it’s important to understand exactly what it is and how dangerous it can be.

What Is Heroin?

Heroin is an opioid drug made from morphine, which comes from the opium poppy plant. It can be a white or brown powder, or a black sticky substance called black tar heroin.

About 920,000 Americans used heroin in 2019. It’s extremely addictive, with nearly one in four people who try it becoming dependent. As a result, heroin overdoses killed over 15,000 Americans in 2018 and that number of deaths continues rising each year.

Quitting “cold turkey” causes severe withdrawal symptoms, making heroin very hard to stop using without help. This is why it’s important to seek professional treatment if you or someone you know is struggling with heroin addiction.

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What Is Black Tar Heroin?

Black tar heroin is a less pure form of heroin that’s just as strong. This type of heroin gets its name from its dark, sticky appearance, similar to roofing tar or hard, black candle wax. The appearance and consistency of black tar heroin results from the illicit processing methods that leave behind impurities. Despite its name, black tar heroin can also be dark orange or brown in appearance. In contrast, white heroin is heavily processed to purify the drug and improve its quality. 

Rather than a fine powder, black tar heroin is chunky and rough. For this reason, those abusing black tar heroin must heat and dilute the substance with water. Once dissolved, heroin is injected into the skin, smoked, or snorted. It has a strong vinegary smell and bitter taste. 

People who abuse black tar heroin often report feeling an initial “rush” or high, followed by several hours of drowsiness and mental clouding. In general, black tar heroin symptoms last for around 5-8 hours per dose.

Drug dealers may cut black tar heroin with additives like sugar or powdered milk to increase profits. As a result, the potency of the drug is unpredictable and raises the risk of overdose. One study also found that black tar heroin users were at higher risk for wound botulism, which can lead to breathing difficulties and muscle weakness. Unfortunately, these side effects can lead to severe bodily harm and death.

What Other Forms Does Heroin Come In?

Besides black tar heroin, common forms of heroin include:

  • White heroin – A fine white or off-white powder that’s highly processed and the purest form of heroin.
  • Brown heroin – A powder varying in color from off-white to dark brown which is more crudely processed than white heroin.
  • Persian heroin – Light brown, granular powdered heroin originating from the Middle East.

No matter what form it comes in, heroin is extremely addictive with harsh withdrawal symptoms when use stops. Whether injecting, smoking, or snorting it, heroin comes with serious risks of addiction, overdose, and long-term health effects.

Heroin FAQs

Yes, heroin is a depressant. Like other opiates, heroin is classified as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. By slowing down a person’s brain activity, CNS depressants can produce feelings of relaxation and euphoria. However, depressants can cause several negative, potentially life-threatening side effects, including slowed heart rate, labored breathing, breathing, lowered blood pressure, and decreased appetite.

Heroin attaches to opioid receptors in the brain which can cause a rush of euphoria and relaxation. It has similar effects to prescription pain pills like oxycodone or morphine, but it’s cheaper and easier to get on the street. This ease of access also comes with great risk, considering the fact that street drugs can be cut with harmful, potentially lethal additives like fentanyl, nitazenes, or xylazine.

When people think of heroin abuse, they’re more likely to picture someone injecting the drug with a needle. This is also why heroin track marks associated with illicit drug abuse. While injecting heroin is the most common form of abuse, heroin can also be smoked or snorted.

The length of time heroin stays in the body can vary depending on a variety of factors, such as:

  • Age
  • Weight
  • Gender
  • Metabolism
  • Physical activity
  • Hydration level
  • Amount of heroin used

While these factors may impact the length of time heroin remains in a person’s system, drug tests can typically detect heroin in the blood for 6 days, urine for a week, and hair for 3 months.

Heroin slang terms and code words can vary from region to region and even change over time. This is often because drug dealers use unique heroin street names to avoid detection by law enforcement. However, the most common heroin slang words include: 

  • Dope
  • Smack
  • H or Big H
  • Horse
  • Hero
  • Junk
  • Skag
  • Snow
  • China white
  • Brown sugar
  • Beast
  • Boy or Girl (referring to the different colors of heroin)

Common street names for black tar heroin include:

  • Black dragon
  • Black pearl
  • Mexican mud

If you are worried that a loved one may be using drugs, it’s important to educate yourself about the different names and slang terms for heroin used in your area.

Generally, black tar heroin comes from Latin America and is most commonly found in the western parts of the United States.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Heroin Withdrawal?

Once a person develops heroin addiction, their body depends on the drug to produce feelings of pleasure and reduce symptoms of pain. When a person stops abusing heroin, they experience physical and psychological side effects known as withdrawal.

Heroin withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
  • Distress, anxiety, depression
  • Sweating, shaking
  • Muscle and bone pain
  • Uncontrollable leg movements
  • Runny nose, watery eyes
  • Drug cravings
  • Insomnia
  • Cold flashes with goosebumps

Heroin withdrawal symptoms typically start within 6-12 hours after the last dose. The drug withdrawal symptoms normally peak after 1 to 3 days and subside after about a week. People may also experience post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), which can last for months. PAWS can present in a variety of different ways including: 

  • Intense cravings
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Anhedonia
  • Sleep disturbances

While these symptoms are uncomfortable, they are not life-threatening. However, the withdrawal process can be dangerous for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions or those who have been using large amounts of heroin for a prolonged period.

How to Get Through Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms

After hitting rock bottom, people may eventually say to themselves, “That’s it, I’m quitting heroin.” But going through withdrawal without professional help can be very difficult and lead to relapse. For this reason, comprehensive heroin addiction treatment programs offer a wide range of recovery services to help people get and stay sober. For this reason, it is important to match the best treatment approach to meet the individual’s unique needs, preferences, and goals in recovery.

In general, the first step in addiction recovery is to medically detox off of heroin in an inpatient treatment facility. This is because medical detox programs offer 24/7 medical care to help manage heroin withdrawal symptoms. During heroin detox, clients may receive medications that ease cravings and anxiety to behavioral counseling to deal with emotional issues. After that, clients can transition into residential care within an inpatient heroin addiction treatment center. As a result, they can continue receiving around-the-clock medical monitoring and support. 

Medications for Heroin Addiction

Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) are safe, effective, and often life-saving in the treatment of heroin addiction. These medications are all FDA-approved and can be prescribed by trained healthcare providers within medication-assisted treatment programs. Medications for heroin addiction include:

  • Buprenorphine relieves drug cravings without producing the “high” or dangerous side effects of other opioids. In 2002, the FDA approved buprenorphine as the first medication to be prescribed by certified physicians through the Drug Addiction Treatment Act.
  • Methadone eases withdrawal symptoms and cravings. However, it is only available through approved MAT programs where it’s given to clients daily.
  • Lofexidine is a non-opioid medicine designed to reduce withdrawal symptoms by affecting the same receptors in the brain as heroin without producing euphoria.
  • Naltrexone prevents heroin from attaching to opioid receptors in the brain and blocks its euphoric effects. As a result, the medication disincentives the urge to relapse by removing the potential for pleasure from heroin use.

Behavioral Therapies for Heroin Addiction

Many effective behavioral treatments are available in outpatient and residential settings. Approaches such as contingency management and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) have proven effective in the treatment of heroin addiction, especially when combined with medications.

For example, contingency management programs often use a voucher-based system in which clients earn “points” after receiving negative drug tests. In this case, they can exchange their points for items that encourage healthy living. On the other hand, CBT works to change a client’s thoughts and behaviors related to drug use and increases skills in coping with the stress of life. Both of these behavioral interventions provide a unique take on relapse prevention while instilling healthy lifestyle changes that promote recovery.

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Heroin Addiction Treatment at Aliya Health Group

Overcoming heroin addiction is challenging, but possible, with individualized treatment and support. At Aliya Health Group, our treatment centers offer evidence-based care for substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. Our team of experts is compassionate and caring, providing both traditional and alternative substance use disorder treatments so you can experience whole-body healing.

Highlights of our drug rehab programs include:

  • Drug detox
  • Inpatient drug rehab
  • Outpatient rehab programs
  • Dual diagnosis treatment
  • Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
  • Individual and group therapy
  • Holistic treatments like art therapy, massage therapy, and yoga

If you or a loved one is struggling with black tar heroin addiction, reach out to us with questions about treatment. To get a free, confidential consultation, call us at 888-973-2078. You can also reach out through our secure, online contact form.

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We are driven by our commitment to empower individuals, families, and the community by providing education, tools, and support, to help them lead healthy, fulfilling lives in recovery. 

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