Withdrawal is the resulting negative physical and/or mental effects that occur to someone once they have stopped or significantly reduced consuming a particular drug.
Withdrawal symptoms can include but are not limited to: irritability, loss of appetite, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, tremors, and headaches.
Drugs commonly used in substitution treatment are usually not administered by injection thus eliminating the risk of illness such as HIV and hepatitis. Substitution treatment has also been shown to be an effective way of reducing or completely ceasing drug use.
Many studies have shown that substitution treatment can reduce drug use which in turn reduces over dose risk thus reducing the risk of death. Also many studies have also shown that those undergoing substitution treatment reported improvements to their mental and physical health.
Drugs like Heroin cause addiction by triggering highs followed by lows. People continue using the drug to keep getting highs while also avoiding the lows. Drugs used in substitution treatment work by not causing highs and while preventing lows. This means that they are significantly less likely to be abused compared to drugs like heroin. However, like any medication they should only be taken with the supervision and guidance of a healthcare provider.
Yes. As with any medication talking to your healthcare provide will determine which drug is best for you.
The types of side effects depend on the drug used. See “What are my treatment options” (Link to What are my treatment options in substitution treatment module)
Opioid are drugs that interact with the opioid receptors in our brains. A synthetic opioid is an opioid produced in a lab.
Methadone does not cause withdrawal symptoms, also since it can be administered orally (eaten) it is painless.
Your healthcare provider will be able to determine which medication is best for you given your medical and substance use histories.
Supervision ensures that you take a safe amount of medication. Once a patient has been regularly taking their doses in the presence of a healthcare provide, they may be eligible to take their doses without supervision.
If an opioid (like heroin) is repeatedly used, it may result in less high each time it is used. This is tolerance. In order to overcome tolerance and regain the same highs, someone may take more and more opioid which increases their risk of overdose and death
It is very unlikely that a person can develop tolerance to a substitution drug.
Stopping substitution treatment before you are ready can increase your risk of relapse and overdose. Consult with your doctor/pharmacist for how long you should stay on Substitution Treatment and when it is safe for you to stop (see “Can I stop taking the medication?” in module).
Using other drugs while on Substitution Treatment can be dangerous if they are depressants (medication that depress your body). Mixing opioids with other drugs may increase your risk of overdose and death. Be sure to tell your pharmacist or doctor all of drugs and medications that you are currently using.
Depressants also called downers cause your body to feel relaxed, but long term usage can cause sleepiness, slurred speech, and memory loss. Stimulants are drugs that cause feelings of increased energy. Long term usage of stimulants can cause hallucinations, agitation, and unintended weight loss.