Opiate addiction – or dependence upon drugs like heroin and prescription painkillers oxycodone and hydrocodone – has been a growing problem in Russia for years. Despite the government’s interest in correcting the problem and providing prevention and treatment to those who need it, they are adamantly against the use of evidence-based treatment protocols like methadone maintenance and Suboxone treatment.

Substitution Therapy Ban

In the United States, the effectiveness of methadone and Suboxone is well established through multiple studies and thousands of success cases. In Russia, however, that’s not the case. According to the Toronto Media News Co-op Russian experts say that: “The effective way to solve the problem of drug addiction treatment is an intensive search for and introduction of new methods and means that focus on complete cessation of drugs use by patients with addiction, their socialization into a new life style free from drugs, but not on exchanging from one drug to another.”

Naysayers believe that “substitution therapy” is nothing more than trading the object of addiction. They believe that addicts will continue to be addicts after treatment and that nothing substantive about their life and habits will change as a result. The evidence says, however, that those who use a controlled substance under the care of medical professionals have a lesser chance of overdose and can slowly lower their dose over time until they are completely drug-free, allowing them the opportunity to immediately begin to live a functional life that is not controlled by drug dependence.

Krocodile Abuse

The problem with avoiding well-known, positive treatments for opiate addiction in Russia is that addicts are left to fend for themselves, often overdosing, contracting HIV and other transmissible diseases by sharing needles, and creating new drugs that have effects similar to heroin but are less expensive – drugs like Krocodile. When heroin gets too pricey for addicts – most of whom live in poverty – they instead turn to homemade drugs like Krocodile. Similar to morphine, Krocodile, or desomorphine, it is made from codeine, which does not require a prescription in Russia, and actually turns the skin of the user scaly and green like a crocodile, an effect caused by gangrene and phlebitis. Krocodile users are expected to live only two to three years.

Fighting Addiction

In some ways, Krocodile is a substitution for heroin, but one that is devastating to addicts. In the same way, in the United States, those who can’t afford prescription painkillers often turn to heroin, which is far less expensive. If opiate addiction is an issue for you, rather than opt for a more dangerous substitute, consider choosing a positive substitution therapy at a medical rehabilitation center. Call us now to find out more about how we can help.

Can you imagine craving something so strong that you’d skip your job, steal money, leave your kids alone at home, even meet with dangerous people just to get it over and over?  This is what a heroin addict might do to keep up their supply.  Heroin is so dangerous because it can be quickly addictive and have permanent effect on a person’s mind and body.  Drug rehabs often use medication such as buprenorphine to help with the heroin detox process. 

How Buprenorphine Helps With Heroin Addiction

Opioids are drugs that act much like the neurotransmitters in our bodies.  These chemicals include endorphins, adrenaline, and dopamine, all of which control many different behavioral and emotional responses.  The neurotransmitters travel back and forth between neuron receptors, fitting together like locks with keys. 

Opioids can lock into these same receptors, only the effect they have is enormous and overwhelming compared to what the body can normally produce.  When opioids are carefully used as painkillers, they can be effective.  However, heroin use is never regulated and the risk of overdose is high. 

Buprenorphine is an opioid that is enough like heroin and other potent drugs, but it’s chemical fit to receptors isn’t perfect.  It can make cravings more tolerable and the body more comfortable while the heroin use has been stopped.  However, it generally doesn’t fit well enough to give an addictive rush or high.  This can also help with psychological addiction, giving the person a chance to develop healthy coping skills with fewer effects from the physical withdrawal process.

Subutex for Pregnant Heroin Users

Apparently, mono buprenorphine (also called Subutex) has been deemed as safe and effective as methadone for pregnant heroin users.  Currently, methadone and buprenorphine are Category C drugs.  These drugs have only been through animal trials, no solid human trials, and have caused known problems for animals fetuses.  However, there can be enough benefit to the mother to warrent use in spite of these risks. 

In other words, methadone and buprenorphine have enough risk to be strongly avoided in nearly all cases.  However, if it will ensure that the mother stays safe and healthy to take the baby to full term, some risk to the fetus may be the lesser of two problems to deal with. 

Buprenorphine Not The Perfect Solution

At this summit, experts from the National Institute of Drug Abuse reported findings about the usefulness of Buprenorphine.  They stated that it was actually more helpful with painkiller addiction than heroin addiction.

Buprenorphine is a legal prescribed drug.  However, some people abuse buprenorphine by crushing and injecting it.  The very drug that is supposed to help them with their heroin addiction becomes the replacement drug.  This method of crushing and injection the drug is very hazardous because shared or dirty needles can spread disease among users.  This is a true testament to the psychological and psychological power of opiate addictions.  Even drugs meant to be helpful can get turned around and abused.

Heroin Rehab at The Orchid

The professionals at the Orchid Recovery Center for Women do everything possible to assist women with the sometimes difficult process of drug detox.  But detox is just the first of many steps of growth in drug treatment.  The supportive community of women, the holistic therapies, and research-based treatment methods combine to provide an environment of healing at the Orchid.