Is it possible to treat opioid addiction with Suboxone while a person is still in active meth addiction?

First, we should get the question of methamphetamine vs methadone out of the way. If you are asking, “Can Suboxone and methadone be taken together?”, the answer is no.

Both methadone and Suboxone are opioid drugs used to treat opioid addiction. Methadone and Suboxone taken together may cause a precipitated withdrawal reaction. Precipitated withdrawal is a severe opioid withdrawal that is very unpleasant.

If you take methadone, and you want to switch to Suboxone, it is important that you see a Suboxone doctor who is experienced in helping patients through this transition safely. Can you take methadone while on Suboxone? The combination is not safe and is never recommended.

Methamphetamine and methadone are different drugs. While you may have thought the word “meth” referred to methadone, it almost always means methamphetamine hydrochloride. The question we would like to address from here on out is about mixing Suboxone and methamphetamine.

What Is Meth? What Are The Signs Of Meth Addiction? How Do You Quit Meth? Meth is a powerful stimulant drug, similar to cocaine, but it is fully synthetic and much longer lasting.

Meth addicts stay awake for days, and even weeks at a time, causing them to develop a zombie-like appearance, with weight loss and a lack of hygeine. Quiting meth is difficult, because it is one of the most addicting substances on Earth. Is mixing meth and Suboxone safe?

The problem of a meth and Subs combination.

The only reason a person might take Suboxone and meth together is if they are addicted to both meth and opioids. For example, if a person takes meth and heroin, they might attend a heroin addiction treatment program.

Heroin addiction and fentanyl addiction are typically more dangerous than meth addiction. And, there are effective treatments available for opioid use disorder. Heroin and fentanyl are dangerous opioids, so getting treatment as soon as possible is critical.

Meth addiction treatment is available, but it is not as effective as opioid addiction treatment. Many meth treatment programs rely on cognitive behavioral therapy and 12-step facilitation.

Medication-advanced treatment for methamphetamine addiction is still in the early stages of research. We do not have a Suboxone for meth type therapy at this time.

When a client gets Suboxone detox for opioid use disorder, and they are meth addicted, they will likely continue using meth while taking Suboxone. Suboxone abuse may then become a problem, because a rehab client who is still in active addiction might not follow medical instructions.

Is it dangerous to take Suboxone and methamphetamine together?

Suboxone contains an opioid and an opioid blocker drug. Methamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant.

Generally, these types of drugs do not interact with each other. Suboxone contains buprenorphine, which should not be combined with sedating drugs, if possible.

However, patients with a methamphetamine addiction or cocaine addiction who take stimulants during Suboxone treatment are not at the same risk of Suboxone overdose as someone who drinks alcohol with Suboxone. The issues of abusing Suboxone with meth are mainly behavioral.

Imagine a person on Suboxone going to their meth dealer, and they have no money, but they have a pocket full of Suboxone strips. The person might be tempted to sell Suboxone for meth.

First, this is illegal, putting the person at risk for arrest and jail time, which can lead to relapse, overdose, and death. Aside from legal risks, the person who has sold or traded away their Suboxone will now be at risk for opioid relapse and overdose.

Can you take Adderall while on Suboxone?

Adderall is a commonly used amphetamine prescription drug used to treat ADD and adult ADHD. Vyvanse is another brand of amphetamine that is also used for the same conditions.

Should a person who takes Adderall quit their medication before going to a Suboxone doctor? It is possible for a patient treated for ADHD with Adderall to also have an opioid addiction that requires treatment.

Fortunately, it may be possible to continue Adderall therapy while seeing a Suboxone doctor. The addiction specialist may recommend a gradual taper off of Adderall during Suboxone therapy.

The reason why they might want a patient to taper off of Adderall is that many people who take the drug do not need it for optimal functioning. And, because Adderall is an amphetamine, it may increase the risk that a patient will develop a stimulant addiction in the future.

However, keep in mind that each patient is different, so if Adderall is essential for a particular patient’s treatment, it does not necessarily have to be reduced or stopped. Each patient must be evaluated as an individual and treated as such.

Should methamphetamine users be turned away from Suboxone clinics?

This is a good question. There are people who believe that a Suboxone patient must be fully compliant with treatment. Some treatment program directors will kick patients out of their program if a drug test is positive for meth.

If the Suboxone program administers Subutex or Suboxone under observation on a daily basis, the program administrator can be certain that the clients are not selling or trading their medication. This type of buprenorphine treatment is ideal for patients who still use other drugs, such as cocaine, crack, or methamphetamine.

As a form of harm reduction, clinics should continue to offer buprenorphine therapy to their clients, even if they continue use of other street drugs. By continuing treatment, the patient will be kept safe from opioid overdose.

Another benefit is that the patient will continue attending the Suboxone clinic, where doctors and counselors may continue to provide coaching, counseling, and therapy. By maintaining a positive relationship with the patient, there is a higher chance that they will become willing to fully comply with a solid recovery program.

While methamphetamine is difficult to quit, it is possible. When a person is treated with respect, they may begin to feel more respect for themselves, and they will develop a desire to become meth free.

Is rehab the best place for a person who is mixing meth and Suboxone?

While some programs may choose to give a patient time to come to the decision on their own that they must stop using meth, in some cases, residential rehab may be the best option.

Getting a person in active addiction out of a dangerous environment is important. Often, the problem is that the person continues to associate with other people who are still using or selling drugs.

It is nearly impossible to overcome an addiction when surrounded by active drug users and drug dealers. Suboxone helps the patient to lose interest in the opioid use lifestyle.

However, a person who continues using meth while taking buprenorphine will likely maintain connections with drug-using friends. These associations will hold the person back from starting a more positive and fulfilling, drug-free life.

Even when a person is on Suboxone and opioid free, if they continue using methamphetamine, they will suffer from the serious effects of that drug on the brain. A quality residential rehab program will help to remove the person from the negative environment, getting them into the more positive environment of recovery.

Does methamphetamine cause serious brain damage?

There are theories that a person who uses meth may cross a line where their brain will never fully recover from the damage caused by methamphetamine. Meth brain damage is not something that can be seen on a plain MRI.

The damage is more in the category of toxic encephalopathy. The damage is microscopic and diffuse, affecting the functioning of many prefrontal cortex neurons.

Neurotransmitters may not work as effectively. Changes in the addiction centers of the brain, such as the nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area may persist for many years.

Does this mean that a person who uses methamphetamine for long enough has no chance of recovering from meth addiction? Fortunately, full, long-term recovery from meth addiction is possible, even after many years of meth abuse.

While the effects of the drug may linger for many years, a person who stays meth free for long periods will most likely recover normal brain functioning. It is possible for a recovered meth addict to live a happy and fulfilling life.

Is there medication-assisted treatment for meth addiction?

For opioid use disorder, we have methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone to use for medication-assisted treatment. What do doctors give their patients for methamphetamine use disorder?

While there is no fully established meth treatment, there are treatments being studied with some success. At the Miller Institute in Indiana, they are using multiple protocols with reductions of meth cravings within 72 hours.

Other researchers have looked at naltrexone, an opioid receptor blocker which is already used to treat opioid addiction and alcohol addiction. Naltrexone may be useful for treating stimulant addiction.

Otherwise, various antidepressants have been used for meth addiction treatment, such as Wellbutrin, or bupropion. While we would love to see a treatment for meth dependence that works as well as Suboxone for opioid dependence, it is a different kind of drug and a different kind of addiction.

For more information on the latest methamphetamine addiction treatments, please check out our podcast. Also, for more information on addiction treatment in Miami and South Florida, please contact us using the website form.