Most people think buprenorphine (and methadone) by default are to "get people off of opiates"...
When in reality, these programs aren't really meant to "get people off opiates".
It's just to get them dependent on non-euphoric govy alternatives that are "approved".
This is why it is called "Maintenance" and not "quitting treatment". You haven't quit opioids if you're still taking one.
I think a lot of people get this confused.
If you're looking to get off of opiates/opioids for good, than tapering whatever one you're already using should be the first thing you try.
Cause otherwise, in reality, you're just hopping onto another one, which i personally think there's nothing wrong with that, but if your intentions are to truly quit, then there are other options.
These drugs can help people with their withdrawals, but for the most part, they are often used for people like me who feel like they desperately need opioids no matter the consequence, for the long term. An "addicts" chances of living are improved if they at least have buprenorphine or methadone.
However, more people could be saved if the war on drugs just wasn't a thing people had to deal with.
Suboxone is okay.
After the honeymoon period with it though, I found that it was back to dealing with drug cravings again.
It also sucked feeling sedated a lot with no euphoria or mood lift. At least on heroin I'd be in a great mood. lol
I at least gave up drinking & find it a tad easier to deal with drug cravings with suboxone than I would without them.
But all in all, these are just longer acting, more potent, non-euphoric versions of drugs people already take. The people in charge don't really give you a fuck if you pop 500 dxn or loperamide pills. What they don't want is you actually feeling good, like you can get up & do things again that you couldn't before is what it seems like.