Subutex is a brand name for the medication buprenorphine. It is used in the treatment of opioid dependence and addiction. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, meaning it activates the same receptors in the brain that full opioids like heroin or oxycodone do but to a lesser extent. This helps alleviate withdrawal symptoms and cravings associated with opioid dependence, without producing the same intense high or euphoria.
Subutex is often used as part of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs to help individuals recover from opioid addiction. These programs typically involve counseling, therapy, and support services, along with the medication, to help individuals stabilize their lives and work towards sobriety.