Buprenorphine comes in the form of a sublingual tablet that is meant to be placed under the tongue where it will dissolve. There are, however, patients that take a higher dose than the one prescribed, or decide to crush the tablet and later snort or inject Buprenorphine. When this happens, the potential for Buprenorphine dependence – both physical and psychological, and addiction increases. Because of the high risk of addiction, Buprenorphine is only prescribed short-term. Any long-term use also increases the risk of addiction.
The risk of Buprenorphine addiction is especially high among those who have had a history of drug use in the past, for which Buprenorphine has been initially used to treat it, as well as those who have failed to get fully treated for their existing opioid addiction.
Buprenorphine addiction is much more common than you would think. About 14% of the addicts claim to choose Buprenorphine as their preferred opioid, as compared to heroin, for example. The problem is that Buprenorphine is fast and easily available on the streets, with 34% of the addicts claiming to find Buprenorphine easier as compared to Oxycodone and methadone.