Does subutex do the same to you as heroin?

a few weeks ago me and my friends thought our friend was taking heroin. we know hes been hanging around with someone that does heroin, but only occasionally. well he swore that he wouldnt touch it. yet he always looks and act like he has. last night he came up to me, and said he was scared. he said hed been taking subutex, because hed had cravings for it. yet i dont know whether hes telling the truth or he has actually been taking heroin. also, yesturday, his lips was covered in black sticky stuff. i duno whether thats connected.
when we think hes on heroin, hes all like sweaty, itching, hes pupils are barley visible, he has no control over his boy, he just sleeps and shakes. but insists hes not tired, and he just talks rubbissh, or you cant understand whaat hes sayin
can someone please help me in dont know whats the matter with him or what hes taking

oh i forgot to say, his friend who already uses heroin, uses subutex too. and i cant really tell his parents, hes 22 and i havent got a clue where or who his parents are

Subutex is a synthetic opiate having similar effects to heroin and morphine. It is used to relieve some of the problems associated with heroin addiction but unlike methadone does not have so strong an effect on the brain.

Being on it can cause unexpected drops in blood pressure, headaches, insomnia, nausia and constipation.

It is addictive and overdose can occur if taken with other medication or with alcohol.

Its a class C drug, the possession of which can incur a max of 2 years in jail and an unlimited fine, Supplying or intent to supply up to 14 years in jail and an unlimited fine.

If your friend says he has a craving for it, it seems to me he must have tried it, or similar in the past. I would confont him with that. Ask him "How can you have a craving for it, if you haven't had it?


If your friend is scared explain the damage it is doing to him. Explain to him what the legal penalities could be.

From the way you are explaining his behaviour there is no doubt in my mind that he is on something which is having terrible effects on him.

Give him all your support but in a positive way to get him off. If he is living at home, have a quiet word with his parents, although they may well suspect something is amiss.

I really do feel for you and your friend, as I hate to see young lives being destroyed by drugs when there are so many other options to live life to the full.

I really do wish you all the best.

subutex doesn't give you a high like heroin, there is nothing you can do till he is ready to tell you, but i don't understand where he is getting the subutex from as you have to be on a detox program with your local substance misuse team x

Subutex is just like heroine and is highly addictive. It is also used to ween people off of heroine. If this person is under 18 you should contact his parents. The black stuff is probably residue from huffing. You need to help him by telling parents or authorities. He is in a lot of danger!!

Subutex is prescribed to help addicts get past the first few days of heroin withdrawls. The most common reported side effect of Subutex include cold or flu-like symptoms, headaches, sweating, sleeping difficulties, and mood swings. Subutex can be abused by an addict to achieve a high that is similar to heroin. I don't know if your friend is abusing subutex or if he is using heroin, but either way, your friend IS using again. Keep talking to him, even if he denies he's using.

I recently lost a close friend to heroin. He battled with his demons for 15 years. He got clean many times, but in the end, the drugs got him. Those of us that loved him wish we had tried harder. Please, never stop trying to help your friend.

For more info, go to:
http://www.heroinaddiction.biz/

i know that this is hard for you and you obviously care for your friend,but no matter what you do or what you say it is going to make no difference he has got to want to sort him self out,and want to do it for him,you can guide and advise him but that is all you can do,at the moment,once he has decided then you can come forward to help more,i have watched a lot of people in this situation,and seem many die,its hard i know but self help is the best.