Signs Of Suboxone Addiction
Although developing an addiction to Suboxone is generally low, its still possible. The signs of a Suboxone addiction are typically similar to the signs of an addiction to other opioids, including prescription opioids for pain relief and heroin.
Signs and symptoms of addiction can include any of the following:
- resorting to stealing Suboxone prescriptions from others
- pretending to lose Suboxone prescriptions in order to get more of this medication
- taking Suboxone in larger or more frequent doses
- mixing Suboxone with other types of drugs
- drowsiness
- cravings
- insomnia
The symptoms you have during Suboxone withdrawal can range from mild to severe. How long you have these symptoms depends on how long youve been taking Suboxone and how much of it youve been using.
Keep in mind that a detox program can help you get through Suboxone withdrawal safely. These programs give you support from addiction specialists and medical professionals in a safe and comfortable environment.
Is Suboxone Addictive Can People Abuse Suboxone
Suboxone can result in physical dependence with long-term use due to the inclusion of buprenorphine, which is an opioid.14 However, dependence is not the same as addiction, though to develop it even with prescription use means that you could experience withdrawal symptoms if you abruptly stop using it.
You should not stop using Suboxone unless directed to do so by your doctor. Your Suboxone use will be carefully monitored by healthcare providers throughout the course of treatment. Under the guidance of your physician, you will taper off Suboxone, which means gradually reducing your dose, when the time is right for you.1,13
As with any opioid, the buprenorphine component of Suboxone does confer an innate abuse liability. However, as a partial opioid agonist, it is incapable of eliciting the more profoundly euphoric effects of other more commonly abused opioid drugs such as heroin and oxycodone.1 Naloxone is specifically included in the combination formulation to additionally limit abuse potential, as attempts at achieving a euphoric high via certain unintended routes of use may instead result in opioid receptor blockade and precipitated withdrawal.3
It is also important to be aware that Suboxone use for treating opioid use disorder is not merely substituting one addiction for another. Instead, Suboxone helps people control their previously compulsive and harmful opioid use, allowing them to resume a normal, more healthy life.13
Potential Side Effects Of Suboxone Use
As with any medication, Suboxone is associated with certain side effects, even when taken as prescribed. Death from respiratory depression is rare with Suboxone but may be more likely when people use Suboxone in conjunction with other substances that slow breathing, such as benzodiazepines, sedatives, tranquilizers, or alcohol.1,2,8,12
Relatively common Suboxone side effects include:1
- Headache.
- Swelling in arms and legs.
- Nausea.
- Allergic reactions .
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How Is It Used
Suboxone Sublingual Film® is a lime-flavoured, rectangular, orange film, which is placed under the tongue to dissolve. The film will not work properly if it is chewed or swallowed.3
Subutex Sublingual Tablets® are also placed under the tongue to dissolve and will not work properly if chewed or swallowed.4
Signs Of Alcohol Abuse
- Coma.
- Death.
In extreme cases such as overdose, there is an increased risk of alcohol poisoning, coma and death . If an individual is suspected to have overdosed on Suboxone or are showing symptoms like those listed above, then it is imperative that they are transported to a hospital immediately. Untreated reactions between Suboxone and significant quantities of alcohol can be fatal.
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Suboxone Vs Naltrexone The Risk Of Withdrawal
Naltrexone is a non-addictive medication that does not bind to opioid receptors. As a result, stopping cold turkey will not result in any withdrawal symptoms. When used while under the influence of opioids, however, it might cause sudden opiate withdrawals. This is caused by the fact that naltrexone binds to opiate receptors in the brain and blocks their effects almost immediately, causing withdrawal symptoms to emerge rapidly rather than gradually. Sudden opiate withdrawal can be more intense and include symptoms such as:
- Agitation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
As such, individuals are advised to wait for at least seven days since the last use of short-acting opioids and 10-14 days for long-acting opioids before receiving naltrexone treatment. They should also inform their healthcare providers about the use of any opioid medications currently in use.
Unlike naltrexone, Suboxone is an opioid that can cause physical and psychological dependence when used for a long period. And quitting cold turkey can trigger withdrawal symptoms that can be quite similar to other opioids. The symptoms of Suboxone withdrawal can vary in intensity and duration depending on factors such as the dosage of the medication and period of use.
Some of the withdrawal symptoms of Suboxone are:
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Fever or chills
General Lethargy And Lack Of Hygiene
Opioid abuse will be most prevalent when theyre coming down. Those experiencing withdrawals will generally be depressed and not take care of themselves. Their body cant produce the chemicals to make them happy and it beats them down as long as the symptoms persist.
Addiction is a terrible trap people get sucked in to but we must be aware of it happening, whether its us or someone we care deeply about. Its a terrible disease that we must be willing to combat. This means not looking the other way when theyre hurting. It means being empathetic and collaborative during recovery.
Its these times where a good support system is very important, because theyre at their most vulnerable. It is a war that America and the world as a whole have been fighting for a while but we are incredibly resilient and can beat this.
With the proper treatment with medications like Suboxone and a plan for success laid out by a doctor, we can and will beat addiction. Some of us need help along the way and there is absolutely no shame in that. So fight together, make the world better, and dont give up on the people you love.
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Is Suboxone A Controlled Substance
Yes, Suboxone is a controlled substance. Its classified as a schedule three prescription drug. This means that it has an accepted medical use, but it may cause physical or psychological dependence and may be abused.
The government has created special rules for how schedule III drugs can be prescribed by a doctor and dispensed by a pharmacist. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more.
Doctors can only prescribe this drug for opioid dependence after receiving special training and certification through the U.S. federal government.
Suboxone Addiction And Abuse Treatments
Have you used Suboxone as part of a replacement therapy to combat opioid addiction?If you find yourself battling suboxone addiction, know that youre not alone. We understand that suboxone, with the engagement of clients, can be a tool to combat or ween off of current opioid addiction. But some individuals become reliant on the use of suboxone and seek a drug-free life. Our trained clinical team can help you guide through this difficult addiction.
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Understanding Suboxone’s Effect On The Body
Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone and is US Food and Drug Administration-approved to be used as part of a medication assisted treatment program for opioid use disorder. Acting as a partial agonist, it works by altering brain receptors to reduce the users cravings for opioid substances and tone down withdrawal symptoms.
Now that weve laid out Suboxones effect on the body, lets talk about what alcohol does when combined with this form of treatment.
How Does Someone Use Suboxone Safely
Suboxone should always be taken exactly as prescribed by a doctor. Its not safe to take more Suboxone than prescribed. Patients should also take Suboxone as either a sublingual film or buccal, depending on what their doctor has advised. Its recommended that patients keep the Suboxone inside the child-safety pouch it is prescribed in at all times until they are ready to take a dose.
Although Suboxone comes with some risk of side effects, it is not safe to suddenly stop taking Suboxone before speaking to a doctor. Sudden cessation can lead to intense withdrawal symptoms and also increase the risk of relapse. Patients can be tapered off Suboxone, have their dose lowered, or be switched to a different medication for treating opioid addiction. But quitting the drug cold-turkey is never advised without a clinicians input.
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Drug Forms And Strengths
Suboxone is only available as an oral film that can be placed under the tongue or in the cheek . It comes in four strengths:
- 2 mg buprenorphine / 0.5 mg naloxone
- 4 mg buprenorphine / 1 mg naloxone
- 8 mg buprenorphine / 2 mg naloxone
- 12 mg buprenorphine / 3 mg naloxone
Suboxone is also available as a generic version that comes in other forms. These forms include a sublingual film and a sublingual tablet.
Prevalence Of Aud In Opioid Dependence
Prevalence estimates for AUD in opioid dependence vary. Approximately one third of the patients in methadone treatment are assumed to have alcohol problems . More recent data by and large confirm these findings. An Irish study estimated the prevalence of problem alcohol use among patients attending primary care for methadone treatment at 35% . Data from the British National Treatment Outcome Research Study suggest that almost half of the patients in residential programs drink alcohol and just over a third of those in community programs drink above the recommended levels . A Swiss 2-year longitudinal study found occasional alcohol abuse in 38-47% of methadone patients and daily abuse in 20-24% . A recent Australian study reported that 41% of opioid substitution clients were AUDIT positive’, indicating excessive alcohol use , but only half of them believed they drank too much.
In a large German study in 1,685 heroin users and patients on opioid maintenance treatment , 28% of participants consumed more than 40 g alcohol/day. The average alcohol consumption was significantly higher in heroin users than in methadone-treated patients. Predictors of alcohol use were male sex, daily cannabis and benzodiazepine consumption, and longer duration of drug use. Meta-analyses of US clinical trials found AUD in 38 and 45% of patients seeking treatment for opioid or stimulant use, respectively .
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Treatment For Suboxone Addiction
Suboxone addiction is treated much like other opioid addictions however, the use of opioid replacement therapy such as suboxone or methadone will have to be closely monitored by the addiction specialists.
Patients can be a part of a residential or outpatient program, or a mixture of the two. Both rehab programs have equal success in patients, but the person can be more closely monitored if they are in an inpatient setting.
Treatment includes a detoxification period where the addict can be assisted with the various withdrawal symptoms that are common during withdrawal. After detox, the individual will partake in various treatment activities and therapy to establish new coping skills to better handle stress and other trigger situations. By the end of treatment, the patient is ready to leave but will usually be required to continue with recovery through support groups or other aftercare services to help stop a relapse from happening.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, get help right away. Make a phone call that will connect you to a professional drug treatment center. The call you make may save your life or the life of someone you love. Call us today at .
A Comfortable Safe Environment With Medical And Peer Support
Detox protocols designed and customized by a leader in medically-supported addiction treatment, who is also our Medical Director. Nurses on-site, available to you 24/7. Educational and 12-step group meetings on-site, run by dedicated and experienced counselors. In-room HDTV with premium programming. Gourmet meals, with food available 24/7. You’ll be comfortable. You’ll get rest. You’ll love the food. You’ll learn. And you’ll get clean & sober.
Make the call right now. We’ll handle the insurance companies, and we’ll reserve a room for you.
Clean, comfortable, safe environment
Experience shows that a respectful, comfortable detox combined with proper nutrition and counseling, increases the chances of achieving a successful recovery
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Effectiveness Of Suboxone In Treating Heroin Addiction
Researchers have concluded that to be effective, buprenorphine must be given at a high regular dose. Patients generally receive 16 milligrams per day or more.
A study was conducted on Swedish patients coming off opioids to test the effectiveness of buprenorphine.
Of the 16 participants, 100% of the placebo recipients failed to recover as opposed to a 25% failure rate for those who received buprenorphine.
While buprenorphine may not be effective 100% of the time, it was still found to be an effective medication when used consistently.
Hepatotoxicity In Opioid Maintenance Therapy
Hepatotoxicity must be considered when addressing AUD in opioid dependence. While methadone has been considered to be safe, clinical reports of liver injury in patients with hepatitis have raised concerns about the hepatotoxicity of buprenorphine and the buprenorphine/naloxone combination . Hervè et al. reported on 7 cases of acute cytolytic hepatitis due to buprenorphine. Five of 7 patients presented with acute icteric hepatitis without abdominal pain or fever or evidence for liver failure after reexposure some of the patients remained on a lower dose without further evidence of liver injury.
More systematic studies found little evidence for buprenorphine hepatotoxicity. Bogenschutz et al. studied 152 patients randomized to 2 weeks’ detoxification with buprenorphine-naloxone or 12 weeks’ treatment with buprenorphine-naloxone and obtained at least one set of transaminase measurements for 111 patients. At least one elevated aspartate aminotransferase value was found in 8 of the 60 buprenorphine/naloxone patients and 12 of the 51 detoxification patients. Hepatitis C status was significantly associated with transaminase abnormalities. Taken together, this exploratory study found no evidence for hepatotoxicity of buprenorphine.
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What Happens When You Take Suboxone With Alcoholic Drinks
Drinking alcohol while on the process of Suboxone treatment is not advisable. This will only augment the most common symptoms associated with Suboxone use-vertigo and lethargy. In reality, the effects of Suboxone and alcohol are complementary. This intensified effect is all the more increased when Suboxone is used in combination with other drugs.
Mixing Suboxone with alcohol can also cause the bodys tolerance and dependence to further increase. As such, the body will require progressively higher dosages of Suboxone to adjust itself to the amplified effect. Therefore, mixing alcohol with Suboxone will only proliferate the course of addiction.
What Can Be Done To Treat Suboxone Abuse
Because Suboxone is a medication used to treat addiction to opioids, most treatment protocols for Suboxone abuse will require patients to abstain from other partial opioid agonists. The process for treating Suboxone abuse and addiction typically begins with a medically-supervised detox and tapering off schedule. Withdrawal symptoms are monitored, and it is possible for patients to take safe, non-addictive medications for dealing with withdrawal symptoms, such as anti-nausea medications.
Once someone has safely detoxed from Suboxone, it is critical that they attend one-on-one behavioral therapy. Drug addiction and drug abuse are complex disorders that encompass a range of triggers and compulsions to use. In therapy, patients can explore their reasons for drug use, and develop methods for coping with painful emotions and distressing situations that dont lead to drug abuse.
There is a strong, emotional component to drug use that therapy can uncover. Addressing these issues in a professional setting with an experienced clinician can give patients the tools they need to maintain sobriety. Additional support from family and other people in recovery is also useful for helping people abstain from drugs. Inpatient and outpatient treatment models give patients access to these critical components of an effective treatment plan.
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How Do Suboxone Strips Work
You place Suboxone strips under your tongue, where theyll dissolve and be absorbed into your body.
Once Suboxone enters your body, the buprenorphine in the medication can ease opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Meanwhile, the naloxone can block the effects of opioids. Both of these processes can help you recover from opioid addiction more quickly and comfortably.
The Effects Of Alcohol Use Disorder
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2018, 14.4 million adults over the age of 18 had alcohol use disorder. Of these, 88,000 people die each year from alcohol-related deaths, making alcohol the third-leading cause of preventable death in the United States.
In both the short- and long-term, alcohol use causes physical, psychological, social, and other detrimental side effects. On a positive note, no matter how severe the problems might seem, most people who seek alcohol addiction treatment will benefit from it.
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Dosage For Opioid Dependence
Suboxone is FDA-approved to treat opioid dependence. Treatment of opioid dependence occurs in two phases: induction and maintenance.
During the induction phase , Suboxone is used to reduce withdrawal symptoms when opioid use is being decreased or stopped. During the maintenance phase, Suboxone is continued at a stable dose for a time ranging from several months to over a year.
Below are examples of how your induction and maintenance dosages may be administered.
Induction dosage
Maintenance dosage
The Benefits Of Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Seeking help can be difficult amid alcohol use disorder, and sometimes quitting can feel impossible. Despite the numerous adverse effects that alcohol has on peopleâs lives, many alcohol addicts believe their life is meaningless without alcohol.
This is one of the tricks that alcohol plays on the mind by influencing basic biological makeup. If you are dealing with alcohol addiction, it is essential you know that you are not alone. Seeking treatment is just one small step that can provide numerous benefits.
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