Suboxone is a prescription medication that may be used to help people recover from opioid dependence and addiction. However, Suboxone is also an opioid with the potential to become habit-forming—meaning people who misuse this drug or use it for a prolonged time can eventually develop an addiction.

At Indiana Center for Recovery, we offer medically supervised detox and behavioral therapies to help people recover from Suboxone dependence and addiction. Continue reading to learn more about the effects of Suboxone and about the treatments we may use to help people addicted to this medication.

What Is Suboxone and How Does It Work?

Suboxone is the brand name of a combination drug that contains buprenorphine and naloxone. The FDA approves this medication for the treatment of opioid dependence. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, it helps reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings, reduces the potential for misuse, and increases safety during a drug overdose.

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, which means it binds partially to opioid receptors in the brain instead of fully preventing users from experiencing the full effects of opioids, including euphoria and pleasure.

Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, which means it can block or reverse the effects of opioids. In other words, people on naloxone who use other opioids like heroin or oxycodone will not experience the effects of those opioids.

Suboxone is typically prescribed to people in recovery from opioid use disorders, as it helps them stay sober and avoid relapse. According to a study published in the Ochsner Journal, intoxication from Suboxone occurs only in certain instances, such as when people misuse it, combine it with other substances, or reduce withdrawal symptoms between episodes of full-agonist opioid (e.g., heroin, morphine, methadone) abuse.

Signs of Suboxone Addiction

People who struggle with addiction to any substance, including Suboxone, usually exhibit the same set of behaviors. Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug-using behaviors that are often difficult to control despite negative consequences, reports the NIDA.

Signs of Suboxone addiction may include:

Using Suboxone in ways other than prescribed, such as using it with alcohol or other sedatives or taking extra doses
Using Suboxone without a prescription or using Suboxone prescribed for someone else
Inability to control Suboxone use or reduce use
Spending lots of time obtaining Suboxone, using it, and recovering from its effects
Experiencing strong cravings, desires, and urges to use Suboxone
Using Suboxone repeatedly even when it interferes with important obligations related to work, school, or family
Using Suboxone repeatedly even though doing so is contributing to persistent social or relationship problems
Giving up long-held hobbies and favorite activities to use Suboxone in their place
Using Suboxone in situations when doing so is physically hazardous
Using Suboxone despite knowing it’s causing or worsening physical and psychological health problems
Having a higher tolerance for Suboxone or experienced diminished effects when using the usual amount
Experiencing Suboxone withdrawal syndrome when abruptly discontinuing this drug or using lower amounts

What Are the Dangers Associated with Suboxone Addiction?

Suboxone addiction increases the risk for an overdose, especially when this medication is mixed with other substances. Alcohol, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates are all sedative drugs that can lead to dangerous consequences when used with Suboxone. When misused, Suboxone can lead to slowed breathing and heart rate, just like that associated with misuse of other opioids.

The NIDA reports that in 2019, 49,860 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States related to opioids, including Suboxone. Some of these deaths also involved sedatives, including benzodiazepines.

When left untreated, Suboxone addiction can potentially lead to misuse of other more potent drugs and opioids such as heroin and fentanyl—especially when users want to experience a more powerful high or euphoric effect. Addiction to any type of drug can reduce the quality of life, especially when it leads to other serious health problems, career and financial losses, and strained relationships with friends and family.

What Is Suboxone Withdrawal?

Suboxone withdrawal refers to the set of symptoms a person may experience when they suddenly discontinue this medication after becoming physically dependent on it.

According to the National Library of Medicine, Suboxone withdrawal symptoms include:

Restlessness
Tearing eyes
Runny nose
Hot or cold flushes
Sweating
Chills
Muscle and joint pain
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea

Suboxone withdrawal symptoms may last several days or longer based on factors such as the severity of the addiction, the patient’s overall health status, and whether they use Suboxone with other substances.

Treatment Options for Suboxone Addiction

Addiction to Suboxone can be safely and effectively treated using evidence-based therapies in a drug rehab program. At Indiana Center for Recovery, we treat Suboxone addiction using medically supervised detox and various behavioral therapies.

Suboxone detox manages the physical symptoms of withdrawal. We usually set up a tapering schedule that involves reducing a patient’s daily dosage of Suboxone gradually over time until they are no longer physically dependent on the medication. If a patient is also addicted to other substances such as alcohol or benzodiazepines, we may modify Suboxone detox treatment accordingly to reduce the risk of other withdrawal syndromes and potential complications.

Our detox treatments are administered in a safe, relaxing environment where patients are closely monitored by nurses and doctors for the duration of withdrawal. We may use other medications to reduce the severity of any other symptoms present during the detox stage.

After completing Suboxone detox, many of our patients transition into a residential rehab program or one of our outpatient programs. We offer a partial hospitalization program (PHP) and intensive outpatient program (IOP) to patients who can live at home while receiving day treatment at our facility. Our outpatient programs are ideal for patients who have safe, stable living environments without access to drugs and alcohol and patients who want to continue working or caring for their families while receiving therapy.

All behavioral therapies at Indiana Center for Recovery are scientifically proven to help people recover from addiction. The goal of therapy is to teach patients how to manage stress and other triggers without relying on drugs and alcohol. We also help patients change harmful thoughts and behaviors related to drug use. All our rehab programs are customized and tailored to each patient based on their unique situation related to addiction.

We Can Help You Recover from Suboxone Addiction

Contact Indiana Center For Recovery at (844) 650-0064 to learn more about our Suboxone drug rehab programs. Our goal is to help you or your loved one experience a comfortable recovery from drug dependence and achieve long-lasting recovery from addiction.