What Happens if You Take Drugs While on Suboxone?

Suboxone is a brand name prescription medicine that is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Suboxone is used for the treatment of addiction to opioids and is often as part of a complete recovery program for opioid addiction called medication-assisted treatment. The buprenorphine component allows the drug to connect with opioid receptors and stop withdrawal symptoms when a user ceases to take opioids. The drug has a "ceiling effect" that reduces the user's reactions to it even when the dose is increased. This results in less intense effects that include euphoria and euphoria when contrasted with other opioid drugs.1 Therefore, there is a decreased risk of dangerous side reactions like slowed or stopped breathing. Buprenorphine's characteristics reduce the risk of misuse and lower the effects of physical dependence to opioids. They help users gradually wean off opioids in a safe manner. Naloxone works by attaching to opioid receptors and preventing other opioids like heroin, oxycodone, and fentanyl from generating the addicting sensation of euphoric sensations.2 If suboxone is used in an effort to get high, the naloxone can inhibit the buprenorphine component of the drug from binding to opioid receptors, causing the person experience the unpleasant symptoms of withdrawal. Because of its actions, suboxone is able to block the euphoric effects of opioids as well as prevent cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and permit those suffering from addicted to opioids to go back to a existence of sobriety. Free, 24/7, secure assistance via text. Sign up to text support to receive help today. What Drugs Can Interact With Suboxone? If you are on Suboxone or your physician is thinking of prescribing the drug to you, it is crucial to be aware of whether Suboxone can cause negative reactions when used in conjunction with other drugs. This is especially true of drugs that work on the central nervous system. It's extremely risky to consume benzodiazepines such as Xanax or Valium and suboxone, when receiving treatment. Suboxone and benzodiazepines both affect the central nervous system. They could cause impairment, insanity and respiratory insufficiency, coma, or even death if used together.3 Based on data reviewed from researchers from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from 2004-2011, in the period between 2004 and 2011 the combined use of opioids and benzodiazepines significantly increased the number of visits to emergency departments and nearly doubled the number in overdose deaths.4 The dangers of mixing these substances is also evident in the findings from a recent study that revealed that 82% of buprenorphine overdoses were caused by the use of benzodiazepines.5 People are also warned not to mix cocaine and suboxone. There is evidence that suggests that mixing these two substances may decrease their effectiveness suboxone.6 When people mix these two drugs have low motivation to keep clean and are at increased risk of developing a multidrug addiction. It is depressant-like, and when mixed with Suboxone it can result in an increase in depression of the central nervous system. The consequences when mixing suboxone and alcohol can be as follows: 3 Low blood pressure A slow breathing Deep sleep Coma Death The results from a study that examined deaths attributed to opioids revealed that alcohol was involved in over half of all cases of buprenorphine poisoning resulting in overdose death.5 Treatment Options Suboxone can be extremely beneficial as a replacement drug that offers a more safe profile as compared to other opioid drugs. Although it is a key element of the treatment that uses medication to help people get rid of their addiction to opioids there are also risks associated with the use of suboxone. The buprenorphine component of suboxone could be habit-forming because it is an opioid agonist that elicits many of the same outcomes as other opioids however some individuals may end up using the drug.1 But, when used in the prescribed manner, suboxone can be an extremely effective treatment option for people suffering from opioid addiction. Together with the proper treatment plan by addiction experts, Suboxone can be an effective tool to help addicts to overcome their addiction. It is essential to ensure the treatment you receive and the use of Suboxone are monitored closely to ensure long-term achievement.