Is Suboxone® Addiction Possible?

While Suboxone® is potentially addictive, the risk of becoming addicted to Suboxone® is less than the risk of becoming addicted to other opioids.

Suboxone® is the brand name for a prescription medication that is designed to treatopioid addiction. Suboxone® has two ingredients:

• The opioidbuprenorphine
• The medicationnaloxone

The combined effects of these two ingredients reduce cravings for addictive opioids such asheroin,codeine,fentanyl, andoxycodone.

People who are undergoing treatment for opioid addiction usually take Suboxone® to manage withdrawal while theydetox from opioids. However, Suboxone® should not be taken during severe opioid withdrawal, as the ingredient naloxone can result in precipitated withdrawal. Therefore, Suboxone® is usually started only if the individual is showing signs of mild to moderate opioid withdrawal.

Afterwards, they often continue to use the medication to control cravings while they progress through therapy and rehab. Suboxone® is not meant to be a cure for opioid addiction, but rather a helpful part of the recovery process.

Suboxone® is classified as aSchedule III controlled substance in the United States, meaning it’s a drug deemed to have medical value yet also carry moderate risk foraddiction. As a result, only doctors who receive certifications from the Department of Health and Human Services may prescribe Suboxone®. The medication is manufactured as dissolvable films and tablets.

Since Suboxone® is not as intensely sedative as other drugs, it is less likely to cause people to experience cravings. Buprenorphine, the opioid ingredient of Suboxone®, may provoke moderate withdrawal symptoms, specifically headaches, muscle pains, and nausea. To prevent or mitigate withdrawal, doctors tend to gradually reduce their patients’ doses of Suboxone® as they progress throughaddiction treatment. Additionally, unlike other opioids, buprenorphine has a “ceiling effect.” Larger and more frequent doses of buprenorphine will not amplify its potency. While a person can developtolerance to buprenorphine, they will not be able to overcome that tolerance by compulsively or repeatedly increasing how much buprenorphine they take.

Suboxone® Abuse

Although Suboxone® addiction is unlikely, Suboxone® abuse is certainly possible. Most people who buy Suboxone® illegally are not trying to experience an opioid high. Instead, they are trying to obtain relief from opioid withdrawal. A person could misuse Suboxone® by using it to relieve opioid withdrawal without a prescription and without undergoing treatment for opioid addiction. In such cases, a person might use Suboxone® whenever they start to experience withdrawal symptoms, fail to abide by any medical limits, and suffer an overdose.

When someone neglects to start treatment for opioid addiction and takes Suboxone® regularly to live without withdrawal symptoms, they become dependent on the medication and never overcome the illness. While it’s easier to continue to take Suboxone®, recovery is the true long-term solution for withdrawal and addiction.

Understanding Buprenorphine And Naloxone

Buprenorphine and naloxone are the two ingredients of Suboxone®. Buprenorphine is an opioid which is actually more potent thanmorphine. However, since it’s a partial opioid agonist, it prevents other opioids from binding to opioid receptors in the nervous system. In other words, it prevents other opioids from affecting the brain. Therefore, buprenorphine provides a way for patients to wean themselves off of opioids while minimizingopioid withdrawal. Buprenorphine is unlikely to cause the intense sedation and euphoria which most opioids cause, but the drug will suppress withdrawal symptoms and satisfy basic opioid cravings in someone with opioid addiction.

Naloxone is a medication which reverses the symptoms of an opioidoverdose. Since naloxone is an opioid antagonist, it blocks and reverses the effects of opioids on a person’s nervous system. The purpose of naloxone as an ingredient of Suboxone® is to prevent people from overdosing on the buprenorphine. The naloxone also minimizes a person’s risk of relapse by preventing them from experiencing the addictive and euphoric sensations which opioids normally cause.

What Are The Side Effects And Risks Of Suboxone®?

Like most medications, Suboxone® can cause a variety of side effects. Most side effects are not life-threatening and usually subside within several days. The most common side effects of Suboxone® include:

Suboxone® does pose a risk of more serious side effects, especially when people who are taking Suboxone® also drinkalcohol or usebenzodiazepines. For instance, Suboxone® can provoke an allergic reaction characterized by swelling in the throat and difficultly breathing. High doses of Suboxone® can also cause liver damage and induce a coma, and it is also possible to suffer a Suboxone overdose.

Dental Decay

Buprenorphine, the main ingredient in Suboxone® has been found to cause extensive dental damage with long-term use, including tooth decay, tooth loss, cavities, and oral infections. TheSuboxone® dental decay lawsuit is an ongoing class action lawsuit was filed against the makers of Suboxone® for not disclosing this potential side effect from sublingual buprenorphine’s use.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Suboxone® Overdose?

Since Suboxone® is an opioid-based medication, overdose is one of the most serious side-effects. In fact, an overdose on Suboxone® can be lethal if left untreated. Someone who uses too much Suboxone® or combines it with other drugs is more likely to suffer an overdose. The symptoms of a Suboxone® overdose include:

In severe cases, a Suboxone® overdose can cause respiratory depression; this condition restricts or stops breathing. Respiratory depression can cause brain damage, coma, and death.

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How Can I Find Treatment For Opioid Addiction?

Suboxone® is a useful medication, but everyone has to use it responsibly. It is dangerous to abuse Suboxone® by taking it too often, in excessively large doses, or without a prescription. It is a tragedy that a medication which is supposed to help end addiction may also be addictive; but once someone overcomes dependence on Suboxone®, they can reclaim their life from opioids once and for all.

If you or someone you know is abusing Suboxone® and needs help with overcoming opioid addiction,contact a treatment provider today to learn more about treatment options. A treatment program for Suboxone® dependence at a rehab facility will involve detox, therapy, and ongoing support in anaftercare program.