Suboxone® and Alcohol Interactions and Risks

Medication-assisted treatment, or MAT for short, is a method of treatment that uses medications to manage cravings, minimize withdrawal symptoms, and stabilize patients. Sadly, suboxone users mix the prescribed medication with alcohol, trying to reach the same high as the opioid agonist. Mixing Suboxone with alcohol is extremely dangerous; this fatal mix is known for causing breathing problems. The chronic use of two or more drugs simultaneously is often called “polysubstance use disorder.” Learn more about the dangers of polysubstance abuse. Kratom is one of the latest substances touted as a treatment for opioid withdrawal. Discover its potential benefits, risks, and medical expert opinions.

Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Suboxone?

If you stop suddenly on your own, you could develop life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. While Suboxone doesn’t directly treat alcohol use disorder, it may lend itself to preventing individuals from being in situations where they are drinking or consuming other substances. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, it’s important to seek professional help immediately. There are numerous resources and support available for those who need it, including therapy, support groups, and rehab facilities. Recovering from addiction is not an easy journey, and individuals who are struggling with addiction need support from their loved ones and resources within their community.

• Suboxone can trigger strong opioid cravings when consumed with alcohol.
• Once chemical dependency and addiction to Suboxone happens, a person may experience symptoms of withdrawal after stopping use.
• These effects can be intensified when alcohol is consumed in large quantities or when Suboxone is taken in higher doses than prescribed.
• Suboxone, on the other hand, can cause a decrease in blood pressure, which can further exacerbate the problem.
• During detox, the body goes through withdrawal as it adjusts to life without the substance it’s been dependent on.
• At Futures, we offer a state-of-the-art treatment facility, providing evidence-based and comprehensive recovery plans in order to promote healing and long-term success.
• One of the most pressing dangers of mixing Suboxone with alcohol is the risk of experiencing an overdose.

Many Ways to Overcome Alcohol or Drug Dependence

Given alcohol abuse is already known mixing suboxone and alcohol to be connected to these things, combining suboxone and alcohol is probably not a good idea. Overcoming addiction to Suboxone and alcohol is difficult without professional help. Especially for individuals who are prescribed with Suboxone as a replacement drug for opioid addiction. Usually, when a person abuses addictive substances, he or she also used to the misuse of alcohol. Suboxone can trigger strong opioid cravings when consumed with alcohol. Not only that drinking alcohol is counterproductive during the rehabilitation process, but also long-term health issues develop with time.

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When alcohol is combined with Suboxone it may lead to dangerous polysubstance abuse side effects and overdose. Individuals can live at home and attend regular therapy and counseling sessions one to three times a week. This allows people to attend to their daily responsibilities at work and with their families. It’s a good option for those whose suboxone and alcohol addictions are less severe or who have already completed inpatient treatment. MAT is often combined with counseling and therapy to address both the physical and mental aspects of addiction. Medication management is also necessary to ensure medications like suboxone are used safely and effectively.

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Food and Drug Administration state that people can experience serious side effects when combining alcohol and Suboxone.2 Doctors are encouraged to tell patients not to mix these substances. The alcohol in your system is also a central nervous system depressant, slowing your breathing and reaction times. You could experience a life-threatening overdose by combining these drugs. Mixing alcohol with opioids like buprenorphine or Suboxone can be very dangerous due to the risk of oversedation, respiratory arrest, overdose, coma, hypoxia, brain damage and more. Mixing Suboxone and alcohol can also cause liver damage, which can be challenging to detect in the early stages.

A unique consequence of Suboxone is that is may cause people to drink more alcohol unintentionally. The naloxone in Suboxone blunts the pleasurable effects of alcohol. People intending to abuse the substances may drink more alcohol in an attempt to counter that negation. This excessive intake significantly increases the chances of overdose or other harmful effects. Suboxone is one of the most popular prescription drugs used to effectively suppress the desire for opioids and alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Although the drug has assisted a significant number of individuals struggling with opioid overuse disorder, the drug isn’t 100% risk-free.

• More than that, it can force opioids from receptors they’re already attached to.
• MAT is often combined with counseling and therapy to address both the physical and mental aspects of addiction.
• Mixing Suboxone and alcohol can be extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening.
• Meanwhile, the naloxone is there to further prevent abuse of the medication, inducing withdrawals if it is injected.
• Call one of our treatment experts today to learn about the most suitable outpatient program for your personal needs.
• When Suboxone is taken with alcohol, these substances amplify the sedative qualities of each other.
• People need to be careful about how they use drugs and what they mix them with.

In contrast, alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that affects multiple neurotransmitter systems in the brain, particularly GABA, glutamate, and dopamine. This results in the typical symptoms experienced or seen with alcohol intoxication, such as reduced anxiety, impaired judgment, slowed reflexes, and decreased coordination. The most serious consequence of mixing Suboxone and alcohol is the risk of overdose and death. If you notice that your breathing is slowing, stop drinking and seek medical attention immediately.

Treatment Programs

With all that said, the true key to sustainable recovery from opioid addiction is deciding to treat your body and self better. Proper adherence to one’s MAT program guidelines, along with solid psychosocial support and therapy, is essential to one’s long-term success. It is also important to mention that those who drink alcohol while taking Suboxone® are most likely doing so against the clinical provider’s advice, some even secretly. Beyond the physical side effects of consuming alcohol, there is also the risk of using alcohol as a substitute for the opioid addiction from which you are trying to recover. We recognize that navigating social situations involving alcohol while taking Suboxone can be challenging, but it’s essential to take necessary precautions.

Combatting your OUD means learning how to live without self-medication. If you’re leaning on alcohol during recovery, you’re not truly taking advantage of your therapy and rebuilding your life. When combined, there is a risk of enhancing each other’s sedative effects. Finally, mixing Suboxone and alcohol can also impair cognitive functioning. This can include problems with memory, attention, and decision-making, which can have a significant impact on a person’s daily life. The greatest danger of taking Suboxone with alcohol is the potential of life-threatening side effects and fatal overdose.