Suboxone is a treatment that helps manage opioid use disorder. It contains buprenorphine and naloxone and can work safely and effectively when taken as prescribed. However, mixing Suboxone and alcohol is more common than many people think. But it comes with some serious risks. Combining these substances can cause sleepiness, breathing problems, and decreased awareness. In some cases, it can lead to an overdose, loss of consciousness, and coma. One study found that 26.4% of adults with opioid use disorder also have a co-occurring alcohol use disorder. This statistic highlights how managing both substances at the same time is a reality for people in recovery. But it can be done.
Even occasional alcohol use while taking Suboxone can affect your ability to work, drive, or do other daily tasks. Learning these effects can help you protect yourself and maintain your progress in recovery.
Whether you may have alcohol use disorder, opioid use disorder, or both, Groups can give you support. The good news is you don’t have to worry about getting one “under control” before treating the other. We provide integrated treatment to help you navigate your recovery journey safely. If you’re worried about how your drug use is affecting your life, you can take our two-minute quiz.
Keep reading to learn six things you should know before drinking alcohol on Suboxone. You’ll find the physical risks, potential effects on recovery, and effective treatment options.
6 things to know before drinking alcohol on Suboxone
Whether you have alcohol use disorder or drink occasionally, it helps to know how alcohol may affect you while taking Suboxone. Knowing the risks can help you identify warning signs and learn when to seek medical attention, and make more informed decisions for your safety.
Here are six things you should know before drinking alcohol on Suboxone:
1. Why combining Suboxone and alcohol adds risks
Mixing Suboxone and alcohol can worsen the effects of both substances. Even drinking a small amount of alcohol while taking this medication can impair your judgment and reaction time. As a result, this may increase your risk of an accident or injury.
Potential risks include:
- Drowsiness, dizziness, or slowed reflexes
- Impaired thinking, decision-making, and coordination
- Respiratory depression (in severe cases)
Alcohol may also interact with other medications you may be taking, which may increase your risks further. Knowing what can happen can help you spot the warning signs sooner. If you start to feel effects, it’s best to reach out to your provider for medical attention.
2. Why physical effects become more intense
Both Suboxone and alcohol cause drowsiness, dizziness, and slowed reflexes. Drinking alcohol while taking buprenorphine, one of the main ingredients in Suboxone, increases the risk of serious side effects. This combination can affect your balance, speech, and brain function. Knowing that these effects can intensify can help you reduce the likelihood of a potentially dangerous situation.
3. Why overdose and respiratory depression become more likely
Suboxone and alcohol each slow breathing and heart rate. Combining alcohol with buprenorphine increases the chances of respiratory depression or overdose. Even small to moderate amounts of alcohol can make it more difficult to drive or physically respond to emergencies. Recognizing this risk may help keep you safe, especially if you’ve been prescribed a high dose of Suboxone.
Warning signs of an overdose include:
- Extreme drowsiness
- Slow or irregular breathing
- Inability to stay awake
If you experience any of these signs, seeking medical attention immediately may help reduce the likelihood of these symptoms progressing and allow you to receive access to care as soon as possible.
4. Why alcohol can complicate the recovery process
Alcohol can trigger cravings and make it harder to achieve your recovery goals. Occasional drinking can even affect your progress by impacting your mood, sleep, or ability to manage opioid use effectively. During treatment, you can learn how to spot the triggers that lead to alcohol use and apply coping skills to help you reduce or discontinue alcohol use.
Being proactive about managing triggers can help you stay engaged with your recovery and reduce the risk of returning to use.
5. Why people may still drink while taking Suboxone
Many people turn to drinking as a way to ease stress or manage triggers. Sometimes people drink to fit in with social situations even during recovery treatment. If you experience these temptations, it’s completely normal, and you can work through them. Don’t be afraid to have open, honest conversations with your care team. Sharing what you’re experiencing can help reduce any feelings of shame and help you move forward in your recovery.
6. Why getting support for both conditions matter
Addressing alcohol use and opioid use disorder together can improve safety and recovery outcomes. At Groups, treatment is available for both conditions. You also don’t need to worry about treating one before the other. Our expert support can provide you with the tools to manage both substances and help improve your well-being. Together, we can work on finding safer alternatives to drinking or effective strategies to cut back. We can also teach you coping skills that can help you manage cravings.
Harm reduction tips
Whether your goal is to stop or reduce the amount you drink, it can be helpful to find out how to lower your risk. Here are some tips to stay safer:
- Pace yourself — Drink slowly and be mindful of how alcohol is affecting your body.
- Avoid combining substances — Alcohol can interact with other medications, which can increase the risks.
- Don’t drink alone — If you start to experience severe symptoms, you’ll have support nearby.
- Know your limits — Stop if you feel drowsy or dizzy or have breathing problems.
- Seek immediate medical attention, if needed — If you think you need medical attention, don’t be afraid to seek it; it may help you feel better sooner.
Following the above strategies can help you stay safer and reduce the risk of an overdose. The safest option is not to drink any alcohol while taking Suboxone. If you choose to drink despite the risks, the listed tips are to help lower, not remove, the danger.
The connection between alcohol use and opioid use
Alcohol and opioids can interact in ways that lead to a difficult cycle for people in recovery. Drinking alcohol while taking Suboxone can increase cravings or reduce the effectiveness of treatment. Opioid use can increase urges to drink, especially when you’re experiencing chronic pain. These patterns help explain why using both substances is common and why they should both be addressed together, and expert support can help.
Stress, social situations, and triggers can keep the cycle going. This can increase risks and lengthen your recovery. Integrated treatment can address both conditions effectively to help break these patterns and build healthier behaviors for a successful recovery.
How Groups can help with alcohol and opioid use disorders
At Groups, we’ve helped many of our members treat both alcohol and opioid use disorders at the same time. We offer medication as needed, group therapy, and care planning to help you achieve your goals. Our team can teach you coping and harm reduction strategies that can help manage triggers and cravings, ease stress, and help you take steps forward in recovery.
When you reach out to us, you’ll find a welcoming, judgment-free environment and support you can count on.
Find expert support for alcohol and opioid use disorders at Groups
Addressing alcohol use and opioid use disorder may feel overwhelming, but recovery is possible. You also don’t have to navigate this journey alone. At Groups, we offer treatment for alcohol and opioid use disorders at our Iowa location. We’re actively working to expand these services to our other locations, but you can always reach out to us. Even if you don’t live near one of our facilities, we can help you find effective treatment options near you.
Give our Recovery Support Coordinators a call today at 888-858-1723 for more information or to begin your recovery. We provide treatment across the country — and we’re always expanding. See if we offer care in your state, either online or at one of our 130+ local offices. If Groups doesn’t offer treatment in your area, you can locate other treatment options here.
