Suboxone is one of the gold standard medications used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). We use it with our members at Groups for a few different reasons that we’ll explain here. Anytime you take a new medication, especially at vulnerable moments like the beginning of recovery, it’s important to understand what kinds of effects you can expect.
Suboxone has some very unique qualities compared to other medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and opioids in general. The active ingredient has a “ceiling effect,” meaning that once you reach a certain dose, taking more will not increase the “high” or sedation. When people use Suboxone as directed, it drastically reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
When Suboxone was first introduced, there was some concern that people with OUD would use it to get “high.” Interestingly, the opposite has happened. From 2015 to 2019, the rate of Suboxone use without a prescription among this group decreased. The rate of illicit use among people who didn’t have OUD remained the same.
The primary reason that people take Suboxone, whether they’re in treatment or not, is to minimize cravings and withdrawal symptoms. While you are adjusting to your medication, you may need to use some other strategies to help you manage your symptoms. Once you and your doctor have found the right dose for you, you shouldn’t have noticeable withdrawal symptoms.
In this blog post, we’ll talk about what it feels like to take Suboxone for recovery from opioid use disorder.
How does Suboxone make you feel?
If you’re dependent on opioids, you won’t feel “high” when you take Suboxone. In fact, it reduces your ability to get a high from any type of opioid and helps prevent overdose. It also helps reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. To people who aren’t already taking opioids, or for those who have a low tolerance, Suboxone can cause a mild high.
It takes some time for your body to get used to Suboxone. You shouldn’t start taking it until you start showing withdrawal symptoms. During the first several days, you may still feel some symptoms such as shaking, nausea, or anxiety. Your doctor will likely increase your dose each day until your symptoms are mostly gone. If you take too much Suboxone, it won’t necessarily increase your relief. However, you might notice some side effects at higher doses, like headache, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping.
Our members have given us lots of positive feedback about their experiences with Suboxone. Here’s what they had to say:
“Suboxone helped me with my recovery. I used to get up every morning and the first thing on my mind was, how am I going to get high today? Now, I get up every morning, I take my medicine, and I don’t even have to think about it.” — JD, Groups member
“Suboxone has helped me not feel like I need to use anymore. It makes you feel like you can get through the day without thinking about drugs or alcohol. I don’t feel that anymore. It makes me feel clear-headed and not have that thought process of wanting to use. It never hits my mind anymore.” — Johnna, Groups member
“When I took Suboxone, I felt like I was able to function. No sickness, no anxious feelings.” — Ben, Groups member
What are the risks and benefits of Suboxone?
Suboxone is considered to be one of the safest options for MOUD. Its main ingredient blocks the effects of opioids. It does this by connecting to opioid receptors and only partially activating them. It has much less potential for recreational use than other medications like methadone, and it helps prevent death by overdose. Methadone, another popular MOUD, is only distributed in daily clinics. In some cases, people are able to get their Suboxone at a pharmacy and take their medication at home.
Stronger opioids and methadone pose a significant risk of death by overdose. There is some possibility of this while taking Suboxone, but mainly in cases where people are taking it without a prescription. When people take Suboxone as prescribed by their doctor, there’s very little chance of overdose. It’s more common among people who are new to opioids, especially when they combine Suboxone with another drug.
It’s important to understand your options before beginning any treatment for OUD. There are other types of MOUD available. Each one has unique risks and benefits, and they all improve your chance of success with your recovery goals to a certain degree. For long-term recovery, it’s also important to work with a licensed counselor and feel supported by others who are in recovery from OUD.
Here are some quick statistics on Suboxone use in recovery:
- Suboxone decreases the risk of death by overdose by more than half.
- Data from several studies showed that people were 1.82 times more likely to stay in treatment when taking buprenorphine (the main ingredient in Suboxone) than those who took a placebo.
- Buprenorphine decreased the number of opioid-positive drug tests by 14.2%, according to a meta-analysis.
How does Suboxone work?
Buprenorphine is the main ingredient in Suboxone. It’s a long-acting partial opioid agonist. That means it only partially activates opioid receptors. These are cell proteins in the brain and central nervous system. They’re involved in pain control, emotion regulation, and other functions. Because it’s only a partial agonist, buprenorphine doesn’t cause as much sedation, respiratory depression, or overdose. This benefit is sometimes called a “ceiling effect.” Most of its opioid effects level off at higher doses. However, its pain-relieving effects continue to get more potent.
Suboxone also contains some naloxone, known as Narcan. Naloxone binds to opioid receptors better than other substances, but it doesn’t activate them. When there’s too much of an opioid in the brain, the naloxone will kick in and block them. The likely effect, in these cases, is that the user will experience intense withdrawal symptoms. While naloxone can prevent overdose when used on its own, it doesn’t serve that purpose in Suboxone. Its main purpose here is to discourage people from snorting or injecting their medication.
Is it possible to overdose on Suboxone?
The risk is very low, but it is technically possible to overdose on Suboxone. Again, this usually happens with people who take it without a prescription and those who don’t have a tolerance for opioids. Those who combine Suboxone with other medications and people over 65 are more likely to overdose on Suboxone.
Suboxone has some potential to interact with the following medications, especially benzodiazepines and alcohol:
- Alcohol
- Benzodiazepines
- Sedating antidepressants
- Barbiturates
- Cocaine
- Dextromethorphan
- Ketamine
- Meth
- Opioids, such as heroin, hydrocodone, and oxycodone
- PCP
- Phenobarbital and other epilepsy treatments
- Synthetic cannabinoids
What should I do if I have side effects while on Suboxone?
If you have uncomfortable side effects while on Suboxone, tell your prescriber right away. You shouldn’t stop taking Suboxone unless your doctor tells you to. Most side effects are mild, but more serious ones are possible. Some people may be allergic to the ingredients of Suboxone, and could experience an anaphylactic reaction. This involves trouble breathing; skin rash or hives; and swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat.
Known side effects of Suboxone include the following:
- Headache
- Opioid withdrawal symptoms, such as body aches, abdominal cramps, and rapid heart rate
- Anxiety
- Insomnia (trouble sleeping)
- Sweating
- Depression
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Weakness or fatigue
- Back pain
- Burning mouth syndrome (burning sensation of the mouth or tongue)
- Redness in the mouth
Get help managing your Suboxone medication at Groups
You don’t need to start the recovery process alone. Working with a provider who specializes in OUD treatment and receiving social support will increase your chances of success. At Groups, each of our members gets personalized treatment through a provider and a licensed counselor. Your care team can help you determine if Suboxone is right for you and manage your medications throughout treatment. You can also give and receive support with others who are in recovery during group sessions.
Our goal is to provide treatments that support the life you want to live. We know that deciding what’s best for you is a complex process with many variables. Establishing trust between yourself and your care providers is critical for your success.
Are you ready to start your recovery with Suboxone and support? Give our Recovery Support Specialists a call today for more information. Let’s talk about what you need to reach your goals for recovery and live your best life. If Groups doesn’t offer treatment in your state, you can locate other treatment options here.
