Suboxone can be a vital component of treatment for people who have become addicted to opioids – but before you take it, you should thoroughly research its drawbacks as well as its benefits. For example, does it cause serious side effects? Can you overdose? Is Suboxone addictive?
What is Suboxone?
Suboxone is the brand name of a prescription drug that is often used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs for people who have become addicted to heroin, morphine, and other opioids.
The two primary active ingredients in Suboxone are buprenorphine and naloxone:
- Buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist. It interacts with the same receptors in the central nervous system that are triggered by heroin and other opioids, but its effects are less intense.
- Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, which means that it blocks the effects of opioids and can reverse opioid overdose.
When a person takes Suboxone as directed by a qualified physician, they can stop using heroin and other opioids without developing the intense withdrawal symptoms that would otherwise occur.
Is Suboxone Addictive?
Is Suboxone addictive? Yes, it can be.
If you participate in an MAT program at a reputable addiction treatment center and if you follow the guidance of your doctor, you can use Suboxone safely without becoming dependent on it. But if you misuse the drug, either in a misguided attempt to self-medicate or solely for recreational purposes, addiction can occur.
There are a few reasons why Suboxone isn’t abused as frequently as other opioids, including:
- Buprenorphine’s relative weakness when compared with heroin, fentanyl, and other opioids means that you’re unlikely to experience the same type of high that you would if you abused these other drugs.
- And the presence of naloxone should also diminish the drug’s effects, and throw you into withdrawal if you use too much.
However, it is possible to get high from Suboxone misuse. And since buprenorphine is a type of opioid, anyone who continues to misuse it is at risk of addiction.
How Common Is Suboxone Addiction?
Compared to alcohol, benzodiazepines, and other opioids, the prevalence of Suboxone addiction is relatively low.
An analysis of data collected during the 2019 edition of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health revealed the following about buprenorphine abuse:
- Of the 2.4 million U.S. adults who used buprenorphine in 2019, about 29% (or 0.7 million people ages 18 and above) told researchers that they had abused the drug.
- The number of adults who abused buprenorphine was significantly lower than those who abused two other common prescription opioids, hydrocodone (4.9 million) and oxycodone (3 million).
- From 2015-2019, the annual rate of buprenorphine misuse declined slightly among people who were addicted to opioids and increased slightly among those who had no history of opioid addiction.
- The most common reasons for abusing buprenorphine include alleviating withdrawal symptoms, easing physical pain, and getting high.
Warning Signs of Suboxone Abuse
Someone who has been abusing Suboxone may exhibit symptoms such as:
- Dilated (enlarged) pupils
- Delayed response time
- Excessive perspiration
- Confusion
- Impaired coordination
- Slurred speech
- Reduced appetite
- Sleepiness
Over time, the continued impact of Suboxone abuse can include:
- Dramatic swings in mood and energy
- Personality changes
- Constipation
- Persistent itchiness
- Urinary retention
- Swelling in the legs
- Unintentional weight loss
- Abnormal sleep habits
- Addiction
What Are the Symptoms of Suboxone Addiction?
Signs that a person’s Suboxone abuse has progressed to an addiction include:
- Having powerful cravings for Suboxone
- Using Suboxone in larger amounts or for a longer period of time than intended
- Trying to acquire Suboxone illicitly
- Failing to keep appointments, pay bills, show up to work or school, or otherwise fulfill their responsibilities due to their Suboxone use
- Withdrawing from friends and family, and/or no longer participating in activities that were previously important to them
- Continuing to use Suboxone even after experiencing physical, psychological, or social harm as a result of prior use
- Developing withdrawal symptoms when abruptly ending or significantly reducing their Suboxone use
Symptoms of Suboxone Withdrawal
When someone who has become addicted to Suboxone tries to stop using the drug, they may develop several distressing physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms, including:
- Powerful cravings for Suboxone
- Agitation and irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Intense headaches
- Excessive perspiration
- Chills and/or fever
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal cramping
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Pain in muscles and bones
- Difficulty sleeping
Causes of Suboxone Addiction
There is no single cause of Suboxone addiction, but experts have identified a variety of factors that can increase a person’s risk of developing this type of addiction. These potential risk factors include:
- Certain genetic variations
- Family history of addiction
- Prior struggles with opioid addiction
- Personal history of mental illness
- Being abused or neglected as a child
- Chronic pain
- Easy access to Suboxone
- Exposure to substance abuse at a young age
- Associating with people who abuse Suboxone or other opioids
What Are the Side Effects of Suboxone Addiction?
Suboxone addiction can cause considerable damage to virtually every part of a person’s life. For example, the physical and psychological side effects can include:
- Malnutrition
- Onset or worsening of co-occurring mental health concerns
- Increased sensitivity to pain (hyperalgesia)
- Sexual dysfunction
- Suicidal ideation
The social and economic impact of untreated Suboxone addiction can include:
- Conflicts with loved ones
- Ruined relationships
- Academic failure
- Job loss and long-term unemployment
- Financial devastation
- Being arrested and jailed
- Social withdrawal and isolation
- Homelessness
Can You Overdose on Suboxone?
The presence of naloxone in Suboxone is designed to minimize the risk of abuse and overdose, but it is still possible to ingest more Suboxone than your body can safely process.
Possible signs of Suboxone overdose include:
- Extreme confusion or disorientation
- Significantly impaired coordination
- Difficulty remaining awake
- Loss of consciousness and inability to be awakened
- Slow or shallow breathing
- Faint pulse
- Bluish coloration near lips or fingertips
- Skin that is cool or clammy to the touch
Anyone who exhibits these types of signs after using Suboxone is in crisis and needs immediate medical attention. If you are with someone who overdoses on Suboxone or any other drug, call 911 and stay with them until help arrives.
If you have Narcan, you should call 911 before administering it. Even if the Narcan reverses the overdose, the person should still be assessed by a qualified professional.
How Long Does Suboxone Stay in Your System?
The effects of Suboxone last for about 24 hours, which is why people who are in an MAT program need to take one dose every day. However, traces of the drug (or its metabolites, which are created when your body breaks it down for elimination) may be detectable for much longer.
Factors that can influence the length of time the drug remains in your system include your age, weight, metabolism, overall health, and history of Suboxone use.
In general, a dose of Suboxone will likely be detectable for five to eight days, though hair follicle tests could find evidence of Suboxone use for up to 90 days after the last time you took it.
Begin Treatment for Suboxone Addiction in Southern California
Renewal Health Group offers a full continuum of personalized care for adults who have become addicted to Suboxone and other substances.
Treatment options at our Suboxone addiction rehab centers in Southern California include detoxification (detox), residential care, a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), and an outpatient program (OP).
For help determining which programs and services are right for you, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.
Published: 6/24/2025
