Suboxone Addiction and Abuse

Suboxone is the brand name of a prescription medication that is formulated to treat opioid addiction. Suboxone contains buprenorphine and naloxone, both of which are combined to reduce the urge for addictive drugs such as heroin, codeine, fentanyl, and oxycodone. It is typically taken by individuals undergoing opioid addiction treatment to regulate withdrawal during detox. Individuals may also continue to take Suboxone after detox to manage cravings and withdrawal while undergoing therapy and rehab. Suboxone is not intended as a cure for opioid abuse. It is instead a helpful component of the recovery process.

Suboxone is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance in the US, as it provides therapeutic benefits while also containing a moderate risk for addiction. As such, it can only be prescribed by physicians licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Suboxone is available as dissolvable films and tablets.

Suboxone made several headlines as a game-changing drug that can turn the clock back on heroin addiction. With a revenue of over $1.55 billion, Suboxone sold more units than Viagra and Adderall in 2013, prompting  The New York Times to rate it as a “blockbuster” product that was (and still is) a healthier alternative to methadone in the face of a major opioid addiction crisis.

Buprenorphine and naloxone are the two main ingredients of Suboxone. Buprenorphine is an opioid that is more potent than morphine. The National Alliance of Advocates for Buprenorphine Treatment (NAABT) states that Suboxone is a partial opioid agonist that blocks other opioids from attaching to opioid receptors in the nervous system, making it an effective medication to help patients wean off opioids while also alleviating withdrawal symptoms. Buprenorphine is unlikely to induce extreme sedation and euphoria like most opioids, but it may fulfill basic opioid cravings and prevent withdrawal symptoms in individuals with opioid dependence.

Naloxone is a medication that reverses the symptoms of an opioid overdose. As an opioid antagonist, naloxone prevents and reverses the impact of opioids on the nervous system. The function of naloxone as an ingredient of Suboxone is to prevent individuals from overdosing on buprenorphine. Naloxone also reduces the risk of relapse by preventing an individual from undergoing the addictive, euphoric sensations usually generated by opioids.

Similar to most medications, Suboxone too produces a number of side effects. Most of these side effects are non-life-threatening and subside within a few days.

Some of the most common side effects of Suboxone are:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Muscle pains
• Nausea
• Profuse sweating

Suboxone can also cause adverse side effects, especially in individuals who consume alcohol or benzodiazepines while on Suboxone. For example, Suboxone can cause an allergic reaction such as a swelling in the throat that could lead to difficulty in breathing. High doses of Suboxone can also lead to liver damage, coma, or even an overdose.

As an opioid-based medication, Suboxone overdose persists as the most adverse risk of its use. Suboxone overdose can be fatal if left untreated. Individuals who consume large doses of Suboxone or combines them with other medications are most likely to experience an overdose.

The symptoms of a Suboxone overdose are:

• Anxiety
• Blurred vision
• Chills
• Confusion
• Constricted pupils
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Loss of consciousness or co-ordination
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Slurred speech
• Stomach pain
• Profuse sweating

In extreme cases, a Suboxone overdose may result in respiratory depression, a condition that restricts or stops your breathing. Respiratory depression can lead to brain injury, coma, and even death.

Although Suboxone is potentially addictive, the risk of forming an addiction to it is less than the risk of forming an addiction to other opioids. Suboxone is also unlikely to trigger cravings in individuals as it does not hold high sedative effects as other drugs. However, the buprenorphine in Suboxone can incite mild withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches, muscle pain, and nausea, prompting doctors to gradually reduce a patient’s Suboxone dose as they progress through opioid addiction treatment to help mitigate such symptoms.

Buprenorphine holds a “ceiling effect,” implying that larger and more frequent doses of buprenorphine will not increase its potency. Although an individual may develop tolerance to buprenorphine, they would not be able to surpass it by compulsively increasing the amount of buprenorphine consumed.

Although addiction is less likely, Suboxone abuse is certainly possible. Individuals abuse Suboxone to alleviate opioid withdrawals without a prescription and without undergoing opioid addiction treatment. In such cases, individuals run the risk of an overdose as they do not tend to adhere to any medical restrictions. They may also become dependent on the medication and not make any efforts to overcome the illness. Although it is easier to simply take Suboxone rather than attend numerous treatment procedures, addiction treatment is the only long-term solution for recovery.

Suboxone is an effective medication against addiction if handled, prescribed, and consumed responsibly. It is a tragedy that a medication that is supposed to help break addiction should also cause addiction. Treatment programs for Suboxone dependence at rehab centers involve detoxification, therapy, and ongoing support through an aftercare program.