Author: Gary Jackson

The Dangers of Mixing Alcohol With Suboxone

Remember that it takes some time before the alcohol is fully absorbed into your bloodstream, which makes it easy to consume much more than what you intended. 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. If you’re struggling with alcohol misuse, attending counseling alongside Suboxone treatment is the best approach. Your rehabilitation program must know to provide counseling for alcohol use disorder and OUD.

MixingSuboxone, an opioid agonist, andalcoholcan have severe — and even fatal — consequences. To understand why taking these two substances together is dangerous, it’s important to know how each affects your body. Suboxone (naloxone and buprenorphine) is an opioid agonist that binds to the same receptors in your brain as opiates, increasing its abuse potential.

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Combining alcohol with Suboxone could slow down brain functions that regulate decision-making. Things you would never do while sober (like having sex with strangers or fighting with your spouse) can seem like good ideas when you’re intoxicated. Alcohol is a substance that depresses activity in the central nervous system, which consists of the brain and spinal cord.

1. The problem is that Suboxone itself shows addictive potentials, requiring patients to undergo another detox.
2. Since drinking lowers your inhibitions, you may believe that one dose of opioids or other drugs is not only safe but reasonable.
3. Our experienced Suboxone doctors will assess your condition and create a personalized treatment plan that suits your individual needs.
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5. This is a serious condition that can be life-threatening with emergency treatment.

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Mixing Suboxone® and alcohol can lead to a high chance of respiratory and central nervous system depression. If you are taking Suboxone for any other reason, you should wait at least 24 hours after your last dose before drinking alcohol. This is to give your body time to clear the drug out of your bloodstream before you add alcohol to the mix. 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. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol while taking Suboxone can be a sign of alcohol abuse or addiction. If you or a loved one is unable to stop drinking alcohol while taking Suboxone, we can help.

Why Is It Dangerous to Mix Suboxone With Alcohol?

Beyond the mentioned risks, drinking alcohol while taking Suboxone is likely to contribute to a setback in sobriety. In addition to medication assisted treatment, a patient’s care can include substance abuse counseling, mental health therapy and psychiatry. Addiction and dependence aren’t limited to one substance at a time, so an alcohol use disorder can put someone at risk for another drug dependency, which is known as polysubstance abuse.

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Alcohol might seem like less of a problem than opioid drugs, but it does not mix with Suboxone—in fact, combining them can be dangerous. Not only is alcohol risky on its own, but as a depressant, it can amplify the effects of medications with sedative properties, including Suboxone. If you’ve been wondering whether the occasional drink is okay while taking Suboxone, here’s what you need to know about how these substances interact and can affect you. Most opioid dependence programs will have people sign a contract indicating they will not use intoxicating substances like alcohol and other drugs when using Suboxone.

Most patients are required to check with their physicians every four weeks. Missing a schedule with their doctors would mean patients cannot take their medications on time, resulting in the appearance of withdrawal symptoms. If you are abusing any of these substances, it is clear that you need urgent treatment, especially if you were using Suboxone to treat opioid overuse disorder. If you have been combining these substances behind your doctor’s back, then it is time to take action and reassess your treatment program.

Although Suboxone is formulated to limit its abuse potential, the body can become dependent on having a certain amount present to achieve the desired results. This might sound like a drawback to using any substance, even a medication, but that belief tends to be rooted in stigma surrounding drug use in general. Treatment for addiction to Suboxone and alcohol usually begins with consulting a healthcare professional. Talking to a healthcare provider is something not to be taken halfheartedly.

Furthermore, alcohol interferes with how your brain operates, causing changes in your behavior and mood. It can also limit your ability to reason and move with proper coordination. Suboxone and alcohol should never be taken together because the mixture can lead to serious harm or death. Learn about career opportunities as a clinician, case manager or medical assistant, along with above-average compensation, the latest technology, and a bright, well-appointed working environment.

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If you find yourself wanting to mix Suboxone and alcohol, you should reach out to your healthcare provider to discuss your cravings and the risks of drug abuse. In addition, we know that preventing the use of one substance also helps prevent the use of others. Thus, if an individual uses Suboxone to avoid opioids, they may also spend less time drinking alcohol. Synthetic opioid agonists like Suboxone, when combined with alcohol, also stimulate the brain’s production of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Too much GABA can lower your heart rate, body temperature and respiration to fatal levels. A unique consequence of Suboxone is that is may cause people to drink more alcohol unintentionally.