Can Suboxone Become Addictive?

Suboxone helps treat opioid addiction, but it’s important to understand the risk of dependence and how to use it safely.

Suboxone is a prescription medication commonly used in opioid addiction treatment and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs. It plays a vital role in helping people reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms—but it’s also important to ask: Is Suboxone addictive? Whether you’re managing opioid withdrawal, recovering from opioid addiction, or exploring MAT for a substance use disorder, Suboxone can be a crucial tool in your recovery toolbox. Read on to learn more.

What is Suboxone?

Suboxone is a combination of two medications: buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist, and naloxone, an opioid antagonist. This blend is designed to treat opioid use disorder by easing withdrawal symptoms while minimizing the risk of misuse. It offers: 

• Effective pain relief
• Protection against overdose
• Greater stability for work, relationships, and daily life

Approved by the FDA, Suboxone treatment is often part of a broader addiction treatment program that may include online therapy, behavioral therapy, or cognitive behavioral therapy, depending on the individual’s needs and goals.

Like all medications, there are Suboxone side effects, but most are mild, including headaches, constipation, nausea, drowsiness, and insomnia. More serious adverse effects can include liver problems or respiratory depression, especially when combined with other substances, which is why it’s essential to use the medication as prescribed.

How does Suboxone work?

Suboxone works by partially activating opioid receptors in the brain, reducing cravings without creating the intense high that full opioids do. Naloxone is included to block the effects of opioids if the medication is misused, such as through injection.

This mechanism helps individuals stabilize and regain daily function, often making Suboxone an effective long-term solution in treating substance use disorder, opioid dependence, and opioid withdrawal.

Is Suboxone addictive?

Suboxone can lead to physical dependence, which is different from Suboxone addiction. Physical dependence means your body becomes used to the medication and experiences withdrawal if it’s stopped suddenly. Addiction, however, involves compulsive drug-seeking behavior despite harmful consequences.

Because Suboxone has a “ceiling effect” and includes naloxone, it is less likely to be misused than full opioids. That said, misusing Suboxone—such as taking higher doses than prescribed or obtaining it illicitly—can lead to Suboxone abuse and, potentially, addiction.

Can Suboxone be abused?

Although it’s designed to reduce abuse risk, Suboxone abuse does happen. Common signs include:

• Taking more than prescribed
• Using it to get high
• Mixing with alcohol or other drugs
• Seeking multiple prescriptions

Substance abuse involving Suboxone is rare but possible, especially when used outside a monitored addiction treatment setting.

Suboxone vs. other opioids: which is safer?

When comparing Suboxone to other opioids and treatments for opioid use disorder, it generally stands out for having a safer profile, especially when used as prescribed. Compared to full opioids like heroin or oxycodone, Suboxone carries a significantly lower risk of overdose, produces less euphoria, and is designed for safer daily use. However, it’s still an opioid, and discontinuing it abruptly can lead to Suboxone withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, irritability, insomnia, and more. These symptoms are usually less severe than those associated with full opioids, but can still be uncomfortable.

When stacked against methadone, another common treatment option, Suboxone offers key advantages: it can be prescribed in office-based settings (not just specialized clinics), and it has a lower potential for misuse. On the downside, it may not fully suppress cravings in individuals with severe opioid addiction.

Despite potential risks, Suboxone use has helped countless individuals recover from opioid addiction. When used as prescribed in a structured setting, Suboxone is a powerful part of a comprehensive recovery strategy, especially when paired with regular therapy sessions, lifestyle changes, and support systems.

How is suboxone addiction treated?

If Suboxone addiction does develop, treatment may involve:

• Medically supervised Suboxone detox
• Ongoing therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or EMDR therapy
• Group or individual counseling
• Enrollment in a long-term addiction treatment program

Programs that also offer support for co-occurring issues, such as chronic pain conditions, alcohol addiction treatment programs, or mental health disorders, can offer a more holistic path to recovery.

How Charlie Health can help

If you or a loved one is struggling with your mental health or substance use and could use more than once-weekly support, Charlie Health is here to help. Charlie Health’s virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides behavioral health treatment for people dealing with serious mental health conditions. Our expert clinicians incorporate evidence-based therapies into individual counseling, family therapy, and group sessions. We also offer substance use disorder (SUD)-specific treatment and medication-assisted treatment in some states. With this kind of holistic online treatment, managing your mental health is possible. Fill out the form below or give us a call to start healing today.