Suboxone® for opioid use disorder

If you’re starting treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), your provider may have recommended starting Suboxone® as part of your treatment plan. Suboxone is one of the most commonly prescribed medications used to treat OUD that’s safe, effective, and often misunderstood. You might be wondering what to expect and how it will factor into your daily life and recovery. In this article, we’ll dive into how Suboxone works, as well as how it can play a key role in your treatment right now and in your long-term recovery. 

What is Suboxone?

Suboxone is a prescription medication designed to ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings, which are typically two of the biggest hurdles for people starting recovery from OUD. This medication helps stabilize the body and mind, allowing you to start treatment with fewer intense withdrawal symptoms, so you can focus on healing.

It’s typically taken sublingually, as either a tablet or a dissolvable film. It dissolves under your tongue and gets absorbed into your bloodstream. This simple approach allows the medication to act fast, especially when withdrawal symptoms are starting to ramp up. Because of the way this medication is designed, Suboxone has a lower risk of misuse compared to other opioids.

How does Suboxone work?

Suboxone works by targeting the same brain receptors that opioids do, but with built-in protections.

Suboxone is a combination medication that contains two key ingredients: 

• Buprenorphine eases pain and discomfort by partially activating opioid receptors, which tricks the brain into thinking it has enough opioids. This helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
• Naloxone blocks these receptors if the medication is misused. It doesn’t affect you when Suboxone is taken as prescribed, but it helps prevent a high if someone tries to inject or misuse it.
  

This two-pronged approach helps you stay safe, comfortable, and focused on recovery. There’s a common misconception that using Suboxone is just “trading one addiction for another.” In reality, Suboxone helps stabilize your brain and body so that you can focus on recovery, rebuild relationships, and create a full life on your path to recovery. 

Note: Because of how Suboxone works, taking extra doses or trying to misuse it won’t lead to stronger effects. That’s one reason it’s considered a safer option for long-term use. 

Learn more about what to expect during Suboxone treatment.

Suboxone for opioid addiction treatment

Recovery from OUD is a journey. Suboxone is one step on that journey and part of a broader recovery plan to help you take control of your health. This medication helps to treat a range of opioid use disorders, including those related to prescription opioids like OxyContin as well as synthetic opioids like fentanyl and heroin. Only licensed providers can prescribe Suboxone and monitor your progress. 

Starting the process of taking Suboxone (sometimes referred to as the induction phase) requires that you have no active opioids in your system.  That’s because the buprenorphine in Suboxone will immediately replace the opioids still attached to your opioid receptors, which would cause an intense opioid withdrawal precipitated by starting buprenorphine while opioids were still active in your body. That’s why providers usually recommend waiting at least 12 to 24 hours after your last opioid use before taking your first dose. The best indicator that it is time to begin Suboxone is the degree of opioid withdrawal you are experiencing. It is best to wait until you are at least in moderate opioid withdrawal before beginning Suboxone.

Next, during the maintenance phase, your treatment is fine-tuned to ensure it’s effective and comfortable. Your provider will continue to meet with you and monitor how you respond. They’ll work with you to make any needed adjustments to your dosage and any other needed adjustments. 

Combining Suboxone with addiction rehab

Opioid addiction affects more than just the body. Emotional health, mental well-being, and environmental factors all play a role. Suboxone is just one of many tools that licensed providers use to help make the process safer and more manageable, no matter which path you take. This medication is most effective when used alongside a complete treatment program and not just as a standalone solution.

Other treatment options can also play a role, depending on your needs: 

• Inpatient programs: You stay at the facility and receive 24/7 support. This option can be helpful for people who need more structure or have severe withdrawal symptoms.
• Outpatient programs: You attend scheduled appointments but return home afterward. Options like partial hospitalization offer similar support as inpatient programs, with more flexibility.
• Aftercare: For those who have completed a treatment program, aftercare services provide long-term support. Many people continue on Suboxone while attending ongoing therapy or support groups.
  

You don’t have to leave home to get help. At QuickMD, our providers specialize in Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). Our MAT program combines Suboxone with virtual counseling and ongoing support, making recovery more accessible and affordable. A same-day telemedicine visit with a licensed QuickMD provider costs a fraction of what inpatient or outpatient programs charge, yet still gives you the tools you need to start building long-term recovery. 

Everyone’s path is different, but you don’t have to walk it alone. Learn more.

Benefits of Suboxone

All too often, people living with opioid use disorder experience significant withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can make it difficult to continue with care, which can lead to using again. However, Suboxone can help minimize the discomfort of withdrawal while you’re in recovery. 

Here are just a few of the reasons Suboxone is often the first-line treatment for OUD:

• Reduces cravings: Helps control urges to use opioids.
• Eases withdrawal: Lessens symptoms like nausea, anxiety, and insomnia.
• Lowers misuse risk: The naloxone component discourages injection or other misuse.
• Flexible dosing: Can be adjusted to meet individual needs.
• Easy to use: Can be taken as a film or tablet under the tongue.
• Fast-acting: Effects typically start within 30–60 minutes.
• Better treatment retention: People on Suboxone tend to stay in recovery programs longer, increasing their chances of long-term recovery.

Side effects and risks of Suboxone

Suboxone can be a game-changing medication for many people in treatment for OUD. Like all medications, it can come with side effects. It’s perfectly normal to experience side effects, and you’re not imagining them. If you notice any worsening symptoms, reach out to your provider immediately.

If you’re worried about side effects, please remember that recovery is a process and you’re not alone. Suboxone side effects are temporary for most people and don’t mean treatment isn’t working. It’s important to remember that you should never stop Suboxone suddenly or without medical guidance. Let your provider know what you’re experiencing so they can help you feel better, faster. 

Some common side effects include: 

• Increased sweating: Often short-term and related to your body adjusting to the medication.
• Nausea or vomiting: Can occur early in treatment but usually improves within a few days.
• Headache: A common, temporary side effect.
• Joint or muscle pain: May reflect changes in body chemistry during withdrawal.
• Constipation or diarrhea: Typical with opioid medications, but can be managed with diet and hydration.
• Insomnia: Some people have trouble sleeping initially; this often improves.
• Anxiety or irritability: Emotional symptoms can happen during adjustment, but may also reflect the body’s healing process.
• Possible drop in blood pressure: Buprenorphine, the active ingredient in Suboxone, helps with intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It interacts with your nervous system and can lower blood pressure when you first start taking it. This is a normal part of treatment, so no need to be alarmed if you feel dizzy if you get up too fast after sitting or lying down. 
• Dry mouth: Can increase risk of dental issues over time if not managed.
• Tooth decay: Some research and FDA reports suggest that Suboxone films may contribute to dental issues like cavities or erosion. Regular oral hygiene and dental checkups are important during treatment. 
  

Any side effects you might experience would be due to the buprenorphine ingredient in Suboxone and not the naloxone. When properly used, naloxone remains an inactive ingredient. 

It’s important to note that the benefits of Suboxone or any medication recommended by a provider to treat OUD outweigh the risks and can help you take control of your health. 

When suboxone side effects may be a problem

While most side effects of Suboxone are harmless, some can overlap with symptoms of misuse. For example, feeling excessively drowsy or having difficulty staying awake might indicate that your dosage is too high or you’re taking Suboxone improperly.

Signs of suboxone misuse

Suboxone misuse occurs when you use the medication in a way that isn’t prescribed. Watch for these symptoms that may indicate misuse:

• Withdrawal symptoms: Suboxone is designed to prevent the euphoric effects of opioids, but misuse (such as crushing and injecting it) triggers the naloxone ingredient to prevent those feelings of euphoria. Instead of a “high,” misuse can make a person very sick.
• Taking more than prescribed: Consistently running out of medication early may be a sign of overuse.
• Isolation or secrecy: Hiding how the medication is used or lying about its effects may signal misuse.

Finding help with QuickMD

Here at QuickMD, we understand that opioid use disorder is a medical condition and not a moral failing. And we’re here to help, without judgment.

Our licensed addiction specialists offer Suboxone treatment from the comfort of your home through telemedicine visits. You’ll also have access to counseling and support to build a well-rounded recovery plan that fits your life.