What you’ll learn
We’ll walk through how Suboxone® works, what research says about dosing, and the everyday factors, from stress to sleep, that can make cravings stronger. You’ll also learn practical steps to take with your provider, how to recognize emotional or environmental triggers, and when it may be time to reach out for extra support.
Suboxone has helped many people. It eases withdrawal, partially blocks the effects of opioids, and dramatically reduces cravings. But sometimes, cravings don’t completely go away, and that can feel confusing or discouraging. If this is happening to you, you’re not alone, and it doesn’t mean that treatment isn’t working.
It’s natural to wonder: Are cravings just part of recovery? Is my dose too low? Is Suboxone not working?
The truth is, cravings can still happen while on Suboxone, especially early on in treatment. Most of the time, it simply means your treatment plan needs a small adjustment. Let’s look at why cravings happen, what’s considered typical over time, and what steps can help you feel more steady in recovery.
How Suboxone works and why cravings may remain
Suboxone contains buprenorphine, which is a partial opioid agonist. That means it binds to the brain’s opioid receptors, like other opioids do, but only partially activates them. This helps to:
- Prevent withdrawal symptoms
- Reduce cravings
- Block other opioids from producing a high
- Helps regulate brain chemistry
- Decreases and prevents overdoses
It also includes naloxone, which is included to help prevent misuse. Together, they change how your brain experiences opioids and help stabilize your system.
Still, some people, especially earlier on in treatment, continue to feel cravings. That doesn’t mean Suboxone has failed. It just means we may need to adjust your treatment plan.
What research says about cravings and dose
Cravings often feel strongest at the beginning of recovery, when your brain and body are still adjusting. This is a normal part of the healing process. Many people notice cravings begin to fade after several weeks, and they often become much less intense after a few months of consistent treatment.
Research from the National Library of Medicine shows that dose matters. When your body receives the right amount of Suboxone, it can calm withdrawal, reduce cravings, and provide a sense of stability. If the dose is too low, or if it’s not absorbed well, cravings are more likely to linger. The goal is to find the dose that gives you steady coverage without leaving you vulnerable to breakthrough cravings.
Every person’s journey looks a little different. For some, the right balance is found quickly. For others, it may take a few adjustments along the way. What’s important to remember is that cravings don’t mean failure. They’re often a signal that your treatment plan needs some adjustment to better suit you.
Dose & how Suboxone is taken
If your dose is too low, your body may not get enough medication to fully quiet withdrawal and cravings. The right dose should help you feel steady and give your brain relief from urges.
How you take Suboxone also makes a difference. For the best absorption:
- Let the film or tablet dissolve fully under your tongue (about 10–15 minutes).
- Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking/vaping for at least 30 minutes before and after your dose.
- Take it at the same time(s) each day, just as prescribed.
Even small changes in how Suboxone is taken can affect how well it works. If cravings are still showing up, it may be worth reviewing your routine with your provider.
Your body & metabolism
Different people process medications at different paces. Factors like liver function, interaction with other medications, weight, age, and history of opioid use can all affect how long Suboxone stays active. If you notice cravings before your next dose, it could be because the medication level is dropping sooner for you. If that’s the case, talk to your provider so you can work together to find the right balance for you.
Emotional, psychological, or environmental triggers
Cravings aren’t only physical. Stress, emotions, memories, or certain environments can bring them on too. Feeling lonely, going through a tough day, or being around people or places connected to past use can all spark cravings, even when your medication dose is right.
If you are experiencing cravings, think of the pneumonic HALT. It stands for hungry, angry, lonely, and tired. These are common situations that lead to cravings.
Recognizing these triggers is an important step. When you can see the pattern, you and your provider can work together on ways to manage them, so they don’t feel as overwhelming.
Healing takes time
Recovery is a process, and the brain needs time to heal from opioid use. In the early stages, cravings are more common and can feel stronger. With consistency, most people notice that cravings gradually become less frequent and less intense. Research from Frontiers in Psychiatry shows that creating new routines, consistent treatment, and supportive services greatly help in reducing cravings.
Other health conditions
Conditions like anxiety, depression, or PTSD often occur alongside opioid use disorder. These can make cravings feel heavier and harder to manage. If mental health needs aren’t addressed, they can add extra strain to recovery.
Getting support for both mental health and cravings at the same time can help you feel more balanced, make coping easier, and strengthen your recovery overall.
What you can do & what to talk about with your provider
Knowing what might be at play can help you work with your provider to improve your situation. Here are things to consider:
- Be honest about when cravings happen (time of day, associated feelings, before/after dose). This helps your provider see patterns.
- Ask whether your dose might need adjustment, or whether dividing your dose (morning vs. evening) might help you maintain steadier coverage.
- Check in on how you’re taking the medication. Small changes (waiting before eating, letting it dissolve fully) sometimes help more than you’d expect.
- Explore therapy, peer support groups, mindfulness, stress reduction techniques. These can help you cope with non-physical craving triggers.
- If you have symptoms of anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions, ask about treating those alongside your Suboxone treatment.
- Be patient with yourself. In many studies, people report that cravings decrease substantially after several weeks or months of consistent treatment.
When to talk to your QuickMD provider
If cravings become frequent, intense, or begin to make you worry about using again, reach out sooner rather than later. Some signals include:
- Cravings that wake you up at night
- Feeling like you almost “slip” or using is strongly on your mind
- Significant physical discomfort or withdrawal just before your next dose
- Changes in your life (stress, loss, triggers) making cravings worse
These aren’t failures. They’re important signs that your care plan may need adjustment.
When it’s an emergency
Most cravings can be managed with support from your provider. But sometimes, cravings reach a level where they need immediate attention. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if:
- You experience intense cravings combined with physical warning signs like chest tightness, dizziness, or difficulty breathing.
- You take other opioids together with Suboxone and develop symptoms such as extreme sleepiness, slow or shallow breathing, or not being able to stay awake.
- You try to treat your cravings with other drugs, like alcohol, benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, etc.), or other sedatives, and then develop extreme sleepiness, slow or shallow breathing, or are not able to stay awake.
If you’re unsure but feel overwhelmed or unsafe, it’s always better to seek help right away.
You can also ask your provider about keeping naloxone (Narcan®) available, which can reverse an overdose in an emergency.
Severe cravings don’t mean failure. They’re a signal your brain and body need extra support, and help is always available.
How we can help you manage cravings
Cravings while on Suboxone are not a sign that you’re failing or that Suboxone doesn’t work. What they usually mean is that recovery is a live process, one that sometimes needs tweaks. Your treatment plan can often be adjusted in ways that make a real difference.
If you’re still having cravings, you don’t have to figure this out alone. You deserve care that adjusts to your needs. Whenever you’re ready, book a visit. We’ll help you review what might be causing your cravings, explore possible changes, and make sure your recovery feels more steady and manageable.
Frequently asked questions about cravings while on Suboxone
Can stress or lack of sleep make cravings worse, even if my dose is right?
Yes. Stress, poor sleep, and exhaustion can all make cravings stronger. Taking care of your mental health, practicing stress management, and building healthy routines can help reduce their intensity.
Can certain foods, drinks, or medications affect Suboxone and make cravings worse?
Yes. Some medications and even the timing of food/drink can affect how well Suboxone is absorbed. Always let your provider know about other prescriptions, over-the-counter meds, or supplements you’re taking.
What’s the difference between a craving and withdrawal?
Cravings are urges or thoughts about using, while withdrawal symptoms are physical effects (like sweating, body aches, or nausea). Sometimes they can overlap, but cravings are more about mental and emotional pull.
