Suboxone And Alcohol: Risks Of Polysubstance Abuse

If you or someone you know is struggling with the dangerous and potentially life-threatening effects of mixing Suboxone and alcohol, it’s important to seek treatment immediately. Treatment options for this type of substance abuse can vary depending on individual needs and circumstances, but it’s crucial to understand the importance of getting help as soon as possible. Suboxone abuse, though mixing suboxone and alcohol less common than with other MAT drugs, is still possible.

Substance abuse treatment programs are designed to help people who are struggling with addiction to drugs, alcohol, or both. These programs offer support, guidance, and medical care to help individuals stop using harmful substances and get their lives back on track. Suboxone is a brand name for a combination of opioid agonist buprenorphine and opioid antagonist naloxone. Buprenorphine replaces the addictive opioids to components that work on the same brain receptors.

If you’re taking Suboxone, it’s important to understand how it interacts with other substances to ensure a successful treatment. However, combining Suboxone with alcohol can lead to hazardous consequences, even when following your doctor’s instructions. Therefore, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential dangers of combining Suboxone and alcohol and take necessary precautions to stay safe. The health risks of combining suboxone and alcohol should never be overlooked.

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Furthermore, the naloxone in Suboxone may lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. Several studies have linked it to a wide range of heart-related problems, including stroke, irregular heartbeat, and high blood pressure. Heavy drinkers place their pancreas and liver at risk for inflammation and degradation that is irreversible. In fact, of all the drug substances that are dangerous to use with Suboxone, alcohol is the most harmful.

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You could feel much more intoxicated than you would if drinking without Suboxone. Our science-backed approach boasts 95% of patients reporting no withdrawal symptoms at 7 days. Extreme sedation is a common symptom people who drink and use Suboxone experience. Combining alcohol with the opioids in your system can lead to life-threatening sedation.

How to Avoid Mixing Suboxone and Alcohol

• Further, is not recommended to start, stop, or change the dose of any medications without a physician’s approval.
• Alcohol is a depressant that, when mixed with Suboxone, can enhance negative side effects.
• People need to be careful about how they use drugs and what they mix them with.
• Meanwhile, the naloxone is there to further prevent abuse of the medication, inducing withdrawals if it is injected.
• Call one of our treatment experts today to learn about the most suitable outpatient program for your personal needs.
• It’s a good option for those whose suboxone and alcohol addictions are less severe or who have already completed inpatient treatment.
• If you decide to drink while on Suboxone, speak to your doctor beforehand and minimize alcohol consumption to as little as possible.

Combining alcohol and Suboxone can increase the risk of experiencing distressing side effects as well as life-threatening consequences like profound respiratory depression, sedation and coma. You should never mix alcohol and Suboxone, under any circumstances. One of the most effective ways to prevent mixing Suboxone and alcohol is to seek support and resources for substance abuse and addiction.

• For this reason, treatment may be needed for anyone who is mixing Suboxone and alcohol.
• It is crucial to understand the dangers of mixing Suboxone and alcohol and to avoid doing so.
• We also make it easy for our clients to keep getting the support they need.
• Bicycle Health’s support group for patients is a good place to start.
• Another potential health risk of mixing Suboxone and alcohol is cardiovascular problems.
• Combining two sedating substances (like buprenorphine and alcohol) can increase risk for overdose.

Why Drinking Alcohol on Suboxone® is Ill-Advised

Most of us already know that drinking a lot of alcohol can cause severe damage to body organs such as the liver. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association, there are approximately 30,000 suboxone-related emergency room visits every year. At least 50% of these hospitalizations involved mixing Suboxone and alcohol. If you notice these signs in yourself, it might be a sign that drinking is a problem for you. No matter whether you’re using MAT or not, your relationship with alcohol might be unhealthy. For informational purposes only, a link to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments web page is provided here.

Both Suboxone and alcohol are nervous system depressants, meaning they affect the body in similar ways. Alcohol can enhance potential side effects of Suboxone, including headache, dizziness, fainting, nausea, and vomiting. Some people may also experience heart palpitations, changes in blood pressure, and an increased risk of a heart attack. Alcohol by itself can affect motor function, reasoning, and judgment, and these effects can be more intense with Suboxone in the mix. These cognitive impacts can be especially harmful if they lead a person into other dangerous situations. Suboxone® is a crucial part of treating opioid use disorder (OUD), giving patients more control over their lives.

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When large doses are combined, this can create serious damage to a very important organ. As a replacement for opioids, Suboxone helps people deal with cravings and withdrawal symptoms. There’s evidence for the effectiveness of medication-assisted treatment. Other medications used in this way include methadone and naltrexone. As with any medication, Suboxone can have interactions and side effects that require careful attention.

Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Suboxone?

Slow breathing deprives brain cells of the oxygen they need to survive and thrive—this is called hypoxia and can cause brain damage. These effects can be intensified when alcohol is consumed in large quantities or when Suboxone is taken in higher doses than prescribed. Contact us today if you are ready to begin your journey to recovery. Our team is available around the clock, so feel free to call us at any time. Learn about naloxone, its usage, storage, and community training in New York state.

For this reason, treatment may be needed for anyone who is mixing Suboxone and alcohol. Any person who takes Suboxone should provide a list of all products and medications they use and share it with their pharmacist and physician. Medications that decrease activity in the brain and spinal cord may lead to the development of dangerous medical conditions when combined. The use of Suboxone with other CNS depressants and alcohol should always be avoided.