Meanwhile, the naloxone is there to further prevent abuse of the medication, inducing withdrawals if it is injected. To find another treatment program, browse the top-rated addiction treatment facilities in each state by visiting our homepage, or by viewing the SAMHSA Treatment Services Locator. However, it takes up to 8 days for it to completely clear from the body. As such, it is not recommended you have alcohol until 8 days after you have completed treatment to avoid side effects. As we have established, both alcohol and Suboxone are central nervous system depressants. They work by reducing the amount of neurons that fire in the spinal cord.

• Since drinking lowers your inhibitions, you may believe that one dose of opioids or other drugs is not only safe but reasonable.
• If you or someone you know seems to be experiencing dangerous symptoms of any kind, call 911 immediately.
• The two drugs work by satiating the brain’s craving for opioids without accelerating the withdrawal symptoms.
• We respect individual employees for their unique potential and hold ourselves accountable for helping them to achieve their goals.
• The list of harm that alcohol causes to your body is pretty long and ranges from detrimental to fatal.
• Mixing alcohol with Suboxone can result in long-term and permanent side effects.

Even a tiny amount of alcohol when taking Suboxone can lead to extreme drowsiness and impaired judgment. This can cause you to make bad decisions and act in a dangerous manner. This decrease in the firing of neurons in the central nervous system also causes respiratory suppression. This can lead to headaches, blurred vision, fainting, breathing problems and can even cause serious brain damage. Many people outside of the healthcare sector are now being trained to administer Naloxone.

Alcohol Withdrawal Detox

It’s grown rapidly in usage – according to the Department of Health, the number of people prescribed suboxone increased from 3% to 16% between 2011 and 2020. Mixing alcohol with Suboxone can result in long-term and permanent side effects. As tolerance develops and a person begins taking more Suboxone and/or alcohol, it’s only a matter of time before dependence forms. Drug dependence also complicates the recovery process, as quitting “cold turkey” can lead to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Since Suboxone is not very strong compared to true opioid agonists like morphine or heroin, a person may combine it with alcohol in order to intensify its effects and get high.

The Effect of Drugs on Unborn Babies

This is a concern because many opioid-addicted people use other substances as well (known as polysubstance abuse). Acting as a partial agonist, it works by altering brain receptors to reduce the user’s cravings for opioid substances and tone down withdrawal symptoms. Mixing Suboxone® and alcohol is not advisable because of the potential health risks.

Mixing Suboxone and Alcohol

Aftercare refers to ongoing support after someone goes through rehab. It’s designed to help individuals stay sober and avoid relapse by providing resources like therapy, support groups, or follow-up appointments. Polysubstance abuse refers to the use of multiple substances at once, whether legal or illegal. It complicates treatment because substances can share effects, and those effects can also interact with those of the other substance, creating new problems.

Intensive therapy, counseling, psychoeducation, & clinical support

Beyond the mentioned risks, drinking alcohol while taking Suboxone is likely to contribute to a setback in sobriety. It’s essential to seek professional help when dealing with co-occurring substance use disorders. A qualified addiction specialist or healthcare provider can tailor a treatment plan to an individual’s unique needs and circumstances. Our staff are experts at dealing with polysubstance abuse, and will stop at nothing to provide you with the help you need.

Your doctor will work with you to ensure you withdraw from alcohol use and focus on your Suboxone treatment. Typically, any drug that affects your breathing system can be quite dangerous. These types of drugs shouldn’t be taken in any amount with Suboxone without discussing everything with your doctor. Basically, the treatment is designed to “trick” the brain into believing that a full opioid dose has been taken.

Understanding Suboxone®’s Effect on the Body

• Because buprenorphine is an opioid agonist, weaker then opioids such as oxycodone and heroin, it can still cause and euphoria, especially when mixed with alcohol.
• Those dealing with opioid addiction recovery may already be struggling with issues like depression or anxiety.
• At CCIWA, we understand the challenge of overcoming opioid addiction, and we are here to help you from the start to the end.
• The simple answer is that there is no time when it is safe to mix drugs.
• Like other narcotics, mixing Suboxone with alcohol can be dangerous.
• It is important to seek medical attention immediately if you or someone you know is experiencing any of these effects as a result of mixing Suboxone and alcohol.

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. The biggest risk from drinking alcohol when on Suboxone® is clearly stated in the drug’s literature. Mixing Suboxone® and alcohol can lead suboxone mixed with alcohol to a high chance of respiratory and central nervous system depression.

There should be no circumstance where a person is drinking alcohol while taking Suboxone in a supervised, rehabilitative environment. Inpatient treatment requires full-time attendance at a treatment facility for a period of time, typically between 30 to 90 days. Around-the-clock support is provided to ensure patients can get through those crucial early stages of recovery when withdrawal symptoms are at their most acute.

It is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, and it works by binding to the same receptors in the brain as opioids, thereby reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings. However, Suboxone can also be abused, and it has the potential to cause addiction and dependence. While effective, there are some things to be aware of, such as the danger of combining it with other substances.