Using both drugs greatly increases the chance of diseases like cirrhosis or liver failure. Damage to the liver may become evident when a person starts to become yellow in their eyes and skin. There are several long-term health consequences that can occur as a result of mixing alcohol with Suboxone. This also applies to those with hypersensitive reactions to alcohol that lead to bronchospasms, rashes, hives, and anaphylactic shock. In order to prevent misuse and diversion, multiple refills should not be prescribed or dispensed at the beginning of treatment. Buprenorphine has better absorption when given sublingually compared to orally.

This drug is included in Suboxone to help prevent misuse of the medication. Because of this ingredient, you could have severe withdrawal symptoms if you misuse Suboxone. Anyone taking Suboxone as part of a substance abuse treatment program should avoid alcohol as it can lead to serious interactions, relapse, and overdose. 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.

You can talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Before starting treatment with Suboxone, tell your doctor if you’re taking naltrexone. Contributors to this article for the NIAAA Core Resource on Alcohol include the writer for the full article, content contributors to subsections, reviewers, and editorial staff.

1. In one clinical trial, insomnia occurred in about 14% of people taking Suboxone.
2. And do not stop taking Suboxone unless your doctor recommends it.
3. This condition can cause irritability, sleeping problems, and excessive crying in newborns.
4. Combining alcohol with the opioids in your system can lead to life-threatening sedation.
5. Drug dependence also complicates the recovery process, as quitting “cold turkey” can lead to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
6. Now that we’ve laid out Suboxone’s effect on the body, let’s talk about what alcohol does when combined with this form of treatment.

Naloxone is included in Suboxone solely to help prevent misuse of the medication. (Misuse refers to taking a drug in a way other than how it’s prescribed.) physical signs and other symptoms of alcoholism and alcohol abuse Naloxone is classified as an opioid antagonist. Anyone enrolled in an opioid dependence program should take steps to avoid alcohol consumption.

Overdose symptoms

As with any medication, Suboxone can have interactions and side effects that require careful attention. 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.

For one, alcohol interferes with how the brain operates, causing changes in behavior and mood, as well as limiting one’s ability to move with coordination and think rationally. It has also been linked to many heart-related problems, including high blood pressure, stroke, and irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). Those who drink heavily also place their livers and pancreas at risk for various inflammations and degradations, many of which are irreversible. Suboxone is a Schedule III medication that’s misused similar to other opioid medications.

When to avoid Suboxone

Our experienced Suboxone doctors will assess your condition and create a personalized treatment plan that suits your individual needs. 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. Most of us already know that drinking a lot of alcohol can cause severe damage to body organs such as the liver. To find a treatment program, browse the top-rated addiction treatment facilities in each state by visiting our homepage, or by viewing the SAMHSA Treatment Services Locator.

The government has created special rules for how schedule III drugs can be prescribed by a doctor and dispensed by a pharmacist. Certain medications make an enzyme called cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) more active and can increase how fast the body breaks down Suboxone. For instance, some can interfere with how well a drug works, while others can cause increased side effects. In addition to the information below, you can also refer to this overview of Suboxone’s interactions. Suboxone and Vivitrol have been compared in clinical studies. These studies evaluated the drugs’ use for preventing and maintaining relapse of heroin or opioid use.

A unique consequence of Suboxone is that is may cause people to drink more alcohol unintentionally. The naloxone in Suboxone blunts the pleasurable effects of alcohol. People intending to abuse the substances may drink more alcohol in an attempt to counter that negation. This excessive intake significantly increases the chances of overdose or other harmful effects. Suboxone is typically dispensed through an opioid treatment program, so anyone using the drug is likely to already be in treatment. The use of Suboxone outside of a treatment program is considered abuse because the drug’s only approved use is for the treatment of opioid dependence.

What Happens When You Mix Suboxone and Alcohol?

It also puts an individual at an increased risk of overdose. Mixing Suboxone with drinking alcohol is a method of substance abuse that’s particularly dangerous. 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. However, this can worsen both drug addiction and alcohol abuse.

Unfortunately, it is the most likely to be abused by patients on Suboxone treatment accidentally or otherwise. Suboxone is meant to be a alcohol and migraine drinks to avoid, remedies, and more long-term treatment for opioid use disorder. Serious side effects, including misuse of Suboxone, are possible with long-term treatment.

Suboxone has been a gamechanger for many patients, and mixing it with alcohol is simply not worth the risk. Whether you’re concerned about the potential effects of a casual drink or a pattern of alcohol misuse while taking Suboxone, your Ophelia clinical team is here to help. It’s important to note that Suboxone can interact with prescription pain medications, such as opioid drugs. For more information about this interaction, see “Opioids” in “Drug interactions in depth” above.

Brain damage is not a side effect that has been reported in people taking Suboxone. Hair loss is not a side effect that has been reported in clinical trials of Suboxone. However, some people who take Suboxone have reported having hair loss. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Suboxone. Both programs offer the kind of support system and structure that many need to begin an extended period of recovery.