Mixing Suboxone and Alcohol: What Are the Dangers?
People who have an addiction to one drug are at risk for replacing their original substance of abuse with another substance. In fact, almost all opioid addiction treatment centers discourage the use of alcohol while on Suboxone. Individuals addicted to a particular suboxone mixed with alcohol drug substance are usually at risk of replacing the original substance of abuse with another one when there is withdrawal.
- Another potential health risk of mixing Suboxone and alcohol is cardiovascular problems.
- When combining the two drugs, the effects of each heighten due to double the effect on the central nervous system.
- Secondly, treatment can help individuals overcome addiction and regain control of their lives.
- The most serious consequence of mixing Suboxone and alcohol is the risk of overdose and death.
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It is fair to say there is no safe way around consuming both alcohol and Suboxone at the same time. Not only does it put patients at risk of serious side effects, but it can also jeopardize the progress that someone has made in regards to avoiding drug abuse. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, which means it blocks the effects of opioids.
This can include problems with memory, attention, and decision-making, which can have a significant impact on a person’s daily life. The only drugs you should be taking with Suboxone are those you need for health reasons that you know are safe. Alcohol abuse can lead to a number of problems, both minor and major, on its own. It affects judgment, something that is concerning if you are at risk for abusing drugs. As numerous sources note, any drug that affects breathing is especially dangerous. These sorts of drugs should not be taken in any amount with Suboxone without first discussing it with your doctor.
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It is strongly advised that opiate drugs should not be mixed with alcohol. Physicians should make this very clear to their patients when prescribing Suboxone to their patients. Therefore, mixing Suboxone and alcohol is considered drug abuse because there is no medical situation where doing is appropriate.
Dangers of Mixing Suboxone and Alcohol
Furthermore, the naloxone in Suboxone may lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. Since Suboxone has an opioid, albeit weakened, taking other drug substances while on Suboxone treatment can be life-threatening. Therefore, if you are on this treatment regimen, it is always good to avoid taking other drugs, including alcohol.
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Meet your chronic illness provider online today and get your medication delivered as quickly as 24 hours later. Dr. Karlin attended Columbia University where is achieved his BA in Neuroscience and Behavior, and his MA, Clinical Informatics & Cognition, Biomedical Informatics. He went on to achieve his MD at University of Colorado School of Medicine. After his time at university, he did his residency at Tuffs medical center.
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.
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- Polysubstance abuse refers to the use of multiple substances at once, whether legal or illegal.
- Mixing alcohol with opioids like buprenorphine or Suboxone can be very dangerous due to the risk of oversedation, respiratory arrest, overdose, coma, hypoxia, brain damage and more.
- Taking alcohol with Suboxone® may have serious and potentially deadly consequences.
- To understand alcohol and drug addiction, read this comprehensive blog and get the help you need for yourself or someone you love.
- Many people become dependent on alcohol in the same way other people become dependent on other drugs.
- The dangers of mixing alcohol with Suboxone are rooted in the fact that Suboxone multiplies the effects of alcohol and alcohol multiplies the effects of Suboxone.
Mixing Suboxone and alcohol can also lead to respiratory depression, which can be life-threatening. This occurs when the central nervous system is depressed, and the body is unable to regulate breathing properly. This can lead to decreased oxygen levels in the body, which can cause damage to vital organs such as the brain and heart. 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.
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But it does provide some of the euphoric effects of heroin and other opioid drugs. Individuals can live at home and attend regular therapy and counseling sessions one to three times a week. This allows people to attend to their daily responsibilities at work and with their families.
Alcohol is a substance that depresses activity in the central nervous system, which consists of the brain and spinal cord. The Record publishes a print authored by Dr. Cidambi, adressing inequity key to end opioid crisis in United States. However, there is potential for serious side effects when combined. As mentioned above, alcohol and Suboxone are both central nervous system depressants.
Mixing these two substances can cause damage to the liver and lead to liver disease. This can have serious long-term consequences for a person’s overall health. Of all the drugs that are dangerous to use with Suboxone, alcohol is particularly harmful.