If you’re experiencing emotional distress, the resources free and confidential support 24/7. Choosing recovery close to home means your support system is just a few miles away. Suboxone is typically taken in pill form and can be taken with or without food. If it is almost time for the next dose, the missed dose should be skipped.
How Does Suboxone Interact with Alcohol Addiction?
Current treatment options, while helpful for many, don’t work for everyone. That’s where Suboxone comes in, offering a glimmer of hope for those who’ve tried everything else. People should avoid trying to use Suboxone or any other drug to treat the symptoms of withdrawing from alcohol without seeing a medical professional. While researchers continue to examine whether buprenorphine might be used to treat AUD, more research is needed.
Suboxone is Used to Treat Opioid Use Disorder
Each medication works differently, so discussing your options with a healthcare provider is essential to finding the right fit for your recovery. As the medical community continues to explore innovative treatments for addiction, further studies on Suboxone’s potential role in AUD are necessary. Alcohol use disorder, like most types of addiction, is best treated with a combination of medication and therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Alcohol addiction can be a complex disorder that varies greatly between individuals. The symptoms and signs of addiction can also vary as some individuals may be able to function at a high level despite being addicted. However, even if functioning, the immense physical and mental health damage remains.
Suboxone is primarily prescribed for opioid addiction because it helps manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
But before we cover the specifics, let’s clarify some important terms. Suboxone’s potential use for alcohol addiction stems from its naloxone component. Naloxone is similar to naltrexone, which is another opioid antagonist that is FDA-approved for alcohol addiction treatment.
The Dangers of Untreated Alcohol Addiction
As we wrap up our deep dive into Suboxone and its potential role in alcohol addiction treatment, it’s clear that we’re standing on the brink of an exciting new frontier. While Suboxone isn’t currently approved for alcohol addiction treatment, the growing body of research suggests it could be a valuable addition to our treatment toolkit. Located in Anaheim, California, Restorations Health Care can help you or a loved one overcome their alcohol addiction issues.
Some research has been conducted on its potential use with AWS and AUD, but more needs to be completed before it can be definitively stated to be an effective treatment for AWS or AUD. People who suffer from AUD continue to drink alcohol and are unable to control or stop their use even when they suffer negative health, career, or social consequences. AUD is a recognized medical disorder that results from the interaction of alcohol with the reward center of the brain. This substance is a neurotransmitter that causes people to feel pleasure.
Francisco Church is a rehabilitation specialist and the chief editor of Recovery Ranger. He creates this site to offer guidance and support to individuals seeking to overcome addiction and achieve lasting sobriety. With extensive experience in the field of addiction treatment, Francisco is dedicated to helping individuals access the resources they need for successful recovery. It also helps to ease some withdrawal symptoms, such as insomnia, anxiety, and other milder symptoms. The journey to overcome addiction is rarely easy, but with ongoing research, innovative treatments, and a commitment to personalized care, we’re making strides in the right direction.
- A few studies have explored the effects of buprenorphine, one of Suboxone’s active ingredients, on alcohol cravings.
- Suboxone works to treat alcoholism by blocking opioid receptors in the brain.
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- Alcohol withdrawal is a phase that can occur when a person who drinks excessively regularly suddenly quits or limits their alcohol intake.
- No, Suboxone is not used or prescribed to treat alcohol use disorder (AUD).
- Common side effects of Suboxone include nausea, constipation, headache, and drowsiness.
Opioid use disorder is a complex, treatable chronic medical condition from which people can recover. Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS) is a set of symptoms that people who depend on alcohol often face when they suddenly stop drinking or significantly cut back. These symptoms can start just a few hours after the last drink and range from mild to very serious. Other common signs include trouble sleeping, bad dreams, sweating a lot, a fast heartbeat, fever, feeling sick to the stomach, throwing up, and getting easily upset or agitated.
Medications Used During Alcohol Addiction Treatment
It is important to understand the effects of drinking alcohol on Suboxone. Combining the two can lead to increased side effects and health risks. Suboxone requires a prescription, and although it is less likely to be addictive than other alternatives, it still poses an addiction risk. So, patients should be under the care of a professional recovery specialist while taking Suboxone. However, mixing Suboxone and alcohol can be dangerous and is generally not recommended. Below, we’ll explain what Suboxone is, if it can help with alcohol withdrawal, and go over other medications that may be used in alcohol addiction treatment.
Plus, as with any medication, there’s always the risk of side effects or is suboxone used for alcoholism dependency. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) refers to the constellation of symptoms that heavy drinkers can suffer when they significantly reduce how much they drink or suddenly cease alcohol use. The symptoms can begin within a few hours of the final drink and range from mild to severe. AWS symptoms can include physical and emotional symptoms ranging from mild anxiety and fatigue to serious physical consequences that could be life-threatening. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, just like the buprenorphine in Suboxone. According to the FDA, people should never combine Suboxone with alcoholic beverages.
Both methadone and buprenorphine bind to and activate the same mu-opioid receptors in the brain as do other opioid drugs. So, some people may think they are just substituting one drug for another. When it comes to treating addiction, most people think of medications like Suboxone for opioid addiction, but can it also be used for alcohol addiction? With alcohol addiction affecting millions globally, understanding which treatments work—and which don’t—is crucial for long-term recovery. Learn more about Suboxone and explore its potential role in alcohol addiction treatment, how it works, and whether it’s actually effective. In summary, suboxone is an opioid-based medication used to treat opioid addiction and should not be used for alcohol withdrawal.
People see commercials tying alcohol use to having fun, enjoying social activities and events, and being successful. While alcohol use in moderation is fine, it can become a real problem for both the people who become addicted to it and their families. Per the FDA, people should never combine Suboxone with alcoholic beverages.9 Doing so can lead to very slow breathing rates, potentially leading to death. Prior to her freelance career, Marks was a supervising producer of medical programming for Ivanhoe Broadcast News. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, traveling, and cheering on the UCF Knights.
The pervasiveness of alcohol abuse in the U.S. is a well-documented problem, underscoring the critical need for effective treatments. An important part of treatment occurs in the beginning when people stop ingesting alcohol. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be severe and potentially dangerous, making it important to identify effective treatments to ease symptoms while people start their journeys to recovery. Suboxone makes the brain think it is still getting the opioid (or alcohol). It prevents cravings and withdrawal symptoms and reduces the risk of overdose.
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. Whether you have questions about treatment options or are ready to begin your recovery journey, Lighthouse Recovery is here to help. Reach out today to learn more about how we can support you or your loved one in finding freedom from alcohol addiction.
Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous, sometimes requiring a medically supervised detox to manage risks like seizures or delirium tremens (DTs). Suboxone simply doesn’t address these risks since it’s not a benzodiazepine or a medication that can safely manage the symptoms specific to alcohol withdrawal. Attempting to self-medicate with Suboxone may lead to a false sense of control, putting the individual in peril when withdrawal symptoms escalate. Some symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be similar to those of opioids, but Suboxone for alcohol dependence or withdrawal symptoms is not currently a recognized treatment. While some patients have reported its use to be of benefit, the manufacturer of Suboxone does not recommend it for this use.
