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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. Anyone enrolled in an opioid dependence program should take steps to avoid alcohol consumption.
This is because both substances can have a powerful effect on the brain’s reward system, which can lead to cravings and compulsive use. The liver plays a vital role in metabolizing both Suboxone and alcohol. 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. Alcohol, on the other hand, is a legal and widely consumed substance that is often used for social purposes. However, it is also a depressant that can have negative effects on the body, including impaired judgment, coordination, and reflexes.
Dangers Of Mixing Suboxone And Alcohol
We provide links to resources to help you mitigate these risks, including a consensus-developed list of potentially serious alcohol-medication interactions in older adults. Mixing Suboxone® and alcohol is not advisable because of the potential health risks. A person undergoing Suboxone® treatment for substance use disorder needs to follow the guidelines laid out in the program to succeed. Even in a casual setting, drinking alcohol while on Suboxone® (or any other prescription medication for that matter) is cautioned against. We tailor outpatient addiction treatment to the needs of each patient. In addition to medication assisted treatment, a patient’s care can include substance abuse counseling, mental health therapy and psychiatry.
When mixed with Suboxone, the effects of both substances are intensified, leading to a dangerous combination that can cause serious harm. If you or someone you love is experiencing any of these symptoms while taking buprenorphine (Suboxone®), it’s important to get immediate help. There are medications available to counter the effects of an overdose, but medical attention is necessary.
Drinking alcohol while taking Suboxone can enhance these side effects. Ophelia-affiliated physician group practices are independently owned and operated by licensed physicians who provide services utilizing the Ophelia telehealth platform. No, it’s not advised to have any alcohol for up to 8 days after your last buprenorphine (Suboxone®) dose. Buprenorphine (Suboxone®) has mixing suboxone and alcohol a half-life of 36 hours, so if your last dose was 12 hours ago, it’s still very active in your system.
Side effects caused by Suboxone may increase when the drug is taken with other substances that cause sedation, including alcohol. Both Suboxone and alcohol cause central nervous system depression. When alcohol is combined with Suboxone it may lead to dangerous side effects and overdose. We know that everyone is different, and everyone came to their problem differently. They may have negative and highly stressful experiences on the job.
- The greatest danger of taking Suboxone with alcohol is the potential of life-threatening side effects and fatal overdose.
- People intending to abuse the substances may drink more alcohol in an attempt to counter that negation.
- If you attempt to maximize this lapse by bingeing, you could overdose on these drugs and die.
- Therefore, if you are on this treatment regimen, it is always good to avoid taking other drugs, including alcohol.
Don’t call your substance treatment center because they may not be able to send emergency services to your location promptly. If you notice that your breathing is slowing, stop drinking and seek medical attention immediately. Slow breathing is a clear sign that you are in real danger, and you need to act quickly. Several studies have linked it to a wide range of heart-related problems, including stroke, irregular heartbeat, and high blood pressure.
Buprenorphine and Alcohol: CNS Depressants
When Suboxone is taken with alcohol, these substances amplify the sedative qualities of each other. MATClinics therapies are personalized to meet your individual needs to help you achieve positive change for the long haul. Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of medication assisted therapy and how we can best help you. The list of points against alcohol is long, ranging from detrimental to fatal. With that said, mixing Suboxone® and alcohol is highly discouraged. 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.
Suboxone Withdrawal
However, Suboxone doesn’t cause the same intense and euphoric side effects. It is also important to mention that those who drink alcohol while taking Suboxone® are most likely doing so against the clinical provider’s advice, some even secretly. Beyond the physical side effects of consuming alcohol, there is also the risk of using alcohol as a substitute for the opioid addiction from which you are trying to recover.
You may face challenges along the way, but combining the power of hope with practical guidance and tools, you’ll be taking steps towards better health. Whenever a doctor prescribes an opioid to someone, they are supposed to advise them not to use it with alcohol. This is very important due to the depressant effects of both of these substances. In essence, they each make the side effects of the other drug worse.