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While anyone who uses Suboxone or alcohol can be at risk, certain demographics and factors may make individuals more susceptible to this dangerous behavior. Mixing Suboxone and alcohol can also cause liver damage, which can be challenging to detect in the early stages. Some of the symptoms of liver damage include abdominal pain, fatigue, jaundice, and loss of appetite. It’s essential to monitor these symptoms and seek medical attention if they persist.

Suboxone doesn’t dampen the effect of alcohol like it does with other opioids. Instead, people who mix these substances often experience stronger intoxication symptoms while drinking an amount they once considered safe. It is important to note that anyone who mixes Suboxone and alcohol is at risk of serious health complications, regardless of their demographics or addiction/mental health factors. Therefore, it is crucial to seek help and support for substance abuse and addiction. Mixing Suboxone and alcohol can also increase the risk of addiction, making it challenging to quit. Some of the symptoms of addiction include compulsive drug seeking, loss of interest in activities, and continued use despite adverse consequences.

• Common side effects of Suboxone include constipation, drowsiness, vertigo, and lethargy.
• This may lead to a lack of progress in addiction treatment and increase the relapse risk.
• But when you throw alcohol into the mix, it can become a recipe for disaster.
• Aftercare refers to ongoing support after someone goes through rehab.
• Many drug addiction treatment programs will discourage the use of alcohol as a general rule.
• This post discusses everything you need to know about mixing Suboxone and alcohol, highlighting some of the dangers involved.

The 4 risks that come with drinking alcohol on Suboxone

This means they will slow down the activity of the central nervous system, which results in sedative or calming effects. A graduate of Texas Tech University and the University of Cincinnati, Trent is fervently dedicated to providing suboxone mixed with alcohol evidence-based, compassionate care to those battling addiction. He emphasizes a holistic, patient-centered approach and stays updated on the latest in addiction research. Trent Carter, FNP-BC, CARN-AP, is a seasoned nurse practitioner with over a decade of experience in addiction medicine. Suboxone and alcohol should never be taken together because the mixture can lead to serious harm or death.

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.

Liver damage

Taking alcohol and Suboxone® may increase the sedative effects of both substances, making it easier to take too much and overdose accidentally. The soothing effect may slow respiratory and cardiac function, leading to unconsciousness and even death. Suboxone and alcohol are both central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which means they slow breathing and heart rates. You should never mix alcohol and Suboxone, under any circumstances. It is important to take proactive steps to prevent the risk of mixing Suboxone and alcohol.

FAQs for Suboxone and Alcohol

If you have been combining these substances behind your doctor’s back, then it is time to take action and reassess your treatment program. In fact, of all the drug substances that are dangerous to use with Suboxone, alcohol is the most harmful. Unfortunately, it is the most likely to be abused by patients on Suboxone treatment accidentally or otherwise. All doctors and medical professionals advise against mixing Suboxone with alcohol or any other drug. Suboxone mixed with alcohol will increase the user’s tolerance and further increase the severity of their addiction to both substances. Drinking while on Suboxone is only going backward and away from your ultimate recovery.

• The biggest risk from drinking alcohol when on Suboxone® is clearly stated in the drug’s literature.
• When someone mixes Suboxone and alcohol, their body undergoes several changes that can cause various symptoms.
• It’s designed to help individuals stay sober and avoid relapse by providing resources like therapy, support groups, or follow-up appointments.
• For instance, alcohol and Suboxone use can cause mental health problems to develop or worsen.
• Furthermore, alcohol interferes with how your brain operates, causing changes in your behavior and mood.
• This means they will slow down the activity of the central nervous system, which results in sedative or calming effects.

Mixing Alcohol and Suboxone: What is Suboxone?

Proper adherence to one’s MAT program guidelines, along with solid psychosocial support and therapy, is essential to one’s long-term success. Choose from a menu of options that include medication-assisted treatment, such as Suboxone®, Sublocade®, and Vivitrol®, as well as psychiatry, addiction counseling and mental health therapy. All of these services are accessible in-person and via telemedicine. Yes, it can be dangerous to drink alcohol while taking Suboxone for OUD. Mixing Suboxone and alcohol is a dangerous practice that poses serious health risks.

However, it can still cause the same serious side effects when mixed with alcohol as other opiates that affect the central nervous system. Suboxone is a medical solution for many people with substance use disorders in their journey to sobriety. Thanks to the safety of this drug – especially in contrast to other treatments like Methadone – it tends to have a high success rate. Suboxone is a drug containing the active ingredients buprenorphine and naloxone.

However, that is only the beginning because things can accelerate and run out of control pretty fast. Combining Suboxone and alcohol can significantly affect your breathing rate leading to an increased risk of suffering a cardiac arrest. Whether you are taking prescription Suboxone or abusing it, you need to familiarize yourself with drugs that are most likely to have an adverse reaction with it. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association, there are approximately 30,000 suboxone-related emergency room visits every year. At least 50% of these hospitalizations involved mixing Suboxone and alcohol.

It’s important to recognize the risks that can come from mixing Suboxone and alcohol. We’ll guide you through potential issues that come from your prescription to keep your risk low from further complications. At Groups, we provide fast access to Suboxone as the first step in treating opioid use disorder. As mentioned earlier, mixing these two drugs can result in drowsiness and decreased awareness. Breathing consequently slows (respiratory suppression), and brain cells can starve from lack of oxygen – leading to a comatose state. The danger of mixing these two drugs is that the person will have no control over the effects they may experience.

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. Dr. Daniel Rollings Karlin, MD MA, is the Chief Medical Officer at Recovery Delivered.