Can Suboxone Be Abused to Get High?
Suboxone is aimed to be used as a single component in the treatment plan for opioid addiction, but it does still have the potential to be abused, so this drug should be closely monitored to avoid this from happening.
Suboxone is what is known as a partial opioid agonist made up of 2 main ingredients called buprenorphine and naloxone. This means although it is an opioid that blocks the pain receptors and can create a mild “euphoria” it also blocks you from getting high on any other opioids taken while Suboxone is in your system. Suboxone has a long half like so it stays on your body for 24-72 hours. Suboxone is designed specifically for the treatment of opioid dependence and addiction and is meant to act as an abuse preventive.
How Suboxone Helps Fight Opiod Addiction
The opioid crisis in our country has already killed more people than the entire Vietnam War. It has reached epidemic level catastrophe while devastating the lives of so many and it does not seem to be slowing down. Prescription medications like Suboxone have helped countless people to abstain from opioid drug use like heroin. While this is a very helpful drug in the world of recovery, it still has a dark side.
How Suboxone Have Potential To Be Abused?
While Suboxone is aimed to be used as a single component in the treatment of opioid addiction, it does still have the potential to be abused, so this drug should be closely monitored to avoid this from happening. It is a difficult situation that a drug meant to help opioid abuse and addiction can be abused itself. Many people who are already prescribed Suboxone may purposely take way more than they are supposed to get an opioid-like high. Other people may resort to getting it from a dealer or a friend. Most places in the country that already have high reports for opioid addiction also report high abuse and addiction to Suboxone.
Suboxone is abused either by snorting it when in pill form or when the filmstrips are dissolved and injected intravenously. Many people prefer injection versus snorting because they can get a much more intense high. It is shown that those people who are recovering from other opioid addictions are more likely to abuse Suboxone. The high a person gets from Suboxone is nowhere near as strong as heroin or prescription opioid pills, but in the eyes of someone addicted to opioids, it is something
Signs of Suboxone Addiction
Abuse and addiction to Suboxone look very similar to abuse of heroin or another opioid. Some of the most common signs and symptoms include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Emotional and physical numbness
- Constipation
- Taking more than prescribed
- Mixing it with other drugs or alcohol
- Sedation and drowsiness
- Impaired cognition
- Doctor shopping
- Stealing
- Secretive behavior
Suboxone does cause some nasty withdrawal symptoms similar to what you would experience withdrawing from heroin. The symptoms often look like the flu and will make you have aches and pains, upset stomach, shaking, sweating, and cravings for Suboxone.
Treating Suboxone Abuse and Dependence
Treating abuse to Suboxone is treated the same way as other drug addictions. The most effective treatment plan includes the expertise of medical professionals, mental health professionals like therapists, and even social workers. This plan often begins in a detox facility so that you can safely get all of the drugs out of your system in a controlled environment to avoid relapse during this difficult time. After that an extended inpatient and outpatient programs are recommended to help get you to the root of your Suboxone abuse, avoid relapse long term, learn what triggers you to use, and re-learn what life is like off of drugs.
Suboxone abuse can be a thing of the past if you take the right steps to get your life back on track. If you or a loved one have an addiction to opioids, like Heroin or pain relievers, there is hope. Evoke Waltham has professionals who can help you get your life back on track to a happy and healthy sobriety lifestyle. Just pick up the phone and give us a call, the calls are free and fully confidential. We offer a variety of different treatments and detox programs to help on the path to sobriety.
