Doing so can lead to a variety of serious effects, with the risk of death. If you can’t stop drinking alcohol while using suboxone, talk with your doctor. You may have heard of Suboxone, used to help people overcome addiction to opiates/opioids such as heroin or prescription painkillers such as Oxycodone. If you’re wondering whether it can be used to help people overcome addiction to alcohol, the short answer is no. Read on to learn more about what it is, how it can be used and the dangers of mixing Suboxone with alcohol. People who struggle with comorbid opioid misuse and alcohol misuse may drink less while taking Suboxone if they were used to using the drugs at the same time.
A study published in the Biological Psychiatry Journal found that buprenorphine, a key ingredient in Suboxone, can reduce alcohol consumption by activating specific receptors in the brain. In order for Suboxone to be most effective in treating alcoholism, it should be used in combination with other treatments. This may include counseling, support groups, lifestyle changes, and medications. Additionally, it is important to address any underlying mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, as these can affect an individual’s ability to stay sober. The short answer is no, provided the individual is only dependent on alcohol and has not been exposed to opioids. Suboxone will not do any good for alcohol withdrawal because it is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, both used to treat opioid addiction.
On its own, alcohol abuse has pervasive negative health effects, many of which can culminate in death. However, alcohol becomes even more deadly when taken with other medications. Although Suboxone is not officially approved for the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD), research suggests that it may have some potential in reducing alcohol cravings in certain individuals. Alcohol addiction is one of the most prevalent substance use disorders worldwide.
Suboxone to Ease Withdrawal Symptoms
In the United States, it’s estimated that millions of adults struggle with alcohol misuse, while only a fraction of them receive professional help. Despite the widespread nature of this disorder, many misconceptions persist about “easy solutions” and the role certain medications may play in treatment. Naltrexone, Disulfiram, and Acamprosate are FDA-approved medications used to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Suboxone may be part of a comprehensive alcohol withdrawal treatment, but it’s not a stand-alone solution. An integrated approach to alcohol withdrawal often includes a combination of withdrawal medication, therapy, and supportive care. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic disease where excessive drinkers struggle to control or quit alcohol, even when it has negative social, occupational, or health consequences.
Some people may wonder about buprenorphine and alcohol interactions, especially when considering buprenorphine for alcohol use disorder. The potential mechanism for addressing alcohol addiction is still being unraveled, but it’s thought that Suboxone might help reduce alcohol cravings by influencing the brain’s reward system. It’s like telling your brain, “Hey, you don’t need that drink to feel good! Treatment with methadone or buprenorphine is recommended for pregnant women with opioid use disorder.
Evidence-Based Alternatives to Suboxone for Alcohol Addiction
FDA-approved medications like naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram are commonly used to treat alcohol use disorder. Importantly, the goal isn’t just to stop drinking and successfully get through withdrawal, although this is an important step in recovery. It is also to identify why you drink and what led to heavy alcohol misuse in the first place.
Imagine what’s possible on the other side of opioid use disorder.
Again, it’s important to highlight that Suboxone and similar medications aren’t approved treatments for AUD, and there isn’t much to suggest that should change. The current debate is the value of buprenorphine or Suboxone in helping patients with treatment-resistant AUD. In conclusion, Suboxone can be used to treat alcoholism in some cases, with the help of a qualified healthcare provider. In order to be effective, it must be used in conjunction with other therapies, such as counseling and lifestyle changes. Taking Suboxone can help decrease cravings, reduce withdrawal symptoms, and make it easier to focus on recovery.
Mixing alcohol with Suboxone can lead to an increased risk of suffering an overdose and respiratory failure. The two drugs can interact to cause extreme drowsiness and potential accidents. People who combine these substances can also experience compounding effects on coordination, increased confusion and dizziness, and a higher risk of addiction to both substances. These medications are administered in combination with addiction counseling.
- Suboxone is typically prescribed in a pill or film form, and can be taken orally.
- 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.
- Suboxone requires a prescription, and although it is less likely to be addictive than other alternatives, it still poses an addiction risk.
- Both methadone and buprenorphine bind to and activate the same mu-opioid receptors in the brain as do other opioid drugs.
- Suboxone’s formula is designed with safety features to support successful recovery.
What Do Alcohol Treatment Recovery Programs Do?
Suboxone is commonly used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction, helping individuals manage withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and the risk of relapse. Because of these risks, it’s crucial for anyone struggling with alcohol dependence to seek immediate, specialized help. Yet, in the process of seeking help, some might mistakenly turn to medications like Suboxone. Let’s explore why Suboxone for alcohol addiction is typically not advised and can be harmful. Despite its primary use in opioid addiction treatment, Suboxone has potential benefits for those suffering from alcohol withdrawal.
Alcohol and opioids, or medications that act on opioid receptors, can produce dangerous sedation or respiratory depression when combined. Even though Suboxone has a lower risk of respiratory depression compared to full opioid agonists, mixing it with alcohol can amplify sedative effects. While Suboxone is considered relatively safe when used under medical supervision for opioid addiction, there are specific risks when it’s misapplied to alcohol use disorder. We’re here 24/7 to help you get the care you need to live life on your terms, without drugs or alcohol. Talk to our recovery specialists today and learn about our integrated treatment programs.
Could Ozempic Be Used to Treat Alcohol Use Disorder and Other Addictive Behaviors?
The severity of AWS can vary greatly and depends on the amount of alcohol consumed and the length of time that the chronic drinking occurred. Buprenorphine is a depressant that slows down the activity of the brain. Alcohol is likewise a depressant, so when the two are taken together, they can significantly slow the person’s brain and body functions beyond what either substance would do alone. Alcohol addiction is a particularly insidious problem for several reasons.
What Is Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome?
Acamprosate stabilizes brain chemistry to reduce post-withdrawal symptoms. As far as using Suboxone for alcohol withdrawal symptoms, doctors typically do not prescribe it for this use. Suboxone is used to treat opioid dependence and withdrawal symptoms, but there hasn’t been significant research indicating its usefulness in alleviating the symptoms of AWS. People who are withdrawing from both opioids and alcohol might obtain some relief from Suboxone since it will relieve the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Instead, doctors typically prescribe other medications, such as benzodiazepines, to help people manage the symptoms of AWS when they do not have a co-occurring OUD and AUD. Like many medications, methadone and buprenorphine do produce dependence.
Medication-Assisted Treatment for Alcohol Addiction (When Appropriate)
It’s like using a Swiss Army knife to open a can when it was designed for something else – unconventional, but potentially effective. Many people suffer from alcohol use disorder, which can wreak havoc on their health, finances, and relationships. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports an estimated 140,000 Americans die each year from excessive use of alcohol. The agency also reports that among those who died, alcohol abuse shortened the average lifespan by 26 years. This was an increase of almost 1 million over the 28.6 million who reported suffering from AUD in 2021. While GLP-1 drugs could offer a welcome treatment option for people who struggle with alcohol addiction, the research is still in an early stage.
3 Few, if any doctors, would recommend Suboxone as a treatment for alcohol use disorder alone. While the treatments you receive should always be evidence-based, there is no one “perfect” treatment plan that works for everyone. That being said, some people who have co-occurring AUD and OUD may find that they are drinking less while on Suboxone simply because they are also using opioids less. In this way, being on Suboxone may help to decrease the frequency of alcohol use if you are using primarily when also taking opioids. Buprenorphine treatment can also be started in the emergency department to ease withdrawal and cravings after an overdose.13 This can help motivate people to begin long-term treatment.
These facilities offer 24/7 medical care, which is crucial during withdrawal from alcohol or opioids, as symptoms can be life-threatening. After detox, a longer stay in a residential treatment center helps people understand why they turned to alcohol in the first place and how to cope better in the future. Whether you’re struggling with alcohol addiction, opioid use disorder, or both, getting the proper treatment is crucial. QuickMD offers convenient, confidential telemedicine services to help you get started on your recovery journey.
Always make treatment decisions with the help of an addiction treatment professional. Your doctor will be able to determine if medication is a good is suboxone used for alcoholism choice to treat your substance use disorder (SUD). Recovery Ranger is a website that offers direction and support for those seeking to overcome addiction and achieve lasting sobriety. Our team of specialists helps individuals navigate the recovery process and stay motivated. It is designed to treat opioid dependence and has not been shown to be effective in reducing cravings for alcohol. For those struggling with alcohol addiction, there are proven medications and therapies available that can help you recover.
We offer detox and inpatient treatment programs that help people get back on their feet. Our dedicated team of trained addiction professionals and counselors provides individualized addiction treatment programs for recovery. Any misuse or misunderstanding can worsen addiction or even result in life-threatening complications.
One potentially serious issue with using Suboxone to treat AUD is that the medication is an opioid and can have severe interactions with alcohol. People who are prescribed Suboxone are advised not to ingest any alcohol. If individuals prescribed Suboxone relapse and begin drinking alcohol, they could suffer serious consequences. While suboxone has been shown to be an effective treatment for people suffering from opioid use disorder (OUD), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved it for treating AWS or AUD.