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The Effects of Mixing Suboxone and Alcohol

Suboxone is a narcotic painkiller used in the treatment of opioid addiction and dependence. People under Suboxone medication should not try to mix Suboxone with alcohol or other drugs. The effects of mixing Suboxone and alcohol are generally more pronounced than when each is taken separately.

A current controversy concerning the use of Suboxone and other substitute drugs has arisen. Most people know that Suboxone is a drug used to treat abusers of other substances. The problem is that Suboxone itself shows addictive potentials, requiring patients to undergo another detox. This makes people become wary about the ability of Suboxone to end the vicious cycle of addiction. Patients struggling with their addiction are again facing another threat of being addicted to Suboxone, leaving them open to other forms of substance abuse, including alcohol. However, mixing alcohol with Suboxone only aggravates the situation.

What Happens When You Take Suboxone With Alcoholic Drinks

Drinking alcohol while on the process of Suboxone treatment is not advisable. This will only augment the most common symptoms associated with Suboxone use-vertigo and lethargy. In reality, the effects of Suboxone and alcohol are complementary. This intensified effect is all the more increased when Suboxone is used in combination with other drugs.

Mixing Suboxone with alcohol can also cause the body’s tolerance and dependence to further increase. As such, the body will require progressively higher dosages of Suboxone to adjust itself to the amplified effect. Therefore, mixing alcohol with Suboxone (at times with other drugs) will only proliferate the course of addiction.

Dangers of Mixing Alcohol with Other Drugs

Help For Alcohol and Suboxone Addiction

Treatment for addiction to Suboxone and alcohol usually begins with consulting a healthcare professional. Talking to a healthcare provider is something not to be taken halfheartedly. Patients who really notice that their alcohol intake adversely affects their Suboxone treatment and their health condition in general should immediately inform their physicians. When they feel they are not capable of continuing their medication without taking even just little amounts of alcohol, doctors can come up with solutions to prevent the chance of mixing alcohol with Suboxone.

suboxone and alcohol

The most widely used medication for treating opiate dependence is methadone. Often patients need to present themselves every day at an office or clinic to get their daily maintenance. Methadone can help patients remain emotionally stable and can thwart the occurrence of severe withdrawal symptoms commonly experienced by opiate sufferers.

In particular, Suboxone medication used to treat opiate addiction demands consistent medical care. Most patients are required to check with their physicians every four weeks. Missing a schedule with their doctors would mean patients cannot take their medications on time, resulting in the appearance of withdrawal symptoms.

Counseling is an integral part of treating opiate dependence and helps patients adjust to a kind of life free of substance use. Counseling and medication work hand in hand towards a successful treatment of opiate dependence.

Suboxone is normally taken by allowing it to dissolve under the tongue instead of swallowing it. This may take a few minutes to finish, so family support is necessary during the patient’s regular schedules. Patients and their families should see that the medication is safe from the reach of children or entry of pets and is located in only one location for easy access. This is because when they misplace or lost the medication, skipping will lead to withdrawal.

If you think you are addicted to Suboxone and alcohol, check with your doctor as soon as possible to find out the best way to recover from the addiction. Be aware that drinking alcohol in moderation is not necessarily bad so long as the use of Suboxone is obviated.

Calling a Hotline

If you need additional information and assistance concerning how to deal with the effects of mixing Suboxone and alcohol, call us for free advice or to find out your best option. This helpline is available 24 hours a day and treats all provided information in utmost confidentiality and security.


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