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Addressing Common Concerns About Taking Suboxone

8 October 2020

Lieve Boekholt

If you have been struggling with an opiate addiction but are ready to move on and recover, then you've probably discussed the option of Suboxone treatment with your doctor or therapist. Many people struggling with addiction are able to finally beat their addiction with the help of this medication, but it's normal to have some concerns as you start to consider taking the medication yourself. You'll find the most common concerns addressed below.

Will you be tempted to abuse Suboxone?

Suboxone is an opiate medication, too, so you might be worried that once it is prescribed to you, you'll be tempted to abuse it and take more than is recommended. Some patients certainly do abuse their Suboxone, but this is pretty rare. Suboxone binds to your opiate receptors to prevent cravings, but it does not make you feel high and euphoric like heroin or Oxycodone. For most patients, the lack of euphoria makes Suboxone a whole lot less tempting than these other opiates. Plus, your doctor will closely monitor how much Suboxone you are given to reduce your chances of abuse.

Will Suboxone cause unwanted side effects?

You might be worried that taking Suboxone will cause other problems or make you feel sicker. Like other opiates, Suboxone can cause some side effects. These include sleepiness, dizziness, and a loss of coordination. However, these side effects tend to subside within a week or two once your body adapts to the medication. If they do become bothersome, your doctor may reduce your dose, which can reduce side effects while still keeping your cravings under control.

Is Suboxone a replacement for therapy?

Some patients worry that, by prescribing them Suboxone, their therapists or doctors are waving them away and deterring them from seeking additional treatment. But this is not the case at all. In fact, Suboxone is almost always used in conjunction with more traditional therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and talk therapy. Your therapist will talk with you about how your Suboxone use is going, among other things. Some doctors will not even prescribe you Suboxone unless you are also meeting with a therapist weekly — so you do not have to worry in the least about it being a substitute.

Hopefully, you are now a lot less concerned about Suboxone treatment. If you have any additional worries or questions, then reach out to your doctor or therapist before you pick up your prescription. 

To learn more, contact a Suboxone treatment provider in your area.

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