Over time, the body can struggle to regulate normal functions, which also increases the risk of falling into a comatose state. The combination of Suboxone and alcohol increases the risk of overdose. The half-life of buprenorphine (Suboxone®) is 36 hours, and it takes around 8 days for a person’s body to be completely free of the medication. That means that buprenorphine (Suboxone®) is still in your body for over a week, and you’re still at risk for complications when you mix it with alcohol.
When Is It Safe to Mix Drugs?
Combining alcohol with Suboxone could slow down brain functions that regulate decision-making. Things you would never do while sober (like having sex with strangers or fighting with your spouse) can seem like good ideas when you’re intoxicated. The use of Suboxone with other CNS depressants and alcohol should always be avoided. Learn what you can expect from us and how to begin treatment right away.
This helpline is answered by Treatment X LLC, an addiction treatment provider with treatment facilities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and California. If you are taking a medication mixing suboxone and alcohol that contains alcohol, it’s important to tell your prescribing physician about all other medications you are taking while using Suboxone. Find out more about oxymorphone, its prescribed use, side effects, and the risk of addiction. There are other reasons someone who’s taking buprenorphine (Suboxone®) might want to turn to alcohol, like life stressors, relaxation, or social engagements.
Types of alcohol-medication interactions
- It’s an effective treatment for OUD, but like any other medication, it requires some lifestyle modifications.
- If you have been combining these substances behind your doctor’s back, then it is time to take action and reassess your treatment program.
- All of these services are accessible in-person and via telemedicine.
- Suboxone, methadone, and naltrexone are similar medications prescribed to inhibit the euphoric effects of opiates in the body.
- Buprenorphine (Suboxone®) can impact your dental health, especially if it’s taken for a long time.
In addition, we know that preventing the use of one substance also helps prevent the use of others. Thus, if an individual uses Suboxone to avoid opioids, they may also spend less time drinking alcohol. Suboxone doesn’t dampen the effect of alcohol like it does with other opioids.
The Dangers of Mixing Suboxone and Alcohol
High blood pressure and strokes can be consequences of heavy drinking. Although it’s only a partial opioid agonist, some people do take buprenorphine recreationally. Sometimes, users will try to increase the effects of the drug by taking more of it. Buprenorphine doesn’t work that way; it produces only mild effects. Compared to actual opioids, there’s an upper limit to the pleasant effects a user can get from using buprenorphine.
Whether you’re concerned about the potential effects of a casual drink or a pattern of alcohol misuse while taking Suboxone, your Ophelia clinical team is here to help. Alcohol can function much the same way, even before someone experiences the social consequences of addiction. The physical dependency starts to have other consequences, including an inability to stop the behavior. You should wait at least 8 days after taking your last dose of buprenorphine (Suboxone®) before drinking alcohol.
Call our helpline today for more information about alcohol abuse and Suboxone, or to find a drug rehab program that offers treatment for Suboxone and alcohol abuse near you. Suboxone is a medication that is safe to use when taken as advised by a prescribing physician or other behavioral healthcare providers. Finally, mixing Suboxone and alcohol can also impair cognitive functioning. This can include problems with memory, attention, and decision-making, which can have a significant impact on a person’s daily life. When Suboxone and alcohol are mixed, it can cause nausea and vomiting in some individuals. This can be due to the fact that both substances can irritate the stomach lining and cause inflammation.
The more alcohol a patient consumes, the greater the risk for alcohol and medication interactions. Universal screening, careful prescribing choices, and patient education can help minimize the risks of combining alcohol with certain medications. Suboxone is a prescription medication that is used to treat opioid addiction. It contains buprenorphine and naloxone, which work together to help prevent withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. However, when Suboxone is mixed with alcohol, it can have serious consequences.
Other medications used in this way include methadone and naltrexone. Beyond the examples noted above, alcohol has the potential to interact negatively with many other commonly prescribed medications. The resources below can help alert you and your patients to important potential risks. In fact, almost all opioid addiction treatment centers discourage the use of alcohol while on Suboxone.
Risks of Mixing Suboxone and Alcohol
The cognitive effects are also likely to get worse, which affects logic and decision-making. Decreased blood flow can also lead to brain damage and increase the risk of intentional self-harm alongside accidentally risky behaviors. Suboxone may lead to dangerous drug interactions when taken with other medications and substances that cause CNS depression. Alcohol can interact with a whole host of other medications, too. Drinking while taking blood thinners can actually cause an increase in bleeding. Seizure medications like Lamictal and Lyrica can interact negatively with alcohol, too.
