Suboxone is a synthetic opioid made by combining two different drugs – buprenorphine and naloxone. Like methadone, Suboxone is a medication-assisted treatment that’s prescribed to help people overcome addiction to other opioid drugs, such as heroin and morphine. The drug works by preventing withdrawal symptoms and by lessening the euphoric effects of opioids, making it easier for people who are addicted to get clean.
Although Suboxone is very effective therapeutically, the drug is still dependent-forming and addictive, so there is a potential for abuse, especially among people who don’t currently have an opioid addiction.
In 2012, doctors in America wrote 3 million prescriptions for drugs that contain buprenorphine, like Suboxone, and in the previous year, there were more than 21,000 visits to emergency rooms around the country because of nonmedical buprenorphine use.
Physical Signs & Symptoms of Suboxone Abuse
There are many physical symptoms of Suboxone abuse that people can watch for to determine if there’s an issue:
- Track marks on the arms
- Infections or bruising around injection sites
- Sudden weight gain or loss
- Other drug paraphernalia around the house
- Getting sick more frequently
- Contracting a bloodborne (such as HIV or hepatitis) illness from needle-sharing
- Constricted or pinpoint pupils
Psychological and Behavioral Signs & Symptoms of Suboxone Abuse
Beyond the physical signs of Suboxone abuse, there are also behavioral changes that are very noticeable in people who are misusing or addicted. There are also many behavioral and psychological Suboxone misuse signs and symptoms, including:
- Missing work or school, or being late frequently
- Spending a lot of money on drugs or getting into financial trouble
- Stealing or borrowing money or valuables
- Neglecting hygiene, personal appearance, and health
- Visiting multiple doctors to obtain more Suboxone prescriptions
- Getting in trouble with the law
- Social isolation or changing friend circles
- No longer caring about hobbies and passions
- Stealing drugs from medicine cabinets
- Lying, keeping secrets, and being defensive about behavior and actions
Side Effects of Suboxone Abuse
Suboxone is a combination of two different drugs, and each of these drugs has its own list of potential side effects. The first component of Suboxone is buprenorphine, which is a synthetic drug that produces effects similar to other opioids, such as euphoria, and this helps to mitigate the symptoms of withdrawal. The other component is naloxone, and this drug blocks the effects of opioid drugs, which is why Suboxone can be effective at reducing opioid use. Together, these drugs have a number of side effects, including:
- Muscle aches
- Fever
- Cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Sweating
- Drowsiness
- Slurred speech
- Lack of coordination
- Depression
- Respiratory depression
- Mood swings
Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Suboxone Abuse
As with all drugs, Suboxone has a number of both short-term and long-term effects that can impact a person’s life, body, and brain. The most common short-term effects that people experience include:
- Mild euphoria that lasts for about eight hours
- Relaxation
- Decreased stress levels
- Sense of ease and calm
The long-term effects associated with Suboxone abuse, and these are very similar to the effects a person will experience during a Suboxone withdrawal. After prolonged use, some of the most common long-term Suboxone abuse signs include:
- Anxiety and depression
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Chronic constipation
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Low tolerance for pain
- Heart palpitations
- Increased risk of dependence and addiction
- Increased risk of overdose
If you or a loved one is struggling with a Suboxone addiction, call Futures today to get the help you need.
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