Suboxone Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
Addiction treatment medications like Suboxone can play an essential role in helping people achieve and sustain recovery from opioid addiction. Keep reading to learn more about using Suboxone for addiction treatment and how to get support if you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction to heroin, painkillers, or synthetic opioids like fentanyl.1,2
What Is Suboxone?
Suboxone sublingual film is an FDA-approved prescription medication containing a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone that is used for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). The combination is also available as a generic formulation in sublingual film and tablet form, and under the brand name Zubsolv in sublingual tablet form.1,3
What Is Suboxone Used For?
Suboxone is used to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms and support ongoing recovery from opioid use disorder (OUD). It helps minimize cravings and discomfort during the initial detox phase and continues to aid in maintaining recovery by reducing cravings and preventing relapse in the longer term.3,4
How Does Suboxone Work?
Suboxone, a combination medication of buprenorphine and naloxone, can effectively treat opioid use disorder (OUD) by reducing opioid cravings and reducing or eliminating withdrawal symptoms without producing the significant euphoria (or “high”) associated with nonmedical use of full opioid agonists.4
Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. This means it binds to opioid receptors but activates them less fully than full opioid agonists like heroin or prescription painkillers. This partial activation is sufficient to significantly reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.4
Importantly, buprenorphine has a ceiling effect, meaning that beyond a certain dose, its opioid effects do not continue to increase. This characteristic contributes to a lower risk of respiratory depression (i.e., slowed or stopped breathing) compared to full opioid agonists, and helps make it a safer medication.4
Buprenorphine’s high affinity for opioid receptors allows it to competitively bind and block the effects of other opioids. This action reduces the rewarding effects of misused opioids, thus lessening the motivation for ongoing misuse. This strong binding, combined with its partial agonist properties and ceiling effect, also contributes to a lower risk of overdose compared to full opioid agonists.4
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist. It binds strongly to opioid receptors and blocks their activation by opioids. Naloxone is included in Suboxone specifically to deter misuse, particularly through injection or snorting.4
When Suboxone is taken sublingually as prescribed, very little naloxone is absorbed into the bloodstream, and it has minimal effect. However, if someone attempts to inject or snort Suboxone, the naloxone will be rapidly absorbed and can precipitate unpleasant opioid withdrawal symptoms in individuals who are physically dependent on opioids.4
This deterrent effect, combined with buprenorphine’s therapeutic actions, makes Suboxone a valuable tool in the treatment of OUD and in supporting individuals in their recovery.4
How Long Does Suboxone Treatment Last?
Suboxone may be taken as long as a person experiences a benefit from using the medication. There is no specific duration or maximum timeframe for Suboxone treatment, and the length of time that a person takes it can vary depending on their unique circumstances and needs.3
Many people successfully manage OUD with ongoing Suboxone maintenance therapy in the long term. Some people may benefit from using the medication indefinitely as a way to help them maintain recovery and adhere to their treatment goals.3
Your doctor or other healthcare provider will work with you to determine the proper length of treatment for your specific situation.4
Benefits of Suboxone for Opioid Addiction
Suboxone, one of three FDA-approved medications for OUD, plays a vital role in facilitating and sustaining recovery.1
Its key benefits include:1,4,5
- Alleviating withdrawal and cravings: Providing relief from the distressing and uncomfortable symptoms that come with reducing opioid use.
- Preventing relapse: By blocking the effects of illicit or misused opioids and reducing the urge to use.
- Enhancing safety: Significantly lowering the risk of overdose, a leading cause of death associated with opioid addiction.
- Improved treatment outcomes: By increasing the likelihood of individuals remaining in treatment and achieving long-term sobriety.
Side Effects of Suboxone
As with most medications, Suboxone can cause certain side effects, though they are often manageable.4
Common side effects can include:3,4
- Stomach issues.
- Mouth irritation.
- Headache.
- Drowsiness.
- Difficulty with attention
- Trouble sleeping.
While the list of potential side effects may seem extensive, most are mild and temporary. It’s important to understand that the benefits of Suboxone far outweigh any potential side effects or downsides, as well as the consequences of ongoing illicit or nonmedical opioid misuse.1,4
Does Insurance Cover Suboxone?
Yes, Suboxone treatment may be covered by your insurance provider, either in full or in part. The Affordable Care Act states that mental health and substance use disorder services are essential health benefits for most private insurance providers.6
Additionally, the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 states that insurance providers need to provide the same level of benefits for mental health and addiction treatment that they do for standard medical or surgical care. This can include the use of Suboxone and other medications for opioid use disorder, as well as more comprehensive rehab services.6
The best way to determine if your insurance plan covers Suboxone is to contact your insurance carrier directly. Alternatively, you can contact us at , and we can help right away for free.
Opioid Rehab in Las Vegas, Nevada
Suboxone is generally offered as a part of a comprehensive treatment plan in combination with other evidence-based forms of treatment, such as counseling and behavioral therapy. Desert Hope, an inpatient rehab in Las Vegas, offers various types of addiction treatment, including evidence-based behavioral therapies and medications for OUD, such as Suboxone.1
If you or someone you love has lost control of their opioid use, we can help you start the path to recovery. At Desert Hope, we will carefully evaluate your needs to create a customized treatment plan that is right for you. This plan may include:
Take charge of your life by calling our free, confidential helpline at to speak with one of our knowledgeable admissions navigators about your treatment options. We can help you start the admissions process, explain more about using insurance to pay for rehab and other ways to cover the cost of treatment, and confirm your insurance coverage.
Recovery awaits. Call today.