Dangers of Suboxone Mixing Suboxone and Alcohol

In other words, while Suboxone works to reduce the likelihood of an overdose, when combined with alcohol, this may no longer be the case. Additionally, the combination of these two substances can actually cause overdoses at lower doses than would be typical when taking either one alone. Both Suboxone and alcohol can cause liver damage, so abusing these two drugs together greatly increases the risk of cirrhosis and liver failure. Liver damage is noticeable when a person develops jaundice (yellowing of the whites of the eyes or the skin). Buprenorphine engages with the same receptors as opioids, but it doesn’t produce the same high.

A large number of medications warn you about the dangers of mixing them with alcohol and Suboxone is no different. However, the results of mixing Suboxone and alcohol are often more dangerous than many other combinations. Suboxone has been a gamechanger for many patients, and mixing it with alcohol is simply not worth the risk.

Alcohol Withdrawal Detox

Outpatient detoxification and rehabilitation programs deliver better outcomes because they incorporate the patient’s living environment into treatment from day one. Call one of our treatment experts today to learn about the most suitable outpatient program for your personal needs. Suboxone®, a medication used for opioid dependence, can cause adverse effects on the respiratory and central nervous systems when combined with alcohol. To make informed decisions about your health, it is crucial to understand the potential dangers of taking Suboxone and alcohol together.

Xanax and Alcohol: A Deadly Combination You Should Avoid

Sometimes, people need to be prescribed medications to assist in their recovery journey. It can make people feel buzzy and energized when they first take a drink. This substance has a depressant effect on the central nervous system. In some cases, people may become dependent on Suboxone in a way that isn’t healthy. It may become a part of the opioid use disorder instead of a treatment for it. That’s part of the reason people who use this medication are monitored closely and why they’re advised to participate in one-on-one therapy and in support groups.

Outpatient Drug Treatment Recall the first time you experimented with drugs or alcohol! The only drugs you should be taking with Suboxone are those you need for health reasons that you know are safe. Despite the risks and warnings, if you still abuse alcohol and Suboxone, monitor your breathing carefully. Alcohol abuse can lead to a number of problems, both minor and major, on its own. It affects judgment, something that is concerning if you are at risk for abusing drugs.

Mixing these two substances can cause damage to the liver and lead to liver disease. This can have serious long-term consequences for a person’s overall health. It is important to seek medical attention immediately if you or someone you know is experiencing any of these effects as a result of mixing Suboxone and alcohol.

Can You Overdose on Suboxone?

Additionally, alcohol can increase the effects of Suboxone, making it more potent and increasing the risk of overdose. Addiction and dependence aren’t limited to one substance at a time, so an alcohol use disorder can put someone at risk for another drug dependency, which is known as polysubstance abuse. Although Suboxone is formulated to limit its abuse potential, the body can become dependent on having a certain amount present to achieve the desired results. This might sound like a drawback to using any substance, even a medication, but that belief tends to be rooted in stigma surrounding drug use in general. Suboxone is a combination of the drugs buprenorphine and naloxone.

Mental Health Resources

Whether you are struggling with addiction, mental health or both, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way. Don’t wait— reach out today to take the first step toward taking control of your life. By Ayesha Gulzar, PharmDAyesha Gulzar is a clinical pharmacist interested in medical research, pharmacy practice, and medication therapy management.

Suboxone and Alcohol Overdose Poisoning Risks:

Even a small amount of alcohol while taking Suboxone can lead to lethargy, impaired judgment, intense cravings for opioids and unconsciousness. Chronic combined use has severe and even potentially fatal consequences. Thankfully, there are medications available to treat opioid addiction. It’s used as replacement therapy to help wean addicts off heroin and other opioids.

While alcohol is legal to consume in the US if the person is at least 21 years old, it is also one of the most widely abused drugs. Millions of people have changed their relationship with substances, cut back on how much they’re using, or stopped using altogether. This website will help you find the resources, support, and community to create your own path. You may face challenges along the way, but combining the power of hope with practical guidance and tools, you’ll be taking steps towards better health.

• They’ll connect you with resources to address problem drinking behavior and keep you on track with ongoing OUD treatment.
• Thanks to the safety of this drug – especially in contrast to other treatments like Methadone – it tends to have a high success rate.
• Both scenarios create life-threatening risks as alcohol with Xanax is dangerous regardless of the order consumed; neither approach is safer than the other.
• The collision of Xanax and alcohol in your system triggers immediate physiological chaos that unfolds within minutes of consumption.

Living with anxiety doesn’t require risking your life with Xanax and alcohol combinations. Multiple safer approaches exist that address anxiety without dangerous interactions. The brain’s frontal lobe—responsible for weighing consequences—gets overwhelmed first. You’ll suddenly find logical thinking replaced by impulsivity that feels entirely reasonable at the moment. Crossing paths with Xanax and alcohol creates a perilous cocktail few recognize until they’ve stumbled past the point of safety. These drugs amplify their effects, therefore producing a deadly combination that overcomes your body’s natural defenses.

With 17 years of relevant experience, she has helped several clients in their journey to recovery from addiction. If you or someone you know seems to be experiencing dangerous symptoms of any kind, call 911 immediately. Most areas have Good Samaritan laws that will protect you from penalty if you call 911 for help after an overdose.

Suboxone works as a partial opioid agonist (weak opioid) and locks itself onto the brain’s opioid receptors. This mechanism helps alleviate withdrawal symptoms, lower cravings, and prevent other potent opioids from interacting with opioid receptors in the brain. Beyond the acute dangers of mixing Suboxone with alcohol, the use of both substances can also cause chronic health issues, including higher drug tolerance, dependence, and substance abuse.

It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. 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. ChoicePoint aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use disorder and mental health issues.

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. If you are taking Suboxone, please be aware that even one drink is not worth the risk during your treatment. Beer, wine or liquor mixed with Suboxone risk your health, disrupt the treatment process and keep the reward pathways to the brain open. If you are mixing other substances of abuse while on Suboxone, you may need to seek treatment.

If the neurons located in the brain stem are impacted, the user may become comatose. I have been doing the sessions for the last few weeks and it has been a life changer experience. They will educate you on ABC Medication, breathing technique and nutrition. However, there is potential for serious side effects when combined. This is because their effects become enhanced when taken together.

Compared to these many downsides, there are few pleasant effects when mixing these drugs. Whenever a doctor prescribes an opioid to someone, they are supposed to advise them not mixing suboxone and alcohol to use it with alcohol. This is very important due to the depressant effects of both of these substances.

Long-Term Effects of Mixing Suboxone and Alcohol

Benadryl is a potent first-generation antihistamine that crosses the blood-brain barrier, a protective filter that helps keep harmful substances from reaching the brain. It works on the CNS by slowing it down to block the effects of histamine, a chemical released by the immune system that causes allergy symptoms. However, this depression of the CNS may result in drowsiness, sedation, and lack of mental alertness. Yes, even a single drink while on Xanax can trigger dangerous respiratory depression in some individuals, especially those with no tolerance or certain medical conditions.