Mixing Suboxone & Alcohol | Effects & Risks

Suboxone is a prescription drug used to treat opioid use disorder (also called opioid addiction). When taken as prescribed, it can ease opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

Unfortunately, some people abuse Suboxone by mixing it with alcohol. This practice poses serious health risks. 

What Is Suboxone?

Suboxone is the brand name for a combination medication that consists of two different medicines: buprenorphine and naloxone. 

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. That means it activates the same opioid receptors as other opioids but to a lesser extent. 

In other words, it produces the same effects as other opioids, such as relaxation and lack of pain, but in a much milder way. Still, because it’s an opioid, it reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings in people who are physically dependent on opioids and trying to quit.

Naloxone 

Naloxone is an opioid antagonist. That means it attaches to opioid receptors and blocks the effects of other opioids. It’s intended to prevent people from abusing Suboxone. When prescribed by itself (usually under the brand name Narcan), it’s used to reverse opioid overdoses. 

Side Effects

Common side effects of Suboxone include:

• drowsiness
• dizziness
• nausea and vomiting
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping
• sweating
• blurry vision
• headache
• back pain
• constipation
• irregular heartbeat 

Like other opioids, Suboxone can also cause respiratory depression (slow or shallow breathing). If you or someone you know experiences this effect, seek emergency medical care right away.

What Happens When You Mix Suboxone & Alcohol?

When you mix Suboxone and any type of alcohol, you’re more likely to experience the following health problems:

Central Nervous System Depression

Both Suboxone and alcohol are central nervous system (CNS) depressants. That means they slow down central nervous system functions, such as breathing and heart rate.

When you take more than one CNS depressant at a time, your central nervous system may slow down to a dangerous degree. You may then experience health problems such as:

• extreme drowsiness
• confusion 
• poor judgment
• slurred speech
• memory problems
• impaired motor control 

Alcohol Poisoning

Central nervous system depression increases your risk of alcohol poisoning (also called alcohol overdose). Common signs of alcohol poisoning include:

• slow or irregular breathing
• slow or irregular heart rate
• pale, bluish, or clammy skin
• extremely low body temperature 
• seizures
• loss of consciousness

Seek medical help immediately if you or someone you know experiences these symptoms. When left untreated, alcohol poisoning can lead to brain damage or death.

Opioid Use Disorder

Opioid use disorder (also called opioid addiction) is a disease that makes you feel unable to stop using opioids. Common symptoms include:

• falling behind at work or school due to opioid use
• experiencing strong cravings for opioids
• losing interest in activities once enjoyed
• needing increasingly larger or more frequent amounts of opioids to feel the desired effects (also called tolerance)
• experiencing withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety or sweating, when you don’t use opioids (also called physical dependence)

Usually, opioid use disorder starts with opioid abuse. Opioid abuse occurs when you use an opioid in a manner not prescribed by a health care provider. 

For example, you might take it more frequently than prescribed, take a higher dose than prescribed, or mix it with other substances (including alcohol). 

Risk Of Heroin Abuse

When you’re addicted to Suboxone or another prescription opioid, your doctor will likely stop filling your prescription at some point. 

If this happens and you can’t access the drug any other way, you may be tempted to try heroin. That’s because heroin is generally much cheaper and more accessible than prescription opioids. Unfortunately, long-term heroin use can lead to problems such as:

• abscesses
• collapsed veins from injecting the drug
• damaged nasal tissue from sniffing or snorting the drug
• infection of the heart lining and valves
• pneumonia and other lung issues
• liver damage
• kidney damage

In addition, when you buy heroin off the street, it may contain additives, inducing fentanyl. Fentanyl is an extremely powerful opioid that’s been involved in numerous overdose deaths. 

Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol use disorder (also called alcohol addiction) is a disease that makes you feel unable to stop drinking alcohol. Common signs of alcohol use disorder include:

• drinking more or for longer than intended
• experiencing personal or professional problems due to alcohol use
• experiencing strong cravings for alcohol
• needing increasingly larger or more frequent amounts of alcohol to feel the desired effects (also called tolerance)
• experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you don’t use alcohol (also called physical dependence)

When you have alcohol use disorder, you face a high risk of long-term health problems such as:

• high blood pressure, heart disease, or stroke
• liver damage
• depression and anxiety
• memory problems
• weakened immune system
• cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, liver, colon, and rectum

In most cases, alcohol use disorder starts with alcohol abuse. One of the most popular forms of alcohol abuse is drinking alcohol while using other substances, including Suboxone. 

If you or a loved one struggles with Suboxone or alcohol abuse, please contact an Ark Behavioral Health specialist. Our addiction treatment programs offer medical detox, mental health counseling, and other services to help you thrive.