Suboxone Treatment for Opioid Addiction

Suboxone is a medication used to treat opioid addiction.1 A combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, Suboxone can help reduce opioid misuse in patients receiving treatment for opioid use disorder.⁵

Knowing what Suboxone is and how it may factor into an opioid addiction treatment plan can help prepare you for professional rehabilitation and long-term recovery.  

What Is Suboxone? 

Suboxone is an FDA approved addiction treatment medication that combines buprenorphine (a partial opioid receptor agonist) and naloxone (an opioid antagonist drug).^{1, 2, 3} When taken at therapeutic doses, Suboxone is able to reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings, and diminish the effects of other opioid agonist drugs to be misused while being treated.^{1, 5} 

The buprenorphine part of Suboxone is a partial opioid agonist with high binding affinity for the opioid receptor. It binds tightly, preventing other opioids such as heroin from binding to and activating these receptors. However, as only a partial opioid agonist itself, buprenorphine has a ceiling to its own opioid effects, thereby reducing the risk of potentially dangerous effects like respiratory depression that are otherwise associated with opioid use.⁵ 

Meanwhile, naloxone is widely known as the opioid overdose reversal medication. Naloxone is an opioid receptor antagonist that can block the effects of opioids when taken.⁸ Naloxone is included in the formulation of Suboxone to discourage misuse of the medication. This is because the naloxone portion of Suboxone is very poorly absorbed when taken orally, as intended; however, its opioid blocking effects are uncovered if Suboxone is misused via unintended routes such as injection or snorting. Should this intentional misuse take place, the active naloxone will blunt the opioid effects of buprenorphine, potentially leading to rapid opioid withdrawal in opioid dependent individuals.⁵

Suboxone for Opioid Use Disorders 

Suboxone has since been shown to be effective at improving treatment retention and is attributed to fewer positive drug screens.⁴ The use of Suboxone for opioid addiction, when paired with behavioral counseling, provides the stability needed to focus on addiction recovery.^{1, 4}

When taken as prescribed and appropriately monitored as part of an SUD treatment regimen, Suboxone does not lend itself to misuse.⁴ It is an effective form of treatment for OUD and reduces instances of illicit use compared to treatments without the aid of Suboxone medication.⁵

Side Effects of Suboxone 

There are some possible side effects when using Suboxone for addiction treatment.¹ Some of the more common side effects include:^{1, 6}

• Gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation.
• Increased sweating.
• Temporary loss of oral sensitivity (from sublingual/buccal use).
• Oral mucosal redness/swelling (from sublingual/buccal film).

How Long Is Suboxone Treatment? 

The length of time a person remains in Suboxone treatment is dependent on the patient and their provider.¹ 

However, studies suggest that those who stay in treatment often abstain longer from illicit opioid use and show increasing clinical stability.⁵ While there is no known duration of therapy with buprenorphine (or methadone or extended-release naltrexone), treatment may be continued so long as one is benefitting from it.¹

Long-term treatment outcomes up to 8 years after buprenorphine treatment entry show lower illicit opioid use among those with more time on medication.⁵

Benefits of Suboxone for Opioid Addiction 

There are many benefits of Suboxone for opioid addiction. Suboxone is made up, in part, of buprenorphine, which is one of the medications included on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) list of essential medications.⁵ When combined with behavioral therapy, Suboxone is associated with better treatment outcomes, reduced illicit opioid use, improved treatment retention, reduction of misuse, more negative drug screens, HIV-risk reduction, and reduction in risk of overdose and death.^{4, 5}

Does Insurance Cover Suboxone Treatment? 

Since the passing of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, insurance providers are required to provide some coverage for medically necessary treatment, such as mental health and substance use disorders.⁷ Insurance coverage for addiction treatment may vary among different insurance providers, so it is important to check with treatment staff to determine your eligibility for coverage. 

Opioid Addiction Treatment at AdCare 

AdCare can help people find recovery from opioid addiction. There are AdCare rehab centers in Rhode Island and Massachusetts that can assist with overcoming OUD. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, call to discuss treatment options, rehab payment options, and begin the rehab admissions process.