While anyone who uses Suboxone or alcohol can be at risk, certain demographics and factors may make individuals more susceptible to this dangerous behavior. For one, alcohol interferes with how the brain operates, causing changes in behavior and mood, as well as limiting one’s ability to move with coordination and think rationally. It has also been linked to many heart-related problems, including high blood pressure, stroke, and irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia).

Effects of Combining Alcohol and Suboxone

In extreme cases, breathing can stop completely and even result in death. Suboxone is prescribed to treat opioid dependence, acute or chronic pain.In most cases, the drug helps to overcome addiction and avoid relapse after treatment. At Right Track Addiction Services, we offer addiction treatment programs tailored to each client’s unique needs.

When combining the two drugs, the effects mixing suboxone and alcohol of each heighten due to double the effect on the central nervous system. Using both drugs greatly increases the chance of diseases like cirrhosis or liver failure. Damage to the liver may become evident when a person starts to become yellow in their eyes and skin. As mentioned earlier, mixing these two drugs can result in drowsiness and decreased awareness.

Can You Overdose After Mixing Alcohol With Suboxone?

Both substances have sedative properties, and their combined use can significantly depress the respiratory system. This respiratory depression can be life-threatening, potentially leading to hypoxia, coma, or even death. The answer is that mixing Suboxone and alcohol can be extremely dangerous and is strongly discouraged. Mixing drugs like Suboxone and alcohol for recreational reasons or due to addiction is polydrug abuse. People who struggle with this condition need medical oversight during detox to prevent relapse and treat cravings.

Mental Health and Loneliness

Understanding the risks of mixing Suboxone and alcohol is critical for anyone involved in the treatment of opioid addiction. The combination of these substances can lead to severe health consequences, including respiratory depression, cognitive impairment, overdose, liver damage, and psychological effects. Taking alcohol with Suboxone® may have serious and potentially deadly consequences. More and more people should be informed about the potential risks and dangers of mixing Suboxone and alcohol. ChoicePoint is a co-occurring addiction treatment rehab that provides a Detox Program to help you safely come off of Suboxone and alcohol addiction.

• Compared to these many downsides, there are few pleasant effects when mixing these drugs.
• At normal doses, it may be safe, but Tylenol is processed by the liver, and so is alcohol.
• Sometimes, you may take alcohol involuntary due to a pre-existing addiction.
• Mixing Suboxone and alcohol can also lead to respiratory depression, which can be life-threatening.

Many people know about the long-term negative consequences of heavy alcohol use. Long-term alcohol use can lead to issues like hepatitis, liver fibrosis, and even cirrhosis. However, alcohol can also negatively impact other systems in the body. High blood pressure and strokes can be consequences of heavy drinking.

Trent Carter, FNP-BC, CARN-AP, is a seasoned nurse practitioner with over a decade of experience in addiction medicine. If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please contact at All Addiction Resource content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible. Alcohol is a substance that depresses activity in the central nervous system, which consists of the brain and spinal cord.

• Taken together, especially intravenously, Suboxone and alcohol intensify each other’s effects and can wreak havoc on your respiratory system and mental state.
• 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.
• This blog post will explore five potential risks of combining these substances together.
• The combination can also put substantial stress on major organs like the kidney and liver, especially if an individual has abused alcohol in the past.

By prioritizing education, we can empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health and recovery. From there, the individual would start one-on-one therapy and/or group therapy. However, it takes up to 8 days for it to completely clear from the body. As such, it is not recommended you have alcohol until 8 days after you have completed treatment to avoid side effects. It is strongly advised that opiate drugs should not be mixed with alcohol.

Sometimes, you may take alcohol involuntary due to a pre-existing addiction. Your doctor will work with you to ensure you withdraw from alcohol use and focus on your Suboxone treatment. If you ever mix Suboxone with alcohol, the first thing you need to do is call 911. Don’t call your substance treatment center because they may not be able to send emergency services to your location promptly. Combining Suboxone and alcohol can significantly affect your breathing rate leading to an increased risk of suffering a cardiac arrest.

This can be due to the fact that both substances can irritate the stomach lining and cause inflammation. In some cases, this can lead to dehydration, which can further exacerbate the symptoms. Affordable and personalized virtual care for opioid addiction, weight loss, and urgent health needs. Remember, recovery is a learning process; one slip doesn’t define your success.

Suboxone, on the other hand, can cause a decrease in blood pressure, which can further exacerbate the problem. It is also important to mention that those who drink alcohol while taking Suboxone® are most likely doing so against the clinical provider’s advice, some even secretly. Beyond the physical side effects of consuming alcohol, there is also the risk of using alcohol as a substitute for the opioid addiction from which you are trying to recover.

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We know that everyone is different, and everyone came to their problem differently. They may have negative and highly stressful experiences on the job. Our uniformed professionals treatment program may be appropriate in those situations. Women sometimes share common stressful experiences that men don’t understand quite as well. Or, women who have been assaulted by men in the past may not be comfortable sharing with them. Educational campaigns, informational materials, and training programs can help spread awareness and reduce the incidence of adverse interactions.

Anyone taking Suboxone as part of a substance abuse treatment program should avoid alcohol as it can lead to serious interactions, relapse, and overdose. We recognize that navigating social situations involving alcohol while taking Suboxone can be challenging, but it’s essential to take necessary precautions. Education and awareness are key components in preventing the dangerous combination of Suboxone and alcohol.

Opioids can cause constipation, and this is an issue when mixing these drugs, too. 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 to use it with alcohol. This is very important due to the depressant effects of both of these substances.