This may lead to harmful and dangerous levels of alcohol consumption and Suboxone abuse. Physical consequences can mixing suboxone and alcohol include liver failure, pancreatic or liver cancer, heart disease, and stomach ulcers. The helpline at AddictionResource.net is available 24/7 to discuss the treatment needs of yourself or a loved one. This helpline is answered by Treatment X LLC, an addiction treatment provider with treatment facilities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and California. Changes to heart rate can eventually produce chronic problems, too. These are related to decreased blood flow over a long period of time.

• In essence, they each make the side effects of the other drug worse.
• Furthermore, the naloxone in Suboxone may lead to severe withdrawal symptoms.
• Our uniformed professionals treatment program may be appropriate in those situations.
• 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.
• These cognitive impacts can be especially harmful if they lead a person into other dangerous situations.
• Instead, people who mix these substances often experience stronger intoxication symptoms while drinking an amount they once considered safe.

Exploring Optimal Approaches to Treat Addiction to Alcohol or Drugs

This can have serious long-term consequences for a person’s overall health. These risks extend to those who abuse Suboxone together witph other CNS depressants and medications that cause sedation. Because alcohol and Suboxone act as CNS depressants, taking them together will cause the side effects of both drugs to increase in intensity. Side effects caused by Suboxone may increase when the drug is taken with other substances that cause sedation, including alcohol. Suboxone is a narcotic painkiller medication used to treat drug abuse involving opioids and heroin. Mixing alcohol with Suboxone increases the risk of accidental opioid overdose due to its complementary effects on the central nervous system.

Side Effects of Mixing Suboxone With Depressants

One of the most pressing dangers of mixing Suboxone with alcohol is the risk of experiencing an overdose. This is a serious condition that can be life-threatening with emergency treatment. Some people will go so far as to mix alcohol and Suboxone for long periods of time. For example, both alcohol and Suboxone depress the respiratory system.

Why Drinking Alcohol on Suboxone® is Ill-Advised

If you are mixing other substances of abuse while on Suboxone, you may need to seek treatment. Even after an individual has lost consciousness due to drinking, the body may still be absorbing alcohol in the stomach and small intestine. Alcohol use disorder is the most common substance use problem seen in the U.S.

Therapy Types

• Contact Futures today to speak with a compassionate and highly trained admissions counselor for more detailed information on the specialized and unique treatment plans we have to offer.
• Adverse reactions mostly include potentially fatal breathing problems, as central nervous system depressants also suppress respiration.
• This can be done by seeking professional help, avoiding triggers that lead to drug and alcohol use, and being mindful of the medications and substances they consume.
• If you are taking a medication that contains alcohol, it’s important to tell your prescribing physician about all other medications you are taking while using Suboxone.
• Long-term alcohol use can lead to issues like hepatitis, liver fibrosis, and even cirrhosis.
• However, that is only the beginning because things can accelerate and run out of control pretty fast.

Healthcare providers are required to warn patients to not use Suboxone and other opiate drugs and take them with alcohol. Alcohol abuse is a commonly abused substance in the United States. Looking for quality substance abuse treatment that’s also affordable? The damage long-term alcohol abuse can do to the mind is no less severe. Chronic alcohol use can lead to memory loss, difficulty thinking clearly, and a form of alcohol-related dementia known as Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome.

Brain chemistry altered through addiction and dependency can be reversed over time, and with the proper treatment. Physical stabilization is the first goal of addiction treatment and may require detox in a safe and secure facility that provides 24-hour medical care and supervision. Recovery, in order to be successful long-term, should also include psychotherapy, such as behavioral therapies and counseling sessions. In addition, support groups may be invaluable at preventing the severity, duration, and frequency of relapse. Buprenorphine engages with the same receptors as opioids, but it doesn’t produce the same high.

What is a Methadone Clinic & How does it Works

Slow breathing deprives brain cells of the oxygen they need to survive and thrive—this is called hypoxia and can cause brain damage. These effects can be intensified when alcohol is consumed in large quantities or when Suboxone is taken in higher doses than prescribed. Contact us today if you are ready to begin your journey to recovery. Our team is available around the clock, so feel free to call us at any time. Learn about naloxone, its usage, storage, and community training in New York state.

While less common with suboxone, combining the two can lead to severely slowed breathing. Both substances are also processed by the liver, and both have sedative effects, which can impair coordination and judgment. For instance, suboxone can cause nausea, drowsiness, insomnia, and low blood pressure. These are all also side effects of alcohol, especially when taken in excess. The effects of suboxone and alcohol thus can aggravate each other when taken together.

If you ever find yourself mixing these two substances involuntarily, monitor your breathing carefully and control your alcohol intake. Remember that it takes some time before the alcohol is fully absorbed into your bloodstream, which makes it easy to consume much more than what you intended. If you are abusing any of these substances, it is clear that you need urgent treatment, especially if you were using Suboxone to treat opioid overuse disorder. If you have been combining these substances behind your doctor’s back, then it is time to take action and reassess your treatment program. If you’ve been drinking heavily for a while, consult a physician before you suddenly stop drinking.