Start Your JourneySuboxone: Understanding Its Role in Treatment and the Risks of Misuse
Suboxone is a prescription medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. When used appropriately, Suboxone is a safe and effective tool for reducing cravings, preventing withdrawal, and supporting long-term recovery. However, like any opioid-based medication, Suboxone also carries the potential for misuse, diversion, and physical dependence when not properly managed.
What Is Suboxone?
Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine (a partial opioid agonist) and naloxone (an opioid antagonist). This combination is designed to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms while discouraging misuse. Naloxone is included to block euphoric effects if the medication is injected rather than taken as prescribed.
Suboxone is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of opioid use disorder and is typically administered as part of a broader behavioral and support-based treatment plan.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), buprenorphine-based medications like Suboxone have been shown to improve treatment retention and reduce the risk of relapse when used under clinical supervision.
Street Names for Suboxone
Although Suboxone is legally prescribed, it is sometimes sold or traded illicitly. Common street names include:
- Subs
- Bupe
- Sobos
- Strips
- Oranges
- Stop Signs
- Boxes
Illicit use is often related to self-detoxing or avoiding withdrawal symptoms, but non-prescribed use can still carry serious health risks.
What Does It Look Like When Someone Is Using Suboxone?
When used as prescribed, Suboxone generally does not cause strong intoxication. However, misuse or combining Suboxone with other substances can lead to noticeable effects or concerning behaviors. Signs of use or misuse may include:
- Drowsiness or sedation
- Constricted pupils
- Slurred speech
- Nausea or dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Confusion or slowed thinking
- Using Suboxone without a prescription
- Missing appointments but continuing to request medication
- Hoarding, trading, or selling doses
Over time, even prescribed Suboxone may cause physical dependence, which is why medically guided tapering and treatment planning are important.
What Does Suboxone and Its Paraphernalia Look Like?
Suboxone is most commonly dispensed in:
- Sublingual strips (film that dissolves under the tongue)
- Sublingual tablets
- Blister packaging or pharmacy containers
- Orange- or peach-colored packaging, depending on the manufacturer
Paraphernalia associated with misuse might include:
- Syringes (if attempting to inject dissolved Suboxone)
- Burned spoons or cotton balls
- Empty packaging or loose strips/tablets hidden from view
- Pill crushers, repurposed pipe clamps with residue or other mixing tools
Some users who purchase Suboxone illicitly may not have documentation of a prescription and may use it as part of self-directed detox.
How Do People Use Suboxone?
Suboxone is intended to be taken once daily as a sublingual film or tablet that dissolves under the tongue. Misuse can occur when individuals:
- Take higher doses than prescribed
- Inject or snort the medication
- Use Suboxone without medical supervision
- Combine with benzodiazepines, alcohol, or other opioids, which increases the risk of respiratory depression
- Crush and ingest the medication for altered or prolonged effects
Even though Suboxone has a lower abuse potential than full opioids, it still carries risks when used improperly.
What Is the Best Way to Quit Suboxone?
Suboxone is an effective recovery tool, but discontinuing it after long-term use can lead to withdrawal. Tapering off Suboxone should always be done under the guidance of a medical provider.
A safe transition plan includes:
- Medically supervised tapering, often done slowly to minimize discomfort
- Therapeutic support to address the emotional and behavioral components of opioid use
- Monitoring for relapse risk during and after tapering
- Development of coping skills and support systems through structured outpatient care
The SAMHSA Treatment Locator can help identify Suboxone providers or detox programs. If you need guidance, Lifeline Recovery and Wellness can assist you in finding trusted medical partners who offer safe and effective tapering services.
What Does the Detox from Suboxone Look Like?
Suboxone withdrawal is generally less intense than withdrawal from short-acting opioids like heroin or fentanyl but can still be uncomfortable and prolonged.
Typical Suboxone Withdrawal Timeline:
- 24–72 hours: Anxiety, chills, restlessness, sweating, and insomnia
- Days 4–7: Nausea, body aches, irritability, diarrhea, and cravings
- Week 2: Depression, fatigue, and continued sleep disruption
- Week 3 and beyond: Psychological symptoms and post-acute withdrawal may linger, especially without support
Due to Suboxone’s long half-life, symptoms may last several weeks, making support from a structured program critical for maintaining progress.
How Lifeline Recovery and Wellness Can Help
At Lifeline Recovery and Wellness, we offer outpatient services for individuals who are transitioning off Suboxone or seeking support while continuing MAT. Whether you are tapering under medical supervision or focusing on relapse prevention after Suboxone use, our team is here to help.
We provide:
- Intensive Outpatient (IOP) and Outpatient (OP) treatment tailored to your recovery needs
- Therapeutic counseling, including CBT, DBT, and trauma-informed care
- Relapse prevention education, life skills training, and structured accountability
- Support for co-occurring mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD
- Care coordination, including communication with prescribing providers or MAT programs
While we do not offer detox or MAT prescribing on-site, we regularly help clients find Suboxone-taper providers and can begin outpatient services within 24 to 72 hours after medical clearance.
If you or someone you love is struggling with Suboxone misuse or ready to transition off medication, contact Lifeline Recovery and Wellness today. We’re here to help you build the next phase of your recovery with structure, dignity, and clinical expertise.
