For many individuals struggling with opioid addiction, Suboxone offers a lifeline. This prescribed medication reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms associated with long-term opioid use. In turn, it has helped many people on the road toward recovery.
However, substance abuse recovery can be complex. Despite seeking treatment for an opioid addiction, some may continue to use alcohol. And when combined with Suboxone, this can be very dangerous—even leading to life-threatening issues.
When it comes down to it, both Suboxone and alcohol act as depressants on the central nervous system (CNS). This means they both slow breathing and heart rates—which, when these two substances are combined, can lead to respiratory depression or even a coma. Below, we explore the dangers of combining Suboxone and alcohol in further detail.
How Suboxone and Alcohol Interact
When it comes to mixing substances, few combinations are as dangerous as Suboxone and alcohol. Both substances significantly affect the brain and body, but their interaction can lead to unpredictable and harmful results. Suboxone contains two active ingredients:
- Buprenorphine: Buprenorphine acts as a partial opioid agonist. This means that it produces a milder opioid effect, helping to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
- Naloxone: Naloxone, an opioid antagonist, blocks the effects of opioids, which can prevent overdosing.
In contrast, alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that affects multiple neurotransmitter systems in the brain, particularly GABA, glutamate, and dopamine. This results in the typical symptoms experienced or seen with alcohol intoxication, such as reduced anxiety, impaired judgment, slowed reflexes, and decreased coordination.
So, what happens when these two substances are combined?
Together, Suboxone and alcohol amplify each other’s effects. For instance, they both work to lower respiratory rates, but combined, these substances can lead to severe and life-threatening respiratory depression. Individuals may further experience:
- Sedation
- Confusion
- Extreme drowsiness
- And more.
Generally, it’s advised not to mix Suboxone and alcohol. If your doctor prescribed Suboxone, they will recommend you abstain from alcohol during this time due to these potentially life-threatening side effects.
Health Risks of Combining Suboxone and Alcohol
The health risks of combining suboxone and alcohol should never be overlooked. In fact, adding alcohol into the mix can make the use of Suboxone obsolete. In other words, while Suboxone works to reduce the likelihood of an overdose, when combined with alcohol, this may no longer be the case. Additionally, the combination of these two substances can actually cause overdoses at lower doses than would be typical when taking either one alone.
Then, there’s the damage this could cause to your liver—an organ necessary for over 500 functions within the human body. Both substances must be metabolized through the liver. And this can place unnecessary stress on the liver, even leading to acute liver damage. With long-term use of either substance, this can further evolve into chronic liver disease.
The combination of Suboxone and alcohol also impairs motor function and cognition. This can lead to poor decision-making and increase your risk of accidents, including motor vehicle accidents, falls, or household injuries (such as burns or cuts).
Lastly, most people know that long-term alcohol use has various health hazards linked to it. Commonly talked about health risks associated with alcohol further include:
- Increased risk of cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- Nervous system damage
- Pancreatitis
- Mental health issues
The World Health Organization (WHO) further goes as far as to say that “no level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health.” In other words, even small amounts can have various risks.
Seeking Help and Alternatives
If you or a loved one is combining Suboxone and alcohol, know that recovery is entirely within your grasp. Understanding the dangers associated with this combination is the first step. Next is seeking out the medical help you need and taking positive steps forward toward recovery. Together, we can find what works for you, guiding you toward a healthier and happier life where alcohol or other substances aren’t holding you back.
References:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325827
https://www.drugs.com/suboxone.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4712074/
https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/alcohol/the-risks-of-drinking-too-much/
