Suboxone is used in opiate addiction withdrawal, and detox treatment. It can also be used in a maintenance capacity to reduce relapse risk. Suboxone combines naloxone and buprenorphine. The former works as an opioid receptor antagonist, while the latter works as a partial opioid agonist. Together they help lessen opioid withdrawal symptoms and prevent some of the euphoric effects from other powerful opioids. Suboxone abuse signs include changed behavior and using the drug in a way other than prescribed.

Suboxone Abuse Signs and Symptoms

Distressed person hanging out window dealing with suboxone abuse signsAmong the top Suboxone abuse signs are slowed breathing. Many of those who abuse Suboxone also abuse benzos, which can cause severe respiratory suppression and lead to death. Though it’s typically a little harder to abuse Suboxone compared to other opiates, it can be done. People who do not have a previous opiate addiction can get high using Suboxone, especially if they snort or inject it.

Those who do have a prescription for Suboxone can begin taking more of it than indicated, or they can crush it and snort it, or they can combine it with something else like benzos or alcohol. Both have the potential to be fatal.

A person who abuses Suboxone may show the following symptoms:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Watery eyes
  • Slurred speech
  • Fever
  • Sweating and high blood pressure

Suboxone stays in the body for some time, so symptoms of use may continue for hours after the last use.

Along with the inherent danger of abusing Suboxone, an addiction to the drug can be hard to kick. It has a long half-life and sticks firmly to opiate receptors, which makes tapering off very difficult.

Suboxone Abuse Signs and Health Effects

Long-term abuse of Suboxone can have some negative effects on a person’s health and wellness. Some abusers lose the ability to accept their own emotions, not to mention managing them correctly. High doses of Suboxone can render users completely numb emotionally, so a loss of emotional stability in heavy users comes as no surprise.

Other negative Suboxone side effects in long-term users include a loss of sexual interest, hair loss, and abnormal stress responses. The main danger from Suboxone abuse comes from the addiction potential and how difficult it is to kick once it settles in.

Suboxone overdose from this drug alone tends to be relatively rare, however many abusers combine it with alcohol or benzos, which drastically increases the risk. This combination causes widespread and extreme depression of various bodily functions. Slowed heart rate and breathing represent the most dangerous symptoms.

If you or a loved one experience intermittent blackouts, heavy drowsiness, lack of coordination, slurred speech or vision problems after combining Suboxone with another depressant, you should seek medical help immediately.

Tapering off Suboxone has unique complications. Withdrawal symptoms tend to have a delayed appearance, and these symptoms can drive a user back into abusing the drug. Withdrawal from Suboxone should only take place under experienced medical supervision to keep this from happening.

Treatment for Suboxone Abuse Signs

When you witness Suboxone abuse signs in a loved one, your top priority should be to get them help. Maybe you know that you have descended into Suboxone abuse yourself and want help. At Beaches Recovery in Jacksonville, Florida, we offer both medical detox services to help you safely taper off of Suboxone, but also the highest level of rehab care for a successful recovery.

Beaches Recovery provides you with the tools you need to live a drug-free life, including the following:

Every individual patient has different needs and different situations to cope with. That’s why Beaches Recovery puts a strong emphasis on tailoring treatment plans to each.

Don’t wait for Suboxone abuse signs to turn serious. Get help overcoming this addiction today. Call Beaches Recovery right away at 866.605.0532 to find out how you can regain control of your life and experience sobriety again.