5 Myths About Suboxone Treatment for Opioid Addiction
Understand the facts about Suboxone, physical dependence, overdose risk, long-term treatment, and whether counseling is required to start care.
Medically reviewed by Daniel R. Karlin, MD, MA, Chief Medical OfficerPubMedGoogle Scholar
Suboxone contains buprenorphine and naloxone and is prescribed for opioid use disorder. It can help reduce withdrawal and cravings, but misinformation can make treatment harder to understand. Here are five common myths and the facts that matter when choosing care.
1. Taking Suboxone means you are not in recovery
Recovery can include prescribed medication. Buprenorphine helps stabilize opioid receptor activity so a person can work toward goals such as avoiding illicit opioids, caring for family, and returning to daily routines. CDC recommends offering evidence-based medications for opioid use disorder. CDC: Treating opioid use disorder
Physical dependence means the body has adapted to a substance and withdrawal may occur when it stops. Addiction involves a problematic pattern of use despite harm. Developing physical dependence on prescribed buprenorphine does not, by itself, mean treatment has failed or that someone has a new addiction. CDC: Diagnosing opioid use disorder
2. Suboxone cannot be misused
Buprenorphine can be misused or diverted. Naloxone is included to discourage certain forms of misuse, particularly injection, but does not eliminate every risk. Taking someone else's prescription or using a different route can be dangerous.
Use only your prescribed medication, store it securely, and tell your clinician if you are struggling to take it as directed. A practical conversation about cravings, side effects, or access is more useful than hiding a problem. FDA Suboxone prescribing information
3. The ceiling effect makes overdose impossible
Buprenorphine's effects on breathing tend to level off more than those of full opioid agonists. That does not make overdose impossible. Serious respiratory depression can occur, especially with alcohol, benzodiazepines, other sedatives, or exposure in a child or someone without opioid tolerance. FDA Suboxone prescribing information
Keep naloxone available. If someone cannot be awakened or is breathing slowly or not at all, give naloxone if available, call 911, and follow emergency instructions. The naloxone in Suboxone is not a substitute for rescue naloxone. CDC: Responding to an overdose
4. Everyone should stop after a short course
Treatment length depends on clinical benefit, stability, side effects, and patient preference. Some people benefit from years of treatment. A calendar date alone is not a reason to stop.
If you want to discontinue, discuss a gradual, supervised plan and ongoing overdose prevention. Abruptly stopping can cause withdrawal, and returning to opioids after reduced tolerance increases overdose risk. SAMHSA TIP 63: Medications for opioid use disorder
5. You must complete counseling before receiving medication
Counseling, peer support, and help with housing or other needs can be valuable. However, SAMHSA states that inability to access counseling, or declining it, should not prevent a clinician from prescribing buprenorphine. Support should fit the person's needs. SAMHSA: Waiver elimination
Ask a prospective provider how follow-up works, whom to contact about symptoms, and which services are included. Recovery Delivered offers online Suboxone evaluation and follow-up for eligible patients in supported locations. Prescriptions depend on a clinician's assessment.
Start Suboxone treatment online. Our online Suboxone doctors see patients by video visit. The first visit is $89. Follow-up visits are $50 weekly, $75 every two weeks or $89 monthly. Visits are cash pay, and medication is priced separately.