More and more Americans are struggling with addiction and dependence on opioids, both prescription and non-prescription. There are currently very few better treatment options than suboxone, which our psychiatric team can provide for those with opioid use disorder.
Suboxone is a prescription medication commonly used in the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). It combines two ingredients – buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist, and naloxone, an opioid antagonist included primarily to deter misuse. Suboxone is considered one of the most effective tools available for long-term recovery support.
In other words, suboxone is, itself, an opioid – a partial one, at least.
When you’re in the process of recovering from other opioids, such as heroin, oxycodone, and fentanyl, we’re looking to try to break the cycle and prevent use and misuse in the future. But if suboxone contains an opioid, does it have any addictive qualities?
Let’s talk about it.
What Makes Suboxone Different From Full Opioids
Suboxone may be an opioid, but it is only a “partial” opioid. It is not the same as other opioids available. Suboxone is primarily used to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms in individuals who are dependent on opioids. It accomplishes this through the action of buprenorphine, which binds to the same receptors in the brain as other opioids, but with key differences:
- Partial Agonist Activity – Buprenorphine activates the mu-opioid receptor, but only to a limited extent. This produces enough stimulation to prevent withdrawal symptoms and cravings, but not enough to generate the intense euphoria associated with full opioid agonists.
- Ceiling Effect – The drug has a pharmacological limit to its effects. Even at higher doses, there is a plateau beyond which taking more buprenorphine will not increase its opioid effect. This significantly reduces overdose risk and limits potential for abuse.
- Naloxone Deterrent – The naloxone component is not active when Suboxone is taken as prescribed (sublingually). However, if someone attempts to inject it to achieve intoxication, the naloxone becomes active and blocks the opioid effect, triggering withdrawal instead of euphoria.
These properties are designed to allow the medication to meet the physical and neurological needs of individuals recovering from opioid use, without reinforcing the reward cycle that contributes to substance misuse.
Dependence vs. Addiction
It is important to distinguish between physical dependence and addiction when discussing Suboxone. Long-term use of any opioid agonist, including buprenorphine, can lead to physiological dependence, meaning that abruptly stopping the medication may result in withdrawal symptoms. This is a medically expected outcome and not, by itself, a sign of addiction.
Addiction, from a clinical standpoint, is defined by a set of behavioral criteria, including:
- Compulsive drug-seeking behavior
- Continued use despite harm
- Loss of control over usage
- Significant disruption to responsibilities or relationships
In clinical settings, Suboxone is not associated with this pattern of compulsive use. In fact, studies consistently show that patients on Suboxone often regain control over their lives, improve functioning, and show reduced risk of relapse.
Can Suboxone Be Misused?
While Suboxone has a much lower misuse potential than full opioids, it is not entirely immune to being taken improperly. Some individuals may misuse it to self-manage withdrawal symptoms when other opioids are unavailable. In rare cases, people without a history of opioid dependence may attempt to use it recreationally, although the resulting effects are typically weak and unpleasant.
When prescribed and monitored correctly, the way our team does here at Skycloud Mental Health, Suboxone’s structure, delivery method, and clinical context make ongoing misuse unlikely. Medical providers routinely evaluate for signs of non-adherence or diversion as part of treatment planning.
Suboxone as a Long-Term Recovery Tool
Suboxone plays an important role in harm reduction and long-term stabilization for individuals with opioid use disorder. Rather than substituting one addiction for another, it replaces chaotic, high-risk opioid use with a medically managed approach that reduces cravings, blocks the euphoric effects of opioids, and improves treatment retention.
Patients may remain on Suboxone for extended periods under clinical supervision. The goal of treatment is not necessarily to eliminate all opioid receptor activity immediately, but to support functional recovery, reduce overdose risk, and stabilize physical and mental health.
A Controlled Medication With a Low Addiction Profile
While Suboxone contains an opioid-based component, its partial agonist activity, ceiling effect, and the inclusion of naloxone result in a medication with a very low addictive potential when used as prescribed.
It is not considered addictive in the same way as heroin or prescription opioids, and its structured medical use is associated with improved outcomes, not compulsive misuse.
If you or someone you love is struggling with opioid use disorder, please reach out to Skycloud Mental Health, today. We are licensed to prescribe Suboxone is several states, and are available quickly and without a referral.