If you’re considering Suboxone for opioid addiction, you’ve probably heard conflicting information. Some people say it’s a lifesaver. Others say it’s just trading one addiction for another.
So what’s the truth? Can you get addicted to Suboxone?
The Short Answer
Suboxone creates physical dependence, but that is not the same thing as addiction. Dependence means your body adapts to the medication and you’ll experience withdrawal if you stop suddenly, similar to blood pressure medications or antidepressants. Addiction, on the other hand, involves compulsive use, loss of control, and continued use despite negative consequences. When taken as prescribed, Suboxone reduces cravings and overdose risk without producing the destructive behavioral patterns of opioid addiction. Major medical organizations including SAMHSA and the American Medical Association recognize medication-assisted treatment as the gold standard for opioid use disorder.
What Is Suboxone and How Does It Work?
Suboxone is a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. It contains two active ingredients:
Buprenorphine — A partial opioid agonist that reduces cravings and prevents withdrawal symptoms without producing the intense high of drugs like heroin or fentanyl. Because it’s a partial agonist, it has a “ceiling effect”, after a certain dose, taking more doesn’t increase the effects, which significantly lowers the risk of misuse and overdose.
Naloxone — An opioid blocker that discourages misuse. If someone tries to inject Suboxone, the naloxone triggers immediate withdrawal.
Together, these ingredients help people stop using dangerous opioids while managing the physical symptoms of addiction. Suboxone is taken as a daily film or tablet that dissolves under the tongue.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that medications like buprenorphine are the most effective way to treat opioid use disorder, reducing the likelihood of overdose death by up to three-fold.
Dependence vs. Addiction: Why the Difference Matters
This is where most confusion comes from. People use “dependence” and “addiction” interchangeably, but they’re not the same thing.
Physical dependence means your body has adapted to a substance. If you stop taking it suddenly, you’ll experience withdrawal symptoms. This happens with many medications, including blood pressure meds, antidepressants, and yes, Suboxone.
Addiction is a behavioral pattern characterized by compulsive use despite negative consequences, loss of control over use, cravings that dominate your thoughts, and continued use even when it’s destroying your life.
With Suboxone, most people experience physical dependence but NOT the behavioral patterns of addiction. They take their medication as prescribed, go to work, care for their families, and live normal lives.
That’s very different from the cycle of opioid addiction.
Myth: Suboxone Is Just Trading One Addiction for Another
This is the most common misconception, and it stops people from getting treatment that could save their lives.
The reality: Suboxone is a medication, like insulin for diabetes. It treats a medical condition. Taking it as prescribed is not the same as abusing street drugs.
Consider the difference: heroin causes intense highs and lows, carries overdose risk, and leads to chaotic behavior. Suboxone provides stable relief without euphoria, dramatically lowers overdose risk, and allows normal functioning.
People on Suboxone hold jobs, maintain relationships, and rebuild their lives. That’s not addiction, that’s recovery.
Myth: You’ll Be on Suboxone Forever
Some people do take Suboxone long-term, and that’s okay. Others taper off successfully after months or years of stability.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The goal of treatment is to help you live a healthy, stable life, not to rush you off medication before you’re ready.
At MindWell, we work with each patient individually to determine the right timeline. Some people benefit from long-term maintenance. Others successfully taper when they’ve built enough stability and coping skills.
The decision is yours, made in partnership with your provider.
Myth: Suboxone Isn’t “Real” Recovery
This myth comes from an outdated belief that recovery means being completely substance-free. But addiction medicine has evolved.
Major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, the CDC, and SAMHSA, recognize medication-assisted treatment (MAT) as the gold standard for opioid addiction. It’s evidence-based and saves lives.
People who judge MAT as “not real recovery” are often repeating stigma, not science.
Real recovery means not using dangerous substances, functioning in daily life, rebuilding health and relationships, and moving forward instead of backward. Suboxone helps people do all of these things.
It’s Okay to Feel Conflicted About Taking Suboxone
If you’re hesitant about starting Suboxone, that’s completely understandable. The stigma around medication-assisted treatment is real, and it can feel like you’re being judged from all sides, by people who think you should just “tough it out” and by others who think any medication means you’re not truly sober.
Here’s what matters: you’re trying to get better. You’re looking for answers. That alone takes courage.
The people who recover aren’t the ones who do it the “right” way according to someone else’s standards. They’re the ones who find what works for them and stick with it. If Suboxone is part of that path, there’s nothing to be ashamed of.
Fact: Suboxone Has Real, Measurable Benefits
When used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, Suboxone reduces cravings significantly, prevents painful withdrawal symptoms, lowers the risk of overdose death, allows people to focus on therapy and life changes, and is safer than continued opioid use.
It’s not a magic cure, you still need to do the work of recovery. But it gives you a stable foundation to build on.
Fact: Suboxone Works Best With Comprehensive Care
Medication alone isn’t enough for most people. The best outcomes happen when Suboxone is combined with therapy or counseling, treatment for co-occurring mental health conditions, and ongoing support and monitoring.
At MindWell, we treat the whole person, not just the addiction. Many people struggling with opioids also have underlying depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Treating these conditions together leads to better outcomes.
We also offer genetic testing to help determine which medications are most likely to work for you, so treatment decisions are guided by your biology, not guesswork.
Is Suboxone Right for You?
Suboxone isn’t for everyone. The best way to know if it’s right for you is to talk with a provider who specializes in addiction medicine.
A psychiatric evaluation can help determine whether MAT is appropriate for your situation, what underlying mental health conditions might be present, and what comprehensive treatment plan will give you the best chance at recovery.
Suboxone Treatment at MindWell
At MindWell Psychiatric Services in Las Vegas, we offer Suboxone treatment as part of our medication-assisted treatment program.
What you can expect: a comprehensive evaluation to understand your full picture, a personalized treatment plan that addresses addiction and mental health, ongoing medication management and support, same-day appointments available for cash-pay patients, and confidential, judgment-free care.
You don’t have to keep struggling. Recovery is possible, and Suboxone might be part of your path.
Contact MindWell Psychiatric Services to learn more about our Suboxone treatment program.
FAQs
Is Suboxone the same as methadone?
No. While both treat opioid use disorder, they work differently. Methadone is a full opioid agonist that must be dispensed at a federally regulated clinic, often requiring daily visits. Suboxone contains buprenorphine, a partial agonist with a ceiling effect that makes it safer and allows it to be prescribed by qualified providers for use at home. Many people prefer Suboxone because it offers more flexibility and independence during treatment.
How long do you take Suboxone?
There’s no universal timeline. Some people take Suboxone for several months, others for years, and some benefit from long-term maintenance. The right duration depends on your individual situation, stability, and recovery progress. Tapering should always be done gradually and under medical supervision, never abruptly.
Can you overdose on Suboxone?
Overdose on Suboxone alone is rare due to buprenorphine’s ceiling effect. However, combining Suboxone with sedatives like benzodiazepines, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants significantly increases the risk. This is why it’s critical to take Suboxone only as prescribed and to be transparent with your provider about all substances you’re using.
Does Suboxone show up on a drug test?
Standard drug tests typically screen for common opioids and will not detect buprenorphine. However, specialized tests that specifically look for buprenorphine can detect it. If you’re in a treatment program or subject to workplace testing, let your provider know so they can provide documentation of your prescription.
What happens if you stop taking Suboxone suddenly?
topping Suboxone abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms including anxiety, muscle aches, insomnia, nausea, and cravings. While Suboxone withdrawal is generally less severe than withdrawal from heroin or fentanyl, it can still be very uncomfortable and increase the risk of relapse. Always work with your provider to taper gradually.
Can you take Suboxone while pregnant?
Buprenorphine is considered one of the safer options for treating opioid use disorder during pregnancy, and untreated opioid addiction carries far greater risks to both mother and baby. However, this is a decision that should be made with your provider based on your specific medical situation. MindWell can help you evaluate your options if this applies to you.
