Opioid recovery is a journey that includes different paths, one of which is medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MAT uses FDA-approved drugs to help people safely and slowly withdraw from opioids. It can alleviate cravings and severe withdrawal symptoms, and is highly effective for preventing opioid overdoses and deaths [1] [2].
Suboxone is one of the common drugs in MAT. It contains buprenorphine, which is a partial opioid agonist, and naloxone, which is an opioid antagonist. Some people worry that MAT replaces one addiction with another, but that is not the case.
Let’s take a closer look at what Suboxone treatment is and how it works in opioid recovery.
What Is Suboxone Treatment?
Suboxone treatment is part of MAT, which is one element of a structured care plan to overcome addictions. Suboxone is used for opioid disorders including:
MAT is not a standalone form of care — it’s used in tandem with evidence-based therapies and wellness activities to heal substance use disorders.
Suboxone is typically given 12–24 hours after the last opioid use, when withdrawal symptoms begin to surface. It’s administered as a tablet placed under the tongue or as dissolvable film placed in the cheek.
Most people in opioid recovery take Suboxone weekly through a residential or outpatient program. 1.5 million people receiving MAT in 2023 were given buprenorphine to treat an opioid use disorder [3].
How Does Suboxone Work?
Suboxone works in two ways: buprenorphine lowers opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms, while naloxone prevents people from abusing Suboxone.
Buprenorphine is a partial opioid antagonist, meaning it binds to opioid receptors in the brain but doesn’t fully activate them. This action means it can reduce cravings and withdrawals without producing the ‘high’ sensation of an opioid.
Cravings are strongly associated with relapse during treatment for opioid addiction. Being able to lower cravings is an important factor for people’s consistent progress in recovery [4].
Naloxone is a full opioid antagonist, so it blocks opioid receptors in the brain. If someone takes more than the prescribed dose of Suboxone or misuses it to achieve a ‘high’, naloxone stops the effect. Naloxone also has a ceiling effect, so beyond a certain dose it won’t produce stronger effects. In Suboxone, that limit is 24 milligrams per day.
Does Suboxone Have Side Effects?
Yes, side effects can arise from Suboxone in MAT. These include:
- Digestive problems
- Headache
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Insomnia
Some people have reported that the sublingual version of Suboxone produces a numb sensation and redness in the mouth. Other less common side effects include weight gain, skin rash, abdominal pain, menstrual effects, and decreased libido [5].
Suboxone should not be combined with alcohol, central nervous system depressants, or benzodiazepines. Such mixtures can lead to respiratory depression and even death.
Effectiveness of Suboxone in Opioid Recovery
Suboxone is effective in MAT because it has high efficacy, a high safety profile, and it significantly reduces the risk of relapse.
More than 80% of adults with an opioid use disorder quit using opioids one year after finishing MAT treatment [6]. Suboxone is also more successful than methadone (another FDA-approved drug used in MAT) in reducing cravings among people with an opioid addiction [7].
As a partial opioid antagonist, Suboxone stabilizes opioid receptors in a way that allows people to make changes in lifestyle and behaviors that support lasting treatment outcomes [8].
Buprenorphine is regarded as one of the most impactful approaches to opioid addiction MAT for relapse prevention and harm reduction [9].
Is Suboxone Addictive?
Physical dependency to Suboxone is possible, but it’s not the same as addiction. Addiction is a chronic disease where a person cannot control cravings for a substance, despite negative outcomes. Physical dependence is when the body adapts to the presence of a substance. Both addiction and physical dependency involve withdrawal symptoms, which is why they are commonly confused.
Buprenorphine is a Schedule III controlled substance in the U.S. and has a low to moderate risk of physical dependence. Taking Suboxone is not equivalent to using opioids such as heroin. Research confirms that Suboxone produces little physical dependency and only mild withdrawal symptoms when it’s used in MAT for opioid recovery [10].
Physical dependence can occur with many prescription drugs and is treatable. If physical dependency happens, the medical team will gradually reduce the dose over a period of time, ensuring the person tapers off the substance and the body can recalibrate internal functions without the presence of the drug. Many people overcome physical dependency without any side effects.
Recover in the Right Way For You at Trinity Wellness Group, Massachusetts
We know that recovery looks different for each person. At our center in Milton, MA we offer personalized programs that factor in your experiences, needs, and goals. Our outpatient programs integrate evidence-based therapies and Suboxone MAT, alongside activities that nurture your physical and mental stability.
We have a full-day program and half-day program, giving you the flexibility to choose the care that matches where you are on your journey, as well as align with your daily responsibilities. We work with expertise and empathy, giving you a transparent breakdown of your care, and why we believe it works for you.
Everyone is capable of healing, and everyone deserves to. Speak with our admissions team about next steps.
Sources
[1] Kimber, J. et al. October 2015. Mortality risk of opioid substitution therapy with methadone versus buprenorphine: a retrospective cohort study. The Lancet Psychiatry.
[2] Bahrami, K. et al. August 2023. Association of Medication-Assisted Therapy and Risk of Drug Overdose-Related Hospitalization or Emergency Room Visits in Patients With Opioid Use Disorder. Cureus.
[3] Guy Jr, G. et al. February 2025. Individuals Dispensed Buprenorphine in the United States Before and After Federal Policy Changes Aimed at Increasing Access. Journal of Addiction Medicine.
[4] Kakko, J. et al. August 2019. Craving in Opioid Use Disorder: From Neurobiology to Clinical Practice. Frontiers.
[5] Ling, W. et al. July 2012. Buprenorphine for opioid addiction. Pain Management.
[6] Brunisholz, K. et al. 2020. Trends in abstinence and retention associated with implementing a Medication Assisted Treatment program for people with opioid use disorders using a Collective Impact approach. Progress in Community Health Partnerships.
[7] McAnulty, C. et al. October 2022. Buprenorphine/naloxone and methadone effectiveness for reducing craving in individuals with prescription opioid use disorder: Exploratory results from an open-label, pragmatic randomized controlled trial. Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
[8] Velander, J. 2018. Suboxone: Rationale, Science, Misconceptions. The Ochsner Journal.
[9] Spayde-Baker, A. Patek, J. October 2023. A Comparison of Medication-Assisted Treatment Options for Opioid Addiction: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Addictions Nursing.
[10] Jones, H. August 2004. Practical Considerations for the Clinical Use of Buprenorphine. Addiction Science & Clinical Practice.