How does Suboxone affect your mood?

For people who need help managing opioid use disorder, Suboxone can be a game changer. This FDA-approved medication can help you stay on track by reducing opioid cravings and minimizing the discomfort of withdrawal. But how does Suboxone make you feel? Does it get you high like opioids? Are there side effects? Since Suboxone is a Schedule III drug, you will need to schedule an appointment with a qualified provider to discuss whether Suboxone care is right for you. They can guide you through what to expect from Suboxone treatment, how the medication can make you feel, and what type of side effects you may experience.

If you have questions about Suboxone treatment and whether you are a good candidate, talk to the prescribers at Confidant Health’s online Suboxone clinic. We provide virtual Suboxone treatment so you can get the help you need in the comfort and privacy of your home. 

What Is Suboxone?

Suboxone is a medication used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). It consists of buprenorphine and naloxone, a combination that helps maintain your comfort during withdrawal while minimizing the risk of misuse. Suboxone can also help keep opioid cravings at bay, making it easier to maintain your recovery.

Suboxone is delivered as sublingual tablets or films that are dissolved under the tongue. As part of a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program, Suboxone helps alleviate discomfort so you can focus on the other components of your treatment plan, such as individual or group therapy. 

Why Do People Take Suboxone?

Many people consult their provider about Suboxone treatment to help them overcome opioid use disorder. Suboxone care helps provide relief from withdrawal symptoms and opioid cravings. This makes it easier for them to focus on their recovery goals and abstain from opioid misuse. If you need support to overcome OUD, speak with your provider about when to take Suboxone as part of your treatment plan.

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How Does Suboxone Make You Feel?

Before taking your prescribed medication for OUD, you'll likely want to know how Suboxone makes you feel. Will it get you high? Will it cause side effects? 

Will Suboxone Get You High?

The first thing to know about Suboxone is that, when used as prescribed, it will not get you high like opioids, such as oxycodone or heroin. The buprenorphine in Suboxone is a partial opioid agonist, meaning that it binds to opioid receptors in the brain responsible for pleasure and positive feelings. It can produce euphoria but does so at a lesser rate than full agonists like prescription painkillers.

Naloxone, the other ingredient in Suboxone, is an opioid antagonist so it prevents other opioids from attaching to opioid receptors in the brain. Its primary purpose in Suboxone is to reduce the risk of misuse and overdose. When receiving Suboxone treatment, there will be a ceiling effect, or limit, to the euphoria experienced. 

Can Suboxone Be Misused?

Although Suboxone does not get you high like other opioids, it still has a potential for misuse, although less potential than buprenorphine alone. If Suboxone is taken other than as prescribed, it can produce more intense effects. For example, crushing Suboxone tablets and snorting them or dissolving the films and injecting them can produce an opioid high. People who misuse Suboxone may experience.

• More intense euphoria
• Mood swings
• Slurred speech
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Lack of motivation

Misusing Suboxone can also increase the risk of addiction and overdose. Some signs that you or someone you know may be experiencing a Suboxone overdose are:

• Extreme drowsiness
• Blurred vision
• Pinpoint pupils
• Confusion
• Lack of coordination
• A bluish tint to lips or fingernails

A Suboxone overdose can be fatal. If you believe someone has overdosed on Suboxone, you should call 911 for emergency treatment. 

What Are Common Suboxone Side Effects?

Other than mild euphoria, you may experience other side effects while being treated with Suboxone. Some common side effects of Suboxone include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Numb mouth
• Inability to concentrate
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Drowsiness

Most people experience mild side effects from Suboxone, but if the side effects are severe, you should immediately reach out to your provider for guidance.

How Do I Know If Someone Is on Suboxone?

If you access Suboxone care from your provider, you may be concerned that others will be able to tell that you are receiving treatment for OUD. Since Suboxone produces milder effects than other opioids, it won’t always be as obvious that someone is using the medication. Some of the Suboxone side effects that may be detectable to others are:

• Sweating
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Inability to concentrate
• Drowsiness
• Vomiting

These side effects are usually mild, so others will likely not know that you are receiving Suboxone treatment unless you tell them. However, misusing Suboxone will produce more severe side effects that will be noticeable to those around you.

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Other Suboxone FAQs

How long does it take for Suboxone to kick in?

Suboxone tablets and films are placed under the tongue and take about 15 to 30 minutes to dissolve fully. The effects of Suboxone usually begin to kick in once the medication has dissolved and peak approximately three to four hours later. 

Does Suboxone make you sleepy?

Suboxone can make you feel sleepy. Since it is a central nervous system depressant, it can slow your breathing and reflexes as well as make you feel drowsy. You should not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel sleepy while receiving Suboxone treatment. Talk with your provider if sleepiness from Suboxone is interfering with your ability to function. 

Find Answers to Your Suboxone Questions at Confidant Health

If you are concerned about how Suboxone makes you feel, reach out to the online Suboxone doctors at Confidant Health. Whether you are interested in accessing Suboxone care or experiencing side effects from your current Suboxone regimen, we can help you get the answers you need. Get started today by scheduling an appointment with our team.

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