The Dangers Of Snorting, Smoking, Or Injecting Suboxone

Suboxone is a combination medication, made up of buprenorphine and naloxone, prescribed as part of a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) option for opioid addiction.

Buprenorphine is considered a less potent, semisynthetic opioid. Taking Suboxone as part of a MAT will help alleviate the withdrawal symptoms and cravings associated with opioid addiction.

Withdrawal from opioids is intense and painful, and avoiding these symptoms is often why people continue to misuse opioids. Suboxone offers an alternative for those who want or need to stop misusing opioids.

Even though buprenorphine is an opioid, it does not give the same intense high as other opioids, like heroin, hydrocodone, or fentanyl.

Buprenorphine has a “ceiling effect.” As the dose increases, the opioid effects plateau rather than continuing to escalate. This means that, unlike full opioid agonists like heroin or oxycodone, taking more buprenorphine beyond a certain point doesn’t produce significantly more euphoria. It also doesn’t continue to increase respiratory depression in the same way, making it meaningfully safer in overdose than full agonists.

Suboxone is an important part of the treatment programs being used to combat the opioid epidemic raging across the country. When prescribed as an MAT, the dosage can be tapered down over time so the person can eventually stop taking opioids of any kind.

Suboxone Abuse – The Dangers Of Shooting, Smoking, or Snorting Buprenorphine

Because Suboxone contains an opioid, there is a risk for misuse and addiction. If a person without a tolerance to opioids were to take Suboxone, they would probably get high. The high from buprenorphine could be more intense if snorted, smoked, or injected.

Naloxone, when added to buprenorphine, forms suboxone. Naloxone blocks opioid receptors in the brain, which renders all opioids in the body useless. Naloxone, on its own, is given to individuals suffering from an opioid overdose to save lives.

Naloxone is not significantly activated when the medication is taken as prescribed (dissolved under the tongue sublingual or between the cheek and gum (buccal) as directed). In this form, very little naloxone is absorbed into the bloodstream.

However, if a person crushes, snorts, dissolves, or injects Suboxone, the naloxone is absorbed systemically and blocks opioid receptors.

If a person who has been addicted to opioids for a long time decides to misuse Suboxone, the moment they snort or inject the medication, they will enter into opioid withdrawal. The naloxone activation will stop all the opioids in their system from working, and withdrawal symptoms will emerge.

Precipitated Opioid Withdrawal From Suboxone Abuse

While opioid withdrawal is not fatal, it does have risk factors that are painful, uncomfortable, and can lead to a variety of health complications.

Some symptoms of opioid withdrawal include:

• goosebumps (piloerection)
• runny nose (rhinorrhea)
• watery eyes (lacrimation)
• dilated pupils (mydriasis)
• repeated yawning
• achy muscles
• cramping/spasming muscles
• restless legs
• sweating
• nausea
• vomiting
• cramping
• diarrhea
• insomnia
• irritation
• anxiety
• depression

While none of these symptoms are considered “deadly”, they can cause havoc on a person. It is important to seek assistance from professionals when experiencing severe opioid withdrawal.

Effects Of Suboxone Abuse

Due to the way that Suboxone is manufactured, abusing it by snorting, smoking, or injecting causes the buprenorphine to be rendered useless. Additionally, activating the naloxone in Suboxone can also cause a person with a long-standing opioid addiction to enter withdrawal.

A person abusing Suboxone is also a sign that the current method of treating their opioid addiction is not working, and revisiting their treatment plan should be considered.

If someone is misusing buprenorphine, this may be a sign that their current treatment approach isn’t meeting their needs. To get them the help they need, you could consider the following options:

• adjusting the dosage or formulation with their prescriber
• adding or changing counseling or behavioral health support
• transitioning to a higher level of care, such as an intensive outpatient or residential program
• seeking evaluation from an addiction medicine specialist

Buprenorphine is now prescribable by any licensed provider with a DEA registration, so many primary care physicians, telehealth providers, and emergency departments can help coordinate care.

Treatment For Suboxone Addiction

Suboxone abuse is considered opioid abuse. If a person is abusing or addicted to Suboxone, an opioid treatment program is recommended. Opioid use disorder has a treatment program that has been created and maintained at the local, state, and federal levels.

Browse our directory or reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for more information about addiction recovery.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff