Suboxone is a safe and effective treatment for opioid addiction when taken as prescribed. But, like any drug, it can be misused.
Suboxone does not lead to a high when it is taken as directed by a doctor.
Combining Suboxone with other depressants, such as opiates, to get high is also unlikely to cause euphoria. However, it can lead to respiratory depression, overdose, and coma.
Learn more about how Suboxone can help you overcome opioid addiction
How Can Suboxone Lead To A High?
Suboxone is a medication that can produce mild euphoric effects, such as relaxation and positive well-being, in low to moderate doses.
Suboxone is an opioid partial agonist, which means it binds to opioid receptors in the brain but does so very slowly. Unlike opioids like heroin, Suboxone doesn’t fully activate these receptors.
Because of this, Suboxone is unlikely to produce an intense rush of euphoria one might experience from using heroin or misusing other opioids.
Factors That Can Affect Whether Suboxone Gets You High
Getting high from taking Suboxone as prescribed by a doctor is unlikely.
However, there are some factors that may affect the intensity of the side effects a person experiences while taking Suboxone.
Factors that can affect whether Suboxone causes a high include:
- drug tolerance
- opioid dependence
- use of Suboxone with other drugs
Buprenorphine, one of the active ingredients in Suboxone, has a ceiling effect that prevents the drug from severely depressing the central nervous system or producing euphoria.
Can You Get High From Injecting Suboxone?
Some people with opioid use disorder may try to inject Suboxone to get high. Due to the chemical makeup of Suboxone, getting high from this is unlikely.
Injecting Suboxone can be dangerous, however. This may trigger severe symptoms of opioid withdrawal, such as vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, and pain.
For this reason, it’s important to take Suboxone exactly as directed by a doctor. This can help prevent adverse side effects.
Contact Us For Information About Suboxone Treatment Today
Suboxone is an evidence-based treatment for opioid addiction that is safe and effective for use when taken as prescribed.
For more information about Suboxone or how to find a rehab center that offers Suboxone treatment near you, call our treatment helpline today.
Addiction Resource aims to provide only the most current, accurate information in regards to addiction and addiction treatment, which means we only reference the most credible sources available.
These include peer-reviewed journals, government entities and academic institutions, and leaders in addiction healthcare and advocacy. Learn more about how we safeguard our content by viewing our editorial policy.
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — FDA approves first generic versions of Suboxone sublingual film, which may increase access to treatment for opioid dependence
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-generic-versions-suboxone-sublingual-film-which-may-increase-access-treatment - Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — FDA urges caution about withholding opioid addiction medications from patients taking benzodiazepines or CNS depressants: careful medication management can reduce risks
https://www.fda.gov/media/107888/download - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) — Buprenorphine
https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/medications-counseling-related-conditions/buprenorphine - U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus — Buprenorphine Sublingual and Buccal (opioid dependence)
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a605002.html
