Suboxone is a medication combining buprenorphine and naloxone used to treat opioid dependence. Buprenorphine partially stimulates opioid receptors to reduce withdrawal and cravings, while naloxone discourages misuse. This helps stabilize brain chemistry and supports safer recovery. At Advanced Spine & Rehab in Mesa AZ 85206, our complete staff of medical professionals is trained in the latest treatment techniques and provides compassionate, holistic care to support patients managing pain, addiction, and overall well-being every day effectively.
How is Suboxone Different from Other Opiates?
Suboxone differs from traditional opiates because it is designed to treat opioid dependence rather than create euphoria. It contains buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist that activates receptors just enough to reduce withdrawal and cravings, and naloxone, which helps prevent misuse. Traditional opiates fully stimulate these receptors, leading to stronger highs and higher risk of dependency. Suboxone provides stabilization of brain chemistry, supporting recovery while minimizing the cycle of intoxication and withdrawal.
Is Suboxone a Narcotic?
Suboxone is classified as a narcotic because it contains buprenorphine, which acts on opioid receptors in the brain. However, it functions differently from full opioid medications. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, meaning it produces limited opioid effects—enough to reduce withdrawal and cravings but without the strong euphoria associated with traditional opioids. This makes Suboxone a medication used in opioid dependence treatment, helping stabilize brain chemistry and support recovery while lowering misuse and overdose risk.
How Do People Act When They Take Suboxone?
When taken as prescribed, most people on Suboxone appear mentally clear and physically stable. It reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings without producing the strong euphoric effects seen with full opioids. Individuals are typically able to function more normally, participate in daily activities, and focus on treatment or recovery goals. Some may initially experience mild side effects such as drowsiness, headache, or nausea, but these usually lessen as the body adjusts and dosage is managed appropriately.
What Does Suboxone Show Positive For?
Standard drug screenings do not typically detect Suboxone unless the test is designed to look specifically for buprenorphine. Because Suboxone contains buprenorphine, specialized panels will show a positive result for that substance. It does not generally cause a positive result for other opioids. However, if a test includes a buprenorphine-specific marker, the medication will be identifiable. This distinction is important for employment or medical monitoring, where accurate disclosure of prescribed medications is recommended.
What Organ Does Suboxone Affect?
Suboxone primarily affects the brain, where it interacts with opioid receptors to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. However, it is processed mainly by the liver, so liver function plays a key role in how the medication is metabolized. Individuals with pre-existing liver conditions may require dosage adjustments and periodic monitoring. While Suboxone’s impact is generally stable when taken as prescribed, healthcare providers often evaluate liver enzyme levels to ensure safe and effective therapy.
Is Suboxone a Depressant or Stimulant?
Suboxone is classified as a central nervous system depressant, not a stimulant. It contains buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist that slows certain brain and nervous system functions to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. It does not create stimulating or energizing effects. When taken correctly, it helps stabilize mood and physical functioning rather than causing sedation or a “high.” However, combining Suboxone with other depressants—such as alcohol or benzodiazepines—can increase the risk of respiratory depression and should be avoided.
Common Symptoms That May Prompt Seeking Medical Treatment for Opioid Addiction With the Use of Suboxone
• Increasing Cravings for Opioids
Strong and persistent cravings for opioids are a key indicator of physiological dependence. These cravings often become intrusive, making it difficult to focus on daily tasks or responsibilities. Individuals may feel a compulsion to use opioids even when they recognize the negative consequences. The presence of cravings suggests changes in the brain’s reward and pain pathways. Suboxone can help reduce cravings by partially activating opioid receptors, stabilizing chemical signaling, and supporting a controlled, safer recovery process.
• Withdrawal Symptoms When Not Using
Withdrawal symptoms may include sweating, nausea, muscle aches, anxiety, irritability, and sleep disturbances when opioid use is reduced or stopped. These symptoms can be physically and emotionally distressing, leading individuals to continue using opioids to avoid discomfort. The presence of withdrawal shows that the body has developed dependence. Suboxone is often used to alleviate withdrawal symptoms by providing controlled receptor activation, helping patients transition away from opioid misuse while allowing clearer focus on recovery efforts.
• Loss of Control Over Use
Loss of control occurs when individuals attempt to limit or reduce opioid use but repeatedly return to previous levels of consumption. They may take more than intended, use more frequently, or feel unable to stop despite wanting to. This loss of regulation indicates a shift from voluntary use to compulsive behavior driven by chemical dependence. Suboxone treatment, combined with medical oversight and supportive care, helps stabilize brain function and support decision-making, improving the ability to regain behavioral control.
• Neglecting Responsibilities or Personal Well-Being
People may begin missing work, social commitments, or personal care due to opioid use. Activities once enjoyed may lose importance, and daily responsibilities can become overwhelming or disregarded. This shift reflects how opioids start to dominate daily functioning and emotional stability. Suboxone therapy aims to restore balance by reducing cravings and physical dependence, allowing individuals to re-engage in healthy routines, rebuild relationships, and restore focus on personal well-being and long-term health goals.
• Continued Use Despite Negative Consequences
Another significant sign is continuing opioid use even when it causes health issues, financial strain, relationship conflicts, or emotional distress. Individuals may recognize harm but feel unable to stop, demonstrating how addiction alters judgment and coping patterns. Suboxone offers a medically supported pathway to interrupt this cycle by stabilizing neurochemical responses and reducing the compulsive drive to use. With structured treatment, individuals gain the ability to make healthier decisions and rebuild stability in daily life.
Top Medical Causes Contributing to Symptoms of Opioid Addiction
• Changes in Brain Chemistry
Prolonged opioid use alters the brain’s reward pathways, reducing natural dopamine production. This leads to strong cravings, dependence, and difficulty experiencing pleasure without opioids. The brain begins to rely on the drug to feel “normal,” resulting in withdrawal symptoms and compulsive use patterns even when the individual wants to stop.
• Chronic Pain Conditions
Individuals prescribed opioids for long-term pain may gradually develop tolerance, requiring higher doses for the same relief. This increased reliance can shift into dependency as the body adapts to the medication. Over time, stopping the drug becomes difficult due to worsening pain perception and withdrawal, encouraging continued use.
• Trauma and Emotional Stress
Psychological stress, unresolved trauma, or depression can increase vulnerability to opioid dependence. Individuals may use opioids to self-soothe or numb emotional distress. Over time, repeated use alters brain signaling, reinforcing reliance. This emotional connection to relief can make quitting difficult, leading to cycles of cravings and continued use.
• Genetic Predisposition
Some individuals have a biological predisposition that increases the likelihood of developing substance dependence. Genetic factors influence how the brain responds to rewards and stress. When opioids are introduced, these individuals may experience stronger reinforcement, making dependence develop more rapidly and withdrawal symptoms more intense, leading to ongoing use.
• Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders
Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and similar conditions can increase susceptibility to opioid misuse. Opioids may temporarily relieve emotional discomfort, reinforcing use. Over time, the brain adapts, making dependence more likely. Without addressing both addiction and underlying mental health needs, symptoms like cravings and withdrawal become more persistent and difficult to manage.
Medical Treatments for Opioid Addiction
• Suboxone (Buprenorphine/Naloxone) Treatment
Suboxone reduces cravings and withdrawal by partially activating opioid receptors in a controlled way. It stabilizes brain chemistry, allowing individuals to function normally while reducing the urge to use opioids. Symptoms addressed include withdrawal discomfort, cravings, and compulsive drug-seeking.
• Methadone Maintenance Therapy
Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist that prevents withdrawal and reduces cravings without creating rapid highs. It helps stabilize physical dependence and supports daily functioning. This treatment is effective for individuals with long-term or severe opioid dependence requiring structured dosing.
• Naltrexone (Vivitrol) Therapy
Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors, preventing opioids from producing euphoric effects. It does not relieve withdrawal, so patients must be detoxed before starting. It helps prevent relapse by removing reward responses, supporting long-term recovery and reducing cravings.
• Medically Supervised Detoxification
This short-term treatment provides medical monitoring while the body clears opioids. Physicians manage withdrawal symptoms through hydration, comfort medications, and safety oversight. Detox prepares individuals for ongoing treatment by reducing physical dependence but is not considered a standalone solution.
• Behavioral and Counseling Therapies
Therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and group counseling help address emotional and behavioral patterns linked to addiction. These treatments improve coping skills, reduce relapse triggers, and support long-term recovery by strengthening motivation and emotional stability.
Summary
Effective treatment for opioid addiction involves medically supported approaches that reduce cravings, manage withdrawal, and restore physical and emotional stability. Options such as Suboxone treatment, methadone maintenance, naltrexone therapy, medically supervised detoxification, and behavioral counseling each play a vital role in recovery. These treatments help stabilize brain chemistry, support safer withdrawal, and strengthen coping skills to prevent relapse. Integrating medication with therapeutic support provides the best outcomes for long-term healing, improved daily functioning, and sustainable recovery progress.
Meet the Professional Staff
At Advanced Spine & Rehab in the Phoenix East Valley, patients receive individualized care rooted in compassion, understanding, and integrity. Our calm and supportive environment is designed to help you feel comfortable and encouraged throughout every step of your recovery. We take time to listen, evaluate your needs, and develop personalized treatment plans that promote wellness, relief from pain, and improved daily function. Here, you are never alone—our dedicated team is committed to helping you move forward with confidence.