If you’ve decided to try treatment for opioid addiction using buprenorphine—better known by its brand name, Suboxone—good for you! It can be hard to stop doing things you have been doing for a while, even if they have been bad for you. This means leaving behind the life you know and the people who make you feel at ease. You’re turning toward new habits, new people, and new places. When starting Suboxone treatment, it is important to be aware of the potential risks, such as using cocaine while taking the medication. This combination of substances can have dangerous consequences.
Opioids and Other Drugs
Giving up opioids, such as heroin, codeine, opium, and pain pills, is a challenge for many people who opt for opioid treatment programs. As a way of rewarding themselves for their progress in recovery, some may think it is okay to combine buprenorphine or Suboxone treatment with cocaine. However, substituting one drug for another is a highly dangerous practice and should be avoided. Education on the risks associated with combining these substances is key to helping someone stay on the path to recovery.
Individuals in addiction treatment require the development of coping skills, something which is typically not accomplished during the early stages of recovery. As a result, individuals may feel that if they have given up a particular opioid, then it is acceptable to use other drugs. It is important to note that this is not the case and that engaging in this behavior significantly increases the risk of relapse.
Many people struggle with different kinds of addictions. Some people use Suboxone as a treatment for addiction, but then go on to misuse other substances, like cocaine. There are also people who have other addictions such as drinking alcohol, overeating, gambling, or shopping. All types of addiction affect the same area of the brain, making the person feel pleasure and reward. It can be hard to stop and control these addictions, leading to a loss of control over one‘s life.
The Dangers of Suboxone Treatment and Cocaine Use
When someone starts taking buprenorphine (also known as Suboxone) for treatment, it is important that they do not also use cocaine or any other kind of drugs (including non–narcotics) or alcohol. Doing so can lead to very bad consequences. Whether you are using methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone (Vivitrol), those are all drugs that should not be mixed with other drugs.
Here are the reasons to avoid mixing treatment with buprenorphine or Suboxone with cocaine:
1. Cocaine is a very addictive drug. People who are already addicted to opioids are at a greater risk of becoming addicted to cocaine. If someone is already taking Suboxone for addiction and then tries cocaine, they may need specialized treatment for the cocaine addiction.
2. Another reason why the combination of buprenorphine or Suboxone treatment and cocaine is so dangerous rests with the nature of the buprenorphine. It does not generate a euphoric feeling if it’s abused. Buprenorphine is only a partial opiate agonist, so there is a low chance to feel any euphoric effects the person might hope to experience. In fact, there might be no euphoric feeling at all; people may feel a sense of satisfaction when they get a sense of relief from their cravings, but this does not mean they are experiencing euphoria. In addition, if someone takes Suboxone, instead of Subutex or ordinary buprenorphine, the person won’t be able to get the “high” feeling from taking other opiate drugs because Suboxone contains naloxone, which blocks other opiates from accessing the brain’s receptors. There is then the additional risk of taking more opiates to the point of leading to an overdose.
3. According to the National Library of Medicine, there is also evidence that combining Suboxone treatment and cocaine can reduce buprenorphine’s effectiveness. Research has looked at people on buprenorphine treatment who simultaneously abused cocaine over a period of 70 days. The body’s retention of buprenorphine dropped to 50 percent and the participants in that study also demonstrated a low motivation to stay clean. Attending your counseling sessions and working on your recovery is important and is key to staying on track. Instead of using cocaine, try to go for a run or find a hobby that will keep you occupied and move you toward a healthier better you.
Strengthen Your Recovery
You can learn to recover from addiction with the help of individual counseling, medicated-assisted treatment, and your clinic doctor. Attending therapy sessions can help you learn about the reasons behind your addiction, and it can help you understand how to stay on track with your recovery. Research done by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) shows that getting counseling and attending 12-step meetings can be beneficial to your recovery. Your doctor can also help by providing you with the right medication and helping you stay on track.
Other people in treatment that you’ll meet at the Suboxone treatment center can share their stories with you. The people that are in recovery who go to any 12-step group will understand your struggles and share their stories with you. Recovery, after all, means you’ll be part of a fellowship of people who share a wish to stop using drugs, who wish to share a network of support, and who share stories of recovery. Now it’s time for yours.
