Suboxone
Suboxone® (buprenorphine-naloxone) is a “gold standard” medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD).
Like methadone, Suboxone eases withdrawal symptoms and cravings — reducing dependence on opioids and supporting long-term recovery. However, Suboxone has fewer side effects and safety concerns than methadone. Suboxone is also easier to access: You can pick up prescriptions at the pharmacy instead of daily clinic visits.
Suboxone is the primary medicine we prescribe at Groups. Below, find the answers to common questions about Suboxone to help you determine if it’s the right MOUD treatment for you.
What is Suboxone?
Suboxone is the brand name of the medicine buprenorphine-naloxone. In recent years, more people have been using buprenorphine-based medications because of how well they work. Reports show that, as of 2024, an average of 37,000 new patients per month are now seeking buprenorphine treatment.
Suboxone helps people with opioid use disorder (OUD):
- Deal with withdrawal symptoms
- Stop cravings
- Decrease the risk of using other opioids
- Decrease the risk of overdose
- Decrease the risk of overdose death by more than half
How does Suboxone work?
Suboxone is a long-acting partial opioid agonist. That means it only partially activates opioid receptors in the brain and central nervous system. Activating these receptors helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Suboxone is not as strong as full agonists. It lasts longer and doesn't make you feel "high". Methadone, fentanyl, heroin, and pain pills are full agonists. They can make you feel “high."
What Are the Side Effects of Suboxone?
Common side effects of Suboxone include:
- Body aches, headaches, or flu-like symptoms
- Dizziness
- Trouble going to the bathroom
- Sweating
- Sleep issues
- Nausea, upset stomach, or vomiting
- Anxiety and other mood changes
Most side effects stop after you take the medicine for a while. If they bother you, contact your provider. A dose adjustment may help, and your provider may suggest other medicines or lifestyle changes to help you feel better.
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Why Suboxone Is Central to Our Care
Suboxone is considered the "gold standard" and works well for most people with opioid use disorder. Compared to methadone, Suboxone has fewer side effects, fewer safety concerns, and it's easier to pick up.
At Groups, Suboxone is the primary medication we prescribe — always as part of a broader care plan that includes group counseling and ongoing support. It's not a shortcut, and it's not "replacing one drug for another." It's science that works.
Our Results
Our model works. Here's what the numbers look like for members who've gone through the Groups program.
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Call a Recovery Specialist today. We’re here for you 24/7! It could change your life.
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