Suboxone is a prescription medication that is commonly used in the treatment of opioid addiction. It may cause side effects that can affect how you feel emotionally. While its efficacy in curbing withdrawal symptoms and cravings is widely recognized, some patients report feeling emotionally numb while taking the medication.
This has raised the question “Does Suboxone make you emotionless?” The answer is not a simple yes or no. It’s important to understand how Suboxone works and its potential side effects before drawing any conclusions.
In this article, we’ll discuss this topic deeper and provide insights on managing emotional side effects while taking Suboxone.
What is Suboxone?
Suboxone is a combination medication containing buprenorphine and naloxone. It is also approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in treating opioid addiction.
Buprenorphine is a type of medication that binds to the opioid receptors in the brain. However, it doesn’t activate them as strongly as other medications in the same class. This action helps reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings linked to opioid addiction.
On the other hand, Naloxone is a medication that blocks the effects of opioids, stopping their misuse. The combination of these medications works together to suppress withdrawal symptoms and cravings while reducing the potential for misuse.
Recently, Suboxone has become the go-to medicine for treating Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). It is prescribed more frequently than other medications like Methadone, which can create dependence.
What is Suboxone used for?
Suboxone is an important tool for safely and effectively treating people who are fighting with opioid addiction. When included in a complete recovery program, Suboxone can greatly assist patients in handling withdrawal symptoms and decreasing cravings related to opioid dependence.
This is achieved through its unique combination of buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist, and naloxone, an opioid antagonist. While buprenorphine eases the process of withdrawal, naloxone discourages misuse of the medication.
The first stage of using Suboxone is the withdrawal stage when symptoms are the most uncomfortable and possibly risky. Suboxone cannot be used if there are any opioids in the bloodstream, because it contains Naloxone.
Otherwise, you might experience strong bad symptoms. That’s why most doctors recommend waiting for 12-24 hours without taking any Opiates before starting Suboxone.
After the initial 24 hours of Opioid withdrawal, Suboxone can be given to ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Depending on how Suboxone is used, a person may start feeling “back to normal” within a few days or hours.
Side Effects of Suboxone
Common side effects of Suboxone involve:
- nausea and vomiting
- headaches
- sweating
- numbness or tingling
- opioid withdrawal symptoms, like body aches, abdominal cramps, and rapid heart rate
- trouble sleeping
- insomnia (trouble sleeping)
- depression
- constipation
- mouth burning syndrome (burning feeling in the mouth or tongue)
These are usually mild and often resolve after a few days or weeks of consistent medication use.
While less common, some people may experience severe side effects. These include:
- difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- hypotension (low blood pressure)
- hormone problems (specifically adrenal insufficiency)
- misuse and dependence
- allergic reactions, such as hives, rash, itching, or swelling
- liver damage, indicated by symptoms like dark urine, persistent nausea/vomiting, severe stomach/abdominal pain, or yellowing eyes/skin (jaundice)
These side effects are considered serious. If you experience any of these symptoms while taking Suboxone, seek medical attention immediately.
Connection between Suboxone and Emotion
Suboxone’s impact on emotional well-being can be linked to its method of action in the brain. Buprenorphine which is a part of Suboxone, works in the brain like opioids.
It helps with withdrawal symptoms and cravings, but it can also impact the brain’s reward system, which controls pleasure and satisfaction. This can sometimes result in users feeling emotionally flat or numb, as the brain’s natural ability to produce feelings of happiness or satisfaction is dampened.
However, this effect can differ from person to person and doesn’t mean that Suboxone automatically turns all users into emotionless beings.A person’s unique biology, mental health, and other factors can all influence how they feel when taking Suboxone.
Does Suboxone make you emotionless?
The short answer is no. Suboxone doesn’t make everyone emotionless, and any emotional side effects are usually temporary.
Clinical research has shown that mood changes, including feelings of depression and anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), can be potential side effects of Suboxone use. However, these side effects often dissipate over time as the body adjusts to the medication, and many people do not experience them at all.
A study from 2015 found that long-term Suboxone treatment can improve mood and quality of life for many patients. However, some people reported feeling emotionally distant or disconnected.
Remember that emotional side effects like these are not unique to Suboxone but can occur with various medications that act on the brain’s reward system.
If you are taking Suboxone and feel that it is affecting your emotions, it’s crucial to discuss this with your doctor. They can help you weigh the benefits of the medication against potential side effects and consider other treatment options if necessary.
Also Read: Does The Second Dose Of Clenpiq Work Faster?
Factors affecting emotions while taking Suboxone
There are many things that can affect how Suboxone makes you feel. These include your mental health, other health problems you might have, how long you’ve been using drugs, how much Suboxone you take, and any other medications you’re taking at the same time.
- Mental Health Status: People with pre-existing mental health conditions like depression or anxiety may be more likely to experience emotional side effects while on Suboxone.
- Co-Existing Health Conditions: Certain physical health conditions can also affect how Suboxone affects your emotions. For instance, people with long-term pain may feel better emotionally because Suboxone helps relieve their pain.
- Duration of Drug Use: The length of time a person has been using opioids can also play a role. Those with a long history of opioid use may experience more significant emotional changes when transitioning to Suboxone.
- Dosage: The dosage of Suboxone can have an impact as well. Higher doses might lead to more pronounced emotional effects.
- Other Medications:If someone is taking other medications, especially those that impact the brain and mood, they can interact with Suboxone and potentially make emotional side effects stronger.
Managing emotional changes while on Suboxone
If you’re on Suboxone and notice emotional changes, several strategies may help:
- Talk to your doctor about any emotional changes you notice. They can help monitor symptoms, adjust your treatment, or suggest other options if needed.
- Mental health professionals can give you strategies to handle emotional changes and deal with numbness, anxiety, or sadness.
- Exercise, eat well, and sleep enough to boost your emotional health.
- Spending time with your love ones or joining support groups can provide emotional support and a sense of belonging.
- Try yoga, meditation, or deep breathing to manage stress and improve your emotional well-being.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Suboxone plays a key role in managing opioid dependence, it can cause temporary changes in emotions in some people. It’s important to know that not everyone gets these side effects, and they usually go away as your body gets used to the medicine. The implementation of healthy lifestyle habits like regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and stress management strategies can also help in managing these emotional changes. Everyone’s experience with Suboxone is unique, and understanding your personal responses can help manage potential side effects and ensure a successful recovery journey.
FAQ
What does Suboxone do to you mentally?
Suboxone affects the brain’s opioid receptors and can help manage opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings. While it can sometimes result in mood changes or a feeling of emotional numbness, these side effects are mostly temporary. As with any medication that acts on the brain’s reward system, these effects vary from person to person.
Will Suboxone make you sleepy?
Yes, Suboxone can make you sleepy. It can cause drowsiness in some people, particularly when starting the medication or adjusting doses. However, this side effect tends to lessen over time as the body adjusts to the drug.
How long does it take for Suboxone to start working?
Suboxone begins to work shortly after it is taken. Most users will feel the effects within 30 minutes to an hour after taking the medication. The full effects are usually felt within 2 hours. However, everyone’s body responds to this differently. What matters most is not the exact timing, but that Suboxone successfully helps to manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings for opioids.
Does Suboxone increase dopamine?
Suboxone can indirectly increase dopamine levels in the brain. The buprenorphine in it works as a partial agonist that effect stimulates the brain’s opioid receptors enough to decrease withdrawal symptoms and cravings. This stimulation can indirectly lead to an increase in dopamine levels, providing a sense of pleasure and reward.
Can Suboxone cause Paranoia?
Yes, in rare cases, Suboxone can cause paranoia, especially in those with a history of mental health disorders. Paranoia may occur as a part of withdrawal symptoms from opioids, or it might be an adverse reaction to Suboxone itself. It’s vital to communicate any new or worsening symptoms, including feelings of paranoia, to your healthcare provider promptly.
Does suboxone cause brain fog?
Yes, some patients have reported experiencing a sense of ‘brain fog’ while taking Suboxone. This phenomenon isn’t fully understood, but some theorize it is a side effect of the brain adjusting to the absence of the high levels of opioids it became accustomed to. Brain fog can manifest as difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and feelings of confusion or lack of mental clarity. Note that this is usually temporary and often improves over time as the body adjusts to this.