Do suboxone get you high
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Can Suboxone Get You High?
Understanding Suboxone and Its Components
Suboxone is a medication composed of buprenorphine and naloxone, primarily used to treat opioid dependence. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, which means it activates opioid receptors in the brain but to a much lesser extent than full agonists like heroin or methadone. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of opioids and is included to prevent misuse of the medication.
Euphoric Effects and Ceiling Effect
One of the key properties of buprenorphine is its "ceiling effect" on euphoria. This means that after a certain dose, taking more buprenorphine does not increase its euphoric effects. This characteristic makes it less likely to be abused for the purpose of getting high compared to other opioids.
Misuse and Motivations
Despite its design to minimize abuse, there are reports of Suboxone being used nonprescribed. A study examining motivations for nonprescribed buprenorphine use among rural Appalachian substance users found that while some individuals initially used it to get high, the primary motivation shifted towards avoiding withdrawal and maintaining abstinence from other drugs over time. This suggests that while Suboxone can be misused, its euphoric potential is limited, and many users turn to it for self-treatment rather than recreational use.
Case of Serotonin Syndrome
There are also risks associated with improper use of Suboxone. For instance, a case was reported where a 54-year-old man experienced severe serotonin syndrome after taking an unprescribed dose of Suboxone while on tricyclic antidepressants. This condition, characterized by symptoms like clonus, agitation, and altered mental status, underscores the potential dangers of using Suboxone without medical supervision.
Conclusion
In summary, while Suboxone has a limited potential to get users high due to its ceiling effect on euphoria, it can still be misused. However, the primary motivations for its nonprescribed use often shift towards self-treatment and avoiding withdrawal rather than seeking a high. Additionally, improper use can lead to serious health risks, such as serotonin syndrome, highlighting the importance of using Suboxone under medical supervision.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic