What is Suboxone® and how does it work?
Suboxone® is an FDA-approved medication for opioid use disorder that combines buprenorphine — which relieves withdrawal symptoms and cravings — with naloxone, which discourages misuse. Taken daily under a provider's care, it lets the brain stabilize so recovery can take hold.
How does Suboxone work in the body?
Buprenorphine, the main ingredient, is a partial opioid agonist. It binds tightly to the same receptors that opioids like fentanyl, heroin, and oxycodone use — enough to stop withdrawal and quiet cravings, but with a built-in ceiling effect that prevents the escalating euphoria of full opioids. Because it occupies those receptors, other opioids taken on top of it have far less effect. The second ingredient, naloxone, stays inactive when the film or tablet is taken correctly, but blocks opioid effects if the medication is misused by injection.
Does medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) actually work?
Yes — it is the most strongly supported treatment for opioid use disorder. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that medications like buprenorphine cut the risk of fatal overdose roughly in half and significantly improve treatment retention. SAMHSA, the FDA, and the CDC all endorse medication for opioid use disorder as first-line, evidence-based care — most effective when combined with counseling and recovery support.
Is Suboxone just trading one addiction for another?
No — this is the most persistent myth about treatment. Dependence is not the same as addiction. Taken as prescribed, Suboxone® doesn't produce the destructive cycle of intoxication, withdrawal, and compulsive use. It stabilizes brain chemistry so people can hold jobs, care for their families, and rebuild their health. Needing a daily medication to manage a chronic condition is no different from taking medication for blood pressure or diabetes.
What are the common side effects?
- Headache
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Trouble sleeping
Most side effects are mild and improve over time or with a dose adjustment. Your provider reviews how you're feeling at every follow-up. Suboxone® should not be combined with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other sedatives without medical guidance — tell your provider about everything you take.
How long will I need to take it?
There is no end date — opioid use disorder is a chronic illness, and current guidelines from ASAM and SAMHSA set no time limit on buprenorphine treatment. The evidence supports staying on the medication as long as it's helping, which for many patients means years or indefinitely, because overdose risk rises sharply after stopping no matter how long someone was in treatment first. If you ever choose to stop, that decision is yours alone — never rushed, never dictated by us or anyone else, and made slowly and safely. Read more: How long will I be on Suboxone?
How do I start Suboxone treatment in Tennessee?
RecoverWell — a division of Shrinkty Behavioral Health — provides Suboxone® treatment by secure video anywhere in Tennessee, Monday–Friday, and in person in McMinnville, Murfreesboro, or Dickson. Call 931-365-2175, email [email protected], or read how treatment works.