Overdosing on Suboxone can pose significant health risks and possibly lead to death. The prescription medication is used to treat opiate addiction and contains buprenorphine and naloxone to guard against abuse. It’s less tightly regulated than methadone which requires patients to visit a clinic to obtain a dose. Suboxone is prescribed as a take-home dose. This makes it easy for the drug to be diverted and sold illegally. Suboxone has helped some patients wean from other opiate drugs such as heroin, morphine, OxyContin and Percocet, but has its own potential to cause physical and psychological dependence.  Suboxone should be taken exactly as prescribed. Taking too much or altering the dose in any way can have devastating consequences. Combining Suboxone with other substances can also lead to overdose, especially when it is injected with tranquilizers. A number of reported cases of overdose and coma have been linked to the combination of Suboxone and benzodiazepines such as Klonopin and Valium as they all depress the central nervous system. Combining Suboxone with alcohol or opiates can also cause an overdose which can be fatal.

What to Expect: Suboxone Overdose Symptoms and Treatment

It’s important to know the signs of a Suboxone overdose. It’s imperative that patients seek emergency medical attention if they experience one or more of the following: slow or difficult breathing, pinpoint pupils, seizures, dizziness, extreme drowsiness, weakness, loss of consciousness, coma, confusion, cold and clammy skin and small pupils. Medical treatment for a Suboxone overdose could include the administration of a counteracting drug called a narcotic antagonist. Other possible treatments could include monitoring of vital signs, stomach pumping and the administration of a laxative, activated charcoal or intravenous fluids. To be treated correctly, emergency medical personnel need to know how much Suboxone was ingested, when it was taken and whether it was taken with other substances. The earlier the treatment, the better the outcome may be.

Safe, Responsible Suboxone Detox is Just a Call Away

An overdose can happen accidentally or intentionally, among patients or recreational users. Repeated use could lead to addiction. Safe and confidential opiate detox is essential if you or someone you know is dependent upon Suboxone or other opiates. The Waismann Method of Accelerated Neuro-Regulation specializes in rapid drug detox that minimizes withdrawal symptoms and treats patients in a matter of days. Our renowned medical procedure takes place in a safe hospital setting where intravenous medications cleanse Suboxone and other opiates from patients’ opiate receptors. The withdrawal phase occurs while patients sleep lightly under anesthesia, administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist. Our humane treatment aims to build patients up and help them restore their dignity and sense of self worth. If spending weeks or months in a detox or rehab facility doesn’t work for you, the Waismann Method can get you back on your feet quickly, enabling you to return to work, family and life. We also offer a transitional living facility, Domus Retreat, for those patients who wish to extend their stay and continue working on recovery.