Suboxone is a form of medication assisted treatment (MAT) that is used to treat opioid use disorder. Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Suboxone works by blocking the opioid receptors so that people who take suboxone cannot feel any effects of opioid use while taking the medication. This reduces the risk of relapse, since the euphoric effects of opioid use are unachievable. The buprenorphine in suboxone is a type of medication known as a partial opioid agonist, which means that it works similarly to opioids and produces the same feelings the opioids do, but at a much weaker rate. It also means that the effects produced by buprenorphine eventually plateau, so once that point is reached, taking more of the drug will not lead to an increase in effects. This is known as the “”ceiling effect” and is a deterrent against suboxone misuse. The naloxone in suboxone is what is known as an opioid antagonist, which means that it is only absorbed in the body and activated if the drug is injected instead of taken orally as prescribed. The point of this is to deter individuals from injecting suboxone instead of taking it as prescribed, since anyone with an opioid dependency who injects naloxone will experience adverse side effects. This is meant to reduce the risk of suboxone misuse, as people will be more inclined to take it as prescribed. When taken as prescribed, not only will suboxone block opioid receptors to reduce the risk of relapse, but it will also lessen the pain of opioid withdrawal symptoms. This form of addiction treatment helps those struggling with opioid addiction get through withdrawal more easily so they can begin focusing on recovery. Suboxone is not meant to be a cure for opioid dependence, but rather a part of a larger comprehensive treatment program that includes therapy and support groups to address the root of the addiction. The length of time a patient takes suboxone depends on the severity of the opioid addiction, and some patients may need to take it indefinitely. The dose of the medication may be changed once a patient’s opioid drug cravings subside, and they may receive less medication in an effort to be weaned off of dependence on any opioids, including dependence on suboxone. How long suboxone works is dependent upon a few factors, such as each individual’s weight, metabolism, and history of substance abuse. On average, suboxone blocks the effects of opioids for at least a full day, or 24 hours. However, in some people the effects of suboxone may last as long as 60 hours. This is also dependent upon the strength of the dosage each patient receives. For example, if the prescription amount is only 1 milligram of suboxone, the medication will typically last for 12 to 36 hours. If the prescription amount is larger, such as 16 milligrams of suboxone, the effects of the medication may last the full 60 hours. How much suboxone is prescribed is different for each individual, and doctors will factor in a patient’s age, weight, metabolism, and severity of opioid dependence when deciding the correct dosage.