Suboxone is a prescribed medication known as a partial opioid agonist that is used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). This evidence based treatment is formed from a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, and is typically administered in a film or tablet form. Suboxone is used for medication assisted treatment (MAT) by easing opioid withdrawal symptoms and blocking the opioid receptors in your brain to reduce the risk of relapse. Unlike methadone, another medication used to treat substance use disorder, suboxone does not need to be administered by a clinic devoted to MAT and can be prescribed by your doctor. Many people are nervous to begin suboxone treatment because they have concerns about if suboxone is addictive, and while it can be abused, it is not inherently addictive. If not taken as directed, there is a chance that you may form a dependence on suboxone, so it is important to follow the instructions of your doctor and take only the prescribed dose. However, as suboxone does not create the same euphoric qualities as other opioids, the desire to misuse suboxone is greatly lessened. In addition, the buprenorphine in suboxone has what is referred to as a “ceiling effect,” meaning that even if the dose is increased, the opioid effects plateau at a certain point and cannot produce any stronger feelings. This reduces the risk of misuse or overdose. The naloxone that is present in suboxone works as an opioid blocker, meaning that it is only absorbed in the body and activated if the drug is injected instead of taken orally as prescribed. This means that for those with an opioid dependency who inject naloxone, they will experience adverse side effects. This is meant to deter individuals from injecting suboxone instead of taking it as prescribed, so the risk of suboxone misuse is greatly lessened. Suboxone helps with addiction treatment by lessening the side effects of opioid withdrawal, although it is not a cure for opioid addiction. Suboxone should be used as part of a comprehensive treatment option that includes mental health treatment such as therapy for mental illness, along with support groups and educational workshops that help patients understand substance abuse and the negative effects it has on not just their lives, but the lives of their loved ones as well. Suboxone is administered by medical professionals as a part of medical detox, as it helps patients move on from the detox phase and begin to focus fully on their recovery. Suboxone is typically only used to treat opioid dependence for short-acting opioids, such as heroin and prescription painkillers. Suboxone is not recommended for treating long-acting opioids, and treatment for this form of opioid dependence is typically a buprenorphine-only medication. As with any other medication, taking suboxone to treat your opioid dependence can lead to side effects. Side effects of suboxone include flu-like symptoms, vomiting, sweating, abdominal pain, low energy, and headache. If you begin to experience these symptoms, talk to your doctor but do not stop taking suboxone without your doctor’s approval. Stopping suboxone suddenly can lead to the return of opioid withdrawal symptoms such as joint and muscle pain, irritability, dilated pupils, insomnia, feeling jittery, and diarrhea.