Answer to your Question

Answered By: Addiction Specialist

Answer: Suboxone contains buprenorphine which belongs to a class of drugs called partial opiate receptor agonists. Drugs of this class do cause tolerance and withdrawal (physical addiction) with prolonged usage. So, in this sense one can become addicted to Suboxone. However, because Suboxone is prescribed for opiate dependence (e.g. heroin addiction, oxycodone addiction, etc.) it is almost always the case that the individual receiving Suboxone already has developed tolerance and dependence to an opiate and the Suboxone is being used to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Because suboxone has a long half life and because it is associated with less euphoria than the typically abused opiates, it is less likely to interfere with functioning than the opiate drug of abuse it is used to replace.

Answered on: May 20, 2009