Last Updated:

February 2nd, 2026

Buprenorphine (Subutex) addiction: signs, symptoms and side-effects

Buprenorphine, taken as Subutex (alone) or Suboxone (with naloxone), is prescribed to treat opioid addiction and helps many people stabilise. But it also carries risks, including the danger of becoming addicted to the drug intended to help. Anyone taking or supporting someone on buprenorphine needs to know what Subutex addiction looks like, how it develops, the dangers to watch for, and where to get help.

Buprenorphine pills in box

What is buprenorphine addiction?

Buprenorphine addiction means you are no longer in control of how you use your medication. It often starts well, with your dose evening out the day and cutting cravings for heroin, oxycodone, or other opioids.

However, you may start to experience a mood lift if you take buprenorphine at certain times, like when you’re feeling stressed. Buprenorphine abuse is subtle, with some people pretending they have swallowed their tablet at the clinic, pocketing it for later, or sourcing extra pills.

If you continuously ramp up your dose, you can develop a buprenorphine dependence that is just like the one you had for previous drugs. When a dose is late, your body goes into withdrawal and you feel edgy, achy, and agitated.

As this grows, buprenorphine begins to control your life like any other drug addiction. This is a very risky place to be, and without professional help, you can fall back into the dangers that buprenorphine was supposed to protect you from.

How to spot buprenorphine addiction signs

Buprenorphine is meant to help you stabilise, so it is easy to tell yourself there cannot be a problem. Rehab centres see many cases of Subutex addiction denial, often from a fear of ending treatment and going back to other drugs. But it is important to be honest and look out for these buprenorphine addiction signs:

  • You take more buprenorphine than prescribed or bring doses forward to feel a lift.
  • You “cheek” supervised doses, then spit them out later to save for injecting or snorting.
  • You miss appointments or change pharmacies to avoid questions about missing doses.
  • You mix Subutex with alcohol, gabapentin, pregabalin, or benzodiazepines to amplify the effect.
  • You delay starting your dose after using heroin because you fear precipitated withdrawal, then binge to “bridge the gap.”
  • You feel jittery, sweaty, or unable to sleep when you try to stretch the time between doses.
  • You trade or sell part of your prescription and then scramble to find enough to avoid feeling rough.
  • You hide wrappers or lie about where your tablets went.
  • You keep using even after warnings from your care team.

Buprenorphine addiction dust using

Why does buprenorphine addiction develop?

Buprenorphine sits on the brain’s opioid receptors so that cravings ease, pain quiets, and you feel level-headed. With time, your system adapts, and the same amount of Subutex doesn’t work, so you look for boosted effects through buprenorphine abuse. But there are various underlying factors which increase Subutex addiction risks:

Fear of relapse to stronger opioids
If heroin or high-dose painkillers were part of your past, you may cling to Subutex as a shield. Extra doses can feel like protection, even when they are not in your prescription plan.
Sleep and anxiety
Many people try to calm anxiety or sleep better with extra buprenorphine doses or by mixing it with other sedatives. This works for a short while, but as tolerance builds and your nights become harder, this can escalate your buprenorphine misuse.
Precipitated withdrawal memories
Starting buprenorphine too soon after heroin or methadone can trigger sudden, severe withdrawal. This is called “precipitated withdrawal”, and people who have experienced it may overuse buprenorphine to avoid feeling it again.
Using rituals
If injecting was part of your old life, the act itself can be habit-forming. However, crushing and injecting Subutex brings increased risks of dependency and re-anchors the old routine.
Community and pressure
If your circle swaps, sells, or shares buprenorphine strips, it is harder to stick to your plan. Saying no can feel like losing your group, even when you know the cost of saying yes.
Belief that Subutex is “safe”
Because it is a treatment medicine, people can forget it is still an opioid. Mixing buprenorphine with other drugs or taking too much can push you into addiction danger fast. That is why you need to follow your prescription exactly and tell your recovery team immediately if you feel like you are becoming addicted.

Buprenorphine side-effects and addiction dangers

Buprenorphine was designed to be safer than heroin or methadone, but “safer” doesn’t mean harmless. Understanding buprenorphine side effects and the dangers is very important for anyone using it:

Buprenorphine overdose
Buprenorphine has a ceiling effect on breathing, which lowers overdose risk compared with many opioids. However, this is not a guarantee of safety. Mixing buprenorphine with alcohol, benzodiazepines, gabapentinoids, or other sedatives can slow breathing to a dangerous level. If someone is very drowsy, hard to wake, or breathing slowly, call 999 and use naloxone if it is available.
Precipitated withdrawal
As explained above, taking Subutex too soon after heroin, fentanyl, methadone, or strong painkillers can trigger sudden, severe withdrawal. It feels like a full crash that comes on fast, but this is preventable with correct timing and advice. Never attempt a home detox or guess your withdrawal window. Ask for help.
Injection-related harm
Crushing and injecting tablets or films carries a high infection risk. Abscesses, cellulitis, collapsed veins, endocarditis, sepsis, and blood-borne infections can all follow. While filters, clean water, and sterile technique can lower the risk, they never remove it entirely.
Cognitive effects and accidents
Sedation and slowed thinking increase the chance of falls, crashes, and accidents at work, especially if you mix other depressants. If you feel foggy, do not drive, operate heavy machinery or do anything that could be dangerous.
Pregnancy and baby withdrawal
Buprenorphine can be part of safe care in pregnancy with proper supervision. However, you should never stop suddenly or without medical supervision. Babies may need monitoring for neonatal withdrawal when you taper off Subutex, but this can be planned for and treated with the right team.

Finding help for buprenorphine addiction

You should never feel ashamed about becoming addicted to buprenorphine or like you have failed in recovery. Owning it is a brave step and the safest way forward.

Prescription drug detox is the next step in recovery. Some people taper Subutex slowly under supervision, while others may need to switch to a different plan. Your detox team can guide you on safe timing and dose reductions, and can also help with withdrawal symptoms.

You will then need to begin opioid rehab to unpick what was left unresolved the last time. This will look at why extra buprenorphine doses became a habit and how stress, sleep, depression, or old routines kept it going. Drug rehab therapy gives you solid ways to cope so you can finally put these issues behind you.

Recovery then needs to continue after formal treatment. Relapse prevention work before you leave rehab can teach you how to spot early warning signs and handle high-risk moments. Local support and recovery groups, like aftercare therapy sessions, rehab alumni networks, and

NA meetings can all keep you connected to people who understand.

If you wish to seek help for drug addiction, contact us today, and we can help you find the right support to rebuild your life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Subutex the same as buprenorphine?
Yes, Subutex is a brand of buprenorphine. Suboxone is buprenorphine with naloxone added. Both are used to treat opioid dependence under medical care.
What should I do if I suspect someone is addicted to buprenorphine?
Start with a calm, honest conversation, rather than confronting them. If someone you know is using buprenorphine in secret, taking more than prescribed, or buying extra doses, they may already feel ashamed or frightened. Try to talk when they’re sober and you’re both calm. Say what you’ve noticed, explain that you’re worried about their safety, and avoid blame. Encourage them to speak with a professional for expert advice.
What is precipitated withdrawal, and how do I avoid it?
It is a sudden, severe withdrawal that happens when you take buprenorphine too soon after using heroin, fentanyl, methadone, or strong pain pills. The medicine displaces the other opioid and triggers a severe crash. The best way to avoid it is correct timing and medical guidance before induction or re-start.

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