If you are undergoing medication assisted treatment for opioid addiction, you may be familiar with Suboxone. It is a brand name for a prescription drug used to reduce addictive opioid cravings. As part of a holistic addiction recovery plan, Suboxone can be used as an effective medication to manage withdrawal symptoms from opioid abuse and eventually treat addiction.
Suboxone is made up of two primary ingredients: buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is an opioid that was also previously used as a pain reliever. While it also produces mild euphoria, it is used to prevent other opioids such as heroin, fentanyl, and oxycodone from affecting your brain.
Naloxone, on the other hand, reverses the effects of the opioid on the nervous system that’s why it’s called an opioid antagonist. Naloxone is often used as the first line of treatment for opioid overdose. It is used as an ingredient in Suboxone to prevent people from overdosing on buprenorphine. This substance is also used to decrease the risk of relapse by preventing users from experiencing feelings of euphoria.
One common question asked by people who have taken or are currently taking Suboxone is whether this substance shows up on a drug screening. If you are about to undergo a drug test for work or sports, you might be worried that Suboxone could cause some problems for you. Will a drug test show that you’re taking Suboxone?
Will Suboxone show up on a drug test? It depends
Because buprenorphine is an opioid, many people are worried that it will cause a false positive in a drug test. So, will Suboxone cause a false positive? Will taking Suboxone show that you’re taking opioids?
This depends on the type of drug test. There are usually two types of drug tests for opioids: routine tests and expanded opiate screenings. Routine opiate testing is usually reliable when detecting opioids like codeine, morphine, and heroin. These routine drug tests, however, are not known to identify other opioids unless taken in very high doses such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone, and fentanyl. To detect these substances, expanded opiate testing is usually performed.
In most standard drug tests, the buprenorphine in Suboxone will not show up. This means that it will not trigger a positive result for opioids. Even when the drug test is an expanded opiate test, Suboxone will not show up. However, it is also possible to appear if you are specifically being tested for buprenorphine, naloxone, or Suboxone.
Why will a drug screening test you for Suboxone?
As mentioned earlier, most drug tests do not detect Suboxone or its opioid component buprenorphine. However, there are certain drug tests where you will specifically be tested for these substances. In these instances, Suboxone’s components can be detected.
It is becoming increasingly popular for employers and organizations to require multi-panel drug tests that can detect different types of drugs. This is usually for better transparency and accuracy when it comes to drug results.
It is also possible to specifically test for Suboxone if you are undergoing medication assisted treatment for opioid addiction. It is a method for the treatment provider to confirm that you are taking the medication to maintain your treatment. Some people who are supposed to be taking Suboxone are illegally diverting the drug to other people for illicit use, so treatment providers may test to see if you are indeed taking Suboxone.
How long does Suboxone stay in your system?
The length of time Suboxone will show up in your system will depend on your individual metabolism. Factors like your body weight, height, kidney, and liver function will affect how long it stays in your body. The amount of Suboxone taken and how long you’ve been taking the drug will also affect this timeline.
If you are undergoing a urine drug test that specifically tests for Suboxone, the drug can be detected for seven to ten days after taking the drug. In blood and saliva tests, Suboxone can be detected for up to 24 hours. In hair tests, this can be detected for approximately 3 months.
What to do if Suboxone shows up on a drug test?
If Suboxone shows up in your drug test, you can speak to your doctor about providing proof showing that it is a part of your treatment program. However, if you are illicitly using Suboxone, getting professional help for addiction recovery is the best course of action.
If you are struggling with substance abuse, help is available.
Contact Anaheim Lighthouse today.
