How Long Does Suboxone Block Opiates?

Today, treatment centers often use what is called medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, for treating opiate addiction. This involves substituting a similar medication instead of completely stopping a substance.¹ With opioid addiction, suboxone is a common substitute medication. To understand how long it may block opiates, it helps to understand how opioids and addiction work.

What Are Opiates?

Opiates are drugs derived from opium. There are natural and synthetic substances. Opiates are natural opioids like codeine, heroin, or morphine.² However, the term opioids refer to all-natural, synthetic and semi-synthetic opioids. The common drugs used for legal prescription pain relief, like fentanyl and tramadol, are synthetic opioids. Oxycodone and hydrocodone are semi-synthetic opioids and are among the most commonly prescribed painkillers in the United States.³ However, fentanyl is illegally sold on the street without a prescription and often makes news headlines for being especially dangerous.

TL;DR – How Long Does Suboxone Block Opiates?

• Typically blocks opiates for at least 24 hours
• May last up to 60 hours in some cases
• During this time, opioids like heroin will have little to no effect

Understanding the Opioid Drug Use Problem

Although there are several harmful legal and illegal drugs, opioids have recently gained particular attention because of their danger. Many people have died from an accidental overdose using illegal or legal opioids. They can make people feel relaxed or sleepy when taken in lower doses.⁴ Also, prescription opioids like tramadol and oxycodone are prescribed to relieve severe pain. What makes them dangerous is that they can slow heart rate and breathing when taken in higher doses.

When people take heroin, oxycodone, or other opioids, the substances bind to the brain’s opioid receptors to change brain signals. The change they create activates the reward sensation that causes feelings of pleasure and changes how people perceive pain.⁵ Because people want more of those rewards, they often tend to use more of the substance. However, the body also builds a tolerance to the effects the opioids have, which means it takes more to achieve the same effect. This is dangerous since higher doses can cause respiratory depression and decreased heart rate. As people become dependent on opioids, they can also develop an addiction to them. Addiction occurs when someone knows the harm a substance can do but cannot stop using it.⁶

In the 1990s, pharmaceutical companies assured doctors that opioids were safe to prescribe and that they would not cause addiction. As a result, physicians felt comfortable prescribing the medications more liberally to people who needed them for pain. This led to a growth in the use of both legal and illegal opioids.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency in 2017 because of widespread opioid substance abuse and the climbing death toll from overdoses. Substance use involving both prescription and illegal opioids had reached crisis levels.⁷ By 2019, it was reported that at least 1.6 million Americans were still misusing opioids. Today, HHS and other organizations are working harder to reduce the use of prescription opioids and to help people overcome addiction to both legal and illegal opioids.

How Long Does Suboxone Block Opiates?

For more dangerous opiates like heroin, the effects of suboxone usually block opiates for at least 24 hours after a single dose of Suboxone. Depending on individual factors, a dose of Suboxone lasts up to 60 hours in some cases.⁸ It may block them for up to 60 hours in some cases. This means that if someone takes opioids within 24 hours of taking suboxone, the opioids will not work or produce the same effects they used to for that individual.

Substance Blocked	Typical Blocking Duration	Maximum Blocking Duration	Effect
Heroin / Other Opiates	At least 24 hours	Up to 60 hours	Opioids taken during this time are less effective or ineffective

How Suboxone Blocks Opiates at the Receptor Level

Suboxone contains two active ingredients: buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, meaning it binds to the same brain receptors as heroin or oxycodone but only activates them partially. Because buprenorphine binds very tightly to opioid receptors, it prevents other opioids from attaching. Even if someone uses heroin while on Suboxone, the heroin cannot reach the receptors to produce its usual effects.

This partial activation also creates what pharmacologists call a ceiling effect: after a certain dose, taking more buprenorphine does not increase its effects. This makes Suboxone significantly safer than full opioid agonists like methadone and reduces the risk of respiratory depression and overdose.

Naloxone, the second ingredient, is an opioid antagonist included to discourage misuse. If someone tries to inject Suboxone instead of taking it sublingually, naloxone activates and triggers immediate withdrawal symptoms, making injection unappealing. Suboxone is FDA-approved and available as a sublingual film or tablet. Buprenorphine has a half-life of approximately 24–42 hours, which is why its blocking effects can persist well beyond a single day.

Suboxone Mechanism Summary

Component	Type	Role
Buprenorphine	Partial agonist	Binds tightly to receptors, blocking other opioids while partially relieving withdrawal and cravings
Naloxone	Antagonist	Discourages misuse by injection; triggers withdrawal if Suboxone is not taken as directed
Ceiling Effect	Safety mechanism	Limits maximum effect of buprenorphine, reducing overdose risk compared to full agonists

Factors That Affect How Long Suboxone Blocks Opiates

Suboxone blocks opiates for at least 24 hours and up to 60–72 hours, but the exact duration after a last dose varies by individual. The following factors play the largest role:

Factor	How It Affects Duration
Dosage	Higher doses bind to more receptors and take longer to clear, extending the blocking window
Metabolism	People with faster metabolisms process buprenorphine more quickly, shortening the effect
Liver health	Buprenorphine is metabolized by the liver; impaired liver function can prolong or alter its effects
Body weight and composition	Buprenorphine is fat-soluble, so higher body fat can extend how long it remains active
Frequency and duration of use	Long-term Suboxone patients accumulate the drug in their system, resulting in a longer blocking effect
Age	Older adults generally metabolize drugs more slowly, which can extend duration

Side Effects and Safety Warnings

Like any medication, Suboxone can cause side effects. Most are mild and improve as the body adjusts, but some require immediate medical attention.

Common side effects

Headache, nausea, constipation, insomnia, sweating, and mouth numbness or pain (from sublingual tablets).

Serious risks (seek medical help immediately)

Difficulty breathing, severe dizziness, liver problems (yellowing skin or eyes, dark urine), allergic reaction (hives, swelling of face or throat), or signs of adrenal insufficiency (unusual fatigue, muscle weakness, dizziness).

Dangerous interactions

Combining Suboxone with benzodiazepines (such as Xanax or Valium), alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants significantly increases the risk of respiratory depression, opioid overdose, coma, and death. Always disclose all medications and substances to your prescribing physician.

Opioid Drug Withdrawal

Opioid withdrawal syndrome occurs when a person with opioid dependence stops taking them, and it can be a life-threatening condition.⁹ Several changes in the body and brain occur as they become accustomed to functioning without opioids. The severity of opioid withdrawal symptoms depends on how long and how heavily the person used.¹⁰

These are some potential symptoms of withdrawal from natural opiates or other forms of opioids during the first 24 hours:

• Restlessness and anxiety
• Muscle aches
• Watery eyes
• Sweating
• Runny nose
• Yawning and inability to sleep

After the first day of stopping opioids, the withdrawal symptoms become more intense. These are some common symptoms:

• Abdominal cramping
• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting
• Chills
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Blurry vision
• Dilated pupils

Symptoms usually start improving for most people after about 72 hours. Most people feel considerably better physically after about a week. However, they still experience intense cravings during and after withdrawal since opioids activate the brain’s reward center.

Suboxone vs. Other MAT Medications

Suboxone is one of several medications used in MAT. Each has different properties, and the right choice depends on the individual’s history, needs, and treatment goals.

Medication	Type	Blocks Opioids?	Duration	Setting
Suboxone	Partial agonist + antagonist	Yes	24–72 hours	Office-based / at home
Methadone	Full agonist	No (reduces cravings but does not block)	24–36 hours	Clinic-based (daily visits)
Naltrexone (Vivitrol)	Full antagonist	Yes	24 hrs (oral) / 30 days (injection)	Office-based

Why Supervised Opioid Detox Is Important

Plenty of misinformation sites on the internet guide people through self-detox plans. However, these can be dangerous. It may seem like the withdrawal symptoms listed previously are unpleasant but do not pose life-threatening risks. Unfortunately, some people can and do die due to complications from those symptoms and do not seek medical treatment.¹¹ For example, a person with vomiting and diarrhea may not feel well enough to keep drinking water and electrolytes to replace the lost fluid. This can lead to hypernatremia, which can cause heart failure if it is not treated promptly.

Some people do not realize those risks, and others may be afraid to seek medical help for fear of getting in trouble. It is important to remember that treatment facilities are there to help and not to make matters worse for people who want to detox and start recovery. With medical supervision from a treatment facility, people are either supervised through inpatient treatment programs or supported at home with outpatient MAT. Many treatment programs also address co-occurring mental health conditions alongside opioid dependence.¹² Medical professionals can monitor symptoms and provide additional medications or treatments to prevent complications from withdrawal.

Another essential reason to work with a treatment facility to detox is that cravings tend to be more assertive when people are detoxing without MAT. Because of this, it can be easy for some people who try to detox on their own to use opioids again to satisfy the cravings and stop the discomfort of withdrawal.

How Suboxone Works in Addiction Recovery

Suboxone treatment is a common approach in MAT for people diagnosed with opioid use disorder (OUD). A prescribing physician develops an individualized treatment plan based on the severity of dependence and relapse history. People addicted for a while or with considerable relapse risk are often good candidates. For those who have a long history of addiction to heroin or other opioids, there is also methadone for long-term treatment. Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is an opioid, and naloxone is an opioid blocker. Some people who use opioids are familiar with naloxone, administered in the event of a potential overdose. It immediately reverses the effects of opioids and can save a person’s life if the individual takes a high dose of an opioid.

Buprenorphine is considered one of the best opioid medications for managing severe or moderate withdrawal. In addition to reducing cravings, it helps alleviate uncomfortable symptoms. Medical professionals base doses on previous use of opioids, side effects, and how well symptoms are controlled. When combined with naloxone, buprenorphine can reduce the potential for abuse.

The combined drug suboxone can considerably shorten detox duration and alleviate withdrawal discomfort. In addition to administering suboxone, treatment professionals provide therapy for a holistic addiction treatment approach. Detox is only one step; behavioral therapy is essential to address other issues and reduce relapse risks.

Effectiveness of Suboxone

Many studies have been conducted to determine the effectiveness of suboxone. In one study, its critical opioid drug, buprenorphine, was 75% effective in preventing relapse for at least a year.¹³ Currently, only 10% and 20% of people with opioid use disorder receive adequate treatment.¹⁴ Although evidence supports the effectiveness of suboxone, it is underutilized today. Health professionals in the state of New Jersey are trying to address that.

Suboxone Administration in New Jersey

Recently, paramedics were approved to carry and administer buprenorphine to people who receive emergency naloxone.¹⁵ This is to help ease the withdrawal symptoms. Counties in New Jersey publish data about suboxone administration and opioid treatment. For example, in 2019, Somerset County reported about 37% of treatment facility admissions for the county’s residents were for opioids.¹⁶ However, only 7% of people admitted received suboxone, and 10% received methadone. For the same year in Essex County, 51% of treatment facility admissions of residents were for opioids, and 6% received suboxone.¹⁷ Another 22% received methadone.

Find Opioid Rehab Facilities Near You

Without behavioral therapy, suboxone is not considered an effective addiction treatment option. Garden State Detox combines individual counseling and MAT to help people get a strong start on their recovery journey. In addition to offering MAT programs, we provide opioid detox, residential treatment, and even teletherapy. Also, we offer alcohol addiction treatment options. If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid addiction, our treatment programs can help, please get in touch with us to learn more about opioid detox and treatment in New Jersey.

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1. https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment ↩︎
2. https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/basics/terms.html ↩︎
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21463069/ ↩︎
4. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prescription-drug-abuse/expert-answers/what-are-opioids/faq-20381270 ↩︎
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2851054/ ↩︎
6. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2015/10/biology-addiction ↩︎
7. https://www.hhs.gov/opioids/about-the-epidemic/index.html ↩︎
8. https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/long-suboxone-block-opiates-3536136/ ↩︎
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526012/ ↩︎
10. https://www.healthline.com/health/opiate-withdrawal ↩︎
11. https://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/blog/yes-people-can-die-opiate-withdrawal ↩︎
12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310652/ ↩︎
13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5855417/ ↩︎
14. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/5-myths-about-using-suboxone-to-treat-opiate-addiction-2018032014496 ↩︎
15. https://www.nj.gov/health/news/2019/approved/20190624a.shtml ↩︎
16. https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dmhas/publications/statistical/Substance%20Abuse%20Overview/2019/Som.pdf ↩︎
17. https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dmhas/publications/statistical/Substance%20Abuse%20Overview/2019/Ess.pdf ↩︎

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Written by: The Garden State Detox Editorial Team
Editor: Isaac Adams-Hands
Medically Reviewed by: MedicallyReviewed.com

Published on: October 29, 2022
Updated on: March 5, 2026