Suboxone works by replacing the physical and euphoric effects of the narcotic the person is addicted to, which makes it possible to treat their addiction. Naloxone is the medication in Suboxone which prevents it from being misused.

Suboxone should be used to treat the addiction to opiates in combination with a complete addiction treatment program that includes medical, psychological and social support. It can easily be incorporated into a treatment which includes principles of 12 step programs such as Narcotics Anonymous.