Boxes

In modern substance use treatment, you’ve probably heard people mention “boxes” more than a few times. It’s street slang for several buprenorphine medications, including Suboxone® (important safety information). The term is most often used when people want to discuss their medication while remaining discreet.

“Boxes” derives from the “box” in “Suboxone.” Given how many medications there are and how confusing some of their names are, this abbreviation makes them easier to reference.

The Suboxone slang is also a rather literal description of the packaging. Suboxone strips come in rectangular packs that look like little boxes. Even the individual strips come wrapped in small, boxy foil packets.

Association with other drugs

Most of the time the term “boxes” is used as a street name for buprenorphine, one of the ingredients in Suboxone. Buprenorphine can be taken on its own during treatment for an opioid use disorder (OUD), but many clinicians prefer prescribing Suboxone because it includes naloxone, which helps prevent the medication from being abused. 

While you may hear “boxes” occasionally used for other square-like pills, in recovery conversations, it’s almost always Suboxone or something similar.

Why do drugs have street or slang names?

Would you rather say, “I’m picking up my boxes” or “I have to get my buprenorphine-naloxone sublingual film?” Suboxone names exist because they’re easier on everyone. After all, some people want privacy when they’re talking, especially about medical matters that may have an associated stigma. Others find the clinical terms hard to pronounce. 

Finally, there’s an important distinction to note: Drug street names can vary by location and will evolve over time. “Boxes” might be a particularly widespread example now, but certain areas might have alternatives. Regional differences in street names are huge due to localized trends and typical evolutions as new slang terms are developed and old ones fall out of use ¹.

Emergence of emoji usage

Texting and social media have created whole new ways to talk about drugs without actually saying anything. The latest buprenorphine street name isn’t even a word. It’s the shipping box emoji (📦).

This is part of a broader trend where emojis become code for different substances, making conversations less obvious to family members and even law enforcement. Substituting emoji for words and phrases can also help drug-related content evade social media algorithms that seek to hide harmful and illicit content².

What to know about taking Suboxone

Receiving a prescription from Ophelia

Ophelia’s telehealth model is a different way to receive opioid treatment. Our intake process ensures our clinicians understand your unique needs and can provide the right support and prescription medication. When a patient is eligible for buprenorphine treatment, we send a prescription to a local pharmacy for easy pickup.

Suboxone dosages can vary in their ratio of buprenorphine and naloxone, so your clinician will work with you to determine the right strength based on your needs at intake and progress during treatment.

Proper method for taking this medication

Sublingual medications are less common than tablets and liquids, so figuring out the right way to take one can seem confusing at first.

It’s important to follow directions to ensure you’re getting the full effect of the medication:

• Place the film under your tongue
• Let it dissolve completely; this could take 5–10 minutes
• Don’t chew or swallow the film or move it around in your mouth
• Don’t eat or drink anything until the film has dissolved³

Your care team will walk you through the process in more detail when you have the medication in hand.

Learn more

Buprenorphine-related terms

• Buprenorphine: A partial opioid agonist that helps manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms; the main ingredient in Suboxone 
• Bupe: A shortened form of the name “buprenorphine” that is commonly used in conversation
• Suboxone: A brand-name combination medication containing buprenorphine and naloxone

Other drug street names

• Oranges: Often used in reference to generic buprenorphine tablets, but may also refer to other orange pills
• Strips: While Suboxone does come in pill form, strips of dissolvable film are the most common.
• Subs: Another common nickname for Suboxone

 Sources

1. Wandler, K. (6 March 2025). Street Names and Slang for Drugs. Florida Rehab. Retrieved on July 28, 2025, from https://www.floridarehab.com/resources/drug-slang/
2. Hui-Anderson, A. (30 December 2022). Emojis Are the New Language of Drug Deals—Especially for Teens. Verywell Health. Retrieved on July 28, 2025, from https://www.verywellhealth.com/emoji-drug-code-educates-parents-about-drug-deals-7068968
3. (29 July 2021). What Happens if You Swallow Suboxone®? MAT Clinics. Retrieved on July 28, 2025, from https://www.matclinics.com/matclinics-blog/is-swallowing-suboxone-okay-heres-what-you-should-know

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