Your Guide to Suboxone Withdrawal

About 2 million people struggle with opioids use disorder in the USA. The most common cause of this condition is misusing prescription opioids. Some people also obtain and use illegal opioids like heroin.

Opioids trigger the production of endorphins that muffles your perception of pain and provide a temporary feeling of pleasure. When the drug effects wear off, the user craves more of the drug. After some time, you develop tolerance and become addicted. It becomes harder to stop taking the substance on your own, and the best solution is to seek treatment. The first step of treatment is suboxone detox. Here is everything you need to know about this treatment phase.

What Is Suboxone?

Suboxone is an opioid use disorder treatment medication, and its main ingredients are buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine binds to the brain’s opioid receptors to prevent substance intoxication. It delivers effects similar to other opioids but in a weaker dose to satisfy the brain’s needs for opioids without causing the high effect, and this reduces cravings. Meanwhile, naloxone reverses the effects of opioids use.

Only a doctor can prescribe suboxone. You can either take the drug in the form of sublingual tablets or film. If your doctor prescribes the pill, you place it under the tongue while the film goes between your gum and cheeks. Don’t chew or swallow the medicine since it reduces its effectiveness. The medicine disintegrates within four to eight minutes when placed under the tongue.

Suboxone Addiction

Suboxone is a safe treatment medication with a meager potential for addiction. However, addiction is possible. Buprenorphine is what produces some weak opioid-like effects. When using suboxone to treat opioid dependency, clients may develop tolerance to buprenorphine. If you try to resolve this by increasing the suboxone dose, it might lead to an addiction.

Some people also buy suboxone in the streets illegally to fight opioid withdrawal. They take suboxone whenever they experience opioid side effects without considering the required dosage. Such a person has a higher risk of suboxone misuse, potentially leading to addiction. Others neglect proper opioid addiction treatment and use suboxone to manage opioids dependency and prolong their drug misuse. Some common symptoms associated with suboxone abuse include:

• Extreme drowsiness
• Loss of appetite
• Poor coordination
• Shallow breathing
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite

Suboxone Withdrawal Symptoms

Prolonged suboxone use may lead to addiction. Once dependence sets in, you experience a chemical imbalance that triggers distressing effects whenever you try quitting the drug. You will get similar effects if you miss a dose or abruptly stop taking suboxone for opioids addiction treatment. These symptoms are usually milder than those of other opioids. Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms include:

• Fever
• Sleep problems
• Intense opioids cravings
• Diarrhea
• Sweating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Restlessness
• Tremors, twitching, and muscle pain
• Significant drug cravings
• Impaired liver function
• Breathing issues
• Low blood pressure

Psychological Effects

At the initial stage of suboxone detoxification, most clients become very irritable because they no longer receive the floods of dopamine delivered by opioids. Others feel anxious, but this feeling subsides after some time. In extreme cases, suboxone withdrawal can worsen mental health issues. For instance, if a client used to take suboxone to numb anger and depression, the emotions will come back after the detox. The client, therefore, requires further treatment like counseling to address such issues and prevent relapse.

Suboxone Withdrawal Timeline

The effects of sudden withdrawal from suboxone appear on a different timeline for the clients based on their overall health and how long the individual used the drug. Those who abruptly quit suboxone experience intense withdrawal symptoms faster. But if you gradually lower the dose, you will have a shorter withdrawal period with mild symptoms.

Suboxone is a long-acting drug, meaning that the body absorbs it slowly after intake, and the effects last longer. So, the withdrawal symptoms start 24 to 72 hours after the last dose and can last up to 10 days. The withdrawal timeline associated with suboxone is fairly predictable and entails the following phases.

First 12 Hours

Some people experience withdrawal symptoms like intense cravings, muscle aches, runny nose, sweating, and anxiety six to 12 hours after the last suboxone dose.

After One Day

Within 24 hours, you experience general discomforts, fatigue, and cold-like symptoms. This is a crucial time in the detoxification process because some clients are so uncomfortable that they relapse to make the withdrawal symptoms stop.

In Two to Three Days

The withdrawal symptoms highly intensify within the first 72 hours, so it’s crucial to seek professional assistance to prevent relapse. The most common withdrawal symptoms in this phase include increased heart rate, high blood pressure, fever, dilated pupils, nausea, abdominal cramps, and goosebumps.

The First Week

The severe physical symptoms begin to wear off, but the psychological effects remain. Many clients experience depression and anxiety during this time period.

In Two Weeks

It’s very important to attend treatment sessions, small group therapy, and 12-step meetings during the first two weeks of sobriety because mental health problems like anxiety and depression muted by drug use may return.

After a Month

At this stage, suboxone clears from your system, but your brain may still crave the drug years later. Relapse prevention is crucial, so surround yourself with a strong support system. Family and friends will, of course, be invaluable, but many former suboxone users find it helpful to talk openly with others who have had experiences similar to theirs. Having a sobriety sponsor can keep you accountable and vigilant in your recovery.

How to Ease Suboxone Withdrawal Symptoms

The safest way to quit suboxone treatment is by gradually tapering down the doses. This will reduce the intensity of the withdrawal effects and minimizes the length of discomfort. Even for those acquiring suboxone illegally, get a professional to walk with you through this journey.

The doctor will determine how much suboxone you take, how long you have used it, and the last dose’s timeframe. They will also want to know if there are other genetic factors like a history of family addiction that can affect drug dependence. With this information, they can determine the starting dose of the taper. Based on your dependence level, they will lower the amount every few days or weeks.

If the side effects intensify at a particular time, the doctor should adjust the dose or slower the taper. The doctor may also prescribe medication to ease symptoms like nausea and diarrhea. Besides tapering down, here are other remedies that you can use to alleviate these effects.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Proper nutrition is vital in recovery. Eat a balanced diet high in vitamins, proteins, and minerals to soothe your body. Symptoms like diarrhea, sweating, and vomiting affect the electrolyte balance and nutrient intake, so consume more fruits and vegetables to stabilize this. The proper diet gives your body the energy to fight and heal. Drink enough water to flush the toxins from your body and prevent dehydration.

Exercise Often

People going through the withdrawal stage become very moody and depressed. Incorporating workouts in your routine increases the production of endorphins that trigger positive feelings and improved moods. Exercises also keep you proactive to help fight cravings.

Create Time for Hobbies

Incorporate fun activities like hiking, drawing, music, painting, or soccer into your routine to increase endorphins flow and distract yourself from cravings.

Prepare Adequately For the Physical Effects

Since detoxing from suboxone causes flu-like symptoms, prepare with an extra blanket, heating pads, hot drinks, and ice cubes. Get your favorite book, movies, or a journal to keep you busy during the period and take your mind off the discomfort.

Suboxone Detox Compared to Quitting Cold Turkey

Safety is a key factor when it comes to any form of detoxing. If you decide to quit the drug on your own, the withdrawal symptoms can be highly uncomfortable, which increases the risk of relapse. Note that a return to opioid use after detox can be very dangerous. If you take the same dose as before, it could lead to an overdose. Detox facilities create a safe and drug-free environment that supports sobriety. Once you join a treatment program, the doctors can personalize the treatment to meet your unique needs. They can offer more medication to help cope with the effects and provide emotional comfort in times of need.

The safest way to withdraw from suboxone is through a medical detox program, and the first treatment step is intake. A medical practitioner performs several tests to assess your level of substance dependence. They will also ask some personal questions to determine if you have an underlying mental health condition. Be honest with the answers since they guide the doctors in choosing the right treatment plan for you.

Treatment Begins After Detox

While suboxone can help you manage the symptoms of opioid withdrawal, you will need subsequent treatment to address the psychological aspect of addiction. Half the people struggling with addiction also suffer from a mental health disorder. Once you visit a treatment facility, a health professional will conduct a dual diagnosis to get to the root of the problem.

After detox, you proceed to therapy to discuss your stressors, and together with your counselor, you will develop better coping mechanisms. You will go through individual counseling to understand your nature of addiction and address personal issues that push you to drug use. The programs also entail group therapy, where you interact with people suffering from similar issues and create meaningful relationships.

Inpatient Program

This option is beneficial in the initial stage of suboxone detoxification for those with severe withdrawal effects. The clients move into a treatment center to receive constant professional monitoring and support. This is a time when you can focus solely on your recovery without outside influences and distractions.

Partial Hospitalization

Consider partial hospitalization if you still need intense care but wouldn’t want to stay at the treatment facility. You spend most of the day in the treatment center about five days a week and head home in the evenings. This is also the next step after inpatient treatment.

Outpatient Treatment

Clients with mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms can consider the outpatient program. You visit the treatment facility for a few hours and then later head home. This option allows you to work, attend school, or take care of the family as you work on recovery.

Family therapy is also beneficial for addressing mental health issues in your family, mending relationships, and actively involving your loved ones in the treatment process. Through therapy, you become more aware of your emotions and regain control over your feeling to avoid triggers. This will help maintain long-term sobriety.

Get Clean Safely Today

Medication-assisted detoxification is a great way to beat addiction. When combined with counseling, it can help you overcome substance use disorder. If your loved one is stuck with any form of addiction, consult a professional to get them the right treatment plan.