Suboxone Withdrawals
Speak To A Professional Confidentially
Table of Contents
Suboxone is one of the most common medications used to treat opioid addiction. Usually, individuals who go to a doctor or a rehab center with an opioid addiction disorder will get a Suboxone prescription. If patients use it as recommended, it is great in helping people quit opioids but also in reducing the opioid withdrawal symptoms.
The medication cannot get people high and for this reason, it is preferred in the treatment of drug addiction, especially when compared to other similar medications. Suboxone acts very fast, and it will allow patients to quickly start their recovery process.
But since Suboxone contains a weak opioid, it means that the user will still be dependent on an opioid drug. As such, withdrawal symptoms may appear when they try to give up on it. Withdrawal isn’t easy to deal with, especially on your own, which is why it may be necessary to go to a rehabilitation center.
What You SHould Know About Suboxone
Suboxone is a medication prescribed for people who are dealing with an opioid use disorder. It is meant to be used by adults. The drug comes in tablet form or an oral film form.
Both of them can be allowed to dissolve inside the mouth. Ideally, Suboxone should be placed under the tongue. Films can also be placed between the gums and cheek if the patient is stabilized on a maintenance dose.
Suboxone contains buprenorphine and naloxone. The latter is an opioid antagonist, with the power of reversing the effects of opioids. The former is a partial opioid agonist.
Together, they can be very effective in treating opioid addiction or withdrawal. Suboxone has been approved in 2002 by the FDA and continues to save people’s lives to this day.
Addiction To Suboxone
As Suboxone contains a weak opioid, using it in a suboxone treatment plan means you will still be dependent on an opioid during the process. Not only that, but the effects of Suboxone can be quite addictive, especially if they help you stay away from the harmful opioids and live your life happily, without your body or mind being affected. But this means you may develop an addiction to Suboxone, which is not a great thing.
Addiction can form even when the medication is used on a prescription. However, people who use the substance illegally are at higher risk of developing an addiction.
The body will slowly become tolerant to Suboxone. So, not only will it be used to the dose you consume regularly, but it will also expect it. Not to mention that addicts will start to have problems in their personal life due to their cravings and their need for Suboxone. This substance addiction should be taken care of through a detox.
Going Through Withdrawals
If you become addicted to Suboxone, giving up on it may cause withdrawal. The body is no longer getting the substance it became addicted to, so a chemical imbalance will occur. Withdrawal can be very difficult to handle on your own, and sometimes, this withdrawal may result in a relapse.
Anyone who is experiencing this will get withdrawal symptoms similar to those of opioid withdrawal. Generally, to avoid this, the Suboxone dose will be slowly tapered off during the recovery process.
Not everyone is lucky enough to avoid withdrawal, particularly if they use the substance illegally. In their case, the withdrawal may require going to a rehabilitation center to get it treated.
Withdrawal Symptoms
If you started using Suboxone for opioid addiction treatment or to treat any pain, you may start experiencing withdrawal if you stop taking it. This is the case for people who quit cold turkey or simply forget to take a dose.
People going through this will notice that their physical symptoms resemble those of opioid withdrawal. They include:
- Restlessness
- Goosebumps
- Chills
- Anxiety
- Runny nose
- Muscle pain and aches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea or stomach cramps
- Teary eyes
- Twitching or tremors
- Sweating
The only good aspect is that the withdrawal may not be as painful as the one you experience during actual opioid withdrawal. This is especially the case for people who are taking it to treat opioid withdrawal.
Dealing WIth The Withdrawals
Generally, reducing the Suboxone dose gradually under professional supervision in a clinic is how one can successfully quit the medication without too much trouble. Doing this can reduce or prevent withdrawal symptoms. The tapering process will make sure the body is starting to operate on less and less Suboxone, getting used to living without it after a while.
In some cases, people may end up experiencing withdrawal symptoms during the tapering program too, which is not ideal. When this happens, it is usually recommended to take certain medical treatments in a Suboxone detoxification center.
On top of the tapering program and the medication, an individual experiencing withdrawal may also try to do the following things:
- Hydrating themselves
- Exercising
- Eating healthy
- Relaxing
- Engaging in new hobbies or social activities
Are You Ready To Talk?
Timeline For Suboxone Withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms will start soon after the last Suboxone dose – this means a few hours after the last dose – and can take one month to go away.
The symptoms will start within the first 72 hours, and this is also when the worst physical symptoms will make themselves known. It is the most difficult part of the process. After one week, the person may still have insomnia, mood swings, and some physical pain, although the worst symptoms are decreasing.
Two weeks after the last dose, the person will experience depression. After one month, depression may still be present, sometimes even accompanied by cravings.
Why Should You Choose Real Deal?
Real Deal can offer you everything you need for successful addiction recovery. We offer detox and therapy in inpatient and outpatient settings. But that is not where the benefits stop.
We also have a sober living program, which includes a Classic Program, Classic Plus, and Signature program. All of them are meant to help you stay off the substance. You will be able to stay clean, make friendships and take part in fun activities.
Suboxone withdrawal can be very difficult to deal with, so if you are going through it, you should call for help. Our rehabilitation center is ready to help you.