Buprenorphine and naloxone are components of the drug Suboxone, which is used to treat opiate dependence.
Suboxone is a medicine frequently used for extended periods after the user has quit using other addictive opioids, although it can be an effective treatment for opiate dependence. Suboxone can be addicting while being effective.
If Suboxone is stopped abruptly because of its partial opioid agonist properties, the withdrawal symptoms are comparable to those of other opioids. Read on to learn more about Suboxone withdrawal and how to overcome addiction.
What Are Suboxone Withdrawal Symptoms?
Suboxone withdrawal symptoms can persist for up to a month and may include the following:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headaches
- Muscle Aches/Body Aches
- Lethargy
- Digestive Problems
- Indigestion
- Fever
- Chills
- Sweating
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Irritability
- Drug Cravings
- Trouble Concentrating
If you want to stop taking Suboxone, you’ll probably experience withdrawal symptoms if you were hooked on the medicine due to stopping opioid or drug abuse.
The likelihood of relapsing presents the biggest challenge regarding the impacts of Suboxone withdrawal.
Even though some specialists think relapse might be a necessary component of rehabilitation, taking Suboxone as a maintenance medication for opiate addiction and relapse puts you at risk of overdosing because of a lowered tolerance.
As a result, you must adhere to your treatment plan and collaborate closely with your physician during your Suboxone treatment. If you choose to quit using it, remember that a Suboxone taper is advised because stopping abruptly can be risky.
How Long Does It Last?
After a month, most physical withdrawal symptoms usually go away, while psychological reliance can linger. During the first 72 hours of Suboxone withdrawal, symptoms are at their worst. At this period, the majority of physical symptoms start to manifest.
Then, in the first week following the discontinuation of Suboxone, symptoms such as generalized body aches and pains, insomnia, and mood swings typically go away. The main symptom after the second week is depression. Users will probably still be depressed and have strong desires after a month.
After ceasing Suboxone use, this is the most vulnerable period since users are at a high risk of relapsing. As a result, the Suboxone withdrawal schedule is as follows:
- 72 hours: Physical effects are at their worst
- After one week: Aches and pains in the body, sleeplessness, and mood swings
- 2 weeks: Depression
- 1 month: Melancholy and cravings
Taper vs. Detox: How to Handle Suboxone Withdrawal Symptoms
Drugs like Suboxone are frequently used as opioid replacement therapy (ORT) to treat some uncomfortable and difficult withdrawal symptoms due to the expanding prescription opioid epidemic.
However, Suboxone is also addictive, so if the drug is abused or misused and someone tries to stop taking it, they might struggle with severe Suboxone withdrawal symptoms.
If you’re battling a Suboxone addiction, it will be beneficial to understand what withdrawal symptoms you can encounter while you taper off the medication.
Even while the symptoms can be severe, they are typically not harmful, especially if you are going off of Suboxone with the help of an addiction professional.
Tapering Off Suboxone
A taper is a pharmaceutical reduction that is done gradually.
You may suffer a variety of withdrawal symptoms from Suboxone when going off the drug, including:
- Rapid heartbeat
- Elevated blood pressure
- Dilated pupils
- Anxiety
- Trouble falling asleep
- Nausea
- Stomach cramps
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Sweating
- Mood swings
- Flu-like symptoms include body pains, runny noses, and chills
Suboxone Tapering Techniques
Developing a tapering strategy with a rehab center is the most secure way to manage Suboxone withdrawal. Again, tapering refers to gradually lowering the dose to lessen the severity of withdrawal symptoms.
Suboxone Tapering: Short vs. Long-Term
Whether a short or long Suboxone taper timetable is preferable is a matter of debate. Some believe that the shorter, seven-day taper is ideal for overcoming the majority of Suboxone withdrawal symptoms as soon as possible.
Others believe patients will experience a smoother withdrawal if they taper for 28 days. In either case, it’s crucial to have your doctor regularly check your vital signs.
Depending on your required treatment, you can taper off Suboxone in an inpatient or outpatient setting. Based on the severity of your Suboxone addiction, your doctor will probably collaborate with you to develop a personalized tapering schedule.
The symptoms of Suboxone withdrawal may be lessened by other non-opioid drugs that your doctor may prescribe.
Suboxone Withdrawal: How to Manage the Symptoms
You can take additional steps to lessen Suboxone withdrawal symptoms in addition to collaborating with a doctor or addiction specialist on a tapering strategy, such as the following:
- Maintain contact with your doctor or therapist during the withdrawal process. Tell them about your symptoms and worries directly and honestly.
- Make sure to drink enough water to stay hydrated.
- Fuel your body with nutritious foods.
- Engage in regular exercises, such as brisk walking, yoga, cycling, etc.
- To help with anxiety reduction, deep practice breathing, mindfulness, or meditation.
- Regularly go to a support group, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
- Begin building a new kind of life for yourself, complete with rituals and interests.
- Invest some time each day to motivate and inspire yourself to achieve. Watch videos, read books, listen to podcasts, etc.
Long-Term Suboxone Treatment Options
The most effective strategy to manage Suboxone withdrawal symptoms is to seek expert assistance from those trained in addiction therapy.
Know that addiction specialists are ready and prepared to help you overcome your opioid addiction, whether you commit to an outpatient program where you attend sessions and then return home or enroll in a residential treatment center and receive round-the-clock care.
What Is Suboxone Made Of?
Suboxone makes it more difficult for someone to experience the typical opioid high in the brain because it contains both the opioid drug buprenorphine and the drug naloxone, which suppresses the euphoric or relaxing effects of opioids.
Suboxone can help people regain control of their lives when used as a prescription for drug addiction, especially if they combine the drug with successful counseling and a strong support system.
However, some people abuse the use of Suboxone. The good thing about it is that everyone can overcome this and pave their way to addiction recovery.
What Is Suboxone Used For?
Suboxone is a prescription drug used in opioid treatment programs, counseling, and behavioral therapy.
Suboxone, which contains buprenorphine and naloxone, is sometimes required to be taken for extended periods after the user has quit taking addictive opioids. Still, it can be a successful treatment for opiate dependence.
Although Suboxone is helpful, it can also be addictive and, if stopped abruptly, has withdrawal symptoms comparable to those of other opioids. Suboxone withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Sweating and headaches
- Fever and chills
- Muscle and body aches
- Anxiety, despair, and irritation
Depending on how long users have been using Suboxone and the dosage, the symptoms might range in intensity and length.
After a month, most physical withdrawal symptoms usually go away, while psychological reliance can linger. The first 72 hours after starting Suboxone are the worst for withdrawal symptoms.
At this period, the majority of physical symptoms start to manifest. Then, in the first week following the discontinuation of Suboxone, symptoms such as generalized body aches and pains, insomnia, and mood swings typically go away. After the second week, depression is the major symptom.
Users will probably still be depressed and have strong desires after a month. After ceasing Suboxone use, this is the most vulnerable period since users are at a high risk of relapsing.
Please get quick assistance from a treatment professional if you or a loved one is battling suboxone addiction. Withdrawal from Suboxone might last several months, much like other addictive substances.
Although the main physical side effects fade away after a month without the medication, psychological side effects can last for several months.
Conclusion
Make a long-term treatment plan with a doctor or addiction specialist to help prevent a recurrence. Talk about how you will continue to get help in the next days, weeks, and months. For assistance with any remaining psychological withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety or despair, think about going to a support group, seeing a therapist, or visiting a rehab center or local addiction centers.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6464315/