Getting Help for Suboxone Addiction
Suboxone combines buprenorphine and naloxone, which helps to reduce opioid withdrawal in those recovering from opioid addiction. However, while Suboxone is considered effective in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for those trying to quit serious opioids, Suboxone can be addicting to people who misuse it, especially those who haven’t built up a high tolerance to opioid use.
Even for people using Suboxone as part of a MAT program, quitting Suboxone requires special care. Here’s what you need to know about the process.
Are you or a loved one facing a substance addiction? Zinnia Health can offer the guidance you need. Reach our team today by calling (855) 430-9439.
How Long Does It Take to Quit Suboxone?
Since quitting Suboxone suddenly can lead to severe withdrawal side effects and a higher risk of relapse, it’s important that you follow a gradual tapering schedule.
How long it will take to taper off Suboxone depends on your history of substance use, whether you are undergoing Suboxone treatment or using it for another reason, and how large of a dose you have been taking.
If you have been taking Suboxone as part of a medication-assisted treatment program, your healthcare providers will be managing your dose from the start.
Generally, they’ll start with what is considered the lowest effective dose depending on the opioids you are recovering from using, and then they will adjust it depending on how you react.
Typically, you’ll stay on Suboxone treatment for 12-18 months, gradually tapering off in the last 3-6 months until you aren’t taking anything at all.
If you are seeking addiction treatment for addiction to Suboxone, the treatment path may look very different. Depending on your physical and mental health and your substance use history a rehab center may taper you off Suboxone over a very short period, typically two weeks or less.
Once you take your last dose, you will officially enter the first stage of recovery, known as the detox process.
Recovering from addiction requires customized treatment from a caring team of professionals. If you’re ready to learn more about your options, Zinnia Health can help. Call our helpline at (855) 430-9439 today.
Treatment Options for Quitting Suboxone
If you have been taking Suboxone and you are looking for help quitting it, a detox center can help you effectively work through the mental and physical symptoms that lie ahead.
The best treatment path looks different for everyone, so it’s important to understand your options.
Some of the most common ways to treat substance use disorder include:
- Inpatient detox at a hospital where care will be provided 24/7 by medical professionals. This is generally a short-term option offered to high-risk patients, like those suffering from a mental or physical condition that puts them at a higher risk of relapse or harm.
- Inpatient detox at a residential facility where you will receive 24/7 support from a team of professionals, along with customized programs to support your overall well-being and recovery. Residential facilities can typically assist with the initial detox period and the treatment and recovery steps that follow.
- Outpatient detox at home where you will need to check in to multiple appointments each week, like support groups for drug abuse. You may be required to undergo drug tests and speak with medical reviewers who will make sure you’re carrying out your treatment plan.
There’s no right or wrong way to recover from Suboxone addiction.
The most important thing is that you work with a team of professionals who will meet you where you are and do all they can to support you in your unique journey to living a fulfilling, drug-free life.
Can Quitting Suboxone Lead to Withdrawal Symptoms?
No matter why you’re taking Suboxone, physical dependence will eventually form. Physical dependence is marked by changes in the brain’s chemistry and it occurs with a variety of medications, especially with prescription drugs where the dose is very routine.
Physical dependence in itself is not dangerous; it simply marks the body growing accustomed to the presence of a drug in its system. However, once physical dependence on any drug forms, it’s not recommended to quit cold turkey.
If you try to quit Suboxone after taking it for a couple of weeks or longer, you will need to go through a period known as withdrawal.
During the withdrawal period, the body needs to adapt to no longer having Suboxone in its systems.
In other words, the chemical changes that took place while you were taking Suboxone need time to reverse themselves. In the meantime, your body will feel out of balance, and you may even find yourself at a high risk of relapse.
Some of the symptoms of Suboxone withdrawal include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle aches and body aches
- Insomnia
- Lethargy
- Anxiety
- Digestive upset
- Changes in mood
- Headache
- Trouble concentrating
- Fever
- Sweating
- Chills
Since Suboxone still activated opioid receptors, albeit with very subdued side effects compared to other painkillers, cravings are common when quitting Suboxone. To avoid this, substance abuse treatment generally requires you to taper off Suboxone gradually.
How Zinnia Health Can Help You Quit Suboxone
If you’re looking for more information on your treatment options, the next step is to talk one-to-one with an experienced recovery specialist who can answer your questions and help you decide the next best step based on your needs.
Some of the ways we can help you with your journey to recovery include:
- Providing a customized treatment plan that aligns with your immediate challenges and long-term goals
- Supporting you with around-the-clock staff, a judgment-free environment, and a variety of proven programs and techniques
- Introducing you to people, skills, and opportunities that can help you achieve a fulfilling, drug-free lifestyle
Are you ready to take the next step in addiction recovery? Our team at Zinnia Health can help. You can reach us on our website or through our 24/7 helpline by calling (855) 430-9439.
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