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Suboxone is often used to help people break free from opioid addiction, but stopping it suddenly can bring its own set of challenges. While Suboxone withdrawal is not as intense as that associated with drugs like heroin or fentanyl, it can still cause discomfort, cravings, and emotional distress. Many people don’t expect the process to be so challenging, especially if they’ve been taking Suboxone as prescribed. When the body adjusts to any opioid, even a partial one like Suboxone, withdrawal is an unavoidable part of the process.
Understanding the side effects of stopping Suboxone and how long the process lasts can make a big difference. The good news is that help is available, and symptoms can be managed safely with the right approach. Read on to learn more about detoxing from Suboxone safely and comfortably and how to get compassionate and effective opioid addiction treatment.
What Is Suboxone?
Suboxone is a prescription medication used to treat opioid dependence. It contains buprenorphine and naloxone as active ingredients. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that activates the brain’s opioid receptors, but not as intensely as drugs like fentanyl, heroin, or oxycodone. This helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing the same level of euphoria or sedation. Naloxone, an opioid antagonist, is included to prevent misuse—if someone tries to inject or snort Suboxone, naloxone triggers withdrawal symptoms instead of a high.
Suboxone is often used as part of MAT (medication-assisted treatment) to help people stay off stronger opioids. It can be prescribed in sublingual film or tablet form, both of which dissolve under the tongue. When taken as directed, Suboxone can be a useful tool in long-term recovery, but it is still an opioid, which means stopping it suddenly can cause withdrawal from Suboxone.
What Is Suboxone Withdrawal Like?
Although Suboxone is designed to help people overcome opioid addiction, it can still lead to physical dependence. Over time, the body adjusts to the presence of the drug, and when it is removed, withdrawal symptoms of Suboxone begin. Suboxone withdrawals are generally less severe than withdrawal from full opioids like heroin or oxycodone, but they can still be uncomfortable and distressing.
Some of the most common symptoms of Suboxone withdrawal include:
- Flu-like symptoms
- Muscle and joint pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Cravings
Suboxone withdrawal typically lasts a few weeks, although the most intense symptoms occur within the first 3 to 5 days. Some people experience PAWS (post-acute withdrawal syndrome), where emotional and psychological symptoms—like depression and cravings—persist for months after stopping the drug.
The severity of Suboxone withdrawal depends on factors like:
- How long a person has taken Suboxone
- The dosage they were using
- Their overall health and metabolism
- Whether they quit suddenly or tapered off
While withdrawals from Suboxone can be unpleasant, the process is not life-threatening. However, without proper support, cravings and discomfort can lead to relapse, making a medically supervised detox the safest option.
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Why Does Suboxone Abuse Cause Withdrawal?
Suboxone is often seen as a safer alternative to full opioids, but misuse and long-term use can still lead to dependence. The buprenorphine in Suboxone attaches to opioid receptors in the brain, meaning the body eventually relies on it to function normally. If a person suddenly stops taking Suboxone, withdrawal symptoms set in because the brain is no longer receiving the stimulation it has grown used to.
Suboxone abuse happens when someone:
- Takes higher doses than prescribed
- Uses it without a prescription
- Mixes it with other drugs or alcohol
- Injects or snorts it instead of taking it orally
People who misuse Suboxone may be trying to achieve a mild opioid high, avoid withdrawal from stronger opioids, or self-medicate for pain or emotional distress. Although Suboxone has a ceiling effect—meaning it does not produce the same intense high as heroin or fentanyl—it can still lead to addiction if misused.
Those who take high doses for an extended period may experience stronger withdrawal symptoms when they stop, as their brain has become more dependent on the drug. This is why tapering off Suboxone under medical supervision is the best way to prevent severe withdrawal.
For people struggling with Suboxone misuse, professional treatment can help address both physical dependence and the underlying reasons for substance use. Detox from Suboxone is just the first step—long-term recovery often requires therapy, support groups, and lifestyle changes to prevent relapse.
What Is Detox for Suboxone Like?
Detoxing from Suboxone is different for everyone, depending on how long they’ve used it and at what dosage. Some people experience mild discomfort, while others struggle with intense withdrawal symptoms. A medically supervised detox can help make the process safer and more manageable by easing symptoms and reducing the risk of relapse.
In a professional detox setting, doctors may use a tapering schedule, where the Suboxone dose is gradually lowered over several weeks to minimize withdrawal. Some facilities also provide comfort medications to help with symptoms like nausea, anxiety, and insomnia.
For those who detox at home, the process can be more difficult. Stopping Suboxone suddenly—quitting cold turkey—can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, making it harder to resist cravings. People detoxing outside of medical care should have a strong support system, stay hydrated, and get plenty of rest to help manage discomfort.
Regardless of the method, Suboxone detox is only the first step. Without follow-up care, the risk of relapse is high, as cravings and emotional withdrawal symptoms can last for months.
What Happens After Suboxone Detox?
After detox, the focus shifts to long-term recovery. Without treatment and support, many people relapse because they haven’t addressed the reasons they started using opioids in the first place. This is why most professionals recommend rehab, therapy, and support groups after Suboxone detox.
Treatment options may include:
- Inpatient rehab: A structured program with therapy, medical support, and relapse prevention
- Outpatient programs: Therapy and counseling while living at home
- 12-step groups or peer support: Meetings like NA (Narcotics Anonymous) for ongoing encouragement
- Counseling: Therapy to address mental health struggles, trauma, and triggers
Recovery is about more than just quitting Suboxone—it’s about building a healthy, fulfilling life without opioids.
FAQs
What happens when you stop taking Suboxone?
When you stop taking Suboxone, your body goes through withdrawal as it adjusts to the absence of the medication. Symptoms can include nausea, muscle aches, insomnia, anxiety, and intense cravings. Tapering off under medical supervision can make the process easier and more comfortable.
How does Suboxone affect you mentally?
Suboxone can help stabilize mood, reduce opioid cravings, and improve focus for those in recovery. That said, long-term use may cause emotional numbness or dependence, making it challenging to stop Suboxone without support. Some people also experience anxiety or depression when withdrawing from this medication.
What is Suboxone abuse?
Suboxone abuse happens when someone takes it in higher doses than prescribed, uses it without a prescription, or mixes it with other substances to get high. While it has a lower risk of misuse than full opioids, it can still be addictive when taken improperly.
What does someone act like on Suboxone?
When taken as prescribed, Suboxone helps people feel normal, reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings without causing a strong high. In cases of misuse, it may cause drowsiness, confusion, or mild euphoria, especially in those who don’t have an opioid tolerance.
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Get Treatment for Suboxone Withdrawal at Renaissance Recovery
If you or someone you care about has been misusing opioids like Suboxone, help is at hand. At Renaissance Recovery, we will connect you with detox centers near you to streamline the withdrawal process and help you address opioid dependence. You can then transition to treatment at our California or Florida rehab.
Outpatient treatment at Renaissance enables you to continue living at home and attending weekday therapy sessions around your existing commitments. The unique aspect of all opioid addictions means you will get personalized treatment. Therapies include:
- MAT (medication-assisted treatment)
- Counseling
- Motivational therapy
- Behavioral therapy
- Family therapy
- Holistic treatment
- Group therapy
- Aftercare planning
Kickstart your recovery at Renaissance by calling 866-330-9449.
Sources:
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5855417/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4833536/
- https://sbmi.uth.edu/heroes/documents/Post-Acute-Withdrawal.pdf
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/5-myths-about-using-suboxone-to-treat-opiate-addiction-2018032014496
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