How to Get Clean from Suboxone

Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone and is prescribed for the treatment of opioid addiction, including heroin and narcotic painkillers. Buprenorphine is in a class of medications called opioid partial agonist-antagonists, and naloxone is in a class of medications called opioid antagonists. Suboxone prevents withdrawal symptoms when someone stops taking opioid drugs by producing similar effects to these drugs.

Symptoms of Suboxone Withdrawal and Overdose

Withdrawal from long-term use of Suboxone may produce symptoms similar to those experienced from heroin withdrawal. However, withdrawal symptoms tend to be milder and may include the following:

• Yawning
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Pain
• Leg-restlessness
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Cold or flu symptoms
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Aches and pains
• Mood swings
• Loss of appetite

The Suboxone Implant

Pharmaceutical companies are beginning to recognize the problems with the conventional methods of administering medications that assist addicts recover from significant drugs, including these problems:

• People frequently skipping a few days of their Suboxone so they can get high
• Vacillating between getting high and then taking Suboxone to avoid withdrawal
• Selling their Suboxone doses to buy heroin

Recently, a pharmaceutical company has created an implant. The idea is that the implant can accomplish the following goals:

• Deliver steady doses of buprenorphine (the active ingredient in Suboxone) over a 3 to 6 month period
• Give a lower dose
• Deter misuse of the drug

Weaning Off Suboxone

While you may never have planned to become addicted to Suboxone, you do have to plan the method of removing the drug from your system. Under a doctor’s supervision, you can start weaning from the drug, but it is important you are diligent in keeping track of your progress to ensure success. Recovery tracking may involve the following:

• Prepare for withdrawal. As you wean, you may experience some withdrawal symptoms. Typically, the worst period of withdrawal is 3 to 5 days after you discontinue using Suboxone. Withdrawal often lasts up to 10 days, so make sure you have cleared your schedule so that you can focus exclusively on getting through this period.
• Document. Start by writing your current dosage down on a calendar and record gradually decreasing dosages for the days that follow. Use a pill cutter to help you divide dosages precisely.
• Weaning. Strictly follow the weaning schedule created by you and a medical professional.
• Managing discomfort. Take aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen for pain. You may also take an antihistamine that causes drowsiness to help with insomnia. Drink plenty of fluids, especially ginger ale if you feel nauseated.

Get Help for Suboxone Addiction

Determining when a person’s use of Suboxone moves from therapeutic to addictive is difficult to do, especially if the person is a family member or friend. However, it is possible and we can help, so please call our toll-free number today. We are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you might have about Suboxone addiction treatment. We are here to help.