The United States is currently battling an opioid epidemic, with approximately 2.1 million Americans addicted. As a result, a synthetic drug called Suboxone was made to help opioid addicts. It provides a lower dose of opioid ingredients for weaning drug rehab clients through detox. Plus, the drug’s naloxone protects people from overdosing when the drug is injected. This has many people wondering, how long does Suboxone stay in your system?
First, let’s explore the chemistry of Suboxone. Specifically, it’s manufactured using two drugs called buprenorphine and naloxone. Though the latter is fast-acting, the former lasts much longer. Generally, Suboxone is only administered during the opioid withdrawal process. Like any opioid, Suboxone should never be smoked.
Do you or a loved one need the help of a Suboxone treatment center? Call 866.262.0531 today for more information.
How Long Does Suboxone Stay in Your System
Suboxone treatment works by filling the brain’s receptors partially, which satisfies cravings and stops withdrawal symptoms. It is long-acting and safe—if used correctly.
Suboxone stays in the body for eight days. The buprenorphine has a very long half-life of 37 hours. In other words, it takes about three days to fully metabolize and reach peak potential. Next, the liver and kidneys keep breaking it down for at least 3–5 more days at a Suboxone treatment center.
Nonetheless, how long does Suboxone stay in your system for drug testing is different? Particularly, drug screening of urine will detect Suboxone within 40 minutes. But, positive results will remain for up to one month. That’s due to metabolites lingering in your system for weeks. The length could potentially be longer for blood or saliva tests too.
Factors That Change How Long Suboxone Stays in Your System
Of course, everyone’s body reacts to and processes drugs uniquely. Therefore, the answer to the question “how long does Suboxone stay in your system” can vary. For example, the amount of Suboxone taken will speed it up or slow it down. Further, your history of opioid use could affect your body’s tolerance. Likewise, the consumption of other drugs could enhance the Suboxone effects.
Additionally, your body weight, height, and BMI play a role in drug digestion. Not to mention, your age could make Suboxone clear sooner or later. Each person’s unique genetics affect their metabolism rate. Indeed, how much water you drink can flush Suboxone out of your system quicker. Equally, your kidneys and liver could excrete the opioid faster during detox.
Suboxone clinics provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to people struggling with opioid use disorder. These outpatient rehabilitation centers combine therapy and prescription medication to treat opioid use disorder. Suboxone doctors prescribe buprenorphine-based drugs like Suboxone, and Sublocade, and Subutex to prevent relapse. The combination of behavioral therapy helps clients go back to living a healthy life.
How Does Suboxone Treatment Work?
When a person takes pain pills or street opioids, the drug attaches to receptors in the brain. When the receptors are fully “occupied” by opioids, the brain’s perception of pain is reduced.
Suboxone and other buprenorphine products only partially fill the same receptors. Patients do not experience the same euphoria that they would with pain pills or street drugs, but buprenorphine satisfies the receptors enough that it curbs cravings and stops withdrawal symptoms.
Suboxone is unique in that it has a “ceiling effect.” That is, taking more Suboxone does not produce greater effects. In fact, taking too much Suboxone can actually cause withdrawal symptoms.
The partial filling of receptors by buprenorphine also makes it safer than other opioids if used incorrectly. If a person takes too much Suboxone, they will likely just feel very sleepy. On the other hand, taking too much of a pain pill or heroin can cause respiratory depression and death.
Buprenorphine is also long-acting, so patients only need to take it once or twice a day. Naloxone, another component of Suboxone, blocks the effects of opioids if the patient attempts to abuse the medication by injecting it.
Get Suboxone Out of Your System at Crestview
Have you been misusing Suboxone? If so, Crestview Recovery is where to go for evidence-based addiction treatment. Our 30-bed Portland center specializes in helping adult men and women stop substance use. In fact, our therapists create a calm, caring, healing community with unique amenities like rafting. We accept insurance-based payments for several services, including:
Don’t keep wondering how long Suboxone stays in your system. Instead, take action and quit abusing this opiate drug now. Notably, Crestview Recovery is a Pacific Northwest rehab that treats all substance addictions. Call us today at 866.262.0531 to start your sobriety.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
