Suboxone is a prescription medication that can help treat opioid addiction. Although it helps your body detoxify from harmful illegal substances, long-term suboxone use can create dependency. If you developed a suboxone dependency, then your goal should be detoxing from suboxone and starting therapy to free your life entirely of substance use.
Basics of Detoxing from Suboxone
You must be wondering, why use suboxone for detox in the first place? Suboxone combines buprenorphine and naloxone to reduce drug cravings and minimize the intensity of withdrawal symptoms.
Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. An opioid agonist activates the brain’s receptors to produce biological responses, such as euphoria. Buprenorphine’s action is partial, so it tones down the euphoric feeling. Naloxone is a partial opioid antagonist, blocking receptor sites and preventing their activation in the brain.
The two suboxone components make your withdrawal process from another drug less overwhelming by moderating biological responses. They also keep continued abuse of the drug in check. As buprenorphine has a long half-life, it stays in your system for longer and delays withdrawal symptoms.
Most opioid-dependent individuals enter a detox center or outpatient facility for professionally-monitored detox using suboxone. However, those who continue to use suboxone to fight off cravings for hard drugs may experience pharmaceutical side effects. These may include:
- Headaches
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Impaired immune function
- Delayed reflexes
Given the harmful side effects from long-term suboxone use, you should pursue suboxone detox without delay.
The Detox Process
Detoxing from suboxone can take many routes. Your doctor will first assess your current health, medical history, duration of suboxone use, and also a level of dependency. Recovery staff will then detoxify your body from suboxone over a defined time period. They will reduce the amount of the substance gradually and use coping techniques to alleviate your withdrawal symptoms, such as:
- Muscle cramps and body aches
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Anxiety and irritability
- Dilated pupils
- Intense cravings for opioids
The success of a detox program depends on certain factors. They include knowledgeable recovery staff, peer support, alternative therapies, and effective aftercare.
Withdrawal is always difficult and constant support can make the detox process smooth and comfortable for you. You should avoid stress and share your needs openly to make a successful move from detox to addiction rehab.
Lasting Sobriety With Crestview Recovery
Once the suboxone detox is complete, you can begin addiction recovery at Crestview Recovery. The experts here offer comprehensive care and guidance, including:
- Evidence based suboxone treatment
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Trauma therapy and addiction counseling
- Medication management
- Family therapy
Finally, detoxing from suboxone puts you on the path to addiction recovery. While Crestview Recovery refers detox out, the facility is a one-stop destination for inpatient, outpatient, extended care, and aftercare programs. Call 866.262.0531 to start individualized detox and addiction treatment programs at a facility near you.
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.
