Subutex withdrawal symptoms include nausea, chills, headaches, muscle aches, and anxiety, lasting for one to two weeks. However, quitting Subutex (Buprenorphine) suddenly can result in hallucinations and dehydration. It’s important to taper off Buprenorphine under the supervision of an addiction doctor through medically supervised rapid detox, combined with therapy.
Contacting an addiction treatment center in NJ can help you get off Subutex safely without experiencing uncomfortable withdrawal. Reach out to ChoicePoint online Subutex doctors in NJ to start your recovery 844.445.2565.
Table of Contents
What Is Subutex Prescribed For?
Subutex is an FDA-approved medication prescribed to treat opioid addiction, under the medication-assisted treatment program. Its active ingredient, buprenorphine, is a partial opioid agonist which means it also activates the opioid receptors but to a lesser extent than heroin, fentanyl, or prescription opioids would do. Being an opioid agonist, Buprenorphine also has addiction potential, and taking it for longer periods, or abusing it without a prescription, can make you dependent on it. It comes as:
- Subutex orange pill
- White pill
However, people also abuse it by:
- Snorting
- Injecting into veins
- Crushing the tablet into powder
What Causes Subutex Withdrawal Symptoms?
Discontinuing Subutex after long-term use can result in uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms (called Buprenorphine withdrawal syndrome), which can affect your physical and psychological well-being. Most of the Buprenorphine withdrawal symptoms would be the same as opioid withdrawal symptoms, such as:
- Headache
- Flu
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive sweating
- Dizziness
- Seizures
Taking Subutex during pregnancy can cause withdrawal in newborns. However, people taking Subutex without a prescription can experience unpleasant symptoms.
How Long Does The Buprenorphine Withdrawal Last?
The Subutex withdrawal symptoms begin after 48 hours of the last dose of Buprenorphine and peak on the third day. Withdrawal symptoms can end for you on the 10th day, but people with a history of Subutex abuse might have a longer withdrawal timeline.
Buprenorphine user shares their detox experience: “I was on 8mg Subutex for two years for my back pain. When my pain started getting better, I decided to get off the medication. My first few days were very difficult. I had chills, nausea, vomiting, and cold sweats. It was difficult to sleep, I developed dark circles too”
3 Tips To Safely Get Off Subutex
Although buprenorphine withdrawal is not always uncomfortable, trying to detox at home can make the process unpleasant for you. It’s important to contact rehab near you and enter either an inpatient program or outpatient detox based on your condition to come out of the drug’s grip safely.
Tip#1: Minimize Subutex Withdrawal With Custom Tapering Schedule
The most effective way to prevent the withdrawal symptoms from becoming severe is to taper Subutex strategically and never quit cold turkey. Your addiction doctor will slowly reduce your dose to allow your body to adjust without the presence of Buprenorphine until it becomes completely independent of it.
Executive Clinical Director at ChoicePoint.
“Never quit any medicine suddenly, the withdrawal symptoms will severely affect your physical health and might even push you to start abusing a new set of medicines”.
Tip#2: Detox Under Medical Supervision
Whether you enter an outpatient or inpatient detox, it will involve eliminating Subutex from your system under the supervision of your doctor. Your addiction medicine specialist will not only help in tapering off the Buprenorphine but will also prescribe pills to manage the withdrawal symptoms and curb Subutex cravings. Some of these could be:
- Zofran to reduce nausea and vomiting
- Aspirin to treat headache
- Naltrexone to curb opioid cravings
Other than the medications, you be guided on the following lifestyle tips to develop better immunity and fight off the Buprenorphine withdrawal symptoms:
- Stay hydrated
- Supplementing vitamins
- Keep a healthier diet
- Avoid alcohol
- Maintain a regular 7-8 sleep pattern
- Go out for a brisk walk
Physical and Psychological Symptoms Resulting From Subutex Detox
Tip#3: Address the Psychological Symptoms
Using therapy and counseling along with medications will help you effectively manage the cravings and psychological issues related to the detox. Therapy will also help you address behavior disorders that lead you to opioid addiction in the first place. The counseling sessions can include the following items to help you overcome Subutex abuse and addiction to other opioids:
Complementing therapy with detox doesn’t only help overcome anxiety or hallucinations but also helps:
- Treat co-occurring mental disorders (Dual Diagnosis)
- Identify triggers
- Cope up with opioid cravings
- Find a supportive environment
Find A Detox Center In NJ For A Safe Withdrawal Experience
ChoicePoint is a co-occurring addiction treatment center in Fairlawn New Jersey. We also provide Virtual IOP and online MAT services throughout the state. We provide a complete addiction treatment, including:
Our addiction specialists will work closely with you to provide a treatment plan to help you overcome opioid use disorder and detox from Subutex safely. Whether it is the CBT exercises for ADHD, insomnia, or anxiety, our addiction professionals will make sure that you can end SUD and mental disorders simultaneously.
More Information On Subutex Withdrawal
It’s natural to have questions relating to Subutex availability, mechanism of action, and side effects. We have tried to answer a few here:
How Does Buprenorphine Cause Withdrawal?
Buprenorphine binds to the same receptors (mu-receptors) that opioids bind to with stronger intensity. Due to its high affinity with opioid receptors, Buprenorphine removes the opioids from the mu-receptors and occupies the place itself. Buprenorphine activates the mu-receptors to lesser intensity than opioids do which results in withdrawal that manifests as:
- Muscle pain
- Insomnia
- Diarrhea
- Dysphoria
What To Avoid When Taking Buprenorphine?
You should not take opioids, benzodiazepines, alcohol, or sedatives when on Buprenorphine. It is important to avoid these medications because Buprenorphine is a central nervous depressant and taking any depressant with it can result in:
- Respiratory depression
- Coma
- Impaired coordination
- Death
Are There 3 Phases To The Treatment Of Addiction With Buprenorphine?
Yes, Buprenorphine treatment for opioid addiction occurs in three stages:
- Induction: Initiation of the medicine
- Stabilization: Includes dosage adjustments
- Maintenance: The patient continues taking the medicine while following up with the doctor
How Can You Prevent Precipitated Withdrawal?
You can prevent precipitated withdrawal symptoms from opioids by taking Suboxone or Subutex after you have passed the detox phase. The standard opioid withdrawal timeline is one to two weeks, so it is important to wait for 7 to 14 days before starting Buprenorphine for opioid use disorder.
How Long Does Subutex Last?
Subutex (Buprenorphine) lasts in your system for about 8 days until the last dose. This duration can vary depending on your:
- Gender
- Weight
- Metabolism
- History of Buprenorphine intake
- Presence of other medications in your body
- Half-life of Subutex
Additional Resources
- How To Sober Up Fast
- Subutex Doctors Near Me Accepting New Patients
- Subutex Doctors Near You
- Doctors That Prescribe Subutex Near Me
- Can You Take Subutex and Suboxone at the Same Time
- Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Subutex
- How Long Does Subutex Stay in Your System?
- Subutex vs Suboxone
- Alcohol and Drug Detox Centers Near Me That Accept Medicaid
- Therapists who accept Medicaid
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Therapists Near Me
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Outpatient Rehab
References
- The Journal of Neuroscience. Buprenorphine Is a Weak Partial Agonist That Inhibits Opioid Receptor Desensitization
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2752300/ - The American Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2022. Buprenorphine precipitated opioid withdrawal: Prevention and management in the ED setting
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35623179/
Medical Disclaimer:
ChoicePoint aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use disorder and mental health issues. Our team of licensed medical professionals research, edit and review the content before publishing. However, this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For medical advice please consult your physicians or ChoicePoint's qualified staff.