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One of the most noticeable side effects of Suboxone is insomnia. About 14% of Suboxone users experienced sleeplessness in one study.1 You will find this percentage much higher if you look it up on the internet. This concern arises in two situations: when a person starts treatment with Suboxone and when they try to quit it. Therefore, today, we’ll walk you through an in-depth explanation of how long does Suboxone insomnia last.
Don’t delay care if you have been experiencing Suboxone related insomnia for quite a while. Request a call back for immediate medical advice from online Suboxone doctors in NJ.
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Can Suboxone Cause Insomnia?
Before learning the answer to how long does Suboxone insomnia last, you need to know why Suboxone is the most-talked-about symptom. Starting a treatment with buprenorphine, an active ingredient in Suboxone, caused insomnia symptoms in 60% people during their OUD treatment.2
Research on Suboxone Insomnia
Buprenorphine decreased rats’ rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep cycles, as stated in a study.3 According to different studies, buprenorphine may lower sleep quality, and it takes more time than normal for a person to fall asleep as well.
Minor respiratory disorders were also noticed in 63% of patients in a study receiving buprenorphine/naloxone as a maintenance medication for OUD.4 For those who have a history of sleep apnea, using Suboxone may exacerbate sleep apnea.
How Does Suboxone Withdrawal Trigger Insomnia?
Insomnia during Suboxone withdrawal is a common problem that changes the functioning of your mind and body as they get used to living without the drug. These are the triggers that also affect the commonly listed question: how long does Suboxone insomnia last?
1. Chemical Imbalance
Suboxone regulates mood, stress, and sleep by acting on opioid receptors in the brain. Your brain needs time to rebalance these chemicals when you taper off or stop taking medication, causing sleep disturbances.
2. Increased Anxiety
Withdrawal frequently results in increased anxiety, which makes it more difficult to fall asleep. If it remains untreated, the Suboxone insomnia timeline may get protracted.
3. Physical Symptoms
Common Suboxone withdrawal symptoms like restlessness, chills, or muscular aches can make it difficult to fall asleep.
4. Sleep Cycle Disruption
The Suboxone orange round pill interferes with your body’s circadian rhythm, so your sleep cycle won’t be normal. It takes some time for your body to adjust to the previous sleep routine.

Treatment Options for Insomnia During Suboxone Withdrawal
4 Common Factors Affecting How Long Does Suboxone Insomnia Last
Post-acute withdrawal syndrome, or PAWS, is a condition in which emotional and psychological symptoms, including cravings and sadness, last for months after quitting the substance.
The following variables affect how long does Suboxone insomnia last:
- The duration of a person’s Suboxone use
- The Suboxone doses that they were taking
- Their metabolism and age
- Whether they abruptly stopped or gradually decreased the dosage
Suboxone withdrawals might be uncomfortable, but they are not fatal. A professionally supervised Suboxone detox and withdrawal management is the safest course of action because cravings and discomfort can cause relapse in the absence of adequate assistance.
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Executive Clinical Director at ChoicePoint
What can you take for sleep while on Suboxone?Melatonin, Trazodone, Hydroxyzine, Diphenhydramine, Magnesium supplements, and antidepressants like Mirtazapine help with sleep.
How long does Suboxone insomnia last after quitting?Typically, it takes three to five days for insomnia to occur as a withdrawal symptom.5 Mostly, people may experience withdrawal symptoms within twenty-four hours. Although withdrawal goes away in seven days, some users report that prolonged withdrawal symptoms last for weeks or months.
6 Coping Strategies For Insomnia Due to Suboxone Withdrawal
A point to be noted here is that insomnia doesn’t mean you’re going backwards in your recovery journey. You can fix your sleep using these tips:
- Create a Calm Environment: Limiting bright lights and screen time may promote sleep.
- Make a Routine: Your body learns to anticipate sleep as your desired bedtime approaches if you go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
- Pick a Physical Activity: Engaging in a lot of exercise throughout the day to help exhaust your body.
- Practice Mental Exercises: To relax and exhaust your mind.
- Avoid Coffee: Steer clear of caffeine, particularly later in the day.
- Fix Your Diet: Modifying your diet to avoid problems like constipation, which might occur when using Suboxone.
If the two-week mark has passed and you still have issues, talk to our Suboxone doctors in NJ for medical support by filing this form.
Is Suboxone Insomnia a Problem?
Insomnia can cause behavioral and emotional problems. Although it isn’t life-threatening, if it doesn’t go away after more than a week, it may become an issue. Reduced cognitive function is linked to this adverse effect, which may affect your capacity to work and drive safely.
Think of Suboxone as a seatbelt as you drive at a high speed. You wear it for your safety; taking it off during the ride can put your life in danger. The same goes for Suboxone; it keeps you comfortable and safe during opioid addiction treatment. But quitting it all of a sudden can lead to Suboxone withdrawal.
To regain control over the painful Suboxone withdrawal symptoms, you need professional support from online Suboxone doctors to heal your body. Call us at 844.445.2565!
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“From the very beginning, I’ve had such an amazing experience. My counselor, Sam, is beyond exceptional and the kindest person I know. She answers my calls and questions and has truly guided me through my journey. I would also like to give a shoutout to the front office coordinator, who is so welcoming and supportive and has helped me so much as well. Thank you, Sam and Leo, for all you do!”- Our Alumni
How ChoicePoint Rehab in NJ Helps You Through Suboxone Insomnia
Withdrawing from suboxone is difficult, and experiencing sleeplessness can seem like just another obstacle. After drawing on years of experience from OUD patients, we help with Suboxone insomnia using this strategy:
- In-depth evaluation of your withdrawal symptoms.
- Exclude other potential causes of sleep disturbance, such as restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea.
- Assist you in starting Suboxone treatment with CBT in NJ.
- Keep a track of drugs that interact with Suboxone and their negative effects.
Every cloud has a silver lining; don’t let the Suboxone withdrawal symptoms pull you backwards in the recovery journey.
Reach out to Suboxone doctors in Buffalo, NY, for insurance-covered, hassle-free, and safe treatment. Begin your journey with a quick insurance verification.
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FAQs: How Long Does Suboxone Insomnia Last
Below are some more queries answered related to how long does Suboxone insomnia last:
1. Is insomnia normal for the first couple of days on Suboxone?
Yes, as your body adjusts to the Suboxone treatment program, you may experience insomnia in the first few days.
2. Quit my Suboxone 8 weeks ago. Still suffering from extreme insomnia. What can I do to get some sleep?
Supplements containing melatonin or valerian may also be helpful as over-the-counter medical remedies. You can talk to your doctor about other non-addictive sleep aids that might be helpful. It’s crucial to stay away from addictive prescription drugs like benzodiazepines because they increase the likelihood of overdosing on Suboxone, prescription drug abuse, and Suboxone abuse.
3. I’m experiencing strong insomnia two months after stopping Suboxone. Will this be permitted? No sleep medication has worked, and the side effects have not gotten better.
In that case, a Cognitive behavioral therapy program can help in fixing the sleep patterns.
4. If an individual has just started suboxone, can a side effect of the medication initially produce mania/severe insomnia?
Mania and severe insomnia are signs of underlying psychological issues that are yet to be treated. Undergo a thorough psychiatric evaluation to put a finger on the possible issues like bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, etc.
5. How can I become Methadone free? I’ve tried it through Suboxone, and it worked for a little while, but I relapsed because of insomnia.
Suboxone is normally a well-tolerated medication option. If Suboxone doesn’t seem to work for you, trying Suboxone alternatives for OUD along with behavioral therapy is the second-best approach.
Additional Resources: Comparison of Suboxone Common OUD Medications
References
- HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION [Internet]. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/022410s046s047lbl.pdf
- White AM, Eglovitch M, Parlier-Ahmad AB, Dzierzewski JM, James M, Bjork JM, et al. Insomnia symptoms and neurofunctional correlates among adults receiving buprenorphine for opioid use disorder. Lim S, editor. PLOS ONE. 2024 Jun 13;19(6):e0304461.
- Gauthier EA, Guzick SE, Brummett CM, Baghdoyan HA, Lydic R. Buprenorphine Disrupts Sleep and Decreases Adenosine Concentrations in Sleep-regulating Brain Regions of Sprague Dawley Rat. Anesthesiology. 2011 Oct;115(4):743–53.
- Farney RJ, McDonald AM, Boyle KM, Snow GL, Nuttall RT, Coudreaut MF, et al. Sleep disordered breathing in patients receiving therapy with buprenorphine/naloxone. European Respiratory Journal. 2012 Oct 25;42(2):394–403.
- Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome [Internet]. Available from:
https://sbmi.uth.edu/heroes/documents/Post-Acute-Withdrawal.pdf
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.

















