How To Get Off Suboxone – 3 Steps to Stop Suboxone Safely

An FDA approved pharmaceutical drug called Suboxone, or buprenorphine, is used to treat addiction to opiates as it effectively addresses cravings and withdrawal symptoms. When used as instructed, it has been shown to increase abstinence from opiates without substituting one drug for another. Long-term Suboxone maintenance therapy, lasting multiple years, has been effective in sustaining longer-term sobriety.

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Suboxone is a partial agonist, and, even though it does not provide the user with a high, it does precipitate some withdrawal symptoms when use is stopped after many years. Although many patients who are firmly in recovery and are confident of sustaining their recovery without the aid of maintenance buprenorphine therapy, they are anxious about doing so because they do not want to compromise their sobriety.

In medication-assisted therapy for opiate addiction, buprenorphine—marketed under the brand names Suboxone and Zubsolv—is currently the popular medication. Buprenorphine is also a more convenient therapy relative to methadone treatment, as buprenorphine can be prescribed by doctors while the patient has to go a treatment facility to receive methadone.

 

How hard is it to get off suboxone?

Suboxone is not addictive relative to opiates like heroin, fentanyl and Oxycodone or even methadone (a full agonist) since it is only a partial opioid agonist. While there will be some withdrawal symptoms while coming off of Suboxone, anxiety is more of a concern, as the patient does not want to face cravings or withdrawal symptoms that could drive a relapse.

The good news is that detox off of Suboxone or other forms of buprenorphine is available in New Jersey in Freehold, West Orange and Middlesex. Also, it is important to know that suboxone withdrawal detox is fully covered by most health insurance plans.

In our opinion, three steps are needed in order to make the decision to quit Suboxone or buprenorphine and do it from home. While we believe it is best to enter an outpatient treatment facility in order to come off of Suboxone, we think, at a minimum, the following steps should be taken in order to do-it-at-home:

 

Consult your psychiatrist, nurse practitioner, therapist or other care giver:

If your psychiatrist or physician has prescribed you Suboxone or other forms of buprenorphine, do not discontinue taking the medication without first discussing it with him/her. Your physician or prescriber can educate you about what to expect when you stop using the medication and you can collaboratively evaluate your readiness to come off of Suboxone, or buprenorphine. Also, it is  good place to explore how to wean off of the Suboxone or buprenorphine – do-it-at-home or enter an addiction treatment facility in New Jersey.

 

Follow Buprenorphine, or Suboxone taper protocols:

If your prescribing physician and you decided to do-it-at-home, be sure to follow taper protocols put in place by your prescriber closely and stay in touch with you prescribing physician. Almost always psychological symptoms surface as the decision to quit using buprenorphine maintenance therapy is anxiety provoking. Be sure to be alert to signs and symptoms of common behavioral health issues such as anxiety and depression.

 

Continue participating in therapy:

It’s essential to continue receiving therapy during a suboxone taper as it is usually anxiety-provoking. Anxiety and depression are common during this phase and it needs to be effectively addressed in order to ensure that these symptoms do not lead to a relapse.

Or do Suboxone, buprenorphine detox the EASY Way – Enter an Outpatient treatment facility:

The easy and safe way to come off or Suboxone or come off of buprenorphine in new Jersey is the enter outpatient treatment at Middlesex, West Orange or Freehold. Detox off of suboxone and buprenorphine is fully covered by health insurance so there are minimal costs associated with choosing to enter a treatment facility to detox off of buprenorphine or Suboxone.

At the facility your Suboxone taper will be customized and the Suboxone or buprenorphine will be provided by the facility itself. Besides board certified psychiatrists will be available to address any psychological symptoms that come up during the process. Also, therapy to enhance support will be made available. Therefore, we believe, that it is safer and easier to detox from buprenorphine or Suboxone at an outpatient treatment facility rather that do-it-from home.

No matter which path you pursue, get professionals to help you in the process. Avoid quitting abruptly, and don’t go it alone, as th stakes are high and it could lead to relapse on opiates. Involving addiction treatment professionals will ensure that you face minimal cravings and withdrawal symptoms making the process of weaning off of buprenorphine safe and comfortable.