Suboxone plays an essential role in helping people overcome opioid dependence. But as an opioid partial agonist, this medication also carries a risk of addiction, although to a lesser degree than more potent opioids like morphine or heroin. Experiencing Suboxone withdrawal symptoms indicates that you have become dependent on your medication and may need professional help to stop using it. So what are the symptoms of Suboxone withdrawal, and what causes them? After understanding and recognizing Suboxone withdrawal symptoms in yourself or a loved one, the next step is to seek a treatment program.
If you have become dependent on your Suboxone medication, Promises Brazos Valley is here to help you overcome opioid addiction. Contact our team at 979.426.0086 to learn more about our programs and how we use a whole-person approach to help you overcome Suboxone addiction and enjoy a healthy, sober lifestyle.
What Is Suboxone?
Suboxone treatment has helped overcome dependence on prescription and illicit opioids, such as:
- Fentanyl
- Heroin
- Hydrocodone
- Morphine
- Oxycodone
Suboxone is a prescription drug for treating opioid use disorder (OUD). It contains a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist that produces effects similar to other opioids like heroin but milder. This action helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, meaning it blocks and reverses the effects of other opioids. Naloxone is well-known as an emergency treatment for opioid overdose, and many healthcare professionals recommend having this drug in your first-aid kit.
Buprenorphine is sometimes used to treat OUD, but it can be misused, increasing the risk of swapping one opioid addiction for another. The addition of naloxone helps to prevent misuse by creating what is known as a ceiling effect. Suboxone will only produce a certain level of euphoric effects. Taking larger drug doses will not increase these effects, decreasing one’s motivation to abuse medication.
What Causes Suboxone Withdrawal Symptoms?
Suboxone binds to opioid receptors in the brain like heroin or oxycodone would. This helps alleviate cravings for more potent opioid drugs and minimize withdrawal symptoms when you remove the drugs from your life.
Suboxone may be used long-term, but if you stop using your medication abruptly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms usually occur because your body has become accustomed to a steady dose of buprenorphine and naloxone. It needs time to readjust to functioning without those substances.
Ideally, your provider will taper your Suboxone dosage as you recover. Tapering refers to slowly lowering your drug dosage, a strategy that reduces the severity of withdrawal symptoms. The goal is to eventually discontinue your Suboxone regimen when you are in a stronger position in your recovery, better able to resist temptation and practice the healthy coping skills learned in your addiction treatment program.
What Are the Symptoms of Suboxone Withdrawal?
When you take Suboxone to help address opioid dependence, you may be unsure if your symptoms or side effects are typical or a red flag that you have developed an addiction to your prescription. A few Suboxone withdrawal symptoms to be on the lookout for are:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever or chills
- Insomnia
- Inability to concentrate
- Excessive sweating
- Cravings for the drug
Some of the above symptoms can also indicate a mental health condition, so scheduling an assessment with a medical professional is vital to determine the cause. This can ensure you receive a proper diagnosis and access appropriate treatment.
Get Help for Suboxone Withdrawal in Texas at Promises Brazos Valley
If your Suboxone regimen for opioid dependence has developed into a new addiction, getting help from Promises Brazos Valley is crucial. Contact our team at 979.426.0086 to get support for Suboxone withdrawal.