How Long Should You Be on Suboxone?

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Written By Steve Brandon

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October 24, 2024

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Suboxone

Table of Contents

Some people may choose to take Suboxone for just a few months to manage withdrawal, while others may need it long-term to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). Suboxone helps reduce cravings, eases withdrawal symptoms, and lowers the risk of relapse. If you still feel the temptation to use opioids, Suboxone can provide ongoing support, as some cravings never fully go away.

Using Suboxone long-term is a safe option if it helps prevent relapse. How long you stay on the medication depends on your personal needs, preferences, goals, and any side effects you experience.

What Is Suboxone and how does Suboxone work?

Suboxone is a medication used to treat opioid addiction and contains two key ingredients: buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine helps ease withdrawal symptoms by attaching to opioid receptors in the brain, which is essential when someone stops using opioids. Opioids block a chemical called noradrenaline, leading to drowsiness and pain relief, and they release dopamine, creating feelings of pleasure.

infographic showing how suboxone ingredients buprenorphine and naloxone function in the brain, buprenorphine eases withdrawal symptoms and cravings, naloxone prevents opioid misuse

As a partial agonist, buprenorphine activates these opioid receptors but not as strongly as drugs like heroin, which helps reduce cravings without producing a strong high. Naloxone plays a crucial role in preventing misuse, naloxone blocks the effects of opioids and can trigger withdrawal symptoms, discouraging abuse. The starting dose for Suboxone is usually 2 mg once a day, but many people need a higher dose, anywhere from 2 to 24 mg daily. It typically takes doctors two to four days to find the right amount for each person.

Overall, Suboxone helps manage cravings and withdrawal, making the recovery process more manageable for those struggling with opioid addiction.

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Factors That Affect How Long You May Take Suboxone?

Opioid misuse can significantly change the brain’s structure and chemistry. Medications like Suboxone give individuals recovering from opioid use disorder (OUD) the time they need to heal. The dose you need and how long you stay on Suboxone can depend on several factors:

infographic listing five factors influencing how long to take suboxone: severity of OUD, underlying conditions, support systems, personal preference, and side effects

Severity of OUD: If you’ve used opioids for a long time or in high doses, your brain has likely undergone many changes. This may require a higher Suboxone dose and a longer treatment duration as you heal.
Underlying Conditions: Mental health issues such as depression or anxiety can increase the risk of relapse. If you have these conditions, you might need to stay on Suboxone longer.
Support Systems: Having supportive friends and family can make it easier to stay sober. If you have a strong support network, you can lean on them during tough times. Without this support, you may need to use Suboxone longer.
Personal Preference: For many, Suboxone helps them return to work or school, manage family responsibilities, and build a life away from substance misuse. You might choose to stay on Suboxone indefinitely to maintain this stability.
Side Effects: If you experience severe side effects from Suboxone or find it hard to tolerate even after your doctor adjusts your dose, you may consider switching medications or reducing your use of Suboxone.

Advantages and Considerations of Long-term Suboxone Treatment?

Benefits of Long-term Suboxone Treatment:

Better treatment retention: Staying on Suboxone® longer helps people stick to their recovery plan and stay sober.
Lower risk of relapse: Long-term use reduces the chances of relapsing into opioid use by managing cravings and withdrawal.
Improved life functioning: Suboxone helps individuals improve relationships and be more productive.
Reduced risk of overdose: People on Suboxone® for a longer time have a lower chance of opioid-related death.

Risks and Considerations:

Withdrawal symptoms: Tapering off Suboxone® may cause withdrawal, but doctors can help manage it.
Potential for misuse: There’s a risk of the medication being misused in the illicit market.
Cost and access: Without insurance, Suboxone can be expensive and harder to access in rural areas.

How to Know When to Stop Suboxone Treatment?

Never stop taking Suboxone without consulting your doctor, as quitting suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms and increase the risk of relapse.

woman with crossed arms and message balloon saying 'it's time to discontinue suboxone treatment,' indicating signs to stop suboxone use safely

Signs that you may need to adjust your dose, switch medications, or gradually stop include:

Severe side effects like extreme drowsiness or nausea
Strong opioid cravings (you might need a higher dose)
Health issues like liver problems may not work well with Suboxone.

Best Practices for tapering off Suboxone Safely:

Tapering off Suboxone should be done slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms. It’s important not to reduce your dose by more than 25% at a time.

Suboxone takes about 36 hours for half of the dose to leave your body, so the process needs time.

infographic showing weekly tapering schedule for safely reducing suboxone dose by 25% every two weeks, steps from week 1 to week 8

Here’s a basic taper schedule:

Weeks 1-2: Lower the dose by 25% and stick to the new amount for 2 weeks.
Weeks 3-4: Lower the dose again by 25% and continue for 2 more weeks.
Weeks 5-6: Cut the dose by 25% again and stay on the lower dose for another 2 weeks.
Weeks 7-8: Keep reducing by 25% every two weeks.

Does suboxone come up on a drug test?

Suboxone won’t show up on a standard drug test. It will only be detected if the test specifically looks for buprenorphine or naloxone, the active ingredients in Suboxone. Unlike other opioids, buprenorphine requires a separate test to be detected, as it doesn’t trigger false positives for common opioids like morphine or heroin.

doctor conducting lab tests with blood sample to check for suboxone presence, addressing whether suboxone shows up on a drug test

Suboxone can be an effective tool for managing opioid addiction, whether used short-term or long-term. The decision to stop or taper off Suboxone depends on your recovery progress, side effects, and personal goals. Working closely with your doctor is essential to ensure you stop the medication safely and at the right time. Suboxone helps reduce cravings, prevent relapse, and support a healthier, more stable life during recovery.

Conclusion

FAQs

What is Suboxone used for?
Suboxone is mainly used to treat opioid addiction. It helps reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings in people who are addicted to opioids.

How long does Suboxone stay in your system?
On average, Suboxone stays in a healthy person’s system for 5 to 8 days, while for those with liver problems, it can remain for 7 to 14 days. Lab tests can still detect the drug in hair up to 30 days after the last dose.

Can suboxone affect your blood O₂ saturation level?
Yes, Suboxone (buprenorphine) can affect blood oxygen levels. In a study, 73% of patients who received buprenorphine had episodes of low oxygen levels (below 95%), similar to those who received morphine. However, people taking buprenorphine experienced more frequent episodes of low oxygen.

Does suboxone help with pain?
Suboxone is not FDA-approved for pain relief but is sometimes used “off-label” by doctors to help manage pain. It should only be used for pain if specifically prescribed by a doctor.

Can you overdose on suboxone?
Yes, it’s possible to overdose on Suboxone. However, when taken as prescribed by your doctor, the risk is low since buprenorphine has a limit on its effects, and naloxone helps prevent misuse.

How does Suboxone make you feel?
Suboxone can help you feel normal by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms if you’re treating opioid addiction. Some people may feel drowsy or experience mild euphoria, but it’s generally not as intense as with other opioids.

Can you get high on Suboxone?
It is possible to feel some euphoria with Suboxone, but its effects are limited due to the ceiling effect of buprenorphine. This means that taking more doesn’t increase the “high” after a certain point, making misuse less likely.

Can you take Suboxone while pregnant?
Yes, Suboxone can be taken during pregnancy, but only under a doctor’s supervision. It helps manage opioid addiction safely, as stopping suddenly can harm both the mother and baby. Always follow medical advice.

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