Tapering off Suboxone involves gradually using smaller amounts of medication until you’re taking none at all.
If you’re ready to stop taking your medication for opioid use disorder, consult your provider. They will create an individualized Suboxone tapering schedule for you and show you how to wean off this medication safely and effectively.
Remember that plenty of people stay on Suboxone indefinitely, so you don’t have to taper off it if it continues to support your long-term recovery efforts.
Suboxone is safe for long-term use, and some people take the medication open-endedly to keep their opioid use disorder (OUD) under control.[1]
These are three reasons people cite when requesting a Suboxone taper, including:
Know that you’re not required to quit taking medication that helps you. But if you’re ready to quit, your provider can help you plan.
While research suggests that longer treatment periods are generally beneficial, it is important to remember that everyone is different.
If you are considering tapering off buprenorphine or Suboxone, it is important to talk to your provider. They can help you assess your individual risk factors and make a plan that is right for you.
Some factors that your provider may consider include:
There is no one-size-fits-all Suboxone tapering schedule—everyone’s body, physiology, symptoms, and mental health are different.
Your Suboxone taper schedule will depend on many things, such as:
Before you think of quitting, consider whether or not you’re truly ready to do so. Talk to your treatment team and support network to assess whether it’s the best decision for your long-term recovery.
There is no shame in taking Suboxone for long periods or even indefinitely when necessary. Addiction is a chronic, relapsing condition. If your medication helps you stay in recovery, keep taking it.
These are a few known risks of quitting Suboxone:
Opioid withdrawal symptoms are not usually life-threatening, but they can be extremely uncomfortable. They can cause people to relapse toward repeated drug use to ease the painful symptoms. And if you take too large a dose when you relapse, this could be fatal.
If you quit taking Suboxone too rapidly, you could develop uncomfortable symptoms like nausea and vomiting.
Using Suboxone for longer periods of time is associated with a better chance of recovery.[4] The medication alleviates chemical imbalances in your brain, allowing you to focus on your recovery. Each dose helps you to avoid discomfort and cravings, making you less likely to relapse.
If opioid cravings become overwhelming, some people turn to street drugs like heroin rather than medications like Suboxone. But one slip could lead to a life-threatening overdose.
Your provider can be especially helpful in discussing why you want to taper off Suboxone. If you want to quit because of difficult side effects, your provider could suggest a different formulation or dose. You could still get the help you need without abandoning a medication that is helping to keep you from relapse.
Peter Manza, PhD received his BA in Psychology and Biology from the University of Rochester and his PhD in Integrative Neuroscience at Stony Brook University. He is currently working as a research scientist in Washington, DC. His research focuses on the role of the brain dopamine system in substance use disorders and in aging. He also studies brain function in obesity and eating disorders.
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