What Helps With Withdrawals From Suboxone?

The best way to manage withdrawal from Suboxone is to have your prescribing doctor adjust your dose.

Suboxone is a Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) used for the treatment of opioid addiction.[1] It contains the partial opioid agonist buprenorphine that partially activates opioid receptors in the brain to reduce cravings and the odds for relapse. It also minimizes opioid withdrawal side effects. 

Taking Suboxone long-term can still lead to drug dependence and withdrawal symptoms when the drug processes out of the body. There are several pharmacological and home remedies that can help manage these withdrawal side effects.

Medical Help

It is not recommended to stop taking Suboxone suddenly, as it can cause both physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms to start.[2] Instead, your doctor will often taper the medication off slowly, lowering your dose in a controlled manner over a period of time. 

This allows the drug to process out of your body safely and keep withdrawal symptoms to a minimum.

Your doctor may also prescribe or suggest OTC (over-the-counter) medications to help control specific side effects of Suboxone withdrawal. This can include non-opioid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and analgesics, medications for gastrointestinal symptoms, sleep aids, and mood regulation medications. Medications such as the prescription drug Lucemyra are FDA approved for treating opioid withdrawal symptoms and can be prescribed by your doctor.[3]

Home Remedies

There are some things you can do at home to manage withdrawal symptoms of Suboxone. Try these approaches: 

• Stick to a structured sleep schedule. Getting enough sleep can help you to be more centered, think clearly, and be more emotionally stable. By sticking to a calming routine, your body can wind down more easily, and you’ll feel better.
• Eat a healthy and balanced diet. Proper nutrition supports healing and can help you to have more energy and feel better overall.
• Take baths. A warm, relaxing, salt bath can help to ease muscle aches and pains and be comforting.
• Exercise regularly. Healthy doses of exercise, which can include going for a walk, can help to boost endorphins and regulate moods.
• Consider holistic options. Acupuncture, massage therapy, and chiropractic care can all help to alleviate physical discomfort and support healthy blood flow.
• Drink plenty of water. Dehydration is a common side effect of opioid withdrawal, often due to vomiting and diarrhea. It is important to ensure you are getting enough water and electrolytes into your body during this time.
• Reduce your caffeine intake. Caffeine can make shakiness and sleep difficulties more pronounced. Cutting caffeine can help to reduce these withdrawal symptoms.
• Attend support group meetings and ask for help. To help you deal with drug cravings and the potential for relapse, it is important to reach out when you need support. Peer support group meetings can be a great option.

Stay busy. Distraction techniques can help to keep your mind off physical sensations and emotional struggles. Keeping your mind occupied with other, healthier things can be helpful, particularly during early recovery.

Sources

1. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment. July 2022. Accessed September 2022.
2. Suboxone. Indivior PLC. https://www.suboxone.com/. 2022. Accessed September 2022.
3. FDA Approves the First Non-Opioid Treatment for Management of Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms in Adults. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-non-opioid-treatment-management-opioid-withdrawal-symptoms-adults. May 2018. Accessed September 2022.