The main medication treatment for opioid use disorder is Suboxone. It has helped thousands of patients reach stability while working toward their recovery objectives. The medication contains buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist, together with naloxone, which functions as an opioid antagonist, to prevent drug abuse. While highly effective for managing opioid dependence, stopping Suboxone requires careful planning and medical supervision..
Understanding what to expect during withdrawal can help you prepare and seek appropriate support. At Discovery Institute in Marlboro, New Jersey, we offer medically supervised detox programs designed to keep you safe and less uncomfortable throughout the process.
Suboxone contains buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist that reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing intense euphoria, and naloxone, an opioid antagonist included as an abuse deterrent. It comes as a sublingual tablet that dissolves under the tongue, or as a thin film that can be placed under the tongue or against the cheek.
Suboxone is prescribed as part of medication-assisted treatment (MAT), combining medication with counseling and behavioral therapies. While valuable for treating opioid dependence, it can lead to physical dependence, meaning your body has adapted to the medication and will experience withdrawal if you stop taking it.
Buprenorphine in Suboxone occupies opioid receptors in the brain when taken as directed, which helps decrease drug cravings. Your brain adapts to new situations while your body decreases its natural opioid production. Your brain needs to readjust when Suboxone dosage decreases or when you stop using it, which results in withdrawal symptoms.
Physical dependence is an expected response to regular use of opioid medications, which is why discontinuing Suboxone should always be done gradually under medical supervision.
Physical SymptomsThe physical symptoms of withdrawal include insomnia, sleep disturbances, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, muscle pain, joint discomfort, excessive sweating, chills, body temperature changes, headaches, fever, dilated pupils, a runny nose, and watery eyes [1].
Psychological aspects of withdrawal can be particularly challenging and may include intense anxiety and nervousness, depression and hopelessness, irritability and mood swings, difficulty concentrating, emotional sensitivity, and restlessness. For many people, these psychological symptoms feel more distressing than physical discomfort and can persist longer.
One of the most challenging aspects of withdrawal is the return of intense cravings. You may experience strong urges to use Suboxone or other opioids, thoughts about where to obtain drugs, romanticizing past drug use, and feeling drawn back to people or places associated with substance use. These cravings represent a significant relapse risk.
Additional symptoms include profound fatigue and lethargy, loss of motivation, difficulty managing daily responsibilities, changes in appetite, and a general sense of being unwell.
Understanding when Suboxone withdrawal symptoms start and how long they last helps you prepare for the process.
Withdrawal symptoms typically begin within 24 to 72 hours [2] after your last dose, reflecting buprenorphine’s long half-life. Early symptoms are usually mild to moderate and include body aches, muscle tension, mild nausea, restlessness and anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and beginning cravings. During this phase, you might feel like you have the flu.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) uses medication to help people cope with withdrawal symptoms. In MAT, symptoms typically peak around days 4 to 7. This is often the most challenging period, with increased anxiety, stronger cravings, significant fatigue, pronounced mood swings, intensified physical symptoms, and difficulty sleeping despite exhaustion. This peak period is when medical supervision becomes particularly valuable.
After the first week, physical symptoms generally begin to ease. How long Suboxone withdrawal lasts depends significantly on individual factors. During weeks 2 to 3, physical symptoms like nausea and muscle aches diminish, sleep patterns begin normalizing, energy levels slowly improve, but psychological symptoms may persist and cravings continue, though often with less intensity.
Some individuals experience post-acute withdrawal syndrome [3], where certain symptoms linger for months. PAWS may include lingering depression, periodic anxiety or irritability, occasional cravings, difficulty with concentration or memory, sleep disturbances, and low energy. PAWS symptoms tend to come and go, gradually decreasing in frequency and intensity over time.
Dosage and Duration of Use: Higher doses and longer duration generally lead to more intense and prolonged withdrawal symptoms.
Method of Use: While designed for sublingual use, misuse patterns can affect withdrawal severity and complicate detox.
Individual Physiology: Metabolism, overall health, age, and genetic factors influence how your body processes medications and experiences withdrawal.
Co-Occurring Disorders: Mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a complex mental health condition that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event, can intensify psychological withdrawal symptoms.
Environmental Factors: Stress levels, living situation, support system strength, and access to triggers impact your experience.
Concurrent Substance Use: Using other substances, including alcohol or benzodiazepines, makes withdrawal more complex and potentially dangerous.
Stopping Suboxone abruptly [4] carries significant risks. Severe withdrawal symptoms can be overwhelming, dramatically increasing relapse likelihood. The intense discomfort drives many people back to opioid use simply to make symptoms stop. Additionally, abrupt discontinuation can trigger complications, including dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and extreme blood pressure or heart rate changes.
Medically supervised tapering involves gradually reducing your Suboxone dose over weeks or months. This approach allows your brain and body to adjust slowly, minimizing withdrawal symptoms and reducing relapse risk. Your healthcare provider creates a personalized tapering schedule based on your current dose, duration of use, overall health, support system, and recovery goals.
Attempting self-detox without medical supervision is not recommended. Professional oversight ensures your safety and provides symptom management when challenges arise.
While professional supervision is ideal, helpful strategies include staying well-hydrated and eating small, frequent bland meals, engaging in light physical activity like walking or stretching, practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and meditation, maintaining consistent sleep schedules, staying connected with support groups, and keeping occupied with low-stress activities.
These strategies help but are not substitutes for professional medical care during acute withdrawal.
Professional Suboxone detox programs provide the safest, most comfortable withdrawal experience. Medical supervision includes monitoring of vital signs, medications to manage specific symptoms such as anti-nausea drugs or sleep aids, emotional support and counseling, and 24-hour access to healthcare professionals.
Beyond symptom management, comprehensive treatment addresses why you needed Suboxone initially. This includes individual counseling (particularly cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors), group therapy, family therapy, holistic therapies, and relapse-prevention planning.
At Discovery Institute in Marlboro, New Jersey, we offer complete care for individuals discontinuing Suboxone. Our services include medically supervised detox with experienced addiction medicine specialists, residential treatment providing intensive support, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs for flexible care, dual-diagnosis treatment addressing co-occurring mental health conditions, and comprehensive aftercare planning to support long-term recovery.
Our compassionate team understands the unique challenges of transitioning off medication-assisted treatment and provides individualized care that respects your journey and supports your goals.
Successfully completing withdrawal is important, but lasting recovery requires ongoing effort. Key elements include continuing therapy, participating in support groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA), developing healthy lifestyle habits including regular exercise and stress management, identifying triggers and creating specific plans for handling them, building a strong support network, addressing co-occurring mental health conditions, and creating structure and purpose through work, education, or volunteering.
Recovery is a journey. If you experience cravings or come close to relapse, reach out for support immediately rather than waiting until the situation becomes critical.
Understanding Suboxone withdrawal symptoms and the expected timeline empowers you to approach discontinuation with realistic expectations and appropriate support. While withdrawal is challenging, it is manageable with proper medical care, therapeutic support, and personal commitment to recovery.
The most important takeaways are recognizing that withdrawal symptoms are a normal physiological response, understanding that symptoms follow a predictable pattern with peak discomfort in the first week, knowing that medically supervised tapering is far safer than abrupt cessation, and remembering that professional support dramatically improves your comfort and success.
If you are considering stopping Suboxone or are currently experiencing withdrawal symptoms, please reach out for professional help. At Discovery Institute in Marlboro, New Jersey, we provide compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to your unique needs. Our experienced team specializes in helping individuals safely transition off medication-assisted treatment while building the skills and support needed for lasting recovery.
You do not have to face this challenge alone. Contact Discovery Institute today for a confidential consultation about our Suboxone detox and recovery programs.
Our compassionate counselors are standing by to answer any questions you may have. After helping thousands of people over the last 50 years, we have the resources to help you and your family and all your individual needs.
The Discovery Institute aims to provide accurate, ethical, clinically sound information regarding addiction and mental health for individuals and their families. All content published by The Discovery Institute is reviewed for accuracy and clarity by qualified individuals and is medically reviewed. We aim to make complicated subjects easy to understand without resorting to fear-based marketing techniques or misleading assurances. Content is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect current best practices, ensuring readers receive reliable, supportive guidance.
Read More About Our Process
Copyright © 2025. All Rights Reserved. Discovery Institute Recovery Center | Privacy Policy | Accessibility
