Brooding man in dark dealing with suboxone withdrawal.Some people might consider it to be the ultimate contradiction. It’s not easy to explain how a drug that serves a higher purpose can also be a dangerous substance. We are talking about Suboxone. On one hand, it is very useful in the treatment of withdrawal issues related to opiate addiction. On the other hand, Suboxone is highly-addictive in its own right. It begs the ironic question, “What medication do you use for Suboxone withdrawal after using it to get past opiate withdrawal?

About Suboxone

Before discussing Suboxone withdrawal and addiction, it seems prudent to describe the substance and its intended use. Suboxone is a derivative of Buprenorphine. Doctors and rehab clinicians prescribe this medication to treat opioid addiction and also both moderate and acute chronic pain. It’s worth noting that the medical community classifies Suboxone as an opioid.

When used as prescribed by physicians, the drug serves as a tapering mechanism to help opioid addiction sufferers safely wean off drugs like Morphine, Codeine, Oxycontin, and Heroin. In theory, it is a safer opioid, which makes it an ideal short-term replacement for other opiate-based substances. Many experts actually credit Suboxone with being responsible for saving millions of people’s lives. Without access to this type of prescribed medication, people might be left to deal with opioid withdrawal symptoms without possible relief.

Unfortunately, Suboxone also has a rather nasty side effect. It’s actually just as addictive as the other opiate-based drugs mentioned above. That’s where the contradiction lies. It forces medical professionals to closely monitor patients who use a tapering program built around this medication. The irony is patients are usually required to take the drug for a long time. As we all know, the longer one takes a substance, the more likely they are to form an addiction.

Suboxone Withdrawal Symptoms

After eliminating one addiction by using Suboxone, the patient might find themselves battling another addiction. Of course, they are also going to have to deal with Suboxone withdrawal symptoms once they decide to stop using the drug. Like any other opioid, the possible withdrawal symptoms are plentiful and serious.

Users will find that Suboxone withdrawal symptoms start within the first 72 hours of deprivation of the substance. For the most part, these symptoms last about a week, though it is possible for them to be evident for up to three weeks. At first, users experience mild physical discomfort. Eventually, they might start experiencing physical issues like stomach cramps, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting, headaches, cravings, fever, chills, and insomnia.

In advanced cases, patients may experience things like convulsions, breathing issues, anxiety, depression, and irritability. The good news is people can overcome these issues with the proper care and treatment from a licensed physician, in a detox facility. Under no circumstances should people take Suboxone while drinking alcohol. It accelerates the metabolism of the drug, which exaggerates the effects.

Get Suboxone Withdrawal Help at Beaches Recovery

As one of the premier drug and alcohol treatment centers in Florida, Beaches Recovery’s medical staff knows a thing or two about Suboxone. In our own detox program, our physician will prescribe a Suboxone treatment when necessary. When doing so, they take great care to administer the drug properly. This helps decrease the possibility of a patient becoming addicted to the drug, resulting in having to deal with subsequent Suboxone withdrawal issues.

At the end of the day, we put most of our treatment focus on our clients. We do this by offering an individualized treatment plan that includes one or more of the following treatment options:

Are you tired of trying to navigate life while struggling with addiction? It doesn’t have to be that way. If you can summon the courage to admit you have an illness and need help, Beaches Recovery’s staff stands ready to give you a lifeline. The most important step in your recovery will come when you finally pick up the phone and call one of our counselors at 866.605.0532.