Suboxone Withdrawal Timeline: What to Expect and When

The United States is currently in the middle of an opioid epidemic. In 2018, 67,367 drug overdose deaths occurred, with almost 70% of them involving opioids.

With the opioid epidemic, comes the rising use of suboxone as an addiction treatment. If used as intended, suboxone can help those addicted to opioids reach a sober life. But, if misused, instead of sobriety, a person may find themselves addicted to the suboxone medication.

Keep reading to learn more about suboxone, including a suboxone withdrawal timeline.

What Is Suboxone and When Is It Used?

Suboxone was invented in the 1970s as a safer alternative to opioids such as heroin or morphine.

Suboxone is a combination of the drugs buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that helps block and prevent opioid withdrawal symptoms. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of other opioids, preventing the high effect.

Both buprenorphine and naloxone work together in Suboxone to help with addiction recovery. When taking Suboxone, you are less likely to feel the withdrawal effects and if you do use opioids, they won’t provide the same feelings as they used to.

This is why many medical professionals prescribe Suboxone to recovering addicts. In fact, Suboxone is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Studies show that almost 50% of people struggling with addiction saw a reduction in drug abuse during a 12-week period.

The key to using Suboxone is that you’re monitored by a medical professional. Over time, they’ll gradually reduce your dosage until you’re no longer relying on Suboxone for your sobriety.

But, if not monitored correctly, some people can become addicted to Suboxone instead of their opioid of choice.

The symptoms of Suboxone withdrawal vary from person to person. Everyone’s recovery journey will look different, but preparing yourself for what might occur can help improve your probability of success.

Below are the general symptoms you can expect from a Suboxone detox and withdrawal.

Immediate

Like most drug detoxes, the first 72 hours are when your withdrawal symptoms are most intense.

Some of the common symptoms to expect include:

• Muscle and body aches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Indigestion
• Anxiety, depression, or mood swings
• Fever, chills, and sweating
• Headache
• Insomnia and sleepiness

This initial withdrawal period is likely to be the most difficult. Make sure you are under professional medical care to increase your odds of success.

One Week

Once you reach one week of detox, your major symptoms will start to lessen. You’ve passed the peak of your symptoms and your journey will become easier and easier after every hour.

But, just because you’ve passed the peak, it doesn’t mean that you’re in the clear. At this point, you will likely still suffer from body aches and pains. In addition, you’ll experience insomnia and mood swings.

Two Weeks

When you hit the two-week mark, most of your aches and pains have subsided. Now, your main symptom will be depression.

Depression is a serious condition and can lead you to use again to achieve relief.

One Month

At one month of the withdrawal timeline, you’ll still suffer from mental health symptoms like depression. But just because most of your withdrawal symptoms are gone, this doesn’t mean that your recovery journey is over.

Instead, now is when your cravings will be most intense. You won’t be distracted by all the physical symptoms anymore. Even though you’ve made it a month without using Suboxone, you’ll still be at risk of relapsing.

This state of intense cravings can last for several more months.