Drug addiction affects millions of Americans each year. Living with addiction can mean harm to your physical health, relationships, emotional well-being, and other aspects of your life.
Many people in the United States live with opioid use disorder (OUD). Opioid abuse and addiction can wreak havoc on your health and put people at risk of serious, sometimes life-threatening, harm. People with opioid use disorder require comprehensive treatments and ongoing support to avoid relapse.
Suboxone is a medication used during opioid addiction treatment. Suboxone helps people manage the symptoms of withdrawal and have better success in recovery.
However, using Suboxone for long periods can result in physical dependence. Detoxing from Suboxone can be challenging, but the support of a treatment program can help people stay on track.
This article will explore how long Suboxone stays in your system. You will learn:
- How Suboxone works
- Whether Suboxone will show up on a drug screening test
- Suboxone withdrawal symptoms and timeline
- What to expect during treatment for suboxone addiction
- Where to find addiction treatment and recovery support
If you or someone you love struggles with opioid addiction or Suboxone dependence, treatment is available at First Step Behavioral Health. Reach out to our specialists to explore our treatment programs or schedule an intake appointment.
What is Suboxone?
Suboxone is a prescription drug people may take during treatment for opioid use disorder. It contains two drugs: buprenorphine, which is an opioid, and naloxone, which blocks specific opioid receptors.
These ingredients work together to prevent opioids from binding to receptors in the brain and causing pleasurable effects. This can minimize cravings and other withdrawal symptoms as people detox from opioids.
Suboxone binds to opioid receptors but does not produce the same high or euphoria that other opioid drugs do. However, people who take Suboxone for long periods can develop a physical dependence on it, similar to other opioids.
Does Suboxone Show Up on a Drug Test?
Suboxone has a long elimination half-life. Many factors can affect the amount of time the effects of Suboxone last, including the dose of Suboxone you are taking, your health, and age.
When people quit taking suboxone, they may experience withdrawal symptoms and cravings that may develop within 12 hours of their last dose of suboxone. Opioid withdrawal symptoms can make people uncomfortable, but they are typically not dangerous. However, they can increase the risk of relapse.
Suboxone can’t be detected on a routine or expanded opiate drug test. These tests are not formulated to detect Suboxone in urine or other body systems. Suboxone can only show up on types of drug tests that screen specifically for buprenorphine, naloxone, or buprenorphine metabolites. Suboxone will also not cause false positives for opioids.
For most people, Suboxone can stay detectable in urine for about 5-7 days after the last dose. People who have been taking Suboxone for a long time or in high doses may have it built up in their system, leading to longer detection times.
Exploring Suboxone Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline, and Treatment
When people use Suboxone as prescribed for long periods, they may develop a physical dependence on it. If someone who takes Suboxone suddenly stops or cuts back, they will be likely to experience withdrawal symptoms.
Suboxone withdrawal symptoms can be less severe than the symptoms of other opioid withdrawal. However, they can make people very uncomfortable.
Common suboxone withdrawal symptoms include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Body aches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle pain
- Twitching
- Excessive sweating
- Runny nose
- Restlessness and anxiety
- Depression
- Poor concentration
Buprenorphine, one of the ingredients in suboxone, remains in the body for up to 3 days. This can cause a delay in withdrawal symptoms. In some cases, withdrawal symptoms may take up to 4 days to begin.
Many factors can influence how long a person’s withdrawal symptoms last. However, Suboxone withdrawal symptoms tend to follow a standard timeline. Here is an overview of the Suboxone withdrawal timeline.
72 hours
Acute withdrawal symptoms are likely to be at their strongest within the first 72 hours of withdrawal. Many people experience flu-like body aches, nausea, headaches, and other physical symptoms.
One week
Body aches may continue to bother you as you approach your first week without suboxone. Many people experience insomnia and mood swings during this period as well.
Two weeks
Depression may develop during the second week of Suboxone withdrawal. However, many people experience significant improvements in their physical symptoms.
One month
After 30 days without Suboxone, people may feel fewer physical symptoms. However, depression is still common at this stage. Intense, persistent cravings may linger for a month or more after quitting Suboxone.
You can take steps to keep yourself comfortable and on track as you detox from Suboxone. Practice good self-care, including:
- Staying hydrated to replace fluids lost from vomiting and sweating
- Eating well to keep your body nourished and strong
- Practicing mindfulness or yoga to calm and soothe the body and mind
- Finding distractions to keep yourself busy and focused on other things
- Finding support such as group therapy or counseling
- Exercising regularly to reduce stress, improve overall health, and manage agitation
Suboxone withdrawal can be incredibly challenging. If you are going through withdrawal, help is available. The support of a medical detox program can help you reduce the risk of relapse and stand on track in your recovery.
A medical detox treatment plan may include:
- A supervised detox program to taper your Suboxone dose gradually
- Medications to reduce physical discomfort, assist with sleep, and reduce cravings
- Emotional support, including individual and group counseling
- A secure, supportive environment
- Round-the-clock access to treatment and support
- Holistic care, including mindfulness, acupuncture, exercise, nutrition support, and more
Having consistent access to treatment, medical care, and emotional support can help you manage suboxone withdrawal and reduce your risk of relapse.
Find Treatment Now
If you or someone you love struggles with opioid addiction or are struggling with suboxone withdrawal, you are not alone. Reach out to the First Step Behavioral Health specialists now to explore our holistic treatment and support programs. You may reach out with questions or schedule an intake appointment.
References:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Buprenorphine
- National Institute of Health (NIH): Suboxone: Rationale, Science, Misconceptions
- NIH: A urinalysis-based study of buprenorphine and non-prescription opioid use among patients on buprenorphine maintenance
- NIH: Buprenorphine Dosage and Urine Quantitative Buprenorphine, Norbuprenorphine, and Creatinine Levels in an Office-Based Opioid Treatment Program
