Suboxone is a prescription drug that comprises a mixture of naloxone and buprenorphine that is used to treat opioid dependency and addiction. Suboxone is categorized as a schedule three prescription drug, which denotes that it is acceptable for medical purposes. Still, it may lead to psychological and physical dependency if misused and abused. But are you able to conduct a suboxone detox at home? Also, how long do suboxone withdrawal symptoms last?
Naloxone, which is a suboxone component, inhibits opioid effects such as relief from pain and makes an individual feel good after using it. Buprenorphine is used as an opioid drug treatment medication. Suboxone should be prescribed by medical practitioners who have been certified and trained by the US federal government to treat opiate addiction.
Suboxone should not be taken by individuals who are allergic to naloxone and buprenorphine. If you have experienced either of the following issues you should inform your doctor before taking suboxone;
a. Breathing difficulties
b. Liver and kidney illness.
c. Gall bladder, thyroid, and adrenal glands issues.
d. Seizures, brain tumors, or head injuries.
e. Mental health issues, alcohol, and drug addiction.
Suboxone Withdrawal Symptoms
Suboxone withdrawal symptoms, in most instances, last anywhere between 24 hours to three days after the last dosage. Buprenorphine, which is a suboxone component, is a long-acting opioid drug that remains active in one’s bloodstream than most opioids. It has a relatively extended half-life of 24-60 hours, and that long-acting key factor tends to delay the onset of withdrawal symptoms and prolongs them up to three days upon completion of the last dosage.
According to a report by the Pharmacy Times, buprenorphine acts as a partial opioid agonist, and it implies that it does not activate the opiate receptors like other full agonists. This characteristic may tend to decrease the intensity of the withdrawal signs and symptoms; this is not regarded to be a life-endangering drug but can instead be unpleasant in most cases.
The following key factors determine the magnitude of the symptoms;
– Underlying medical issues
– Suboxone average dosage taken.
– Mental health issues and co-occurring disorders
– Suboxone usage timespan.
– Drugs used during suboxone intake or alcohol.
– Genetics.
How Long do Suboxone Withdrawal Symptoms Last?
1. Day one to three after the last dosage; Onset of physical signs and symptoms such as dilation of the pupils, sweating and vomiting, headaches, diarrhea, and nausea.
2. Day three to five after the last dosage; the Increased intensity of the symptoms.
3. One to two weeks after the last dosage; Ease of emotional symptoms and decrease in the severity of withdrawal symptoms.
4. Several weeks to months after the last dosage; Anxiousness, depression, intense drug cravings, insomnia, and unclear thinking.
The use of Suboxone has its Pros and Cons and should be tapered off among individuals to limit the withdrawal symptoms. Tapering off is decreasing the dosage as time goes by in a controlled way to moderate the withdrawal symptoms by lowering the body’s drug dose levels. This can be achieved by reducing suboxone dosage to a condoned level to the extent that it is removed totally and no longer administered.
Since bodies react differently, it’s advisable to seek a medical practitioner to set in place a personalized tapering off schedule safe for your body.
Medical Detox for Suboxone
Most rehab centers provide detox programs as a drug treatment stage. Individuals may postpone seeking help as they might be afraid of the detox process. However, the detox center one chooses determines his/her withdrawal experience. An excellent detox facility enhances comfort among patients by offering expert help to combat uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
Each individual’s mental state and symptoms are monitored closely in a controlled environment. Most detox programs last between five to seven days. Some patients may take longer to recover. This is because suboxone is mainly used for addiction treatment to encourage to keep off from cravings during recovery. It is recommended for one to use a buprenorphine product that is not an opioid agonist in the early stages.
A long-acting total opioid agonist manages individuals experiencing opioid cravings while undergoing detox. For instance, methadone is commonly used in opioid detox treatment as a complete opioid agonist and tapered off as time goes by to limit the chances of relapsing. Relapse after keeping off from suboxone can be dangerous as it can trigger an overdose. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), over 130 Americans die daily due to drug abuse.
The use of other drugs to combat specific symptoms can be considered too. For instance;
- Use of anti-depressants for irritability and mood changes.
- The use of non-steroid analgesics for muscle cramps and back pains.
- Use of gastrointestinal drugs to combat nausea and diarrhea.
Opioid use affects the regular operation of the central nervous system, such as heartbeat rate, body temperature, and blood pressure. It is, therefore, advisable to administer blood pressure regulation drugs like clonidine to help stabilize the central nervous system. Clonidine, an alpha-2-agonist, can be used to limit cravings of opioids when used during detox, according to the Practical Pain Management Journal.
Safely Detox from Suboxone at Home
MD Home Detox is a leading private in-home drug and alcohol detoxing center. It is the first individualized concierge recovery program offered in the United States, and it’s also a good option for people who prefer privacy and require medical supervision at home. Our in-home detox treatment enables medical experts to relate to your home environment and situation and thus come up with a personalized plan for you for your recovery progress.
MD Home Detox has Suboxone detox from home locations nationwide in Washington, Connecticut, New Jersey, California, Colorado, New York, and Pennsylvania. We offer services such as Suboxone detox, rapid detox, opioid treatment, prescription drug detox, mental health, medically assisted detox, co-occurring disorders, ADHD, methadone detox, substance use disorder, fentanyl detox, alcohol detox, oxycodone detox, heroin detox, and alcoholism.
The majority of our clients prefer home-based treatment and care, but we also have in-patient facilities for those who prefer that too. Our medical practitioners check on clients who opt for home treatment daily as you progress your recovery journey. Book an appointment or visit us today at any of our locations to get evaluated and accessed to begin your pursuit to recovery as soon as possible personalized according to your specific needs.