09 Feb How To Detox From Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine is a drug that is part of the opioid family and is commonly used to treat opioid addiction. Even though this drug is intended to help people overcome an addiction, it’s possible to become addicted to buprenorphine. Here, we discuss how to detox from buprenorphine and what to expect.

How to treat buprenorphine dependency

Buprenorphine dependency is treated much the same as other types of drugs, all of which begin with detox. Detox is a gradual process that utilizes medication to gradually wean the body off its dependence and help reduce withdrawal symptoms.

It’s easy to find DIY detox kits for home use online. Even if these work, however, the results may not be long-lasting. More than that, buprenorphine addiction presents a particular challenge. This drug is typically used to treat opioid dependency, so it can’t be used for its typical purpose as an opioid itself.

That’s why medically managed detox under the supervision of a licensed physician is essential for buprenorphine addiction. They can use their knowledge and experience to identify the most effective way of treating this dependency. During the course of detox, they can respond to your body’s changing needs and prescribe medications to make the experience as comfortable as possible.

Following detox, patients are encouraged to enroll in aftercare programs such as counseling, therapy, or coaching.

These aftercare programs reinforce drug-free lifestyles by helping patients learn to manage use triggers and develop healthy coping mechanisms, which empowers patients to prevent relapse on their own.

Symptoms of buprenorphine overdose

Another reason it’s important to detox from buprenorphine is because of the potential for overdosing on this drug. Like other opioids, it’s possible to build up a tolerance to buprenorphine, meaning that you need increasingly larger doses – or more frequent uses – to achieve the desired effect.

It’s important to call 911 immediately if you think you or someone you know has overdosed on buprenorphine, as symptoms can be fatal since they depress your breathing and slow your heart rate.

What’s the timeline of buprenorphine detox?

The exact timeline of buprenorphine detox is a little different for everyone because it can be affected by the length and severity of the addiction, as well as other individual factors.

In general, however, you can expect…

Detox is only the first step of addiction recovery and only addresses your body’s physical dependence on buprenorphine. Psychological dependence may last for months or years after detox, which is why aftercare therapy programs are an important part of preventing relapse.

Buprenorphine withdrawal symptoms

Much like other drugs, detoxing from buprenorphine causes withdrawal symptoms. The body has become reliant on the effects of the drug and physically ‘needs’ it in order to continue functioning normally.

The symptoms of buprenorphine withdrawal are similar to those of other opioids and include:

Unlike some drugs, the withdrawal symptoms of buprenorphine are not dangerous. All the same, these symptoms can be intense and uncomfortable, making getting through the crucial step of detox a challenge.