Today, a common theme in the U.S. is an increase in individuals trying to find out How to Get off Suboxone. To understand the options, it’s important to take a look at some of the history, effects and challenges of the drug.
While Suboxone gained popularity in use as a recovery for opiate dependence, long time users know one of the harsh realities: it is too often a drug that is taken for long periods of time after the user has stopped using other addictive opioids, replacing the original addictive behavior with a new compulsion and reliance.
Certainly, the process of switching to a Suboxone treatment program has helped many people get off of substances like heroin, and create some semblance of a more funcional life. Yet, the drug is indeed a candidate for addiction and abuse.
And for far too many, the consumption of Suboxone becomes just another in a list of undesired behaviors that leave a person trapped. Worse yet, even at the moment that one is ready to transition off it, Suboxone produces extremely similar opioid withdrawal effects if it is quit “cold turkey,” making the psychological addiction as bad, or even more severe, than the initial drug it was used the treat.
How Does Suboxone Work?
Let’s take a look at why Suboxone gained in popularity, and how it works, to understand the unique challenges in getting off it.
Suboxone, or better yet, buprenorphine/naloxone, its clinical and unbranded name, is what is referred to as a ‘partial agonist’ opioid. Partial agonists still activate the opioid receptors in the brain, but a lot less than a full agonist (like heroin).
Buprenorphine and naloxone work together to fight the withdrawal symptoms associated with opioid addiction. Buprenorphine blocks the opioid receptors and reduces urges, while naloxone helps reverse the effects of opioids.
This indeed allows people to lead a more functional life versus an addiction to an a substance like heroin or fentanyl, but after over 12 years helping people get off all these substances, there is a common issue with Suboxone – there is very little knowledge or promotion of a clear ‘off ramp’ for people on the drug.
For those already vulnerable and in recovery who are physically dependent on Suboxone, this can mean similar addictive behaviors, side effects, anxieties about any change to the consumption, and for some, another slavish addiction to a substance they simply do not want to be on.
Moreover, even in the best cases, and as helpful as Suboxone may be as a transitional substance, it’s not without its own side effects.
What are Common Suboxone Side Effects?
According to the official drug information for Suboxone, there can be a host of side effects to the body; effects that can make it challenging or undesirable to continue to take the drug long-term. These can include:
- weak or shallow breathing,
- breathing that stops during sleep,
- confusion,
- loss of coordination,
- extreme weakness,
- blurred vision,
- slurred speech,
- nausea,
- shivering,
- watery eyes,
- diarrhea, and
- muscle pain
While these, in and of themselves, can create a circumstance difficult to live with, for those that feel an intense dependence on Suboxone, and have tendencies bordering into addiction, the psychological effects can exacerbate the already intense side-effects.
The anxiety, depression and nervousness many Suboxone users feel can leave them trapped between the options of facing what they perceive as an endless dependence on a drug, or a risk of relapse to a former addiction.
As mentioned, the withdrawals from Suboxone are surprisingly intense for what is billed as a very manageable medication assisted treatment program.
How Long Does Suboxone Withdrawal Last?
Suboxone withdrawal generally consists of a wide range of symptoms that can last for several weeks or months. Symptoms can include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches
- Muscle aches and spasms
- Lethargy and lack of energy
- Insomnia and inability to sleep
- Depression
- Anxiety
Withdrawal symptoms from Suboxone are just as bad, or worse, than those caused by long-term opiate use. So the drug that’s prescribed to help people overcome opiate addiction actually makes overcoming the addiction even more difficult. In fact, withdrawal effects from quitting Suboxone cold-turkey are much like those from other opiates, such as heroin, methadone, or morphine.
As such, many users who wish to get completely clean feel like Suboxone has just delayed their withdrawal suffering, rather than providing a true solution to addiction.
While many in the American medical system claim Suboxone is being vilified without cause, the fact is, every person has their own barometer of how they’re feeling, and what they need — and if a person truly has the desire to move forward from the pill, full sobriety is their prerogative and right.
When the idea or attempt to taper off Suboxone has failed, or caused excessive anxiety, or even worse, relapse, many have looked to alternative treatments like ibogaine.
Is Ibogaine Treatment Effective for Suboxone Addiction?
This is a loaded question, the answer to which is “not in most places, but with us, yes.” In fact, most clinics that administer ibogaine outright say that it is not possible; this is factually incorrect. Our facility has especially dedicated years of research to addressing this challenge, and our results stand for themself.
The simple reason: the ibogaine is simple one portion of how we successfully address the root issues of the physical and psychological compulsion to continue on the substance.
David Dardashti has spent over 12 years perfecting a protocol specific for Suboxone addiction. Other facilities will discuss simply the physiological challenges in treating for Suboxone without an individual having already tapered off the drug. Our methodology uses 99,9% pure ibogaine as a trigger, carefully measured in doses according to the individual’s own history, to address the root traumas and anxieties that can kickstart a healing process that comes from within the person’s own immune system to flush out the behaviors that lead to the addiction.
The process combines the very best of clinical medicine, administered by the doctors at our clinic, with therapeutic and spiritual techniques to crack open the core problems plaguing the individual.
During this neuro-stimulus technique, guests of the facility are surprised to find an almost complete lack of withdrawal symptoms, almost immediately.
With the proper protocols, one can effectively block the MU opioid receptors that are responsible for Suboxone withdrawal, curb the physical symptoms, and facilitate a recovery that is long lasting, with an outstanding track record for relapse prevention.
One of the key differentiating factors of this holistic technique, is the ability to allow guests to arrive ‘as they are’ and treat Suboxone addiction without the need to first switch to a short-acting opiate such as hydrocodone, morphine, or some other substance.
Users that come to the Ibogaine wellness center for treatment of Suboxone addiction are often startled at how rapidly they begin to feel better. It’s natural to be skeptic, and many guests have their fears and anxieties exacerbated by constantly being told that it is impossible by other clinics.
But we know for a fact, and the industry will agree: the world of the subconscious, the world of psychedelics, and the understanding of trauma, its effects and ability to shape lives, is something that we’re only just scratching the surface of, when it comes to medical treatments.
To outright claim something is impossible for ONE type substance, while using ibogaine successfully on other similar addictive patterns, simply suggest a research that has not been focused on the unique physiological challenges that substances like Suboxone and Methadone can pose for a treatment.
We have a wealth of testimonials on people who have achieved long-term success is staying off these substances after one visit to the facility, and we welcome anyone in the industry, or anyone looking to move forward from opiates and Suboxone, to contact us directly and we’ll be happy to discuss how we’re able to achieve these rare results.
Start Your Journey Today
Are you ready to stop living your life addicted to Suboxone? We realize that you may have spent several years taking Suboxone regularly, religiously almost. The decision to cut it out of your life may be challenging, scary, or overwhelming.
But, if you’re finally ready to break free from the stronghold of opiate addiction, and take back control of your life, we can help! Call our ibogaine treatment facility at 1-800-818-4511 to speak with a specialist about Suboxone addiction treatment. Remember, short-acting opiates are NOT required when you receive ibogaine treatment by David Dardashti. Come spend a week or two with us and see what sobriety is really all about!