Buprenorphine and Depression: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2012

Buprenorphine for Pain "Fantastic, at first. I received relief from fibro pain throughout my body and some rheumatoid arthritis pain. (Oddly, I did experience a new pain in the very center of my lower back after beginning Butrans). Once I increased to 20 mcg, after 2 days of applying the new patch, I would vomit, have nausea and headache. Then, my depression got so bad, almost to the point of hospitalization. Butrans did help with my pain, but the side effects were just too much."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 6, 2020

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "Belbuca made me so sick! I wouldn't have a bowel movement for 7-10 days at a time. Tried stool softeners, magnesium, senna, ended up drinking magnesium citrate monthly at least because I was suffering so badly. My CPP forced me onto it, and it did nothing but cause me suffering for an entire year. I spent weeks at a time in bed and had become extremely depressed with my lack of quality of life. I reached a point where I was so afraid to even tell my doctor because they had threatened to discharge me if it didn't work. After trying only Tramadol. Thank goodness my newer doc got me off that stuff! It was poison! The film alone made it impossible to take due to it sticking to my teeth most of the time."

• Bra...
• April 8, 2019

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "Been on subs for almost 8 months, 16 mg a day. Got the shot a little over 2 weeks ago. The first day was excellent. I was really excited about the month to come and finally felt as though I would be able to come off of the maintenance sooner with less withdrawal. That was the plan. Since then, I have needed to take my original 16 mg daily and feel as though that is not even working. I've had severe anxiety bouts and deep depression since receiving the shot. I even went on vacation to the beach and was miserable, feeling like a black, scary cloud was engulfing my life, sensing impending doom and fear. Out of the last 6 years, I've been clean for 4 and a half. And only 8 months has been on subs. If it weren't for my devotion to my newborn son, 6 months old, my relationship with God, and my first-hand knowledge in recovery, I would have failed already. I encourage everyone to write their own truths here so that we can make better decisions based upon real-life experiences. (34-year-old male)"

• Mar...
• October 9, 2017

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "On pain patch for 3 years and lowered from 10 mg to 5 mg. Did this to stop the use of this drug. It works great for about the first year, then other issues start. Poor sleep, withdrawal after the 5th day, won't last 7 days. When I stopped it, I had legs and arms spasming to the point of not walking, also lack of energy, and tired for about three weeks, depression, lack of interest in anything. Don't start if you can avoid it."

• Mar...
• October 9, 2017

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "On pain patch for 3 years and lowered from 10 mg to 5 mg. Did this to stop the use of this drug. It works great for about the first year, then other issues start. Poor sleep, withdrawal after the 5th day, won't last 7 days. When I stopped it, I had legs and arms spasming to the point of not walking, also lack of energy, and tired for about three weeks, depression, lack of interest in anything. Don't start if you can avoid it."

• GGa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 14, 2019

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder "I have been on Subutex 8 mg twice a day for 15 months. I was on heroin for almost 5 years. I tried numerous times to get clean because nothing worked. The doctor tried me on Suboxone (yuck) and a lot of other things. I was at rock bottom, and my sister was already on Subutex, so she let me try it (I know, not supposed to take anyone's medicine), but I was at the end of my rope. But I am 100% thankful I did. It gave me my life back. I made an appointment right away because it was the only thing that helped me, and I didn't want to be using drugs anymore. Now I have energy. I am no longer depressed. I actually have a life that I love. I don't think about using, and I take Subutex as prescribed. I went from homeless gutter rat to having a full-time job, a beautiful house, and a vehicle. No matter what you read, everyone has to decide for themselves if it works for you. Me personally, I couldn't have gotten my life back without it."

• Sub...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2022

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder "I seem to be the only person who has noticed a marked increase in depression since taking this injection. I start feeling like rubbish a couple of weeks after my injection, and become listless and overall have little motivation. I certainly am puzzled that I’ve read nothing from others who might be experiencing the same. I’ve taken a lot of recreational drugs for a couple of decades but stopped opiate use a few years ago with the help of Subutex (and a personal preference for coke), and I am really not a success story with coming off Subutex. I hoped the Sublocade injection would help, but it’s actually worse than the strips. The pain others cite regarding the actual injection is not an issue for me, it’s the depression that sneaks up on me a couple of weeks after I have the injection. It seems odd that after years of methadone then Subutex strips I’d have bad depression only on Sublocade, but that’s how it is. I have nothing to gain or lose by writing here. It’s rubbish for me!"

• Rhi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 5, 2019

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I will make this short. For some, this stuff may be a godsend, for me, it was good until several months into it, then deep depression. I’ve been fighting the depression for 4 months. I received my last shot 4 months ago as well. I had a blood draw a couple weeks ago to check my bup levels, and they are almost none, but no withdrawal yet. If you're anything like me, I bet you have found nothing on what happens when it fully dissolves? Does anyone have experience with what does happen? I’m expecting withdrawals, but since not even Suboxone/Sublocade, the manufacturer can tell me, I’m at a total loss for information! Thanks for any help...."

• Pai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2025

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder "I was on Suboxone for 8 years (4-6 mg). I decided to go the Sublocade route. I did have to increase my dosage to 8 mg daily before I got the shot. The shot itself was painless (my doc numbed me up before). At first, I HATED the shot, I was groggy, numb, and withdrawn. However, after two weeks, I started to feel better. I recommend that YOU DO NOT SUPPLEMENT!!! The whole reason to get this shot is to get off daily Suboxone. Yes, there was some discomfort in the beginning, but try to stick it out. My doctor recommended 3 shots total: 300 mg, 300 mg, 100 mg. After the first shot, I realized I feel fine, I called the doctor's office and canceled my next shots. There are some side effects, my constipation is horrible, I feel like I gained a few pounds (for some reason, I craved SWEETS the first month). However, it’s been two months since my shot, and I feel better every day!"

• Jgr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 24, 2020

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "My experience was not good. I had never had as much back pain and hip pain as I experienced with Subutex. 18 mg daily. For a year. Of course, the doctor had to make his $200 a month, so he made me believe it was my weight and insisted on me staying on it. Well, I disagree respectfully. I lost enjoyment in life. I got very depressed. Gained a lot of weight. So when they called to remind me of my appointment (like I would forget), I said, “I won’t be coming back.” The receptionist couldn’t believe it. 15 minutes later, I got a call from the PA telling me how dangerous it was to stop. Well, I jumped off of 8 mg, and 3 weeks later, I’m free and feel great with no pain. Subutex isn’t for everyone, I guess. And I love being able to handle my anxiety now and get other scripts that I actually need. Consider stopping, don’t let them make you afraid because you are strong."

• tdp...
• March 6, 2015

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder "I've been on Subutex for 5 years. I am now being tapered. I've been tapered 1 whole tablet in less than a month. I am trying my best to take care of my newborn and toddler. I have nobody at all that will help me with them so that I can come off. That's making me have panic attacks, severe depression, and anxiety. Does anybody have any helpful advice?"

• Dre...
• April 9, 2019

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "So, I have been on Suboxone for 4 years now in maintenance. I take two 8 mg strips a day and heard about this Suboxone shot because taking strips twice a day becomes an inconvenience. I took the shot Friday at 1:30 pm. It didn’t burn as bad as some people say. I started to feel the injection within a couple of hours. That night, I felt I had a pretty high dose of it in my body. The next day, Saturday, I felt great, plenty of energy, and no negative symptoms at all. I felt amazing. Sunday night, I started to slightly get tired and out of it. It’s now Monday night, and I feel horrible, like I’m withdrawing, like a really bad flu. So now I have to make a decision on what to do. If anyone on here has advice on what I should do, please answer my message. I would greatly appreciate it. I’m not sure if I should wait it out and see what happens. Will it get better or worse? I’m crossing my fingers, and I hope this advice helps someone out there."

• Fer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2022

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder "I was extremely excited to try the Sublocade shot for several reasons. For one, I had heard a lot of really good reviews on TikTok from creators who had tried it and were or seemed to be very successful and happy with it. And for two, I have been on Suboxone strips for at least 15 years or more for pain pill addiction, and I had heard that if you wanted to get off Suboxone, that this was the best and easiest way to do it without so much sickness. So I finally talked to my doctor about it and finally got my insurance to approve it, and I was so excited to get my first injection. I did really well the first 5-7 days. I felt great, with no withdrawals. I was excited that I had made the decision to get the injection, but that quickly changed for me after week 1! After week 1, I began to fall into a deep dark depression as well as anxiety and crying spells and no motivation! I would be okay one hour and literally not okay the next hour like I was on a roller coaster! Long story short, for me, I wish I had never gotten it!"

• Fer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2022

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder "I was extremely excited to try the Sublocade shot for several reasons. For one, I had heard a lot of really good reviews on TikTok from creators who had tried it and were or seemed to be very successful and happy with it. And for two, I have been on Suboxone strips for at least 15 years or more for pain pill addiction, and I had heard that if you wanted to get off Suboxone, that this was the best and easiest way to do it without so much sickness. So I finally talked to my doctor about it and finally got my insurance to approve it, and I was so excited to get my first injection. I did really well the first 5-7 days. I felt great, with no withdrawals. I was excited that I had made the decision to get the injection, but that quickly changed for me after week 1! After week 1, I began to fall into a deep dark depression as well as anxiety and crying spells and no motivation! I would be okay one hour and literally not okay the next hour like I was on a roller coaster! Long story short, for me, I wish I had never gotten it!"

• Rom...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 5, 2022

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I first gave it 5 stars, but now I have to say worst mistake I ever made! I got on Sublocade to get off of subs, and all it did was prolong the misery I get on subs. No sex drive, no emotions except sadness and anger, and no motivation, and now I have to wait possibly 18 to 24 months for it to be out of my system! Don’t do it if you want to get off, just taper."

• Rom...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 5, 2022

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I first gave it 5 stars, but now I have to say worst mistake I ever made! I got on Sublocade to get off of subs, and all it did was prolong the misery I get on subs. No sex drive, no emotions except sadness and anger, and no motivation, and now I have to wait possibly 18 to 24 months for it to be out of my system! Don’t do it if you want to get off, just taper."

• Rom...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 5, 2022

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I first gave it 5 stars, but now I have to say worst mistake I ever made! I got on Sublocade to get off of subs, and all it did was prolong the misery I get on subs. No sex drive, no emotions except sadness and anger, and no motivation, and now I have to wait possibly 18 to 24 months for it to be out of my system! Don’t do it if you want to get off, just taper."

• wil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2016

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "I have chronic Lyme disease, which has caused chronic pain. The doctors have tried just about everything, but nothing seems to help. I was on 125 mcgs of fentanyl with 32 mgs of Dilaudid and still in full-blown pain 24/7. I was detoxed off the fentanyl with Suboxone (not a pleasant experience), and the hope was the Suboxone would address my pain, but it didn't. The doctor seemed to think the BuTrans patch 20 mg might help, so I started on it six days ago. I don't feel a huge difference pain-wise, but I have had nonstop headaches and a total lack of motivation to do even the smallest of tasks. I really don't know if I should continue on it, whether the headaches will slowly subside, or if I should tear the patch off so I don't have to go through withdrawal."

• GIa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 6, 2021

Buprenorphine for Pain "Belbuca is so terrible. It’s got nearly no pain-relieving effects, and it puts me in a really bad depressed mood. It also takes like 3 hours to even kick in, and it also blocks the effects of other opiate medications, so you have to wait days for it to clear your system before you can try a different pain medication. Stay away from this junk."

• Ade...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2025

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder "I've been battling with this damn pill epidemic forever, it seems... I've been on and off pain meds for about 14 years, with limited success. Found myself back on Suboxone after being 'clean' for 3 years, but was battling serious depression with suicidal ideation. Finally found a suitable AD and was put back on Suboxone again after 2 detoxes. It didn't help me much at all, constantly sweating, up and down every day! A nightmare! Thanks to all the other reviews on this remarkable drug, I decided to take the plunge, and it's only been a short time frame, but I'm immediately feeling so much better and consistent with my moods. My injection site is quite sore though and red, but I don't feel bad. I have no cravings for extra subs, and my doctor even let me keep 8 8 mg strips for the last week if it doesn't hold up. I'm definitely interested in going off the injection and being clean from this in the coming months... Do it!!! Also, in Aus, we're very lucky with the cost of $8 a month. Amazing savings."

• Ner...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2023

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I have had a nightmare experience with this medication from the start and stayed on it for months longer than I should have. I had an opiate addiction and have been clean on Suboxone maintenance for over 10 years. I wanted to not be a slave to this medication and these doctors, so I jumped at the chance to try this new medication that had so many positive reviews. The 300 mg injection made me so overwhelmingly nauseous I had to take off from work the day I got the injection. For about a week, everything was okay withdrawal-wise, but mentally my motivation was completely gone. Then the profuse sweating of my hands and feet, as well as crippling anxiety. So I went from being stable and content to a blubbery, crying, depressed mess. Once I went to 100 mg, I was supplementing it with 2 mg of subs on week one, then 6 on week three and 8 on week four, so now what’s the point of the injection? I’m almost taking as much as I was originally, which was 12 mg. Long story short, I’m getting off the injection, thank God."

• Mic...
• July 31, 2020

For Chronic Pain "I have a disease called CIDP where my body thinks the myelin sheath that protects and covers peripheral nerves is an enemy, so it is constantly attacking and destroying my nerves. This is a horrendously painful disease. I have pain throughout my body 24 hours a day, no matter what. I used to wake up every 2-3 hours every night from pain. I asked my doctor about Belbuca after researching to find which pain meds caused the least constipation. For my type of pain, I've found Belbuca to be a life changer. I'm no longer on the nightmare rollercoaster of up and down pain throughout the day and night. I now sleep without interruption. The pain control is more even, and so is my mood, which the other opioids affected. This is a class 3, so there are fewer restrictions-like my doctor being able to call it in! There is less risk of respiratory depression as well."

• Rom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2021

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder "Got my first 300 injection today, about 5 hours ago, after only taking 8 mg today and taking 32 mg daily until today for over 20 years, and I feel normal. I got the lidocaine injection a few minutes before to numb it, and I felt nothing. I’m hoping to jump off after one or two, or maybe even after the 100 mg one, which is the third. Tired of being on subs and feeling depressed and numb and angry and gaining weight and constipated and losing teeth, this awful drug! Heard it’s easier to come off of than the sublingual buprenorphine, so fingers crossed."

• Jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2022

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "I have been taking Dilaudid in pill form for a while now. That worked wonders for my back pain, but I wanted something with a longer duration for pain around the clock without taking too many pills. My doc put me on Butrans. I’ve had the patch on for 5 days now. It’s not helping the pain as well as Dilaudid, plus it’s giving me very bad anxiety and depression, also headaches, and I’m not sleeping well. I think I’m going to go back on my pills because Butrans is making me feel too weird."

• ZDo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2022

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I have been on 8 mg per day of buprenorphine since 2005 (a total of 17 years), and it is about time I got off this medication. I feel that buprenorphine is very effective in helping me manage opioid dependence. However, I feel that buprenorphine has some unwanted side effects for me, like chronic constipation, depression, and an overall dulling of the feeling of being alive. I feel buprenorphine has robbed me of some of the joy of living and ambition. I discussed with my doctor a strategy for the cessation of buprenorphine for me, and we decided on Sublocade to accomplish this. I received one 300 mg shot exactly 88 days ago. So far, the Sublocade lump is completely gone, and I have been feeling very minimal negative effects. The symptoms I have been feeling are subtle, and I wonder if it's just in my head or I am really experiencing withdrawal symptoms as I have not received a follow-up shot. I do feel a little depression, and normal bowel function has resumed. So far, piece of cake...."