Subutex and Withdrawal: What Users Say

• Ste...
• March 17, 2014

For Opioid Use Disorder "In 2010, what started as some needed relief for back pain, the FL Pill Mill took me for a ride which almost cost me my life. Being prescribed 120 30mg Oxy/month to 15 months later being at 240 30mg Oxy and 90 40mg Opana ER. The damage I caused my family in that brief period was substantial, but the damage I did to myself was enormous. One day, looking in the mirror, I was scared into reality. How had I gone from 276lbs to 204lbs in 9 months? At that precise moment, I called a Subutex Dr and 48hrs later, in withdrawals I started Subutex. What transpired over the next 9 months was nothing short of a rebirth. In Jan 2012, I took my last 0.75mg dose of Subutex and with it, I flushed 690mg of Oxy and 360mg of Opana, left over from the day I started Subutex!"

• Kir...
• January 15, 2013

For Chronic Pain "I was on Buprenorphine for 13 months for fibromyalgia after 2 car accidents. It did help and relieve a lot of my pain, but at first, I was so drowsy, I was falling asleep while driving. Also, the withdrawals from this medication can last for weeks."

• Pas...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 24, 2014

For Opioid Use Disorder "Subutex saved my life, hands down. I was an out-of-control opiate addict before I finally admitted my problem to my doctor. I was put on Suboxone first but had negative reactions to the naloxone in it (rashes and swelling). The Subutex was more effective too. I had to stop taking it cold turkey when I got pregnant and suffered some pretty rough withdrawal symptoms (nothing as bad as detoxing from oxycodone though). A few months ago, I was diagnosed with a kidney stone and was prescribed opiates to treat the excruciating pain. I immediately started abusing them and found myself back in the clutches of addiction. I just got back on Subutex today. I'm so thankful for this medication. I know I can regain control of my life again!"

• JL1...
• February 13, 2012

For Opioid Use Disorder "I started taking pain meds after having many, many operations. I was on pain meds for years, from 1996 to 2005. I was up to 140 mg of methadone and five 30 mg roxicodone for breakthrough pain a day. I was tired of taking this stuff. I got down to 5 mg of methadone a day and quit. I was miserable! I went through serious withdrawals! I called a doctor in town, told him my story, and he put me on Subutex. That was the beginning of 2005, and I am still on it today, and I have never touched another pain pill since. It works for both cravings and for pain help too. Although it is not as good as the others for pain relief, it works well enough, and I'm happy for it."

• Not...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 19, 2018

For Opioid Use Disorder "I had many surgeries in the past and, of course, became dependent on pain pills. Well, I started on Suboxone, then switched to Subutex. Now, 8 years later, I'm still clean from pain pills but completely dependent on Subutex. And like any addict, I took a little too much and now I'm out until my next appointment (which isn't for another week). I am so scared because after 3 days without my meds, full withdrawal kicks in. I'm scared to death and don't know what to do. My suggestion is, if you can kick your drugs without meds, do it, otherwise, you are just trading one addiction for another."

• Ncs...
• August 18, 2018

For Opioid Use Disorder "It helped me to get clean and lead a productive life, but I’ve been dependent on buprenorphine for twice as long as I was hooked on pain pills. I’m finally trying to come off of it after 6 long years, and if I had known how hard it is to come off of it, I would’ve never taken this route. I’m thankful that it helped me to lead a “normal” life, but the withdrawals are so much more intense than opioids. If doctors would prescribe this medicine short term and at a low dosage, it would be a perfect solution, but typically they put you on the highest dose possible and suggest you stay on it for a long time. It’s really sad, and it makes me angry that doctors prescribe this to people the way they do. If you need help getting off heroin or pain pills, I would recommend taking this medicine for a short time, and it will work wonders! But any longer, and you’ll just be trading one expensive addiction for another."

• Fre...
• April 22, 2009

For Opioid Use Disorder "Have to agree with many others who have already commented. This medication saved my life. It is important to realize you have to really want to quit using for it to be successful. I had to make meetings a regular part of my life and leave all those behind who continue to abuse drugs. It was really difficult but a lot easier than the last couple of times I'd tried without Suboxone. When I started Suboxone, I'd spent 4 months without using but in complete misery. I was in a perpetual state of opiate withdrawal. I couldn't experience feelings anymore or sleep. My body couldn't even regulate its temperature anymore. After induction, I felt normal for the first time in many, many years. No more withdrawals or suicidal depression."

• sou...
• June 25, 2011

For Opioid Use Disorder "I commend everyone on here for wanting to change their lives from the misery of opiate addiction or just plain addiction. I think Subutex and Suboxone are great when you detox off other heavy opiates or use them for maintenance for a short period of time-no longer than 5-6 months. Because this is a very powerful medicine too, I am saying this because I want everybody to know that this medication will take away all your dope sickness, and then when you're done with the subs, you're good with no withdrawal from that. That is certainly not the case. More evidence is coming out when on subs for over 1/1 and a half years. It is much harder to get off these drugs than your D.O.C. But they do help you break that vicious addiction cycle. Good luck to you all."

• Mis...
• June 26, 2010

For Opioid Use Disorder "The first time I took this, it threw me into massive withdrawal, which was unbearable for about 24 hours because I still had opiates in my system. So I never went near it again for years. Now, I am taking 8 mg a day for the last 6 months. I will always put this medicine on a pedestal because if you want to change your lifestyle and be drug-free, this will definitely help you achieve your goal. SUBUTEX - I cannot sing its praises enough, and that's coming from someone who would not even consider it at one stage."

• den...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 28, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "I have swapped from 30 mL of methadone to Subutex. I waited 30 hours and took the first dose. Although I haven't had bad withdrawals, I haven't been able to sleep for the last 4 days. I even relapsed and bought a 10 bag of this just to get to sleep. Back on a 12 mg dose of Subutex, so I really hope I stabilize and feel normal soon. I can't handle not sleeping."

• lil...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 26, 2016

For Opioid Use Disorder "I was addicted to heroin for 9 years. A year ago, I decided I had enough, so I started off with methadone. Slowly, I reduced it to 15 ml daily and then started Subutex. 6 mg failed. After only 4 months, I tapered down to 0.4. That is when they decided I was ready to stop, and I happily agreed because according to my doc, such small doses wouldn't affect me. The first day after taking the last tablet, I was okay. But the next day, I started feeling awful. I went back and explained that I had withdrawal symptoms. They told me I could go back on script but have to wait 10 days to see a doc (ridiculous). So, back on heroin to keep me going till then. Of course, I'm only smoking a really small amount. Worried though after 10 days I'll need methadone again. Does anyone know if I can go straight back on Subutex?"

• Sub...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 20, 2021

For Opioid Use Disorder "15 years on Subutex in the UK, now have a job, family, house, big motorcycle. I have been stable for many years and have noticed that different batches of Subutex can be slightly different, but this last batch, B.N. 023103, is the worst. I feel so bad I even feel like quitting my job as it has been a huge struggle for 2 months. My symptoms are like withdrawals. I can function, but it's very hard, I haven't used in many years. Trying to get help is almost impossible, so I had to contact Indivior myself, which was not easy. Now I'm hopefully getting a different batch sent to my pharmacy, but will they be better, and how long will the batch last? I don't know. Have tried generic Sandoz, but in the past they were inferior to Subutex. Don't be fooled into thinking all buprenorphine is made the same. Hope this helps someone to not be in my shoes as it seems there are no real forums in the UK or support of this kind."

• Pol...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 9, 2021

For Opioid Use Disorder "My experience with Subutex and Suboxone, it's good to get clean and clear-minded... But in the end, you have to pay the piper. The withdrawals are far worse than any opiate other than fentanyl."

• Fru...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 22, 2020

For Opioid Use Disorder "Was on Suboxone 8 mg for 3 years. Worse than oxycodone with withdrawals. Got on Butrans and no high or withdrawal."