Drug Addiction Treatment
woman struggles with suboxone side effects
By BrightView
Author Mikaela Taylor, LMHC
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Mikaela Taylor, LMHC

Mikaela Taylor is a licensed clinical mental health counselor and is the State Behavioral Health Director. Mikaela has grown with BrightView and... read more

Published: September 7, 2021
Updated: September 14, 2021

Recovering from opioid addiction is typically not a smooth process, and setbacks are completely normal. Thankfully, medications like Suboxone can help you get through withdrawal more comfortably and sustain your recovery for the long term. While Suboxone can be a powerful ally in your recovery experience, it does present its own set of side effects. Before enrolling in treatment at an outpatient Suboxone clinic, you should know what to expect from this medication.

At a BrightView Suboxone clinic in Columbus, OH, you will benefit from our comprehensive approach to healing from opioid addiction. Our caring team of professionals will carefully monitor your health and well-being while providing a customized dose of Suboxone to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms. Call us today at 888.501.9865 to learn more about how our medication assisted treatment programs make recovering from opioid addiction comfortable and convenient.

What Is Suboxone?

Suboxone is a medication used to help people get through withdrawal with minimal to no cravings and discomfort. It is made from a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. These two drugs work together to block the effects of opioids so you can more easily manage the withdrawal period.

Treatment at a Suboxone clinic may look something like this:

  • Your care provider will begin by prescribing a customized Suboxone regimen to minimize opioid withdrawal symptoms. You will also receive therapy to address underlying issues that contributed to your opioid use.
  • After the withdrawal period, your provider will determine the efficacy of your Suboxone dose and make any necessary adjustments to keep cravings at bay. You will continue with therapy and learn how to eliminate, avoid, or manage triggers to prevent relapse.
  • Once you have made significant progress in your recovery, your provider will begin to taper your dose of Suboxone. This involves gradually decreasing the dose until you can sustain sobriety without Suboxone.
  • While Suboxone can effectively reduce or prevent cravings, digestive upset, and other uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, it is not without its own side effects.

The Most Common Suboxone Side Effects

If you have struggled with quitting opioids in the past, you are likely interested in trying Suboxone to help you achieve lasting recovery with minimal withdrawal symptoms. It is important to keep in mind that Suboxone is a medication, and like most medications, there are possible side effects.

Here are some of the common physical Suboxone side effects to be aware of:

  • Chills
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Sweating
  • Tongue pain or numbness

Suboxone can also cause psychological side effects, including:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Insomnia

You may notice that these Suboxone side effects are similar to opioid withdrawal symptoms. Since each person responds differently to medications, you may or may not experience these side effects. The side effects are mild for some people, and they may feel under the weather for a few days, but the symptoms are manageable. If you find that you are dealing with severe side effects from Suboxone, it is best to speak with your care provider to determine whether you should try a different medication such as methadone.

Leave Opioid Addiction Behind with BrightView’s Suboxone Clinic in Columbus, OH

For the best chance of recovery from opioid addiction, put your faith in treatment at BrightView’s outpatient Suboxone clinic in Columbus, OH. We aim to minimize your withdrawal symptoms as much as possible, so you can stay focused on getting clean.

Our convenient and highly effective outpatient Suboxone clinics, located throughout Ohio, can make lasting recovery your reality. We treat the whole person with a combination of individual, group, and family therapy and medication assisted treatment using Suboxone. When you are ready to leave opioid addiction behind and move on to a new lifestyle, give us a call at 888.501.9865.