Suboxone and Methadone Withdrawal


Tapering off Suboxone or methadone is its own kind of recovery. Our medical team helps you do it safely, without replacing one substance with another.

Woman feeling anxious in a crowded and busy environment
PR 63 bpm
SpO2 99 %
TEMP 36.5 °C
BP 120/80 mmHg
RR 29 /min

Understanding
Suboxone and Methadone Withdrawal

Suboxone and methadone are medications often used to treat opioid use disorder, but coming off them can be just as challenging as the original substance. Because both are long-acting opioids, withdrawal tends to be prolonged, with physical and emotional symptoms that can last longer than typical opioid withdrawal.

WHAT HAPPENS
  • Persistent muscle aches and joint pain
  • Fatigue, low energy, and sleep disturbance
  • Anxiety, depression, and emotional volatility
  • GI symptoms and appetite changes
WHY IT'S DANGEROUS
  • Extended timeline increases relapse risk
  • Severe sleep disruption affects healing and judgment
  • Mental health symptoms can intensify
  • Without support, many return to MAT or other substances
Various pills and tablets in black and white close-up on a dark background
SOBR // 14 DAYS
BP // 118/76 mmHg
O2 // 98 %
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In some cases, symptoms can escalate quickly and
require immediate medical attention.

When Is Medical
Detox Necessary?

Tapering off Suboxone or methadone requires careful timing and medical oversight, especially for those who’ve been on maintenance therapy long-term.

Long-Term MAT Use
  • On Suboxone or methadone for an extended period
  • Stable dose maintained for years
  • Ready to transition off but unsure how
Previous Taper Attempts
  • Tried tapering at home without success
  • Symptoms returned at lower doses
  • Felt overwhelmed during prior attempts
Co-Occurring Substance Use
  • Continuing other substance use alongside MAT
  • Using benzodiazepines or alcohol with MAT
  • Needing comprehensive medical support
Limited Support at Home
  • No local clinician familiar with tapering
  • Need for inpatient stabilization
  • Want to come off in a structured environment

Not Sure If
You Need Help?

When in doubt, reach out. Our team can help you assess
your situation and determine the right level of care.

Get Help
Hands touching gently expressing connection and support
SOBR // 14 DAYS
BP // 118/76 mmHg
O2 // 98 %
Man enjoying view from cliff edge overlooking a peaceful blue lake and distant hills
PR 63 bpm
SpO2 99 %
TEMP 36.5 °C
BP 120/80 mmHg
RR 29 /min

How We Treat

Our treatment model connects your condition to comprehensive, medically supervised care that prioritizes safety and long-term recovery.

Physician
Oversight
Board-certified physicians design a taper schedule built around your dose, history, and recovery goals.
Medical
Monitoring
Continuous tracking of withdrawal symptoms, sleep, and vitals as your body adjusts to lower doses.
Symptom
Stabilization
Targeted, non-narcotic care for the prolonged muscle pain, fatigue, and emotional symptoms of MAT withdrawal.
Supportive
Care
Hydration, nutrition, and a calm environment that supports the body through an extended withdrawal timeline.
Psychiatric
Support
On-site mental health care for the depression, anxiety, and emotional intensity that often accompany tapering.

The Stabilization Process

From your first call through discharge, every step is designed to keep you safe, comfortable, and supported.

Man in black shirt talking on a landline phone indoors
Admissions call
A short, confidential call with our intake team to understand your situation, current dose, and tapering goals.
Modern waiting room with wooden flooring and chairs lined against a large window.
Medical screening
On arrival, our team completes a rapid health screening, including vitals, lab work, and full medication review.
Empty hospital room with medical equipment and a bed
Inpatient admission
You’re checked in and shown to your room. Our medical team begins continuous monitoring and starts your personalized taper plan.
Two men having a conversation in a hospital corridor in black and white
Stabilization care
Physician-led, non-narcotic treatment supports you through the taper.
Smiling man with glasses at desk wearing RISE t-shirt in office setting.
Recovery planning
Before discharge, our team works with you and your family on aftercare, including therapy and ongoing support.
Group of people in paintball gear posing in a forest setting.
Discharge and next steps
You leave with a clear plan, the resources you need, and a team that’s still here if questions come up.

FAQs

Coming off Suboxone or methadone comes with a lot of unknowns. Here are clear answers to the questions we hear most.

Acute symptoms typically last longer than withdrawal from short-acting opioids, often 10 to 21 days for the most intense period, with some lingering effects for weeks.

For some patients, MAT is a lifelong tool. For others, it’s a bridge. If you’ve been stable and feel ready to come off, doing so under medical supervision is the safest path.

The symptoms are similar but typically slower and more prolonged. Because Suboxone and methadone are long-acting, withdrawal builds gradually rather than hitting all at once.

That’s okay. Our intake team can talk through your situation without pressure. The decision to come off MAT is yours to make.