Buprenorphine Withdrawal

Buprenorphine ® is an opioid (narcotic) medication that is similar to Morphine, Codeine, and Heroin.

Withdrawal symptoms due to Buprenorphine addiction resemble those of other narcotics, but milder in intensity and earlier in onset than withdrawal from methadone or other opioid addiction. Buprenorphine withdrawal symptoms typically peak early in the first two to five days.

Some effects may last a number of weeks afterwards. Adverse effects vary from person to person, but can include:

• Aches and pains
• Cold- or flu-like symptoms
• Headaches
• Loss of appetite
• Mood swings
• Nausea
• Sleeping difficulties
• Sweating

The American Journal of Psychiatry (2008) has reported the rare case of a patient who developed psychotic symptoms that followed his Buprenorphine withdrawal and disappeared only after the drug’s reintroduction.⁽ⁱ⁾

Because Buprenorphine ® offers a less difficult withdrawal than Methadone, it often replaces Methadone in dependency maintenance treatment. Under certain conditions, unlike Methadone, it can also be self-administered in 30-day take-home doses. For methadone maintenance patients considering Buprenorphine ®, addiction withdrawal may occur prematurely unless patients are very candid with their physicians about their current drug use and past opiate tolerance.

Opiate withdrawal is a long and painful process, which can cause permanent damage to your heart, lungs, and brain. For health-compromised patients, untreated and unmonitored withdrawal may be lethal.

Buprenorphine withdrawal and dependency treatment requires safe and responsible care combined with the latest medical technology. Older, conventional detoxification procedures may cause patients to suffer an unnecessary, debilitating and dangerous withdrawal syndrome.

The Waismann Method recognizes Buprenorphine dependency as a reversible medical disorder, treatable in an effective, dignified, safe and humane manner through rapid detox.  

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