Tapering Off Suboxone

From the moment they learn about buprenorphine and Suboxone, many people in recovery begin to worry about the tapering process. On this panel discussion, Workit experts answer your questions about tapering off Suboxone. Join our guests Kevin Armington, M.D., Eric McClimans, C.N.P., and Melani Mood, L.P.C. as they discuss why tapering is necessary, how the process is likely to progress, what it feels like, and more.
0:00 Introduction
6:00 What do we mean by “tapering off Suboxone?”
10:58 Is there a standard length of treatment before tapering?
20:29 Does everyone HAVE to taper off Suboxone?
21:30 What does it feel like to taper off Suboxone?
24:28 Fears about withdrawal
30:15 Can someone begin to taper and then go back up to their regular dose?
32:55 Social pressure and stigma
40:27 Most common questions about tapering
42:16 Getting past the last step of tapering
46:36 Switching from Suboxone to naltrexone
48:00 Film cutting and dose splitting
50:29 What if I want to taper sooner?
53:10 When does the conversation about tapering start?
55:01 - Ongoing care after the taper