How to Manage Symptoms of Suboxone Withdrawal

While it can be very difficult to wean yourself out of a suboxone dependence, this is something that everyone who has developed a dependence on the substance must do. Suboxone itself is used to treat a narcotic dependence, but it must be taken seriously. After all, it is still an opioid. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that over 130 people die in the United States each day after overdosing on opioids. The reality is that the use of suboxone can sometimes become a true addiction, and as with most addictive substances, suboxone leaves behind some nasty withdrawal symptoms. With that being said, let’s look into some of the withdrawal symptoms you can expect from stopping the use of suboxone, and what you can do to combat them?

What Are Suboxone Withdrawal Symptoms Like?

Suboxone withdrawal symptoms can vary wildly depending on the person and their addiction to the substance. They can last for as long as a month which can make experiencing even less severe symptoms seem more problematic. Typical symptoms are nausea and vomiting, as well as headaches, indigestion, fever, chills, sweating, insomnia, and lethargy. But the symptoms aren’t all physical either, with anxiety and depression often coming into play as well. These mental symptoms can actually be worse than physical symptoms in some cases.

But don’t let your fear of withdrawal stop you from ending your habit. Make sure that you know what can happen and it’s important that you don’t assume that all of these symptoms will happen to you. And if they do, there are ways that you can manage them.

How Do I Manage Suboxone Withdrawal?

There are many different ways to approach managing suboxone withdrawal symptoms. Even if you aren’t truly addicted to suboxone, you may experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop it. Have a strong support system in place and consider visiting a mental health professional or utilizing a drug rehab program. You shouldn’t stop suboxone abruptly but should rather taper off of it over time. You may want to have your withdrawal monitored by a doctor, or at least keep your doctor in the loop about ending your suboxone usage.

Remember, suboxone can be quite useful. But you must avoid going from one dependency to the other. Make sure that you monitor yourself as you stop using suboxone.

Xanax — also known as alprazolam — is a beneficial drug used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. However, nearly 17.3% of patients who are prescribed Xanax end up abusing it and this can have detrimental effects. As a sedative, Xanax helps to slow down thinking and other brain processes. When used in small doses, this can help relieve anxiety and leave patients with less stress and worry. Despite this, it is an addictive substance, and abuse of it shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Common Withdrawal Symptoms

If you or someone you know is struggling with Xanax dependency, drug rehab could be the best way to help treat this addiction and get them through withdrawal safely and effectively. When it comes to withdrawal from Xanax, the process isn’t an easy one, and some of the most common symptoms include:

• Blurred Vision
• Headaches
• Muscle Pain
• Diarrhea
• Numbness
• Insomnia
• Sweating
• Anxiety
• Panic
• Tremors
• Loss of Appetite
• Sensitivity to Light and Sound
• Heart Palitations
• Seizures

Because Xanex is a central nervous system depressant that can slow heart rate and drop blood pressure and body temperature, in addition to helping anxiety and panic disorder, some of these symptoms may rebound and become more prominent during withdrawal. As it can also sometimes be used to help mitigate epileptic seizures, the reoccurrence of these can also be an issue that needs monitoring.

Additionally, benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, can also cause increased depression, irritability, mood swings, trouble concentrating, short-term memory loss, and hallucinations, making professional monitoring useful.

How Long Does Withdrawl Take?

Xanax has a half-life of around 11 hours, meaning that it stops being active in the blood between six and 12 hours after the last dose. This is when symptoms of withdrawal can start, usually peaking two weeks later. Xanax should never be stopped suddenly, as dangerous side effects can be more likely, and even grand mal seizures have been documented. The Journal of the Oklahoma State Medical Association has published that the side effects of withdrawal may even be fatal without professional assistance during the detox period.

How to Get Off Xanax

The best way to get off of Xanax is by tapering the dosage as recommended by a professional. This, coupled with psychological support via a drug rehab program can help make withdrawal safer and more manageable for the person struggling with dependency.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a Xanax dependency, take a look at drug rehab options near you, and strongly consider the benefits that detox can provide.

The Difference Between Mental and Emotional Health

Most people assume that mental and emotional health are the same because they both handle non-tangible elements of human health. However, they involve different aspects of a person’s mind and senses. As such, regulating and taking care of both a person’s mental and emotional health is crucial for a recovering addict. However, these types of programs are very different. In fact, each treats different underlying problems that can lead to addiction. Knowing the difference between emotional health vs mental health can help people when they choose a rehab center.

We assume mental health as the ocean, with emotional health being the waves. With that comparison in mind, consider the differences.

What is Mental Health

Mental Health is the hardware, as emotional health is the software. Mental health is about the functioning of your brain. In that sense, it includes emotional health — along with your intellectual, spiritual, and social health. Among other things, mental health determines how you handle:

• Decision making
• Interactions with others
• Managing stress

Mental health deals with behaviors that relate to the mind or brain. Related problems that develop are typically the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain. There are a few ways that a chemical imbalance can happen in the brain. One way is a natural imbalance of chemicals. This typically happens when mental health conditions run within the family. Another way that a chemical imbalance can occur is via the abuse of mind-altering drugs.If you encounter mental health issues, these basic functions are impacted. Such problems may be caused by:

• Your family history
• Experiences you have lived through (e.g., abuse, trauma, etc.)
• Biological factors, such as brain chemistry or genes

What is Emotional Health

Emotional health deals with matters of the heart. The issues that develop tend to occur more often when people have to deal with traumatic or negative life events. Emotional health blends emotional intelligence with emotional regulation. How you process that incoming data is related to your mental health. Consider the elements constructing emotional health:

• Being aware of your emotions
• Accepting your feelings
• Processing and managing those feelings
• Expressing your feelings
• Appropriately doing all of the above

Emotional Health vs. Mental Health

Though mental and emotional health can be defined differently, multiple qualities separate them from each other. For one, mental and emotional health process different parts of your mind and conduct. The state of your mental health reflects how well your mind processes information and experiences. On the other hand, your emotional health revolves around how you express your emotions based on those experiences. In a sense, your mental and emotional health handles especially different parts of your mind. Mental and emotional health both have varying scopes, with mental health beyond your own experiences and surrounding your ability to reason your decisions. In comparison, emotional health focuses more on a person’s individual feelings, experiences, and how they manage them. In the end, maintaining both good mental health and emotional health are crucial to a healthy life. Balancing both can not only pursue overall healthier wellbeing but one that can avert the vices of addiction.

People often have different symptoms when they struggle with emotional or mental health issues. While it’s possible for people to suffer from both at the same time, one is typically the underlying issue. However, how can they tell the difference? Regarding behavior, people who suffer mentally typically stay quiet and calm in a corner. This makes it harder to understand their problems. People with emotional issues typically make loud moans and heavy sighs. Those who struggle with mental health often appear abnormal or unhealthy to those around them. Thankfully, this type of problem is much easier to notice than in cases where they’re quiet. For emotional problems, people typically have radical changes in mood. In a few seconds, they can go from having depressive to manic behaviors. It’s important to manage both emotional and mental functions during rehab effectively. Doing so optimizes overall health and treats many problems such as:

• Depression
• Anger
• Fear
• Anxiety
• Stress
• Worry

Reward Path Recovery Can Help You Manage Mental and Emotional Health

The 12-step program has become the most popular method for all types of addiction recovery, including alcohol, drugs and other addictive behaviors. In the 12-Step Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Program, former alcoholics support one another throughout their recovery journey while maintaining their sobriety. AA was created to help those struggling with a drinking problem get sober, with the support of their peers, through daily meetings and discussions about addiction. The premise of AA is that alcoholism is an illness that can be managed, but not controlled.

It can be uncomfortable to go to an AA meeting for the first time, but remember, everyone at AA knows what you’re going through. At your first AA meeting, you will be welcomed into the group. You’ll be encouraged, but not required to participate in the discussion. Attendees may share stories and include commentary about their journey of sobriety.

12 Step Addiction Recovery

The 12 step therapy program is an approach to promote the idea that addiction recovery is possible through peer support and spiritual growth. If you are unfamiliar with the 12 steps for addiction, it is almost synonymous with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which has notoriety worldwide as an alcohol support group.

During a 12 step therapy program, someone admits they need help for a substance abuse issue. Then, they’re able to let go of all control of their addiction, leaving it to a higher power. They can then accept help by maintaining abstinence and admitting flaws and past transgressions. Then, they can seek to make amends for your past mistakes.

12 step facilitation is uniquely designed to battle addiction as it affects the whole person, rather than just a person’s substance use. This treatment program is a widely used tool in addiction recovery worldwide. Many support groups and additional mental health treatment therapies for those who have gone through treatment also use this treatment option.