Buprenorphine for Addiction Treatment
Overcoming opioid addiction isn’t easy—if you’re struggling, you’re not alone. In 2023, 5.7 million Americans aged 12 or older had an opioid use disorder (OUD), the diagnostic term for opioid addiction, according to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.1
Opioid misuse has been driving the overdose crisis, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that out of the nearly 108,000 drug overdose deaths in 2022, approximately 82,000 involved opioids.2 Fortunately, many treatments can help.
Drug addiction treatment medications, including buprenorphine, Suboxone, and naloxone, may be used at different points during the OUD recovery process.3 This page will focus on buprenorphine for drug addiction, and help you find effective OUD treatment that’s right for you.
What Is Buprenorphine?
Buprenorphine is an FDA-approved OUD addiction treatment medication; other medications include methadone and naltrexone.3 It is a partial opioid agonist that is available as a generic and under various brand names including Sublocade, Belbuca, Butrans, and Brixadi.
FDA-approved formulations of buprenorphine include:4
- Generic buprenorphine as sublingual tablets, injectables, and transdermal patches.
- Buccal film: Belbuca.
- Weekly patch: Butrans.
- Pre-filled syringes: Sublocade and Brixadi.
Buprenorphine is combined with another medication, naloxone (an opioid antagonist), and is marketed under the trade names Suboxone and Zubsolv.
FDA-approved formulations of the buprenorphine and naloxone combination include:5
- Sublingual film containing buprenorphine and naloxone as a generic and under the brand Suboxone.
- Sublingual tablet containing buprenorphine and naloxone as a generic and brand Zubsolv.
Due to the addition of naloxone, which can precipitate withdrawal symptoms, and acts as an opioid blocker and opioid misuse deterrent, Suboxone and Zubsolv may be more commonly prescribed during the maintenance phase of treatment after a person has already undergone detox, while buprenorphine alone is more commonly used during the detox phase of treatment.5,6
What Is Buprenorphine Used For?
Buprenorphine may be prescribed during the detoxification phase of treatment to ease withdrawal symptoms and help people remain as comfortable as possible.7 It may be continued during the maintenance phase of treatment for OUD to help individuals avoid relapse and prevent opioid cravings.4,7 It is typically used as one part of a comprehensive treatment plan for OUD that also includes counseling and behavioral therapies to provide a whole-person approach to recovery.4
Opioid use disorder refers to a chronic brain disease involving chronic opioid seeking-behaviors and use despite the negative consequences, including harmful actions, health issues, and relationship problems.8,9
People interested in buprenorphine withdrawal or maintenance treatment for OUD should consult with their doctor or other qualified specialist to discuss the appropriate treatments for their needs.
How Does Buprenorphine Work?
Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, meaning it has a high affinity (it strongly attaches to the opioid mu receptor) but has low activity/potency at the opioid mu receptor compared to full opioid agonists such as heroin and morphine. The high affinity means that buprenorphine binds stronger at the mu opioid receptor than full opioids, displacing them from the receptors and preventing the user from feeling the euphoric effects and potential fatal overdose of these other opioids.
Since buprenorphine has a lower activity or potency at the mu opioid receptor, the euphoric effect is weaker, so the user will not feel the same “high” compared to full opioids. Buprenorphine also has a ceiling effect meaning it partially attaches to opioid receptors, so it also partially works like an opioid.4,6
However, unlike full opioid agonists such as heroin or methadone, this effect is weaker, and it has a ceiling effect, which means that its opioid effects level off with increasing doses, so even if the user tries to take a higher dose, they will not have the desired effects, thereby reducing the risk of misuse, dependence, and side effects and overdose compared to full opioid agonists.4
The buprenorphine mechanism of action helps to suppress withdrawal symptoms and cravings, which can reduce a person’s risk of a return to opioid use and help them maintain sobriety.6
Buprenorphine Side Effects
As with any medication, it’s possible to experience various side effects from using buprenorphine. However, despite these potential effects, its benefits in addiction treatment far outweigh the risks of ongoing opioid misuse.
Common buprenorphine side effects may include:4
Since buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, people may also experience buprenorphine withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking it.4 Your doctor will develop a plan with you to help you stop taking buprenorphine when the time is right.4 Questions about buprenorphine side effects or treatment duration should always be directed to your doctor or pharmacist.
Opioid withdrawal symptoms, including cravings and anxiety, can be very unpleasant and uncomfortable, and may lead to relapse, especially if left untreated.4,10 Although opioid withdrawal symptoms are not usually dangerous (unlike alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal), they can be so unpleasant that users may relapse in order to prevent or minimize these withdrawal symptoms. This relapse can increase the risk of opioid overdose.
Medications for OUD, including buprenorphine, can be very useful tools to help people through the withdrawal phase so they can attain and sustain recovery.4 Ongoing medical and mental health care, combined with follow-up and aftercare, are important parts of a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan to address all of a person’s unique recovery concerns.4,8
Opioid Use Disorder Treatment in Hollywood, FL
Recovery First Treatment Center, an inpatient rehab near Miami, offers evidence-based treatment for OUD at all levels of rehab. In general, the OUD treatment process begins with detox and is followed by some form of rehab and aftercare.8 Our facility provides medical detox treatment near Miami, inpatient rehab, and outpatient addiction treatment to suit all recovery needs.
No matter how things might seem at the moment, there is always hope, and people can and do recover from OUD with proper treatment.1 When you’re ready to reach out, call our free, confidential helpline at to learn more about OUD treatment in Florida, get admitted today, and easily verify your insurance coverage for rehab.