Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder

Buprenorphine is a medication used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). Shown to be effective across numerous studies, buprenorphine may be prescribed during opioid withdrawal or during on-going opioid addiction treatment. 

 It is widely used to help mitigate symptoms of opioid withdrawal, decrease continued opioid misuse, and improve treatment retention for those in recovery from addiction to opioids like heroin or prescription opioid pain medications like oxycodone.⁷

At Laguna Treatment Hospital, buprenorphine is one of several evidence-based components of care for treating people with opioid use disorders. This article will discuss what buprenorphine is and why it’s become such an important part of opioid addiction treatment. It will also discuss how buprenorphine works in the brain, potential side effects to be aware of, what to expect during treatment, and how medications for opioid use disorder treatment fit into the broader picture of addiction recovery. 

What Is Buprenorphine? 

Buprenorphine is one of several addiction treatment medications approved by the FDA to treat opioid use disorder. It is a partial opioid agonist, meaning it binds to and activates the brain’s opioid receptors but to a much lesser degree than full opioid agonists like heroin, fentanyl, or many of the prescription opioid pain medications.^{1, 3} 

This allows buprenorphine to decrease cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing the same reinforcing high or respiratory depression produced by other opioids. Buprenorphine has what is known as a “ceiling effect,” meaning that after a certain dose, taking more of it won’t make you feel more of the drug’s effects, decreasing the risk of misuse or overdose.¹

What Is Buprenorphine Used for? 

Buprenorphine may be used at various points during opioid addiction treatment, including during withdrawal and during the treatment and recovery phase.⁷ 

When someone is seeking treatment for addiction, particularly an opioid use disorder, they typically experience physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal. These may include severe cravings, diarrhea and vomiting, muscle aches and bone pain, and trouble sleeping. ²

Buprenorphine can help ease some of these symptoms. However, medication alone is not the answer; it is merely part of a more comprehensive treatment plan that includes individual and group counseling and other behavioral therapies. 

Additionally, buprenorphine can help retain patients during opioid treatment while reducing the risk of opioid misuse and relapse.7 Its comparatively wide accessibility and its low potential to misuse has led buprenorphine to be used increasingly in opioid addiction treatment.⁷

As state, buprenorphine may be prescribed at a variety of levels of addiction treatment, such as:

• Medical detox: Detoxification and medical withdrawal management are early treatment interventions when physiological dependence is a factor. A medically assisted detox program can be particularly beneficial when treating opioid use disorders, as significant opioid dependence has often developed. Several medications, including opioid agonists like buprenorphine and alpha-2-adrenergic agonists like clonidine or lofexidine, can be used to safely and comfortably manage opioid withdrawal.⁷ 
• Inpatient or residential treatment: Includes around-the-clock care and several hours of clinical services each week. It is a highly structured environment with 24/7 supervision, helping people focus on their recovery without the distractions or stress of daily life. ⁶ 

How Does Buprenorphine Work? 

One of the reasons buprenorphine is so effective is because of the way it interacts with the brain’s opioid receptors. It has high opioid receptor affinity or, in other words, it binds tightly to those receptors—but it also lets go slowly. This slow “uncoupling” from the receptors is what gives buprenorphine its long-lasting effects, during which time it may also blunt the effects of any full opioid agonist drugs to be misused. ¹

Several types of buprenorphine products are available, including extended-release injectables, films or tablets that dissolve when placed under the tongue, and combination formulations that include the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone to deter misuse (e.g., Suboxone). ³

Buprenorphine is a long-acting drug, which helps people being treated with it to feel more stable throughout the day. ² Instead of the typical ups and downs that can accompany withdrawal, buprenorphine’s extended effects help create a steadier, more balanced experience as the brain and body adjust in early recovery. 

Side-Effects of Buprenorphine 

As with any medication, buprenorphine may have some adverse effects.⁵

Potential side effects may include: 

• Gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation.
• Oral mucosal inflammation (with sublingual dissolvable forms).
• Injection site pain/itching (with extended-release injectable forms).

Another important factor to remember is that  a sustained period of treatment with a partial opioid agonist like buprenorphine may result in lowered opioid tolerance over time. Therefore, if a person relapses and uses a full agonist opioids again, at similar doses to what they used before treatment, they may be at an increased risk of overdose.5

How Long Does Buprenorphine Treatment Last? 

There is no set time frame for buprenorphine treatment. The length of treatment should be based on each person’s specific needs, progress, and goals, not a rigid timeline. Some people may use it for a few months as they stabilize and build a strong foundation in recovery, while others might continue for several years—or even longer—as part of a long-term maintenance plan.⁵

At Laguna Treatment Hospital, treatment plans are tailored to each patient and can (and should) be adjusted over time. The ultimate goal is to support lasting recovery. For some, tapering off buprenorphine may eventually make sense; for others, continuing medication may be the best way to prevent relapse. The important thing is finding what works for each person. 

Buprenorphine for OUD in Orange County 

Though there may not be a one-size-fits-all approach to everyone’s recovery plan, finding the appropriate level of care is important, including those that incorporate medications for addiction treatment such as buprenorphine. Laguna Treatment Center in Orange County offers a wide range of treatment options personalized to fit each person’s needs, whether they’re just starting their recovery process or looking for continued support. 

If you’re considering buprenorphine or any treatment for opioid use disorder, you don’t have to navigate it alone. The compassionate admissions team at Laguna, an Orange County rehab, can help walk you through your rehab payment options, verify your insurance, and help you begin the rehab admissions process. 

Aftercare planning will take place prior to completion of an SUD treatment program.. There are various potential outlets for continued care, or aftercare. Continued involvement with peer support groups or individual counseling helps reinforce the changes made through treatment. 

Don’t wait. Call Laguna Treatment Center today at .