Can you stay on Suboxone® forever?

While in recovery, you may have asked yourself: “Will I need to stay on Suboxone® forever?”

It’s a common and understandable question. You might hear different opinions from people who think recovery means being “medication-free,” to others who believe long-term treatment is essential. The truth is: every recovery journey is unique, and what matters most is staying healthy, stable, and supported.

Where you might be now

If you’ve been taking Suboxone for a while, you’ve probably started to notice positive changes. Your cravings may have eased, your mind feels clearer, and life is starting to feel steady again.

But you may also be wondering:
“How long will I need to stay on Suboxone?”
“Is it okay to take it long-term?”

Those are important questions, and you’re not alone in asking them. Many people in recovery start thinking about these same questions. Some feel ready to keep going with what’s working. Others want to understand what tapering would mean. And some just want reassurance that staying on medication long-term is okay.

Here’s what we know from years of research:
Staying on Suboxone long-term saves lives. It reduces relapse and overdose risk, improves physical and mental health, and helps people build lasting stability. For many, ongoing medication is an essential part of maintaining the stability that allows them to rebuild their lives.

Let’s look at what science says about long-term Suboxone use, clear up some myths, and help you make confident choices about your treatment.

How Suboxone supports recovery

Suboxone is a combination of two medicines: buprenorphine and naloxone.

• Buprenorphine helps manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings without producing a high.
• Naloxone prevents misuse by causing withdrawal if the medication is injected or not taken as prescribed.
  

Because of how buprenorphine works in the brain, there’s a “ceiling effect” after a certain point; taking more doesn’t increase its impact. That means Suboxone is safer and far less likely to cause overdose than other opioids.

And unlike daily clinic-based treatments, Suboxone can often be taken at home, giving you the freedom to work, care for family, and live your life while staying supported in recovery.

How long should you stay on Suboxone?

Many people begin treatment thinking Suboxone will be short-term. Just a bridge to being completely off medication. That idea often comes from older views of addiction that focused on willpower instead of understanding addiction as a chronic condition.

But opioid use disorder is a long-term (chronic) medical condition, not a short-term struggle. Just like high blood pressure or diabetes, it often requires ongoing treatment to keep your body in balance.

Studies, including a five-year study in England, show that people who remain on Suboxone longer are more likely to maintain recovery. The study found that patients who stayed in treatment longer had better outcomes and lower relapse rates. This makes sense when you think about other chronic conditions. We don’t expect people with diabetes to stop taking insulin. Why would we expect everyone recovering from opioid addiction to stop their medication?

For some, tapering off may feel like the right thing for them. For others, staying on medication indefinitely provides the best chance at lasting stability. The key is to work with your provider to find what supports you best. There are no timelines, no pressure, just progress.

Common concerns about long-term Suboxone use

“Am I still addicted if I’m on Suboxone?”

No. Taking Suboxone as prescribed isn’t trading one addiction for another. Suboxone is a medication used in addiction treatment. Addiction involves losing control over use and continuing use despite harm. Suboxone does the opposite: it restores stability, reduces cravings, and helps you regain control of your life.

Suboxone is part of a broader recovery plan, much like how people with diabetes or depression use medication to manage their conditions alongside lifestyle changes, counseling, or behavioral therapy. No one really calls out the need for insulin or antidepressants.

“Shouldn’t everyone eventually stop taking it?”

Not necessarily. Research shows that stopping too soon increases the risk of relapse. In one study, half of the patients who stopped Suboxone relapsed within a month. When treatment ends abruptly, especially for external reasons, the risk of overdose rises sharply.

In fact, the study concludes that “Although discontinuing therapy with methadone or buprenorphine/naloxone may be a personal goal for many patients, family members, and addiction treatment staff, there are discouraging odds of completing a taper and remaining abstinent from illicit opioids.”

In another study, relapse rates soared when patients were forced to stop buprenorphine maintenance therapy (BMT) involuntarily, often due to missing appointments or not following program rules. More than half of those patients relapsed within a month.

That’s why recovery isn’t about how fast you stop any and all medication. Recovery is about how well you stay supported, so you can build lasting stability.

For many people, especially those with long-standing opioid use disorder, multiple relapses, or co-occurring mental health conditions, long-term Suboxone use is essential to maintaining stability and improving overall well-being. The goal is sustained recovery, not forcing a timeline that doesn’t fit everyone.

“Can long-term use harm my body?”

Current evidence shows that Suboxone is safe for long-term use. It doesn’t damage your organs or cause dangerous breathing problems like other opioids can. Some people experience mild side effects such as constipation, headaches, or trouble sleeping, which are usually temporary and manageable with simple strategies.

When you compare these mild side effects to the dangers of untreated opioid addiction (overdose, disease transmission, malnutrition, trauma, and more), it becomes clear why long-term treatment is such a cornerstone of OUD recovery.

What research tells us

The scientific evidence for extended or lifelong Suboxone treatment continues to strengthen:

• Reduced mortality: People on Suboxone are up to 50% less likely to die from overdose than those not receiving medication treatment.
• Fewer relapses: Staying on medication helps maintain brain stability, reducing cravings and relapse rates.
• Better health and stability: Studies show lower rates of hospitalization, incarceration, and emergency room visits among long-term Suboxone patients.
  

One large study found that patients who stayed on buprenorphine for at least 15 months had 52% fewer hospital stays, 26% fewer ER visits, and a 173% lower risk of overdose than those who stopped earlier.

For many people, continuing Suboxone long-term is not just safe. It’s life-saving.

Living well on Suboxone

Thousands of people live full, active lives while taking Suboxone. The key is seeing it as part of your overall recovery plan. It’s a foundation that supports everything else you’re building.  Here are some ways to make your Suboxone experience easier.

Managing side effects

Mild side effects are common early on, but they often fade as your body attunes. You can ease them with small changes like:

• Staying hydrated and eating fiber-rich foods to help with constipation.
• Keep up with good dental hygiene and sip water to reduce dry mouth.
• Try relaxing routines before bed to improve sleep.
  

Always tell your provider about any ongoing side effects, as they can help you adjust your dose or find ways to make treatment more comfortable.

Medication works best alongside other recovery supports, too: counseling, community connections, and healthy habits like decent sleep, good food, and regular exercise will all contribute to your overall well-being and your recovery.

Practical tips

If you travel, plan ahead. Bring enough medication, and carry your prescription label or documentation when crossing state or country lines.

Keep up with your provider check-ins, even once you’re stable. These visits are your chance to adjust treatment and celebrate progress.

Building a strong foundation for recovery

Medication is one part of recovery, but healing includes more. Creating a strong foundation for recovery can include the following:

Counseling

Counseling or therapy helps address the emotional or mental health challenges that medication alone can’t solve. It’s a safe environment to process experiences, learn coping tools, and rebuild relationships. While not mandatory for everyone, therapy helps many people process complicated feelings and mend broken relationships. 

Community support

Connection is influential and motivating. Whether it’s a peer support group, a faith community, or trusted friends, surrounding yourself with people who understand recovery makes a big difference. These connections remind you that recovery struggles aren’t signs of failure but just part of the journey.

Daily well-being

Simple habits support long-term stability like:

• Sticking to a consistent sleep schedule
• Eating balanced, nourishing meals
• Staying active, even with short walks or stretches
• Using stress-management tools like meditation or deep breathing
  

Recovery is about creating a life that feels strong, healthy, and worth protecting.

Continuing your recovery with QuickMD

You’ve already taken important steps in your recovery, and we’re proud to keep walking this path with you. At this stage, it’s not about starting over; it’s about staying supported, adjusting when needed, and continuing the progress you’ve made. If you have any questions or concerns or want additional support, book a visit with us today.

The bottom line

Can you stay on Suboxone forever?
Yes—and for many people, that’s the best option.

Recovery isn’t a race or a one-size-fits-all process. What matters most is staying safe, stable, and supported. Whether you continue long-term or one day hope to taper off, the decision should be made with your provider, based on what keeps you healthy and confident in your recovery.