Does depression normally occur when a person stops taking suboxone after having been on it for a year? i don't feel happy without it and want to get back on it.

Yes: It can happen , see your PCP for evaluation and treatment.

Not normally.: While there can be discomfort emotionally and physically in coming off suboxone, it is not "normal" to be clinically depressed. On the other hand opiates were used to treat major depression until the mid-1950 and Buprenorphine has been used, with some success to treat refractory depression. I agree you should speak to your provider and discuss your options.

It sure can: Sometimes, folks take opiates (or other drugs of abuse including alcohol) in order to help themselves feel better due to an underlying problem such as depression or anxiety. In fact, this has been called: "self medicating." so maybe, you felt better with opiates because they helped your depression. You may benefit from an antidepressant medication. I recommend a psychiatric evaluation. Good luck.

Yes: The withdrawal symptoms of a drug are often the exact opposite of what the drug does for you-- opiates usually make people feel wonderful(euphoria), increased energy and pain relief. The withdrawal, even months or years later, can be depression, fatigue and increased pain. This is why so may people relapse: who wants to feel like that when you know exactly what to take to feel 100% better?!

Yes : There are two forms of withdrawal from opiates- acute & chronic. Chronic withdrawal affects the mood and temperament. To prevent this, Suboxone needs to be tapered very gradually. If your Suboxone was d/c too quickly these symptoms may surface. There may be an underlying depressive disorder to begin with. See your doctor for proper assessment & management. But don't start using again!