The ideal answer to this is that you should be on Suboxone as long as you need to rebuild your life. This is highly individualized, and the decision to stay on or come off of Suboxone (buprenorphine) is a collaborative decision between yourself and your provider. There is no predetermined amount of time that you should or should not take it.
The important thing to remember is that the evidence shows that Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) works for a lot of people. MAT treatment, including Suboxone (buprenorphine), prevents relapse and provides a means to sustain long term sobriety. Having an open and honest discussion with your doctor is crucial in making sure that you make decisions that are best for you, and that you don’t feel under pressure to stop taking suboxone before you’re ready.