methadone vs. suboxen

I've been on methadone maintenance for some time now. As of November 11th of this year it was officially 3 years that I have been clean and sober. Although I've been on and off the prgram for over 6 years, it was only 3 years ago that I actually used it to my advantage and got my life together. Within the past year I've been slowly tapering down on my dose and recently have decided to transer to the suboxen program. December 17th (1 week away) is my appointment with the doctor to begin this program. To say the least I'm really nervous. As it is,I'm terrified of change and the only people I know who have personal experience with the suboxen program are individuals who went directly from using to getting on the program, whereas I've been on methadone for some time which has enabled me to establish clean time. I feel normal on my methadone dose, my concern is once I change I won't feel normal. My question is am I making the right decision by switching?

[Lotsatrout]

I guess I have a question regarding this whole methadone / suboxone thing....

I quit cold turkey from 80mg's a day and went through the usual WD's and after 3 days I was feeling 80% better.  After 6 days I was back to almost 100%.  

I don't understand the whole "I've been on methadone for 3 years" thing.  What am I missing?  Someone can quit cold turkey and be doing pretty good after a week or so but yet others choose the methadone / suboxone "treatment" plan and are basically hooked for another____  you fill in the blank amount of time.  

I don't mean any offense by my post... there is just something I'm missing and I don't know what it is.  I would rather suffer the agony of WD's for 4 days or so I guess.  Maybe it's because I'm so used to WD's that I know what to expect and know how to handle most of the symptoms....  What am I missing here?

Trout

[Lotsatrout]

No offense lizard....

I just don't understand why someone would switch from methadone to suboxone rather than just quitting everything all together?  

[Lotsatrout]

Sorry for another post... I just keep having questions about this whole thing....

I'm a what you might consider.... an ignorant addict.  I haven't been in this scene for very long and I don't know all of the in's and out's of opiate addiction.  If I'm talking out of my A$$ please pardon my ignorance.  It's not stubborness or any kind of defiance... it's just that I don't know a lot of things especially about alternative treatments such as methadone and suboxone.  

Ignorant Trout

[IBKleen]

I am also confused. Are you clean, or are you on Methadone? For me,they are two entirely different things.

I agree that you will just be trading one drug for another. The idea is to be drug free, therefore clean. I don't know what dosage of Methadone you are on right now, but it will be a transition and if not done properly, you will go into withdrawal. It could be very unpleasant. Suboxone is an opiate, are you aware of that?

There are people here who have transitioned, and also those that are tapering off of Methadone. Please be patient and they will be on at some time and can help you further.

[u812]

i would do the sub. when i came off methadone it took me a month to detox. i would tell anyone not to go the methadone route. i would go with a sub taper

[Savas]

Well, i suppose you had a lucky experience. I had a short 3 month methadone usage ("mid" term detox) and when I stopped I went through two weeks of withdrawals. After that two weeks, I was...better, but still in not great shape. After 4 months of being that way I was desperate. I sought help and was denied it and lied to. Finally I had no choice but to go back on methadone or face eviction from being unable to work.
   Perhaps it's your previous drug history that effects how you react. I had about five years of heavy use, so maybe that's why I went through this. Was yours shorter?

Otherwise...I haven't tried the switch. I've heard various people who go from methadone to sub who said they weren't happy with it, and either switched back or went off totally and started using again.  I've talked to a few who said it worked great in the short term in finishing out their taper (some people have a hard time at the very end of methadone taper).

Personally, I'm planning on avoiding it if I can. Going through two-three days of withdrawal to switch...doesn't make sense to me. then again, if It goes like last time, i probably will try a short two week detox using sub.

[taiwan_expat]

if you read the sub manufacturer website they specifically say that sub can be used to have a comfortable detox from all drugs excluding methadone.  best of luck whatever your decision!

[lizard11]

I posted a question on 12/10, which mind u was my first time ever using a website for answers. I'm not sure how old you are or how long you are or were using for but you're pretty ignorant as well as judgemental when it comes to recovery. Let me give u a little history - for many years I was a herion user, i lost my family, jobs, my self pride and pratically my life. I eventually went on methadone and used it as a tool to get my life together. Sorry if u don't approve of my choice but it was matter of life or death in my case. I've gone from over 100mg to presently 35mg, I'm quite proud of myself and unlike many people out there I look at the methadone program as somewhat of a crutch, a temporary step to getting altogether clean. There's many addicts that i know personally who condemn the program claiming that they'll never stoop to such a level. well guess what those addicts are also still out there using if not dead, who's the fool?  To not have to resort to another medication to get clean and to be able to beat it on your own is great, and i'd give my right arm to have the mindset to do that but If i were you I'd hold back from placing judgement on anyone until you have walked in their shoes. Unfortunately those like you who preach to others like yourself are usually the first to fall

[lizard11]

forgot to specify that my last comment under lizard11 was mainly addressed to ibkleen.

[lizard11]

Thank you for your response. you obviously know what i'm going thru. your response definetly gave me something to think about. thanks again

[addictedme]

Yep,heroin to methadone,methadone to suboxone,maybe if you stay on sub long enough they"ll come up with something to help you get off the sub

[geting_better]

I have been on Subutex - which is like Suboxone - and I have no idea if it will help you with getting free of Methadone (I was told that Sub was the equivalent to methadone for opiate users)....
And I owe Subutex my life. Without it, I would not be where I am today - which is having my mind, my family, my job, my whole being back.

And Lizard, On Sub, you will feel normal. Mabe a little wired until your body adjusts...but the best thing about Sub, is the normalcy, and no cravings just like mestiza said. THe thing I have learned is that I am never going back - I still don't feel "safe" enough to taper off of Sub yet - but each person should make their own choices for their own life and their own bodies and their own minds.

Good Luck To You and let me know how your first day goes/went - and from there keep posting and updating on how you are feeling, i.e. if it is working for you or not.

[natalile]

I total aree with you lazare. Don't get no worog i'm not saying blkleen is ignorant, He just hasn't been in our shoe's.
i've been a herion addict for 13 long year's. & it has robbem me of everything. I am not CLEAN form herion for 4 day's, I've just had a week's relaspe which i'am devod about as it would of been about 30 day's clean. I was on 110ml of methadone & io have now got myself down to 40 ml a day.
& i'm very proud of me. Whoeve poset before saying there w/d lasted a week for methadone is very luck. I reclall the time i wernt c/t of meth & i was still w/d after 3 month's.
Enyway just because i chose to use another safe. Yes admittedly highly addictive drug. That i can pater from to make my quality of life better then i class myself as CLEAN.
I no lonerg live a life of hell turnig trick's ect. I now have a job & haven't had a day sick for work in the 4 year's now. So that i'm proud of & methadone has given me that choice. We don't make people feel like c**p. well done for going c.t exellant but it's not for EVERYONE.
You go lizare your doing really well. If i was you now your on a low dose i would opt for the suboxen
Take care eveyone. & i don't think youu ingnorant blkleen i just think you asd set in your way's of thinking how to get claen & the meaning of clean. Those two word's "been clean" meen different thing's for different people. Yes in the end we al want to be 100% drug free. But some of use chose a differnt road to do it that's all. As long as the result at the end is the same is that not all that matter's?
Peace nat xxx

[natalile]

God i carn't spell lol.

[youngdude421]

you shouldnt bad mouth someone for going on methadone just b/c, cold turkey worked for you every drug effects every person differently. You want a gold medal just cause cold turkey worked for you? lol Lizard I was never a Diesel addict but I am a pill addict ive eatin tons of Viks Perks and OXy's. I have used suboxtone but i took them to get high your going to take them for a legal medical purpose so i don't know how they will effect you but when i take them I fel like i was knocked into last week and cant see straight so they are strong from what ive been told they are a lot like methadone.

[addictedme]

so youve been on methadone for 4 years?

[natalile]

I'll start fisrt buy making a pubicl apoligy to blkieen. If i had read his post i mean propely i would of seen he was refering to his peronaly choice, Not the choice everyone should make. He speak's alot of wisdom & i respect him for that.
We are mabey alot alike really.
& to addictme. No 6 year's i've been on methadone, The reson i'm in the s****y mess in the first place is because i abuse it like i do everthing. Once i realised i could just use the meth to stop me form been sick. well at was great. But i'am now paying the piper.
If i had none i was still going to be a slave to it to this day. Wake in the morning in a pool of sweat. Having to brave the frezzing cold when i'm chilled to the bone to start with just to go for the horrible sickly sweet stuff 2 time's a week. Then no i'd of threw it back in there face!. As it was yet again i wanted the easy way out & as alway's am paying & fighting for the sole i sold almost half my life ago.
Why do you ask?
peace nat. xx

[mr.lucky66]

It depends on the individule how hard it is to get off methadone. I kicked it many times and now have 5 years "done" free and clean 4. It can be different every time and the thing that determines how you will do more than anything is your attitude. Also the amount of time on methadone is more important than the dose. I have had tough times kicking and easier times kicking. I don't know if this sub. is such a good idea as many people have a hard time getting off of it. Also doesn't it have a narcotic blocker(naltrexone) in it? This could be a disaster in the case of an accident or trauma. I think it may be better to taper down low and then try other meds to help with the symptoms. all the best

[wait2long]

i successfully transitioned from methadone to suboxone...it wasnt easy, but it can be done if your committed...and you must be tapered to a low dose 20-30 mgs...if you want some help with this ...send me a private message...i can give you some pointers and also what to expect, and what not to expect...its a totally different situation than if switching from a short acting opiod...someone who has never been on methadone would have no clue what to tell you about this if this is what you decide to do,
i also have a lot of information i stole from my good friend kyjobr...the information is on suboxone either in her profile or mine...

to all...never speak negatively about someone you dont know...most everyone here has paid the price, more than once....

addictedme...your words   "what works for you is right for you"  in your profile...???

[Joe225sqts]

i was on oxycontin for 2 yrs, and at high doses (400 mgs plus). a month ago i tried suboxen, and frankly don't feel worth a ****. feel drugged, irritable, and depressed. in the last several days, i have thought of methadone as an alternative. can you pls provide me with some advice regarding comparing the two medications, (methadone for suboxen). thank you so much for any help you can provide. .

[bengali118]

hi everyone, i'm new to this forum because like a lot of us i need help.  I've been taking about 3-400 mgs a day in 3 to 4 day binges. I took my last oxy last night and just started to withdrawl (withdrawal). sweating like crazy!!!! What should i expect (withdrawl (withdrawal) wise) and for how long??? thanks!

[wait2long]

if you would like to send me a private message...i can help you with this..as my answer will be quite long, i prefer to do it by private message...
to make it brief and short...stay away from methadone...you will; be sorry in the end...
as far as the sub...PM me, i can probably help you figure out what is going on...

[sadinmichigan]

I really want you to know that if you actually went cold turkey off methadone and seems to have made very little of the "usual" wd and was fine in a few days..Well your a miracle because that is NOT an easy drug to go cold turkey off. I went cold turkey off 65 mg and I shudder at even the thought of what I went through. It took at least 6 weeks and the first 3 of them being pure hell.I was warned by many heroin addicts that it was easier to get off heroin than methadone. I wasn't on methadone because of heroin. Please anyone who reads this. Methadone is a horrible drug and a big LIE. It dosen't help anything except to give you a worse problem than what you had. And the danger is that oh sure you feel "normal" and it keeps the wd away from other drugs and you don't even get a buzz off it so when you try and stop is when you finally figure out...the truth. Your still an addict. I'm sorry if I have offended anyone but I feel very strongly about methadone and the lie that it is.

[sadinmichigan]

I'd like to add that the only people that should be even considering methadone are terminally ill people and people stealing ,selling themselves AND jabbing needles into themselves. But first you have to not want to be high because methadone doesn't get you high .

[addictedme]

Your right ,I did say what works for you is right for you  but years on a substitute aint working