Aa
? on Taking Baclofen During Suboxone Treatment
Someone very close to me started taking SOMA, Dans, Oxycontin, etc. in late 2005. He tried to go on Suboxone once in mid-2007 to get off of the Oxycontin but it didn't last because he didn't have insurance and tried to spread the suboxone out to last longer. He relapsed on the Oxycontin and probably was still taking the other drugs as well, I'm not sure. He was hiding everything from me at that time and I happened to find out by finding pills here and there.
For the past 6 months or so he has been back on the Suboxone treatment (8 mg/am-4 mg/pm) using insurance, also taking Wellbutrin XL and seeing a Psychiatrist, which is a good thing. I thought he was no longer using the other drugs anymore but today I found a baggy of Baclofen pills which is an anti-spastic muscle relaxant and frequently used for MS patients.
Don't know what to do or how to react to him. I removed the pills and he hasn't found out yet and don't know how he'll react when he does. I want to call the psychiatrist(who treats him with the suboxone) and tell him but not sure if I should. I love him and want him to be healthy and totally clean. Before his co-worker started giving (then selling) him the SOMA, Dans and Oxycontin, he was in great physical shape, eating very healthy, working out, doing well. Now he's undone years of positive personal growth and living.
I really want to scream at him, slap him and ask him why he is taking Baclofen while on Suboxone but know that is not constructive and will only make him hide it even more so I won't do it. I feel very betrayed that he hides this from me but know that it is not about me at all.
I really feel that he is sabotaging his own recovery. It can't possibly be useful to take non-prescribed Baclofen while taking suboxone to recover from Oxycontin addiction. I'm afraid that by him taking the Baclofen, it is undermining the suboxone treatment and making it pointless. Can anyone offer some medical advice regarding the use of both meds at the same time?
Thanks for reading - I appreciate any help.
For the past 6 months or so he has been back on the Suboxone treatment (8 mg/am-4 mg/pm) using insurance, also taking Wellbutrin XL and seeing a Psychiatrist, which is a good thing. I thought he was no longer using the other drugs anymore but today I found a baggy of Baclofen pills which is an anti-spastic muscle relaxant and frequently used for MS patients.
Don't know what to do or how to react to him. I removed the pills and he hasn't found out yet and don't know how he'll react when he does. I want to call the psychiatrist(who treats him with the suboxone) and tell him but not sure if I should. I love him and want him to be healthy and totally clean. Before his co-worker started giving (then selling) him the SOMA, Dans and Oxycontin, he was in great physical shape, eating very healthy, working out, doing well. Now he's undone years of positive personal growth and living.
I really want to scream at him, slap him and ask him why he is taking Baclofen while on Suboxone but know that is not constructive and will only make him hide it even more so I won't do it. I feel very betrayed that he hides this from me but know that it is not about me at all.
I really feel that he is sabotaging his own recovery. It can't possibly be useful to take non-prescribed Baclofen while taking suboxone to recover from Oxycontin addiction. I'm afraid that by him taking the Baclofen, it is undermining the suboxone treatment and making it pointless. Can anyone offer some medical advice regarding the use of both meds at the same time?
Thanks for reading - I appreciate any help.
This answer is most likely a little late to be of much help, but I felt it vital I speak up. You’re really jumping to conclusions here, without having enough information, and approaching the addiction thing, as a whole, incorrectly — as are many of the other posters.
Baclofen and Suboxone together are safe. He’s not using them to get high; if anything he has them as a backup. It’s actually been shown to be useful in lowering cravings, and if anything, hampers any sort of high from opiates. Suboxone withdrawal is AWFUL and extremely long. Anyone cut off of Suboxone cold turkey would go as far as getting heroin if they didn’t have something for the pain and anxiety.
The people who are advocating for you to flush the meds and tell the doctor are just ignorant and think you can control someone’s behavior by punishing them. Addiction is a very personal disorder (disease for those who take that view). You can’t make someone get sober. You can force someone to get “clean” with threats and ultimatums, but their hearts won’t be in it, and it will only be a matter of time before they relapse. I know because it happened to me. I wasn’t successful until I was ready to quit (for my own good). Sure I went to meetings and went through the motions, but as soon as the people I was doing it for stepped back and weren’t really involved in my life, I started using again. Until I was sick of how I was living and what life had become. It’s one thing confronting a person and offering them help (especially if they aren’t aware how out of control their usage/behavior has become), but forcing someone to quit is only a temporary measure that will cause resentment and make them feel that they can’t come to you should (and when) they relapse and really DO want help.
Furthermore, telling your loved one’s doctor only endangers that route of recovery, increasing the chances of him seeking illegal resources to keep withdrawal at bay. I voluntarily went off Suboxone WITH doctor supervision, after a few months of tapering and by day 3 or 4 (I started on a Friday), I was willing to take ANYTHING to feel better. I literally couldn’t function. The Xanax I was prescribed was doing nothing to keep the UNSPEAKABLE anxiety in check, and I was down to 1 mg of Suboxone per day. Imagine having it unwittingly taken away at what I’m assuming is a much high dose.
Like I said, you can’t MAKE someone get sober (nor can you make someone use). All you can do is provide support and understanding and assistance in finding qualified help. Punishing someone will only complicate the situation, creating resentment and secrecy. If you’re not already (and I’m guessing you’re not), you might want to consider going to Alanon meetings. You can set boundaries, but you can’t control someone else or their behavior.
Baclofen and Suboxone together are safe. He’s not using them to get high; if anything he has them as a backup. It’s actually been shown to be useful in lowering cravings, and if anything, hampers any sort of high from opiates. Suboxone withdrawal is AWFUL and extremely long. Anyone cut off of Suboxone cold turkey would go as far as getting heroin if they didn’t have something for the pain and anxiety.
The people who are advocating for you to flush the meds and tell the doctor are just ignorant and think you can control someone’s behavior by punishing them. Addiction is a very personal disorder (disease for those who take that view). You can’t make someone get sober. You can force someone to get “clean” with threats and ultimatums, but their hearts won’t be in it, and it will only be a matter of time before they relapse. I know because it happened to me. I wasn’t successful until I was ready to quit (for my own good). Sure I went to meetings and went through the motions, but as soon as the people I was doing it for stepped back and weren’t really involved in my life, I started using again. Until I was sick of how I was living and what life had become. It’s one thing confronting a person and offering them help (especially if they aren’t aware how out of control their usage/behavior has become), but forcing someone to quit is only a temporary measure that will cause resentment and make them feel that they can’t come to you should (and when) they relapse and really DO want help.
Furthermore, telling your loved one’s doctor only endangers that route of recovery, increasing the chances of him seeking illegal resources to keep withdrawal at bay. I voluntarily went off Suboxone WITH doctor supervision, after a few months of tapering and by day 3 or 4 (I started on a Friday), I was willing to take ANYTHING to feel better. I literally couldn’t function. The Xanax I was prescribed was doing nothing to keep the UNSPEAKABLE anxiety in check, and I was down to 1 mg of Suboxone per day. Imagine having it unwittingly taken away at what I’m assuming is a much high dose.
Like I said, you can’t MAKE someone get sober (nor can you make someone use). All you can do is provide support and understanding and assistance in finding qualified help. Punishing someone will only complicate the situation, creating resentment and secrecy. If you’re not already (and I’m guessing you’re not), you might want to consider going to Alanon meetings. You can set boundaries, but you can’t control someone else or their behavior.
So.... I'm still laughing at the thought that anyone would think or say that baclofen and suboxone are " dangerous " to take together. Seriously some people are just straight up stupid. This is absolutely safe I've been on 80mg of baclofen and 2 8 mg strips per day for years. It's amazing how far I've come because of baclofen.... And subs for that matter.. Baclofen is non narcotic. It is an amazing replacement for benzos that actually works. Anyone who can say it's a bad mix is just ignorant or uneducated. Walk a day in an addict's shoes before you open your mouth, or take the time to talk crap about medication that can change someone's life for the better.
Hi there,
Yes, baclofen is a muscle relaxer, I used to take it along with my pain medication. It was was made for MS patients but I will tell you this and you can google it and see for yourself.
Baclofen was found to stop withdrawl symptoms for opiates.. He may have those as back up in case he runs out of his pills. If he is on suboxone he should not need baclofen which is why is probably has not noticed you have confiscated them.
Also, to ease your mind baclofen does not create the same effect as say a soma. It does not make you drowsy. However, mixing medications especially suboxone is very dangerous. I am not a doctor nor a therapist just somebody who has used the same medications. I hope this eases your mind a bit. As far as what you should do.......for his safety maybe you could talk to him first, if that doesn't work you can ask a pharmacist how the two interact. Suboxone should not be mixed with a lot of medications. I hope this helped you a little.
Yes, baclofen is a muscle relaxer, I used to take it along with my pain medication. It was was made for MS patients but I will tell you this and you can google it and see for yourself.
Baclofen was found to stop withdrawl symptoms for opiates.. He may have those as back up in case he runs out of his pills. If he is on suboxone he should not need baclofen which is why is probably has not noticed you have confiscated them.
Also, to ease your mind baclofen does not create the same effect as say a soma. It does not make you drowsy. However, mixing medications especially suboxone is very dangerous. I am not a doctor nor a therapist just somebody who has used the same medications. I hope this eases your mind a bit. As far as what you should do.......for his safety maybe you could talk to him first, if that doesn't work you can ask a pharmacist how the two interact. Suboxone should not be mixed with a lot of medications. I hope this helped you a little.
Listen - it might be a bit late posting this one but would you please take a step back and look at yourself? I take suboxone and baclofen every day and have done for bout 1yr - together that is... The bupe is for heroin replacement of course and the baco is my Dr's way around a 9yr benzo habit (care of Xanax and Valium). No way does baclofen undermine suboxone.. what an absurb suggestion.. Does the muscle-relaxant property scare you perhaps? Your fear only goes to show you need some education and you who calls for early intervention, wow you are the scary kind - really, bet yo'd be happy to lock a loved one in a padded cell if someone in a white coat said it was the right thing. Why don't you try sticking to your own business! People like you with your opinions need to take a good look at yourselves and bare in mind just how much blood in on your hands for all the "good things" in your world... your kind really scare me (the typical high-functioning addict). I've met you before and I know above loving me you really enjoy hurting others by whatever means as long as it appears to you and peers that you're doing the "right thing". Think about it.
well i know this is a little late but i just came across this... well anyways baclofen is actually VERY VERY common to be givin along in conjunction with Suboxone.. I know this because i am also going to a detox doctor and i am presribed suboxone and baclofen.. It is NOT an addictive drug and a perfect match when takin along with suboxone.. My doctor speaks Nothing but good things about it when takin along with sub.. well I hope this helps anyone...
thanks
godbless.
thanks
godbless.
Wannabefree330, thank you for your reply and again, to everyone who has replied.
.
Well, I waited out the weekend and he never said anything about me removing the Baclofen so it's possible that they've been there awhile and he isn't using them currently. He DEFINITELY would have gotten mad at me and yelled if he noticed that I took the pills. HIs next appt. with the Psychiatrist is this week so I'm going to wait on contacting the doc and see when he finally notices that I took them. If it's soon then we'll have the confrontation and I'll contact the psych. but if he's not using them and he doesn't notice for a long time, I don't want to "penalize" him now by telling the doc and having this possibly held against him when he's not using them.
Or am I being naive?
.
Well, I waited out the weekend and he never said anything about me removing the Baclofen so it's possible that they've been there awhile and he isn't using them currently. He DEFINITELY would have gotten mad at me and yelled if he noticed that I took the pills. HIs next appt. with the Psychiatrist is this week so I'm going to wait on contacting the doc and see when he finally notices that I took them. If it's soon then we'll have the confrontation and I'll contact the psych. but if he's not using them and he doesn't notice for a long time, I don't want to "penalize" him now by telling the doc and having this possibly held against him when he's not using them.
Or am I being naive?
Some of our behaviors during use are difficult to break. Part of recovery is being brutally honest ...... not only with others ,.... but with ourselves. dump the pills. If they came from his psychiatrist, they'd be in a bottle, with his name on them. If he were to take them along with the sub, it could be life threatening. Once I started on the sub, I didn't need any other medication to help with w/d. the sub completely took away all w/d and all craving, so if he is taking them w/the sub he's still looking for that 'high' and his doc needs to know so he can increase or adjust his sub dose.
I think what i would do is confront him first, then give him the option of telling his psychiatrist himself, or you telling. He will be angry, but oh well. He will be angry because he knows he did wrong, and wasn't honest. Thats his issue to deal with. Simply say, 'I want to help you get well and stay well, and if I need to help you learn to be totally honest thats what I need to do".
I think what i would do is confront him first, then give him the option of telling his psychiatrist himself, or you telling. He will be angry, but oh well. He will be angry because he knows he did wrong, and wasn't honest. Thats his issue to deal with. Simply say, 'I want to help you get well and stay well, and if I need to help you learn to be totally honest thats what I need to do".
1 Comments
Dumping someone’s pills and telling the doctor is NOT the right move. Maybe you didn’t need anything other than Suboxone, but everyone is different. Baclofen doesn’t make you high, and in fact would lessen any reward he might be feeling from the Suboxone (do a little research).
I’m on Xanax along with Suboxone (was on it for over 15 years before I developed a problem with opiates). My doctor made me try everything else possible for my anxiety, but nothing worked, and without it, I wouldn’t be able to stay clean. An outsider looking in, however, would say you can’t be on both and just taking Xanax is considered using, but the combination is the only way I was able to get and stay clean and my doctor is a very well regarded addiction specialist.
You can’t control someone else’s behavior. Dumping the pills and telling the doctor only raises the chance of getting his Suboxone cut off (sending him right back to pills), and he will feel he can’t say anything to her should he have cravings or a relapse or even fears about them.
I’m on Xanax along with Suboxone (was on it for over 15 years before I developed a problem with opiates). My doctor made me try everything else possible for my anxiety, but nothing worked, and without it, I wouldn’t be able to stay clean. An outsider looking in, however, would say you can’t be on both and just taking Xanax is considered using, but the combination is the only way I was able to get and stay clean and my doctor is a very well regarded addiction specialist.
You can’t control someone else’s behavior. Dumping the pills and telling the doctor only raises the chance of getting his Suboxone cut off (sending him right back to pills), and he will feel he can’t say anything to her should he have cravings or a relapse or even fears about them.
Thank you all so much for your comments. I can't talk to anyone about this because he has always been a very private person and I don't want anyone to form opinions about him. I know who he really is and this is not who he really is, although this is now a part of his identity.
I counted the Baclofen pills this morning and there were 101 in the bag. I have no idea how often he takes them or how many he may take. He didn't say anything this morning so I'm assuming he probably isn't taking them when he wakes up.
Your comments were helpful though and shed some light on how the Baclofen interacts with the suboxone. I also feel better having some confirmation that contacting the psychiatrist is the right thing to do, although my husband will be furious with me if he finds out.
He functions very well even with the drug use and most people wouldn't even notice any difference. That makes it harder to think of him as an addict but he really is an addict, no matter to what degree it may be.
Best wishes to all of you who are in recovery or loving someone who is in recovery. I am thankful to have found this site and sure that I will be posting again. Thank you!
I counted the Baclofen pills this morning and there were 101 in the bag. I have no idea how often he takes them or how many he may take. He didn't say anything this morning so I'm assuming he probably isn't taking them when he wakes up.
Your comments were helpful though and shed some light on how the Baclofen interacts with the suboxone. I also feel better having some confirmation that contacting the psychiatrist is the right thing to do, although my husband will be furious with me if he finds out.
He functions very well even with the drug use and most people wouldn't even notice any difference. That makes it harder to think of him as an addict but he really is an addict, no matter to what degree it may be.
Best wishes to all of you who are in recovery or loving someone who is in recovery. I am thankful to have found this site and sure that I will be posting again. Thank you!
that is wrong that he hid them and there is a potential for abuse no where near opiates or benzos, but it similar to soma as it ahs muscle relieving and anti-anxiety relieving effects..im sure he took it along with the subs, as i would have to, to potentiate it to its full effects and to adda little "zing" to it...i used benzos primarily xanax to do that, but baclofen is a rare one but a very good potentiator(to addicts and users)...it is used in some detoxs and becoming better researched for opiate wd's..if he just started back on the subs then he is most likely taking them for wd relief on top of the sub, but if its been 3 wks or longer hes kinda stuck using them as an aid and added med...sorry and stay strong, i was severely addicted to heroin, oxycontin,xanax any anything else i could snort up my nose, and i put my family through hell..i have been ver a year clean and it does get better, and the person you are close to may make bad decisions or make mistakes, but the biggest advice is dont give up on him, he needs your support more than ever...i know its tough and tough love sounds like a better option and could wrork...but its def. more effective to stay by his/her side and support them...best of luck to the both of you, let me know if you have any questions ever??...-christos
2 Comments
Baclofen is not a potentiator. It’s effective at relieving cravings because of its effects on GABA, which actually inhibits dopamine and would prevent him from feeling any sort of benefit from the Suboxone.
I am glad you were here to answer that question KPMG! thanks
Sounds like its time for a serious intervention. If you really love him and want to help him then you may want to seriously consider doing what you suggested and calling the proscribing doctor. Sunlight is something that addicts hate when they are using - but often the best thing. He may just need some help and the way to get it is to stop hiding things. Hope you and he will find peace - this is a tough road for those who love an addict and have to go through stuff they never envisioned. All the best -- please keep posting and sharing.
you are right slapping and yelling will do no good,i would tell him you found the pills and voice your concerns to him and if it were me I would tell his dr. but that is my opinion.good luck to you
snowflake
snowflake
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Addiction: Substance Abuse Community
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
If you think marijuana has no ill effects on your health, this article from Missouri Medicine may make you think again.
Julia Aharonov, DO, reveals the quickest way to beat drug withdrawal.
Tricks to help you quit for good.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
