First Time Here...Married Addicts

[BlueBerries30]

Hello-
I am posting on this site after reading MANY post's about addiction to Oxy and other similar substances. My wife and I are both currently addicted to OC and have wanted and given half a#@ attempts to quit over the last year or so. We have come to a point now where we are both ready to make the move to quit no matter what it takes. We have both attempted to quit but never at the same time (at least both tried but one isn't fully committed while the other is and vise versa). This is a horrible situation that we are in and don't know how to get out. I have talked to friends that are addicts also and they have told me many ways to reduce the amount I am doing so that when we do go cold turkey and the WD's wont be as bad. I have heard that using Tussin DM will lower your tolerance so that you can get down to a minimum dosage then get off easier. I have Methadone on my possesion but I am so affraid to take one evil to get rid of the other. I have heard and read that Methadone is even more addictive that OC. Neither my wife nor I can afford to take  more than a few days off work to go to a rehab clinic or to have to WD while at work.

I truly don't know what to do and am so affraid of where we will end up if we don't make this change NOW! I have read many posts of what people have used or tried to do to become sober and recover but I don't want to be stuck on another substance that my family or friends find out about. Honestly, I am not sure why I am here. Probably just looking for some support that we are too afraid to look for locally. Possibly hoping someone will give some surefire advise that we can try. I don't know.

[dominosarah]

Welcome to the forum.  You have come to the right place for support and encouragement.  It is nice both you and your wife want to get your life back.  Are you wanting to go ct or do you want to taper.  How many are you taking a day?  Please dont take the methadone.  There are a few people on here that can tell you about that.  Get yourself some vitamins or the aminos that are listed in the health pages.  Those are a must in my book.  I went ct  so dont know anything really about tapering and alot of people are in bed but will be on in the morning.  Again i am so happy you have found this forum.  You will love it here.  Keep posting and let us know more about the quantity you are both taking.  It feels so good not to be a prisoner to these pills.    sara

[scaredmommie]

there is suboxone. i was just like you and your wife tried ct so many time and tapering, it didnt work, i will never take methadone, all it is, is another pain killer it just last a lot longer, have you ever heard of suboxone? i am taking it, i am now 11 days clean. it works very well, you dont have wds but at the same time you are not "high" you feel normal like you did before using, but with everything out there you have to be careful with it you dont wanna take it for a long time, im on a 4 month plan to be off it clean and sober, also while you are on the sub if you take oxys or anything like it it will not work it blocks it so it will be a waste to take it, and there is no cravings, and the best part is it done in a doctors office, you go in just like if you where going in cause you where sick. if you want all the ionfo on it and where to find a doctor go to WWW.SUBOXONE.COM

i hope all goes well with you and your wife <3 chrissy

[BlueBerries30]

Wow! We didn't expect to recieve any responses that quickly. Thank you for the speedy responses and the kind words.

To answer your questions, we take anywhere between 150-400mg a day (each). Within the last couple months our tolerance has gone up ALOT and to be below 150 a day is a struggle and usually pain filled. We have been taking them orally for over 2 years now but about 3 months ago started to crush and snort them (HUGE MISTAKE).
I have done alot of research tonight and just found out about Suboxone tonight. It sounds like it is very similar to Methadone and worries me that we will become addicted to that instead.

We are both very afraid of switching from one drug to the next and are so embarrassed by what has become of us. It would be so hard for us to go cold turkey as our employers would for sure be able to tell that something is wrong.

Once again, THANK YOU very much for your support tonight!

[azaddiction]

I did a lot of research on suboxone and I finally made the step to see a Dr. and I have to say, I haven't felt this good in a long time, I am only on my 3rd day but this stuff really works.  The studies show it's an effective form of treatment and it does work.  I understand the concern about switching from one to another, but you have to know that this is a different kind of medication, it's for opiate users like us to get off the bad stuff and into the right kind of treatment.  Think of it this way, why be afraid, if you have the will to stop C/T then more power to you, I know I couldn't do it and I have tried, it was the worst thing I have ever gone through, but with suboxone it's does make it easier because there IS an end in sight, really there is.  Besides I came to the conclusion that I would rather be taking something that in the long run will save my life, and not taking something that WILL kill me.  You do have to go through a moderate withdrawl before your first dose of subox, but for me knowing that I could get relief, and not have to suffer for a week, well I have to say it was well worth it.  Like I said I'm on day 3 and I will never look back.  Good luck with whatever you do, and just know that you are worth it, and what we have is a desease and really I know it feels like it's your fault, but it's not, addiction is selfish, but you really didn't chose to be an addict, it happend and you can't blame yourself, I'm still working on that one.  Hope this helped a little...Oh yea sorry my spelling sux....

AZA....

[dominosarah]

Try not to feel embarrassed by this.  We have all been there.  These pills are sneaky and evil and before you know it you are hooked.  I have a friend on here who knows how to taper so i sent her a pm and she will get back to you in the morning.  Many others know too so you will get some good advice.  I am really glad you are both wanting to get off these.  Our tolerance goes up along with the quantity.  It gets to be a vicious cycle.  With determination and the willingness to give this up you will both do it.  Keep posting here and let your feelings out.  There is nothing we havent heard on here so dont hold back!!!!!  Do the taper, take your vitamins and get some exercise even if it is walking around the block.  It all helps.  A clean life is waiting for you 2 and you will love it.   Stay strong          sara

[ochooked]

Welcome to the forum.  You are at the right place.    I agree with Scaredmommie above.   I too had a horrible and long term addiction to Oxy.  The thought of spending many days in bed while I went through detox was an agonizing thought.   I checked out the Rapid Detox but saw that it usually works but costs over 10K bucks.  Next I researched Suboxone.  Got 20 8mg tablets, allowed myself to go into W/D's for 13 hours (an absolute necessity or you will have horrible W/D's as soon as you take Sub).   I stayed on Sub for the recommended 21 days all the while tapering.   It is a great tool - - will allow you to feel 100% normal after about 10 minutes of taking it - no shakes, no hot/cold flashes, no RLS, or other manifestations of W/D.   Now, here is what you need to know - ---  It will not totally eliminate W/D's because you will  need to come off of it ----  MANY doctors who prescribe it do not know just how strong a drug it is and how addictive.   In my opinion, both of you are prime candidates for Sub ----- Please, please stay away from Methadone ---   I have always maintained that Sub allows you to manage your w/d's in a way that is best for you - -- i.e. I always took a little bit when I had to be 'normal.'  When you begin to cut your dose, it can get wicked for a little while.  My toughest part was going from a 'crumb' (literally) to 0 mg.  But, I would do it again in a heartbeat ----  The ending of the Sub for me was when I experienced what a doctor referred to as "The Suboxone Spanking" - --   One thing is for certain, you will not have cravings for Oxy when you are on Sub - -it has an ingredient (Naloxone) that prevents your receptors from receiving opiates from Oxy or Morphine.  You will feel totally comfortable.   O.K.  You already know how to find a Sub doctor ---- cost is about $500 bucks.   I highly recommend you do not all the doctor to dose you but to do it yourself - -now before someone on here slaps me for that statement, let me explain.   Everyone is different.   Here is how to do it.   When you are in W/D for a sufficient amount of time (I switched from Oxycontin to Oxycodone so it wouldn't be so hard and have to wait for the extended release form) then you take  a one or 2 mg piece of sub under your tongue - --then wait about 30 minutes -- - if you are still withdrawing, take another 1 or 2 mg piece.  When you are no longer feeling the W/D's STOP --   you have just established your need for Sub - the least amount the better and that dose should be taken twice a day.  I started with 2 mg twice a day (similar oxy habit to yours) and after three days of absolute wonderful feelings ---- not unnatural or 'high' just 'normal' real life.  But I had read enough about the 21 day rule   ---anything longer and you have just switched your DOC.  Alright, that is my two cents worth.  Again, welcome and all the best to you guys.  Ochealed - --formerly Ochooked

[scaredmommie]

where i am from i cost the highest price is 200, where are you from, and the pharmacies here let you get as many as you can afford at one time, but every state is diffrent. now i have been on sub for 11 days. i love it sooooo much i feel so normal, now me i dont belive in the 21 days methode(but what everybody is diffrent and that may work for them)and the doctor i go to before he starts the sub makes you sit down with himand plan out your sub treatment, when tapering starts etc....  then he puts in some give or take days just incase, and also before i go back next month i have to show proof that im doing meeting and/or counseling, cause sub just takes the wds and gravings away so you can take your time and get proper help. but like i said every state is diffrent, everydoctor is diffrent, i also didnt go with the first doctor every doctor i talked to had a diffrent way they did things, i went with the doctor i felt good with. but im very glad to hear your are doing so well,
TO: BLUEBERRIES
   please do think about suboxone i do belive it can help you. i wasa very bad addict, when my new insurance kicks in i have to get my liver and other organs checked cause the doctor thinks i destroyed them cause of my 2 year use. my "DOC" was percocet 10/325 i would take any where from 3 to 5 pills every 2 to 3 hours on the dot. i would wake up to take them in the middle of the night. it was so bad that after about 4 or 5 hours after my last dose i would get really sick. (can you imagine what i was like the morning i started sub cause you have to be in w/ds to start) i went from one day fully taking what i was taking to taking nuttin the next and feeling totaly normal. and that is all thanks to suboxone. so please like i said really look into it i feel it can really help.
but no matter what you choose i wish you the best and hope you find the road to being clean its great when you take your life back. feel free anytime to pm me if you need to talk abuot anything
<3 chrissy

[broknbck]

Well it is too bad that work places do not recognize this as a medical leave. Maybe some do and maybe it will change soon. You 2 may need more than a few days to be on your way. The more time you can set aside the better to not relapse. It takes some adjusting to get back into the swing of things after. And the less demands on you , the better.

Good luck to you both.You have seen here now that it can be done!

[scaredmommie]

think of it this way being a addict is concidered a disease. when you have heart disease you need medication to control it and treat it, when you have diabities(sorry i cant spell that great) you need meds to keep in under control, well if you have addiction disease you need suboxone to control and treat it. thats what suboxone is it help treat the disease not contribute to it. i hope you get what im trying to say about sub? i have a way of making thinks hard to understand.

<3 chrissy

[joann1975]

Welcome to the forum! I have to say I love the screen name you picked! :)

I was addicted to hydrocodone and tapered from that. I am not sure how to advise you to taper from a time released drug. I know it can be done. As they have said above...I hope you check out the health pages...there is a lot of great info in there!

This forum is a lifesaver...or it was for me! I'm glad you have found it!!!

Keep posting any/all questions you have!!!

JoAnn

[merrymaria]

welcome to the BEST place on earth for getting off drugs.  i came here back in march of this year but failed to stay here.  i came back in july, got on here everyday and with the love of our Lord and all the beautiful people here, i m over 2 months clean going CT.  i do not know a lot about sub but you can do it.  just stay here and post all the questions you want.  I ll be praying for you all.  sending hugs  (())  maria

[TysonRed]

Ok, about suboxone being like methadone, well somewhat. It is a replacement drug, but its not used as a maintenance dose like methadone is,or atleast it shouldnt be used as a maintenance dose. You have your options; tapering your dose down to a level where you are comfortable in quitting, stopping cold turkey period, start on a methadone treatment plan or start on a suboxone treatment. With methadone, most people have to go to a clinic, some can find a doctor(addiction specialist) to prescribe it for detox purposes as I did. I have used methadone for many years, I also had a bad oxy addiction, cocaine habit, weed smoker, just about everything I could get my hands on. I luckily always stayed away from crystal meth and H, its reaked havoc in and around where I live. If you believe you can taper your dose down and quit, obviously that would be the right choice, but if you doubt whether or not you'll be able to do it, I would consider or atleast do your research into suboxone treatment. I switched over to suboxone from methadone and I have to say that I know I made the right choice for my particular situation. There are many different ways(treatment plans) you can decided on, but please dont intend on getting suboxone as a long term maintenance drug, thats methadone. Suboxone is only a partial agonist of your opiate receptors, so in theory it should be easier to come off than full agonists, which is every other opiate drug created. The most important facts I believe to know, are that buprenorphine the acting agent in Suboxone is very powerful, something like 1mg equal to 15mg of oxycodone. If you do want to try suboxone, really try to taper your oxycodone doses down to lowest possible you can deal with, then you would have to go into a moderate withdrawl(about 12-36hrs of no oxy) before starting on suboxone. It will take away any withdrawl effects, takes away almost all of the cravings and can be very convenient compared to other methods. Its not some cure-all drug, only a tool to be used to help in recovery, it must be dealt with cautiously, starting on lowest dose that makes you feel comfortable, and if possible look into the 21 day method of using suboxone, it has worked for many. As for myself im on more of a 4-5 month plan, so when I eventually bite the bullet I know I will have some pretty serious withdrawl effects, but I'll be able to deal with them. Remember, it's very different from methadone but similar in one way, and that is just that it can be used as a replacement drug, but when you start methadone your gonna be on it for a long time usually, and I can tell you, its a biotch to come off of. Anyways, Im gonna stop rambling at this point, so do your research, keep posting asking questions, I know of a few couples on here that are doing suboxone together just as you would. You can ask almost anyone and they will tell you, the 21 day method is preferred but not for everyone, you would want to keep it between 3-6month period of suboxone treatment. You will feel completely normal as far as no withdrawls or cravings, and once stabilized you will start to taper your dose down. For the most part the lower the starting dose and the shorter period taken is for the better. Keep posting your new questions, this is an amazing place to come to for advice and support, trust me its a godsend,cant tell you how many wonderful people Ive come into contact with. Just so you know, my oxy habit was usually about 240-320mgs, along with methadone most days, and with cocaine. I then stopped both oxy and cocaine, and just kept on taking methadone, it got really bad(100-140mgs daily), then 2 months ago I started suboxone and so far its been a blessing for me, but for some its not, so I urge you to get as many different opinions as possible before making your decision. If you ever need anything you can send me a message/note and I'll try my best to answer any questions possible. Until then, I wish you the best of luck in your journey, either way, stick around here, it will only help. Good Luck!!!

[mtgoat911]

if you want to get clean, suboxone and methadane are not the answer
my husband and i were both addicted to oxcys and got on methadone
i was working as a paramedic, he was a pharmacutical engineer, we both said the same thing you are saying
"we cannot take off work for detox"

guess what???? we got fired, because of our addiction, we should have gone to treatment at that time

a few months later, my husband ran into a parked SUV, with my kids in the car

now we have lost custody of our kids

next thing we lost was our house

so now i goto rehab, get clean

husband continues using

we move back in together, i am clean, going to 2 na meetings a day, my husband is using

when i was a year clean, i told my husband to get clean or get a divorce, he went into detox, and a half way house
i needed to know he was going to stay clean

this is making a long story short

i have been clean since 2004
husband clean since 2005

go to treatment, go to NA

dont worry about the job, kids and house

if you dont get off drugs, you wont have these things anyway

[liscamdave]

Let me start by welcoming you to the forum. You will find that it is a great place for advice and non-judgmental support on addiction.

My name is Lisa. I too was addicted to Oxy Contin. And severe, severe amounts of it. Both myself and my husband were taking them together. We started out taking percocets for fun, and our addiction grew into us both being able to take about 12-15 80mg oxys a day. I lost him over 2 years ago to our addiction. And not a day goes by that I do not regret it. Of course, I would do anything to have him back.

If I can offer any advice its this, please...while you still have the chance at a happy life, try to find a way to stop. It is hard enough for one addict to quit, let alone two in the same household. WIth me and my husband, one would always cave in and want to get more every time we would try to stop. One would always NOT be able to deal with the W.D and we would always go get more. Until it was too late. I miss him a great deal and not a day goes by that I do not regret getting us the help we so desperately needed. I would absoultey do anything i could to help you. If you need anything, any advice...please do not hesitate to ask. That's what we are here for.

And I am not trying to say my situation would happen to you, but I am saying that if I could prevent this tragic ending from happening to anyone else, then my husband didn't die in vein. So please, let me bestow upon you what was not bestowed upon us...and that's help...

Im here if you need anything. Feel free to Private message me if you want.

Lisa

[azaddiction]

keep one thing in mind this form is great however I have learned the best advise is that from your treatment Dr.  You will find all different kinds of advise on this sight, be we all are just addicts giving addicts advice, through our own experience, but everyone is different you and your wife are different, my uneducated advice to you is to get the help you deserve, I don't know anything about methadone, but I am presently on suboxone, and I feel like I can finally get my life back.   I am taking one day at a time, so far with the help of subox it has been a great day.  (again spelling sux sorry)  Anyway good luck to you and your wife.  

[Kova]

hi blueberries,

i too am taking small amounts of suboxone to deal with methadone withdrawals.  don't get on methadone or you'll have an even longer detox time and it will be hell!  i am on day...16 with no methadone and am still very sick if i don't take a few mgs of the sub every few days.  in short, stay away from the methadone!

Kova

[ochooked]

Wow!!!  Many of the above posts brought tears to my eyes.   One thing in particular reached out and grabbed my attention --  and that is, even though some of disagree, we all have an aspiring to be clean addict's interest at heart.  We have all been there.  TysonRed, you are my hero ---- seeing what you are doing --- you remind me that  yes, there are times when it may be necessary to stay on Sub a little longer than someone else, but you also know that you will come to the point where your focus will be in getting clear of it.  God bless this couple as they reach out for help.  Lisa, our heartfelt sympathy goes out to you as you grieve the husband Oxy took from you.  We pray for peace in your life.    All the best to my good friends on this site.  Ochealed

[scaredmommie]

i agree with you, its amazing how many good hearted people come out in clean people, all we wanna do now is help other get to where we are in our lives. i find it amazing and touching. and my heart also goes out to lisa. hear story made me cry, reading it really made me relize why my husband(best man on eath right now) got so mad at me when i was using. it just made me want to stay clean for so many more reasons that are very important to me and im pretty sure to everyone else on here.and mtgoats story really hit me hard as well, it makes you think of what you can loss if you dont get clean, and get clean fast. i would loss it if i lost my kids them and my husband are everything to me. i got clean for them as much as i did for me. they deserve a good wife and mother not someone who is pi lled up all the time. and im gonna keep on fighting my whole life im never going back to drugs everagain, im determind to stay clean from now on.
my heart goes out to the blueberries please no matter what way you do just please please get clean, like is so much nicer and happier clean

<3 chrissy

[liscamdave]

Thanks so much for the kind words. I truly do appreciate it. Like I said, if my story can help someone, even if its just one person, then my husbands death was no in vein. He would have wanted me to help other people. He was a great man. And I miss him so much its unreal.

This forum and the people in it, are what's wonderful. WE are the reason this fourm is a great place for love, understanding and support. All of us. We each individually make this forum what it is.

I hope this couple finds a way out. I truly do.

Lisa

[BlueBerries30]

Thanks to ALL of you and your inspiring stories. I am almost convinced that I need to make the step towards Suboxone. I am not sure how to get my wife on board though. She is so affraid of trading one for the other and being hooked on something else instead. We talked last night about Sub a little bit and whether or not my insurance would cover something like that. I don't quite know how to take the first step but I do know how to research and ask questions.

While at work today my plan is to contact at least 2 doctors that may be able to help me in this batle and get some information from them. Please don't stop with the advise and the support as it is very, very motivating. I know WE can do this and know that if this is what it will take then I am on board.

Thanks again everyone!

[scaredmommie]

show your wife this posting it may work to get her on board. you can go to suboxone.com it will give you all the info you need plus hook up with a doctor in your area. i wish you both the best and im praying for your recovery.

<3 chrissy

[azaddiction]

Blue...my advice for your wife is...the fear of switching from one drug to another is a real fear but look at it this way, the one she is on now will kill her, the one she would switch to will save her, the Dr's will give you advice and it will help, even if you have to possiably take suboxone for the rest of your life, it's really much the same as treating a person with high blood pressure, or diabeties, unless they totally change their lives around..eating better, excersing..etc, in reality how many people will do that, they will always have to take something to control there disease, it's the same with us, we may be able to one day do it on our own, but in reality we have not been able to, at least there is something out there that would be so much better for us then willingly killing ourselves with the drugs we take.  I have be an addict for 5 years, my DOC was lortab's 10mg I would take up to 15 daily, there were day's that I didn't even keep track of the amount I was taking, and I was worried about my liver.  I am on day 4 of subox and I haven't looked back, I feel better then I have in a long long time.  To me it's soooooo worth it.  I wish the best for the two of you and I know you can do it.  Oh yea in my small town we only have 2 Dr's that prescribe suboxone, and currently only one that is set up for it, I do have insurance, but the Dr. I had to see doesn't take my insurance so I had to pay 250. out of pocket, the script was covered for 40 dollars.  I hope you have better luck with that then I did, but any amount I had to pay is worth it to me.....just my 2 cents...

[liscamdave]

Some insurances will cover the cost of the dr.visit. Some do not. And my insurance covered the cost of meds, but not the dr. My old Sub dr. was 75 a week, plus meds. ANd like I said, my insurance covered the meds. So if you look around, you should be able to find a dr.

Also, if you do a short term Sub treatment, you won't be trading one for another. If you do the 21 day sub treatment, you will be off in 3 weeks. Good luck.

ANd some do stay on it to not relapse. Its all up to you both.

[landbray]

Hi,
As you can see everyone is different, our stories are the same but each persons recovery is their own.
I am on suboxine after a 28 yr morphine & vic's habit.My husband also. Suboxine is a federal program so it is not different from state to state. Unfortunally there are drs that abuse the program. You must attened drug counseling, have clean urines, have suboxine in your urine.(so they know you aren't selling it)   Your employer has to offer you rehab by law before any kind of dismissel. You are also proctected by HIPPA.  Which is a persons right over the privicy of their medical information.
Suboxine sounds expensive but I bet not as much as your oc habit has been.))(after not buying morphine  I couldn't believe the amount of extra money I had)
There are so many options, choices, open to us now . NA meetings can be helpful also. You will need aftercare. It is very important. You guys sound very sure about wanting this change so go for it. I think it is also wonderful that you have been open with your spouse. Less stress. It's good to have a supportive spouse.
good luck to you and your wife with what ever your decide , I'm sure your recovery together will bring many happy years to come.
paaddict

[BlueBerries30]

WOW! I didn't realize that this is going to be such a timely process. I made many calls today to Sub Docs and only got through to one. the receptionist did not seem very friendly and almost annoyed. I do not think that my insurance will cove ALL of the trips as they are most likely not in my Perferred list.

paaddict- What do you mean by "Your employer has to offer you rehab by law before any kind of dismissel"? Does this mean that i have to inform my employer of this? I really do not want them to know what is going on. I would like this to be a discrete as possible. My wife and I talked today about telling some of our family members (just a few that are really close to us) so that we will have a firm line of support. If anyone else knows about this please help to inform me.

This will be a long road but our gas tank is full and we are ready to roll!

[mtgoat911]

i was honest with my family, ofcoarse they were upset but part of being in recovery and trying to recover is honesty
i dont know what to say about your job situation other than the fact that if you continue to use you will eventually get fired
each employer has a different policy, all companies DO NOT offer rehab for employes
i live in a "fire at will" state, and most places go by that policy
make sure you know the law in your area before you demand you job pay for rehab
let us know what you guys decided to do!

[flmagi]

Do Not tell your employer. People still have a major problem with drug addicts, even recovering drug addicts.
Keep calling alot of Sub doctors, even if you have to travel alittle to get to one. Their prices and programs will vary alot.
If and when you both get on the Sub, the doctors will usually start you out at a pretty high dose and try to keep you at that for along time. This is not a good thing. After the first 10 days, you'll need to start dropping your doses down until you get to a good maintenance dose of about 2-4 mgs. But we can help you with thses things as you get to them. First things first. Find a doctor.
The sub can help you get your life back, but it is a tool, not a cure.
Keep posting, we're all here to help.