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How long should I stay on suboxone?
I've quit and relapsed many times over the last 5 years. I have never been a heavy user (3-4 vics or so) but I have been consistantly using for I'd say 8 years. It has been a terrible rollercoaster ride for me but more importantly my wife and now my 2 year old daughter. I decided to get on suboxone after I hot some from a friend and I started to feel like my old self and my wife was very pleased with the way I was acting which is a good thing because my usage has been eroding our relationship. I feel like I owe her a break from the rollercoaster and withdrawals right now. BUT I feel like I'm just taking the easy way out and putting a bandaid on my addiction. She has even talked to my doctor and she agrees with him in the fact that I shouldn't rush things because I'm learning a new type of behavior that doesn't revolve around drugs. I agree because I do feel liberated and free(well mostly free). Should I be doing this to save our marriage to show her for a while "the guy she married" when I feel like Im digging my hole deeper? My doctor has told me to not look a gift horse in the mouth. I believe him and trust him but I just hope that I'm not causing more problems down the road. Sorry for the rambling..... I mean really I've relapsed so many times I've thought I've got to try something different. Please give me your thoughts. I know that I have lots of work to do in counceling and with my wife but it sometimes feels to good to be true.
Hey guys need your help, I was a big pill popper, taking 9 to 10 vics at a time twice a day some of the time, I did do other ones like percs,narcos,. Then I finally got help from my dad by calling him up and telling him to come home cuz I needed to talk, so I told him my situation and went to the docs the next day and was put on suboxen8m film, **** change my life. Finally felt normal and was getting stuff done. Just this past mon I got the vivitrol shot. I feel like I made a huge mistake, most of the withdrawals are done but I have a hard sleeping. I persenaly think I should of stayed on the subs for a least another year till I had all my **** together, never really got a hight from the subs but what they did was modavate me to get stuff done. So I'm going to my doc later today to see wat they think, cuz I personall feel that I stopped to soon and should of stayed on them for a least 1 to 2 years, well until I get a really good job, my own house and I'm just stabled in life then start tapering down. Any advice, sorry for the rumble
I was on suboxone for 6 months. At three months I was slowly tapperd down. Suboxone saved my life, so for all the haters they need to do more re-search. I've been completly off suboxone for 9 months. I use to take oxycotin, percocet and xanax everyday. You should stop taking suboxone when and only when you are saftly tapperd off. I don't know how much you take and how long you've been on it so can't help you out too much.
I am right there with you on your thoughts of not rushing it. You know now that this is the best thing for you. I totally understand what you are sayin about the anti-depressanty my doctor also used the diabletes comparison also.. you wouldnt tell them not to take insuin for the rest of their life if you needed it. Also if you are on the correct dose you do not get high from it. I understand some people do not believe in matienece therpay but if you are clean n in an aftercare program n this will potentially save your life and that of your family you are doing what u need to do. even if people think u werent takin enough to go on suboxone so then what wait until u start usin even more or worse turn to other drugs.. no u made the decision to nip it in the butt now! I praise u for having the strength to do it. most wait until they hit rock bottom im glad n hope this isnt the case for you... PM message me if u need any advise or help. I dont knock anyones decison or direction in recovery what works for them is for them... as long as in the end your goals are real n whole hearted. again good luck n god bless...
Thanks again for all of your input. I want to get off as soon as possible but I am going to take my time at the same time. I've always tried to rush things and have assumed that I'm good to go after I quit but I can see now that I was never quite right. It was almost like I was waiting to say I'm clean now and I can just take 1 here and there. We all know where that leads! Then something stressful would happen at work and I'd always make excuses for going and getting some. And of course once again I disappointed my wife. My moods were up and down. Happy when I was on it or had some for the next day but pissy and withdrawn when I didn't have or quitting. Not sure where this leaves me but I'm trying to use this time while I just feel normal to learn to enjoy all the things in life that I liked to such as sports, reconnecting with non-drug friends, and just smiling at little things that my precious two year old does. It really ***** what I have done to my brain. It is the guilt of putting myself in this situation and not being able to get out without help. I just hope that when I get off sub all goes well. I hate being on it but I feel like my family deserves a more stable me for now after years of pure selfishness. Talk about a confusing spot to get yourself in. I didn't have a huge addiction but the mental aspect is what really impacted my life. Sorry for the rambling. My doctor says that my biggest problem is overanalyzing everything and I need to learn to quit thinking about it all the time. I suppose he's right to some extent.
Hi Gettingclean,
Suboxone is very controversial because it is another opiate. However, it does have it's place for opiate addiction treatment. I was on suboxone for hydro addiction - took it for nearly 4 years. It saved my life, helped me break the drug seeking habits, and allowed me to work on myself an get back on the right path. Like you, I have a long history of addiction, but was on a much higher dose of hydro by the time I went on the sub. In your case, if you trust your doctor and it's working for you, then stick with it. Part of sub treatment is to also do therapy, so it's good that you are doing that. Now - the negative news that you just need to be prepared for. The longer you stay on the sub, the longer it's going to take you to get off of it. Since sub has a much longer half life, it take much longer to get out of the system. When it's the right time for you, have your doctor work with you on a slow taper. Get down to .25 - .5mg before you quit. Many people - including me - try to jump off at 2mg or more - huge mistake. I went into severe withdrawal and ended up going back on for a long while more before finally doing a medical detox to get off. Some people do need to stay on sub for longer than others - only you and your doctor can make that choice. Congratulations for getting help - you are moving in the right direction.
Suboxone is very controversial because it is another opiate. However, it does have it's place for opiate addiction treatment. I was on suboxone for hydro addiction - took it for nearly 4 years. It saved my life, helped me break the drug seeking habits, and allowed me to work on myself an get back on the right path. Like you, I have a long history of addiction, but was on a much higher dose of hydro by the time I went on the sub. In your case, if you trust your doctor and it's working for you, then stick with it. Part of sub treatment is to also do therapy, so it's good that you are doing that. Now - the negative news that you just need to be prepared for. The longer you stay on the sub, the longer it's going to take you to get off of it. Since sub has a much longer half life, it take much longer to get out of the system. When it's the right time for you, have your doctor work with you on a slow taper. Get down to .25 - .5mg before you quit. Many people - including me - try to jump off at 2mg or more - huge mistake. I went into severe withdrawal and ended up going back on for a long while more before finally doing a medical detox to get off. Some people do need to stay on sub for longer than others - only you and your doctor can make that choice. Congratulations for getting help - you are moving in the right direction.
also since you;re already on it, you're already addicted to it so wean yourself off as soon as YOU feel STRONG enough to be and STAY CLEAN when you get off. that is the important thing, staying clean, right?
ok i will shut up now!
GOOD LUCK
ok i will shut up now!
GOOD LUCK
and if you quit now, what is your game-plan then?
everytime i go to the methadone clinic, i overhear people talking about how much pain they are in cause they dropped 2 mm or 1 mm or 3 mm or whatever... well, I think opiate addicts sometimes exaggerate the pain and we are sometimes babies because if you drop 1-2 mm every week you aren't going to feel that much but listening to so many people like i have you;d think they were dying.! Now i know it is painful to get off too fast and when you get real low and drop completely but some of us just want an excuse to keep using. I dont mean to offend anyone,
, I am just speaking the truth as I know it.. I know i will get flack for this. and I am sorry if i offend anyone.
and to opiateswon, how can you compare abusing drugs to a controlled detox on a medication that controls seratonin levels in the brainback to normal but doesnt get you high? also how fast did your husband come off the sub?
I havenot tried sub myself but i do swear by the maintenance program i am on. yes it scares me thinking i may be on it forever but I could not stop using heroin and this saved my life... so again it depends how bad your addiction is.
do more research and pay attention to everyone point of view. I think you might be focasing on the negative only.
everytime i go to the methadone clinic, i overhear people talking about how much pain they are in cause they dropped 2 mm or 1 mm or 3 mm or whatever... well, I think opiate addicts sometimes exaggerate the pain and we are sometimes babies because if you drop 1-2 mm every week you aren't going to feel that much but listening to so many people like i have you;d think they were dying.! Now i know it is painful to get off too fast and when you get real low and drop completely but some of us just want an excuse to keep using. I dont mean to offend anyone,
, I am just speaking the truth as I know it.. I know i will get flack for this. and I am sorry if i offend anyone.
and to opiateswon, how can you compare abusing drugs to a controlled detox on a medication that controls seratonin levels in the brainback to normal but doesnt get you high? also how fast did your husband come off the sub?
I havenot tried sub myself but i do swear by the maintenance program i am on. yes it scares me thinking i may be on it forever but I could not stop using heroin and this saved my life... so again it depends how bad your addiction is.
do more research and pay attention to everyone point of view. I think you might be focasing on the negative only.
A good therapist, in my opinion, should maintan a professional and objective view point at all times with out attacking the person in therapy. A productive therapist helps you to work through issues and helps you to recognize why you behave in certain ways in certain situations. this session you had sounds weird to me.
If you trust your therapist then I think you should tell your therapist about what happened and get his/her opinion about the tactics of your wifes therapist.
Also it is important to feel comfortable and trust your therapist. If something doesn't feel right, it probabaly isn't.
If you trust your therapist then I think you should tell your therapist about what happened and get his/her opinion about the tactics of your wifes therapist.
Also it is important to feel comfortable and trust your therapist. If something doesn't feel right, it probabaly isn't.
Hi there! My husband was on saboxone for 8 months and he swears the withdrawl was worse then a morphine withdrawl. Please look for posts on saboxone withdrawl. I know many doctors swear by it, but after the innitial week, it's exactly like taking perks/ hydro's or worse.
I really do appreciate all of your comments! I hated to get on sub because I know the risks but it has been nice to have a break from how things were. I am going to fight for sure.
I'll tell you all that I went with my wife to her therapist today. She is there trying address the abuse issues that she had to endure growing up and this lady extremely aggressive and took what seemed like personal attacks on us. We were both crying the whole time. We barely spoke. She knew about my problems from what my wife told her in a previous session. My therapist is much more comforting but still asks me why I've done what I've done and we are going to fix my problems. I've been to several therapist and this is a first. Is that normal? She also didn't know what suboxone is and had me spell it for her.
I'll tell you all that I went with my wife to her therapist today. She is there trying address the abuse issues that she had to endure growing up and this lady extremely aggressive and took what seemed like personal attacks on us. We were both crying the whole time. We barely spoke. She knew about my problems from what my wife told her in a previous session. My therapist is much more comforting but still asks me why I've done what I've done and we are going to fix my problems. I've been to several therapist and this is a first. Is that normal? She also didn't know what suboxone is and had me spell it for her.
I will definitly support you. I know what you mean about the negative tone. I am on methadone maintanence and am criticized alot too. It is really an individual choice and everyone's situation differs. Changing behaviors is so important. the sub will allow you to do that and get into a normal pattern of life with out the 'fix' ... so I say go for it. Just ignore the people that don't understand. and dont let them make yuo
Also I will comment on the issue you're having with not being able to beat this on your own. Opiates change the chemestry of your brain. This is not just a mental addiction. don't be so hard on yourself
but also remember this, the fight is still on and you will beat this. You will be the winner. It;s not over yet.
You have an amazing wife that can see through this temporary problem to the real person you are. Give her a hug!
Take Care
Also I will comment on the issue you're having with not being able to beat this on your own. Opiates change the chemestry of your brain. This is not just a mental addiction. don't be so hard on yourself
but also remember this, the fight is still on and you will beat this. You will be the winner. It;s not over yet.
You have an amazing wife that can see through this temporary problem to the real person you are. Give her a hug!
Take Care
Of course you will be supported! We are all here for one another. What works for one, may not work for another and vice versa.
Sub is an alternative therapy on the road to recovery. Personally, for me I am generally anti-suboxone because of the experience I had with it.
I started suboxone to "allieviate withdrawal and to detox comfortably". Next thing I knew it was almost 3 years later and I was still on it. Eventually, like all opiates, sub can turn on you. Not in the same sense as your prior drug of choice, but after a while life becomes all about the sub. When I finally came to and decided to detox off suboxone, I had a months -yes months- long withdrawal period. The very thing I took to help me with withdrawal not only had a harsher withdrawal, but a much much much longer withdrawal. I was NOT prepared.
I think its hard to hear that for some people (Im not saying you). But I know when I was ON suboxone, I sang its praises to anyone who would listen. Afte coming off of it, my opinion changed. Thats just me though. There are people who suboxone is the only choice for. There are others that have gotten themselves in way over their heads with it.
Ultimately no matter what route you choose - aftercare and support is the only thing that will oulast it all. Sub should be used in part with recovery support to prepare you for full sobriety when you decide you want off the sub. I understand where you are coming from. The sub is giving you a MUCH needed break from the insanity of active addiction. Breathe easy in that.
I hope you stick around. Its helpful to share your experience with sub to others who may be considering it. Positive or negative. Good luck.
Sub is an alternative therapy on the road to recovery. Personally, for me I am generally anti-suboxone because of the experience I had with it.
I started suboxone to "allieviate withdrawal and to detox comfortably". Next thing I knew it was almost 3 years later and I was still on it. Eventually, like all opiates, sub can turn on you. Not in the same sense as your prior drug of choice, but after a while life becomes all about the sub. When I finally came to and decided to detox off suboxone, I had a months -yes months- long withdrawal period. The very thing I took to help me with withdrawal not only had a harsher withdrawal, but a much much much longer withdrawal. I was NOT prepared.
I think its hard to hear that for some people (Im not saying you). But I know when I was ON suboxone, I sang its praises to anyone who would listen. Afte coming off of it, my opinion changed. Thats just me though. There are people who suboxone is the only choice for. There are others that have gotten themselves in way over their heads with it.
Ultimately no matter what route you choose - aftercare and support is the only thing that will oulast it all. Sub should be used in part with recovery support to prepare you for full sobriety when you decide you want off the sub. I understand where you are coming from. The sub is giving you a MUCH needed break from the insanity of active addiction. Breathe easy in that.
I hope you stick around. Its helpful to share your experience with sub to others who may be considering it. Positive or negative. Good luck.
I agree that I must take this seriously. At first I was so relieved not to be chasing the pills and have my family happy for a first in a long time. My wife couldn't take the quit, wd, and relapses any more. She just wanted a stable husband. I was in therapy the other times but I kept relapsing. Seriously people, I'm well aware that I'm taking an opiate every day, but heck people take antidepressant daily for a period of time to stay even keil. We don't hate on them for that but there is research and 1st hand experiences that show that people have trouble stopping due to the terrible discontinuation syndrome. Yes it isn't good to be taking opiate everyday but I'm addicted and I'm finally stable enough to see where my thinking was never gonna allow me to be permantly sober.
I saw that Dallas started suboxone. He was on here when I first atarted on this site. Hopefully he has been supported. Why do so many people critcize suboxone??? Of course you shouldn't take it if u just had surgery and are having trouble stopping your percs but long term users are a bit different. Honestly, I didn't want to come back to this site bc of the anti-suboxone tone (which doesn't seem to be the feelings of others outside of this site). But I will say this can be a good bunch of people who can be VERY supportive and reply quickly.
Will I still be supported and accepted here even tho I've decided to go the suboxone route?
I saw that Dallas started suboxone. He was on here when I first atarted on this site. Hopefully he has been supported. Why do so many people critcize suboxone??? Of course you shouldn't take it if u just had surgery and are having trouble stopping your percs but long term users are a bit different. Honestly, I didn't want to come back to this site bc of the anti-suboxone tone (which doesn't seem to be the feelings of others outside of this site). But I will say this can be a good bunch of people who can be VERY supportive and reply quickly.
Will I still be supported and accepted here even tho I've decided to go the suboxone route?
Hard tosay..we r all different
So u r on another narcotic?? stronger than ur doc??? if u r doing work within to stay clean then u may be acheiving sumpin...if u r not..u r simply "on another narcotic"
Sub is a legal drug so people can either do the work they need to do on them selves to get and stay clean...or stay on it for life to keep them from worser evils..it is very similar to methadone....a maintenence drug..safer than methadone in some ways...but the stuff packs some power
a 3-4 pill user per day hardly seems like a sub dose...again..we r all different...relapse is relapse and using can be painful...If it were me I would not stay on it for life...that is some sticky stuff....not over a dose like urs
this drug can not make u clean...only u can
If nuttin changes...then nuttin changes
So u r on another narcotic?? stronger than ur doc??? if u r doing work within to stay clean then u may be acheiving sumpin...if u r not..u r simply "on another narcotic"
Sub is a legal drug so people can either do the work they need to do on them selves to get and stay clean...or stay on it for life to keep them from worser evils..it is very similar to methadone....a maintenence drug..safer than methadone in some ways...but the stuff packs some power
a 3-4 pill user per day hardly seems like a sub dose...again..we r all different...relapse is relapse and using can be painful...If it were me I would not stay on it for life...that is some sticky stuff....not over a dose like urs
this drug can not make u clean...only u can
If nuttin changes...then nuttin changes
Your account of long-term use and repeated relapses is similar to what my son went through for about six years. He was on suboxone three times, the first as an outpatient, and the second two in rehab. All three times he became frustrated and impatient, and wound up going back on methadone immediately to ease the sub WD's (NOT recommended!). I think the suggestions for aftercare, to use the sub to set up a context for normality, are very important. It may sound counterintuitive, but I think it's essential to focus on what you wanted from the drug in the first place, whether it's relaxation, confidence, assertiveness, or just being comfortable in your own skin. These are all worthwhile goals, and you can get them without the drugs, but you have to take that relearning process seriously, somewhat like an actor preparing for a role: the qualities you need are there inside you, but it takes practice to bring them out. I speak from experience here, because I have been an actor, and I never thought I could be at ease on a stage without booze. I was quite surprised to find how little help it had really been to me.
Thank you all for the advice! What has concerned me, my wife, and doctor is how many time I've tried to quit just to relapse a week, a month, or a couple months later. They and I think that it is important to distance myself from the thought process that an addict has. My wife laughs at me sometimes(not in a mean way) because she says that I can develop good habits such as working out consistantly, was a st8 A student in high school, graduated from a highly selected colleges with honors with masters and BA and excel professionally but that good attribute is what has made it so hard to quit the opiates. I'm sorry if that all sounded pompous- I didn't mean it that way. She reminds me of the good I've done because I've been so down on myself over this problem. I have gotten so frustrated at the fact that this is the first thing that I haven't been able to put my mind to and just succeed. I feel like a failure and I HATE failing. I'm working on this in counceling. How do you keep the personality that I see ad giving success? I'm lucky to have my wife admit that it is what she loves about me but also drives her nuts. Anybody have suggestions on how they overcome this? I'll take all the help I can get cuz I don't want to rush the subs but I don't want to be a slave to them forever.
I dont know if i am qualified to answer this because i dont know your history with addiction ( what you were addicted to , how much) but behavior is a big part of recovery. It's not just physical withdrawls as we all know. That means that you do have to change alot of your day to day behaviors. The suboxone will allow you to do this. So my vote is: 'Yes', If you use it to help you get into a regular pattern of living that does not include drug abuse Or a "No" vote if your drug abuse has not been serious since as some others have pointed out this is not a cake walk to get off of either.
It sounds like your attempts to quit the abuse of opiates has failed thus far so this might be a good way to get control of your life and then wean off with the help of doctor and NA or therapist.
I myself have been on methadone and it has saved my life. I am quit certain i would be dead without it.
Good luck!
It sounds like your attempts to quit the abuse of opiates has failed thus far so this might be a good way to get control of your life and then wean off with the help of doctor and NA or therapist.
I myself have been on methadone and it has saved my life. I am quit certain i would be dead without it.
Good luck!
Although sub may not be for everyone I feel it does have its place. I have researched it in the past and their are way more positive stories out there than negative. I'm not saying that since I researched I am qualified to answer this but this is my quick opinion.
I know it is not the case in the original posters case but what is more dangerous, someone taking 10,000mg of acetaminophen or more from taking to many hydros, or someone taking sub so they can work on getting their life back on track by getting out of their addictive tendencies? I think the answer on this one is simple.
It doesn't really matter now because he is on it. He's on the right track by using this time to get out of he past behaviors by going to therapy.
Just keep working on your recovery. Once you feel like you are in a position to start tapering off of the sub. Don't risk relapsing by stopping too soon. Like Refusingbondage said, she thought she was ready to get off of it but ended up relapsing. Only you know when the time is right. I wouldn't rush things unless you are 100% sure you can live a sober life.
Best of luck
I know it is not the case in the original posters case but what is more dangerous, someone taking 10,000mg of acetaminophen or more from taking to many hydros, or someone taking sub so they can work on getting their life back on track by getting out of their addictive tendencies? I think the answer on this one is simple.
It doesn't really matter now because he is on it. He's on the right track by using this time to get out of he past behaviors by going to therapy.
Just keep working on your recovery. Once you feel like you are in a position to start tapering off of the sub. Don't risk relapsing by stopping too soon. Like Refusingbondage said, she thought she was ready to get off of it but ended up relapsing. Only you know when the time is right. I wouldn't rush things unless you are 100% sure you can live a sober life.
Best of luck
The fact that you say that Suboxone is so much stronger than hydo proves you're not qualified to make such a claim. As I've pointed out many times, it doesn't matter what opiate you're taking..Sub is a useful tool. If someone is taking 300mg of Hydro a day does that not make them a Sub candidate over the person taking 80mg of Oxycodone? Please, don't make blanket statements about Suboxone. It's mechanism of action is very different than other opiates, and statements such as this might scare someone off from a therapy that very well may benefit them.
I think its not wise to get on sub for hydro addiction. The sub is so much stronger and dangerous than hydro.
Yes, I am getting it from a doctor and I'm seeing a therapist. I've done more than enough research on everything...,.my problem is thinking about it all of the time. I truely do want to be sober but sometimes I worry that I'm just hitting the pause button so that I can preserve my family and I can go back at quitting after I've distanced myself from the illegal aspects and regained the trust of my loved ones. Gotta love life man....
COMMUNITY LEADER
There is no magic pill that "fixes" addiction. As the other 2 have said you have to get involved with your recovery but you have to do it for yourself first and foremost. Once you do that the rest of your life will fall into place. Recovery gives us the tools to take into the real world clean. Are you getting the suboxone from the doctor now? sara
Without going into the good/bad of suboxone and its use, I would say this to you - if your on it USE this time to get your recovery care in place. The suboxone is making your feel normal. Allieviating your cravings and getting you into to a differently lifestyle and pattern. And that is its intended purpose. Like Calamity said, Suboxone is an opiate so its satisfying your opiate receptors right now. BUT without starting aftercare and getting a plan in place - seeing an addiction therapist and/or going to meetings (in essence figuring out the WHYs of your addiction) - all that stuff comes back rather quickly post suboxone. Your addiction is in a remission period becaues your using suboxone. But you have to put some recovery support and aftercare in place now otherwise chances are the relapse is waiting for you when you quit suboxone. Take it from me, I spent years on suboxone just to relapse within a few months being off of it. Lesson learned. Congrats on taking the steps to get yourself back. Dont stop the journey just because your on suboxone. Keep moving forward and figuring it all out - within yourself.
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