Is Suboxone Really Sobriety?

[el_em_en_oh]

If one is taking Suboxone, do you consider that person sober?

*The person takes as prescribed and weened down to the lowest effective dose, with the help of a doctor
*The person doesn't drink alcohol, take any prescription medication they aren't supposed to, nor use any illegal substances
*The person goes to both AA and NA on a regular basis
*The person has a sponsor who has a sponsor
The person has worked the steps

Just curious what the forum thinks.

Is someone that takes Suboxone really "sober"?

[Amandag78]

Yes, i think all comments have some really great points, this has been debated many times and its great to see everyone being mature about their point.

[Ben727]

The comparison to smoking really brings the point home: "Sobriety" is not black and white. With respect to anyone who thinks it is, would you consider someone who consumes high fructose corn syrup products as "not sober"? High fructose corn syrup is absolutely an external substance that alters mental state.

The danger with suboxone is that it's an opiate. In the example given in the original post, I would say that yes I think they're sober, but what are the long terms plans and why? A person can stay on an anti-depressant long-term because their holistic health is better on it than off it long-term. This may be the true in some cases with suboxone, but realistically, not many. So this has to be looked at very carefully for each individual and informed decisions have to be made.

If taking suboxone keeps a former IV user from doing going back to IV use, and if the factors in their life cause them to go back to IV use as soon as they get off suboxone, then it's certainly preferable for them to stay on suboxone for as long as those factors are present. The key is making informed decisions on a case-by-case basis.

[Junip]

Great thoughts!

[Bigdaddy1313]

I thought I would get thrashed for my post above but the replies even if they were not 100 percent what I think they were all smart, well thought out replies. My hats off to everyone. I agreed with partsof all.

[nursegirl6572]

Hey el!!

This is always a highly debated topic.  I don't think there's a "right" or a "wrong" answer.  Everyone looks at it from their perspective.

I personally think it LARGELY depends on WHY the person started sub, and how they're handling recovery.  If they're just taking it to avoid w/ds, and not doing any "work"....then I'd agree that that isn't sobriety.

On the other hand, if a person has relapsed time and time again, and is using sub only as one "tool" in recovery...allowing themselves some "normalcy" while they stay clean  (and alive) from their DOC....and they're really working their recovery,  and continuing to set goals to move forward to taper off the sub....then I would consider that person sober.

I agree that it HAS helped a lot of people, but it also has hurt people.  For some people, it's definitely a crutch, and often times ends up being a whole other addiction.  It's also frequently abused, and used as a "filler" when someone doesn't have access to their DOC.

I've seen a lot of people really benefit from subs...and I've also seen a lot of people either get "stuck", or use it to avoid w/ds.....which shouldn't be the main (or only) reason IMO someone should decide to go the sub route.

I also get where the others are coming from in their opinion that people on subs aren't really "sober"...and I respect why they feel that way.  It's a valid point of view for sure.

[Merri123]

I think you are. If you're nota using it and living a clean lifestyle as a recoverying addict, doing aftercare etc, then yes.  Suboxone haschangedso many people's lives for the better. And honestly many wouldn't be able to get clean and stay clean without it.

You have to look at the big picture. The overall picture.