Suboxone - Is is worth it???

[paintrip]

I've been taking around 15 10mg vikes a day for about a year now.  Have quit cold turkey three times and always seem to fall off the wagon.  I'm getting ready to quit again and have a friend that just started Suboxone treatment. He says it's a "miracle" drug and he fells great with no cravings.  I've got an apointment this Friday to get started on Suboxone, but after researching it online, it seems like it may lead to a worse addiction.  The doc I spoke with said you have to be on it a minimum of 6 months, and I'm not prepared to commit to that.  I did speak with a couple approved docs, and the whole thing seems a little secretive and strange.  The feedback online has mostly shown that people have a horrible time detoxing from it, and the withdrawals last for weeks to months even when tapering off.  Has anyone actually used this drug for detox and gotten off in a fairly short period of time??  I''m wondering if the Suboxone thing is somewhat new, and something that will eventually end up being a big mistake.  Any input would be greatly appreciated!!

[mr.lucky66]

I agree with oc, it sounds like sub is working well for you as a maintenience drug, but check back when you are completly off. That's when most people have the problems. all the best

[ochooked]

Hi Neaclow ---- Please stay and post as you get off the Sub --- It would be most interesting to hear from you.  So far we have not heard much from those who hold your opinion of Sub AFTER they are completely off of it.  Lots of members who post have given horror stories of jumping after they were on a crumb every day and then every other day -- but then had W/D's for months after they made the jump ---- We would love to hear from you again so please keep posting.  Good luck to you and I wish you the best.  I hope you feel the same after you are clear of Sub

[neaclow]

I have been on sub's for awhile now, and have started to taper without any trouble at all.  I had a 300-400 a day Oxy habit when I decided to quit.  

As far as the money racket is concerned, it is on that part of the argument that I agree.  The sub program isn't cheap, but I'm not paying a buck a milligram like I was pre-sobriety.  When I get aggrivated about the costs I think back to the bad check writing, worrying about FOOD state of mind and feel better.  They do take GREAT advantage of addicts...but in my opinion  my dealer did the same thing ya know?? Nobody that isn't addicted wouldn't, in their right mind, pay that much for something.  It's a two way street in my opinion.......only difference is one is legal and one isn't.

My experience with suboxone has been wonderful.  I've not looked back since taking it.  When I started it, aside from being shocked at it's effectiveness...I didn't feel "high" or whatever.  I did get a little sleepy but that's all.  I can't say that even though I had no physical symptoms that I didn't ever crave the buzz....but the sub kept me straight.

I have already started weaning off of it....it's been 6mths.  They started me off on two a day, which I took for a couple of days but realized it was making me sleepy so I cut back to one.  One was more then enough, but as an addict does I continued to take the one, still asking for the two because I was terrified at some point I might need it.,..you know how that goes.  My safety blanket so to speak.

So, after awhile I realized I was spending more on my script then I needed so I asked the doc to ween me down.  Which he did, he took away half of my original does which was the one 8MG Sub twice a day.

He did that, and I continued to take away half of the one I was taking.  I did so, with absolutely no problem whatsoever.  No sweats, no intestinal issues, no nothing...I was sleeping fine....no discomfort as I had expected.

So..I took a half for three weeks....no problem.  I then changed it myself to a quarter....nervous as all get out.  I have been taking a quarter for a week now with again, no change.  Actually, I'm kinda glad b/c that tang-taste was getting to be a dreaded point of my day.

I will do this for awhile, knowing me I'll go down to a half of a quarter LMAO....all the way down to a grian of sand...merely cause I'm a pansy but hey, I'm sober.

I have had a grand experience with it........I am convinced, with the stories that I've heard in group, that people that have eitehr A. taken methadone pre SUB or B. been almost completely GONE (meaning an inch from death) need more then 8 MG of it a day.  I can see how, if you take it (more then 8 MG for a mild habit) you'd be hurting more then helping if you're going cold turkey....

I think experiences vary...but if it scares you....no matter how your body goes with the actualy meds..you're mind may well psych you out worse then anything causing your experience to suck no matter what.  

Whatever method you use, stay focused, stay positive and know, without a doubt you're doing the right thing!!!

Have I yet AGAIN rambled?? HAHAHAHA...sorry!!!!!!!!

[avisg]

That would be addictive behavior using one drug to get of another .After you get off the sub you are back on the vics.That is never recommended on the site

[hawaiimed]

please forgive if this response is pure bs; but if as some say, that Vic is easier to quit than Sub, and one has some Vics, and is trying to get off sub,...
what if they took the vics as a bridge for tapering and jumping?

[avisg]

There are members experiences being on and coming off of suboxone in the "health pages" when you have time go check them out ...
Good Luck
avis