Suboxone Opiate Dependency Treatment

Due to my cravings for my vicodin and tramadol, I cannot hardly keep content without severe anxiety and depression.
I had no idea that what I was doing in my own privacy away from my husband and family's eyes would ever cause so much physical and emotional pain. It really was not worth the four hours of euphoria. I find the irritability to be the most astonishing; the difference between mood cycles when on this medication and quitting cold turkey. I have been off this medication for about one week and two days to be exact after two years of on/off abuse and one year being excessive. So..
I'm going to discuss a treatment plan involving this medication with a doctor that is certified to deliver such a medication. Out of curiosity, how as it worked for any of you who have taken the medication? What are the side effects you've experienced, and craving elevations since having been on the treatment plan?
Any and all advice would be wonderful, thank you.

[avisg]

How much of each drug are you taking? Have you tried taping of them ? I would do alot of research on sub it has its own set of problems also does this program your looking into come with counseling or meetings of some type its so important for long term sobriety . Keep posting let us know how thing are going .
avis :)

[noodle2010]

You mentioned you were off the medication for over a week.. does that mean both vic and tram?

[HenryS354]

Suboxone has been an excellent experience for me personally but some people have different views on this.

If you have exhausted all other measures to stay clean, then I would reccomend suboxone treatment. The only reason I say this is suboxone can be somewhat difficult to come off of when you are ready to, and can be quite costly if you dont have good insurance.

I was on suboxone for 2 years after 10 years of using IV demerol, morphine, dilaudid, and fentanyl, as well as an unsuccessful 7 years of methadone maintenance.  I was tired of methadone and the clinic system, and when I became a flight attendant, having to adhere to the strict guidlines of the clinic visits, it just wasnt going to work for me anylonger.

While on suboxone treatment, I had no cravings after the first week of treatment. Of course this was partially because suboxone is an opiate itself.  This does not however explain why I still craved on methadone.

I never once tested the blockade of suboxone, as it has partial antagonistic qualities and will block the euphoric effects of any opiates taken while on it, kind of a built in safety net if you will.

I worked some strong recovery after my first year of treatment, went to meetings, saw a counselor, and made some serious life changes.  After another year I was ready to come off.

I am at 39 days off the suboxone, I stopped at 3mgs. The wd wasnt fun, but nothing like what I experienced with my DOC.  It was much milder just more long and drawn out.  It took a good 3 weeks before I was beginning to feel like myself again.  This is many peoples biggest ***** with suboxone.  But with a strong recovery plan in play, it really wasnt that hard looking back.

I have not had any cravings since coming off the sub, but I really believe this was due to the behavioral changes and recovery work I did while in treatment.  Suboxone is not a magic pill... It wont take away wd's forever, you will have to experience them sometime. And it wont keep you clean for life, that is up to you.  Find a good doctor that offers some type of counseling or talk therapy combined with your medication management.  It is absolutelly essential!

Good luck, if any questions, feel free to post!

Henry

[salsinator]

Henry's post is excellent.  I also had a good experience with suboxone, was on it for nearly 4 years.  It was hard for me to withdrawal from it, but while being on it, I had no craving, never used, and had the time to work on myself and figure out why I was taking the drugs in the first place.  Work with your doctor on a good plan, get into some therapy, and keep posting.

[kbuchter2009]

Thanks everyone for the advice regarding this treatment. And yes, I was off both the vicodin and tramadol for 1.5 weeks. I have however, continued taking my tramadol as of yesterday yet will no longer use vicodin, and have asked my doctor to monitor my medication usage to avoid the abuse. I feel as though I can trust myself with the medication now. I have no desire to take it compulsively.