Suboxone detox

[knewskewl]

Hi, My boyfriend and I are both about to get off Suboxone and were wondering how long the detox period lasts, how severe the symptoms are, and if there is anything we can do or take to ease the withdrawal symptoms...I know we can't take opiates, but what about benzo-diazapams, like valium? Will these make the withdrawal worse? Any tips or info anyone has would be greatly appreciated, as we haven't been able to get any straight answers about this anywhere else. Thanks

[knewskewl]

Thank you all for you support and helpful info. As far as substituting one evil for another, we have both been off the bad stuff for over four years now, and were on methadone for most of that time, so we are using the sub to get off the methadone. While I do realize that we will always have to battle our inner demons for the rest of our lives, we really are so removed from that lifestyle and just are so ready to be done having a dependence on anything, but are terrified of the horror stories of getting off the sub. So that is why we're trying to ease those symptoms however we can, while of course being careful to limit whatever we use to only if absolutely necessary.
I read somewhere that Seroquel worked well for someone getting of sub- has anyone heard of this? They claimed it let them sleep through the worst parts, but I read that its an antipsychotic...i don't know, just wondering

[stillwriting]

also keep in mind what works for one might not work for the other. but i do agree that when tappering from anything that is a narcotic try to set it up where you won't miss anything important.

[Gobig]

Within a week on sub, the original drug is out of your body anyway.  When you wd, you're wd - ing from the sub in any event.  Time doesn't really matter - the key is to be on a low dose when you come off the sub.

[stillwriting]

i am recovering as well and i think if you want to use something to ease your withdrawls you should go with a non narcotic sleep aid at night. but you deffinetley don't want to substitute one for another. just remind yourself of what you went through to get clean and try to hold off from using any narcotics at all.and don't get discoraged, i know it is easier said than done but i feel for a succesful recovery from substance abuse you need a good support system. keep busy with recovery because boredom can equal relapse if we are not careful. Good luck

[GA Guy]

It seems like te ones who have the worst withdrawals are the ones who were on Sub for a prolonged period of time. Then the withdrawals come from the Sub and not the original drug. I think the key is ending the taper at that time where the original opiate withdrawals have become nil..and, the Sub the body hasn't become extremely accustomed to the Sub. Is this the way most people think? Just wondering on theories..

[imanaddict]

Thank you!!

[Gobig]

For sure - but if your down to 2mg or less for a week, it's very doable.  Klonodine helps a lot, and my doc gave me some benzos to help as well - but once I was done, I was done - no more drugs - which includes alcohol!

[mom304]

CANU HELP ME i FOUND EMPTY VILE FROM 2 DIFFERENT PHARMACIES WITH SUBOXENE MY SON IS 32 and has been addicted to herion then went to rehab only tocoem out and eventually taking other things the other night i caught him drinking and he says I dive him to drinking its his only out for now he blames me for his life and has no friends i caught him in lie after lie biut he yells trying to convince me its all my fault and I msut say I doblame myself his father ( Iam not married to him doesn't bother with him and hasn't since he went to jail for non child support he doesn't talk to him for that just that our son know thathis father can see right through himanyway we got into a shuffle the other night and the look in his face scared me to death I told him we should talk about our realationship (it wa pretty much not good because I am scaredand i guess don't know how to handle him he left lat night and staying in a hotel 5 blocks away from me i wanted to go get him please help me he has hep c and I am scared for him

[FLaddict]

I know for me when i used it, I did have some mild withdrawals for a day or so and they didn't start for 3 days after i stopped the Sub. But they were manageable. I planned it so it happened on a weekend.  I mostly worry about the patients at high doses and those that maintain on it for months or years.

[IBKleen]

I am concerned about your asking if you should use alcohol or valium during the withdrawal??? Isn't that defeating the purpose? I hear addictive thinking. And I will shut up now.

[imanaddict]

Do you guys think that even with tapering off the sub, you will still go through WD's?

[FLaddict]

I used Sub in June for 10 days. And I have been clean since. Its been over 5 months.  

As far as how long, everyone is different, I know someone who was on it 21 days, 16 days and 5 days and all of them are clean today. I have info in my journal in my profile regarding Sub. Click my name beside my post and it will take you there.

Good luck to both of you.

[banana911]

well that is a bit contriversial.  the best thing is complete sobriety - that being said:  I started having cocktails at day 4.  if you have some access to a sedative i can't beat a stick at that - - though, don't replace one thing with another.   blah blah blah.  sleep will become very elusive & that sucks - - if i had a xanax right now i would worship it, bow down, take it & pray for thanks.  

just concentrate on those first few bad days.....  have some movies, stock the fridge, clean the house, etc..  and maybe have a plan for once you break on through - - meetings?  exercise?  not sure what will work for you - - but ya need something.  i am still looking for something.  

i started getting some waves of relief on day 3 - - i am on day 6 now & physically alot has just disappaited - -but alot of angsty, anxiety around.  

good luck.  pills suck!

[knewskewl]

Thanks for your reply. It's reassuring to hear that it won't be too bad...We both have been tapering ourselves off for a month or so, and are down to about 1/2-1/4 milligrams of Suboxone a day, so hopefully that will help. So what are your thoughts on using alcohol or valium? I mean, we are so afraid of the withdrawal symptoms, anything we can do to ease them would help. We have been dealing with this for so long, and just want it to be over once and for all, as I'm sure you can understand. You made it this far, you should be proud of yourself:) You're almost done...

[banana911]

hey,  i am recently off of suboxone myself.  it gets a little confusing because at the end of my sub i relapsed for a few days (like 3-4) on hydros -- - - but anyway, i would plan on at least 3-4 days of not feeling so good.  the usual suspects:  shivers, flu like, skin crawly, etc.  i am day 6 and the worst is the anxiety thing i have.  i just woke up WIDE AWAKE at 2:00 -- i am doomed.  

but i would say if you can plan out a long weekend or something (from work) you can get through the worst of it in a few days.  not sure of your dose, history, etc.....

good luck.