Buprenorphine-aka suboxone is it really helping???

[quitinoxys]

I have recently seen posting from many people about being placed on subs as an alternative to opiate addiction and lessening  the effects of w/d. The problem I have with this is you are still taking opiates!!! I completely understand that for some people it works as it keeps them from using drugs such as heroin and the like and also reduces the cravings for their doc. But now doctors are prescribing this as a cure all and that is not right. The problem is that if you go to a pain management doctor they are to quick to put you on opiates and it is causing an epidemic of addiction. Once you tell the PM doctors you want to get off the opiates they wash their hands of you and expect you to fend for yourself and give you a doctor that will prescribe subs. My whole point to this is people should think twice about going on subs. Like I previously stated it has helped some people but causes great pain to others. My personal opinion is try to do it CT as you may be better off. Please let me know if  I am way off the mark or this makes the same sense as it does to me. God Bless---Rick  

[quitinoxys]

Sara---Thanks for understanding the sentiment of my post.

[dominosarah]

I agree quitin.....Using was only a symptom of what was going on inside this head of mine.  Recovery care is a necessity for me......

[quitinoxys]

All: Don't get me wrong I am not saying it doesn't help some people I am just saying that it shouldn't be use as a MAGIC BULLET. Once you get through the nasties of w/d you ABSOLUTELY need aftercare. If I didn't do aftercare I would probably convince myself that I need to take opiates because I'm in pain (which I am but I deal with it).

It pains me to see people that get caught up in addiction go to so called addiction specialist and get put on subs. They should be trying to help them get off the drugs and not substituting. I am not saying that all addiction specialists do this but a great deal do.

I want all people to feel the same freedom that I do now that I do not take opiates. That may sound selfish but I wish it on everyone.---God Bless Rick

[dominosarah]

I am not a sub or methadone fan but for some it has saved their life as they have tried over and over to get clean.  I also understand the desperation of wanting off the drugs and then they come out with these meds and make it sound like it is a magic pill.  I remember hearing about sub right before i cleaned up and it sounded like heaven to me.  Thank god i live in podunk USA and it wasnt available here yet.....

[vicki595]

Yes...I hear you and it's a great point.  I think(and what I should have said)Sub should be a last resort. One thing,I go nuts when I hear of folks being prescribed Methadone for pain management.  Is there no other way??   And,yes,there ARE other things to try for chronic pain..."seek and you shall find"...

All the best Rick!

[gnarly_1]

HI Rick good post....I think sub has saved a lot of lives if your slamming a needle in your arm
or eating 25 percs a day sub is a better choice then that.....on the other side of the coin
theres a lot of people afraid of withdrawals and think sub is a ....''get out of jail free card''
and its just not.....it was never intended to be used this way and often the withdrawals from sub can be agonizing....now if you fall into the first category and work with aftercare wile you on the sub to build up your foundation so when you do jump your ready to stand on your own 2 feet I think sub will be a success for you....on the other hand if you spend years on it
with no aftercare and it is no more then a substitute for your doc then I think your missing the whole point of it....I also agree with rick that at least one attempt a C/T should be tryied b/4 sub is even considered it should be a last resort kinda drug not a first choice because your looking for a ez softer way out of this mess....I guess I support those that need to be on it as a better alternative to drug seeking behavior but I also think it is over prescribed to those that dont really need it....just my 2 cents......Gnarly      

[quitinoxys]

Vicki thanks for your input, being a chronic pain patient I  understand why some PM doctors go to strong opiates but their are other ways of dealing with pain then opiates. I only posted this as a caution to people that are trying to get off opiates that there may be a better solution. I didn't mean to convey that subs were completely bad just that there are some people that would be better served by going CT. As far as the patients that are terminal well they should be comfortable, but for the ones that are not think about how long you want to prolong your agony of w/d. Thanks for understanding and God Bless---Rick

[vicki595]

Just my take on it:

People who go to Sub and do well are the folks that follow the entire program. I agree with you mostly. BUT,there are folks who have tried over and over to get off pills,Methadone,etc...and just cannot do it. Sometimes,the doses they take are just too high and over such long periods of time that Sub is a good intermediate for a respite along with therapy,groups,meetings,etc...so,it has it's place.

Anyone should take a long,hard look at the pros and cons. It should never be self prescribed or taken with other opiates.  As far as the PM doctors go...that's up for some debate. I think mostly they really try. I think there are a lot of chronic pain sufferers who need meds. Are they addicted? Probably. But,quality of life becomes important when you're dying in pain everyday. I.also,think most PM doctors try to work with their patients and aren't so quick to send them toward Sub.

For those that end up on Sub.,the sooner they taper off,the better. Those withdrawals can be horrid!

A lot of people may post here...this tends to be a hot topic.