oxycodone detox

[ruby441]

I am detoxing off of oxy. through a 6 week program using a drug called subutex. The first week I was on 8mg twice a day, then 4mg 3 times a day, then 4mg twice a day, then 2mg twice a day, then 1mg, etc. At the end of the 6 weeks there is an option to go on maintenance @ the dose you felt the most comfortable at. I already know that I want to go maintenance because I work with the drug giving it to people in pain, it is too much of temptation. The nurse that I am in contact with whenever I need her is aware that I want to go on maintenance, but is rather insistent that I detox down to the lowest dose before I go on maintenance. I do not want to be on this drug forever, but at this point do not risk the chance of messing up. Has anyone had any experience with going right onto a maintenance dose. Should I just ask the nurse if I could just speak to the MD about my question. I like this nurse & think she has my best interest in mind but I think everyone is different & detoxes @ different rates. Please anyone let's hear your thoughts or experience.

Thanks,
ruby441  

[TipsyWillis]

What do you mean when you say you work with the drug and give it to people with pain? are you a doctor? Just curious. Well, from my experience, 6 weeks is totally long enough to get completely clean (no help from subs or whatever). You are done man. Basically you will be done with detox then they will what? Get you Back on subutex after your detox using subutex...Why?!? Just let it go after that. Theres no reason, you just gotta be strong then. There will be No physical withdrawal at that point Definately. At that point your just battling small urges here and there when you see, hear, feel, or think of something that might trigger something in your head. Just gotta tell it to shut up cuz your clean and you love being clean. I never understood how people stay on suboxone, subutex or methadone for such a long *** time after they have quit the initial drug they are stuck on. Its kinda like substituting another drug in the other drugs place. A lot of docs just want your long term business and $$$. Wait thats Exactly like a legal drug dealer huh, no way? Wow, imagine that! Im not saying your doc is, i was just makin a point about some ******* docs that dont give a ****. Stay strong and stay sober! peace

[ButchH8]

How much Oxy were you taking per day and for how long.  I was using 80-100 mg per day for 6 mo.  Two weeks ago I got Subox. and took 24mg/day for 3 days. It made me sick (It was too much).  So I stopped everything and feel great. YOU DON'T NEED ANY SUBOX. ONCE YOUR OFF OPIATES, IT HAS NO VALUE. ITS MORE PSYCHOLOGICAL AT THIS POINT.

[wait2long]

do you want to go on maintenance or is your doctor pushing you to do this?  if you want and need maintenance then i would suggest you find the lowest does possible that you are comfortable on....then stay on it until YOU feel ready...subutex/suboxone was made for addicts to take they way they feel they need to take it, until you are comfortable enough to be with out it, until you have the confidence you need to stay clean on your own, are you in any type of therapy?  my sub doctor DEMANDS it, and i think all sub doctors should do this...
i have been on sub since may, started on full 32 mgs a day and am now down to 14 mgs daily, transitioned off methadone which is a whole different story...but regardless i know i am not ready or strong enough to be completely off the sub yet...and this decision should be up to no one but you...if your not ready, if you think you will slip back to the grips of addiction...then get yourself on a maintenance dose...
i have a lot of information about sub in my profile...i highly recommend anyone on sub to read the TIP 40 SHEET...pdf file...the link is in my profile, the most accurate information i have read yet.
if you have any questions , feel free to e-mail me or PM me anytime...good luck in making your decision...

[wait2long]

if your still going back and forth, and using a few days a week...then maintenance is the way to go...or why bother even taking sub just for detox? whats the point?...if your going back to your drug of choice the minute your off the sub, then just "detox" obviously  didnt work, did it?  
and now people who did just the detox are looking for other means to get clean...makes no sense to me...

[nogie1717]

I am on a Suboxone maintenance plan.  My doctor says I can taper off whenever I feel comfortable.  As you can see, many here on this forum don't agree with the way I approach my disease.
First, sub allows me to function throughout the day without craving or thinking about using.
Second, Suboxone blocks any attempt at getting high, trust me, I tried.
Third, I have relapsed everytime I tried to quit, even after inpatient treatment for 30 days.
This drug allows me to live a normal life.  I don't get high, b/c I can't with sub and I no longer live the rat race of getting money for pills, getting pills, having no money, borrowing, stealing, etc...

My advice, is do what YOU feel comfortable with.  It is your life, after all.

[wait2long]

i agree with you 110%... short term taper/detox with sub  has a 70 % failure rate...no thanks...LOL!
i'll stay on maintenence...after all, my addiction was long term and  severe, no way can i fix that with a 3 or 5 weeks plan...no way..my plan must also be long term to fix myself...overnight fixes dont work and it is irrational to even think it can or does, with i guess a few exceptions..

[TipsyWillis]

You should do as you feel comfortable. I wasnt trying to be hard on you or tell you what most people do. You should do as you feel comfortable. There is nothing more frustrating or difficult than relapsing. Besides, Im not one to talk, when I took suboxone for a few months last year I wasnt seeing a doctor and I definatly  wasnt taking them the way they were supposed to be taken. I have just had problems watching my friends get sucked into the methadone clinic ********. Its not pretty. Now if you look back a few years later like some of them and your still on sub, then you might want to rethink your situation, (And your Doctor). I guess at least you wont be on that nasty devilish dirty. Good luck.

[wait2long]

hi there...is there some way YOU can get back on suboxone treatment?  i read your other post where your still having trouble, i'm sorry. i know how difficult this is, the grip of addiction is worse than anything i have ever experienced. and i chose maintenance simply because i got so so so tired of the constant head games i was playing with myself, just trying to feel "well"  it a vicious cycle with what seems no end in sight, an incurable disease.  suboxone was the only way for me. i didnt have another cold turkey left in me. and trying to do CT off methadone...FORGET IT!!! i simply wasnt strong enough...11 days was as long as i could ever make it before my mind started getting so depressed i was ready to end it all, suboxone did the trick, i am still not as "well" as others that switch from a shorter acting opiod...but i am better, i am well enough to function and do the things necessary to care for my 3 boys and husband the way a mom and wife should...and also go to therapy and do the things necessary to fix me the best i can...thats all that is important to me right now, my family and getting well or fixed.
good luck to you....

[TipsyWillis]

I wasnt technically on the sub treatment program. I had a long lasting supply of subs that helped me but my addiction was still premature (a year of use) and I wasnt ready or able to quit. That was a year ago. I havent mentioned it yet and not sure if I should but I will. I sold oxy for a 2 yeara. I was doing 4-5 80's daily, not to mention numerous benzos, alchohol, a lot of herb and other stimulants. I just dont think that the subs were enough for me at the time, not to mention that I wasnt seeing a doctor, just was doing it my own way. Besides the point, suboxone makes me very sick, and noxious. It makes me feel nasty when Im already feeling the tip of w/d symptoms. After a while I just forgot about them and steered away from them cuz of how they made me feel. I continued using and dealing for a year or longer until I found methadone. That is what I use now, along with occasional xanax. ( I am very self-disciplined in the fact that I only need to take 2.5-5mg of done daily vs. the people who have tricked themselves or abuse it and take 40-120mg daily. Thats why I hate the bastards at the done clinics) I decided early on that I wouldnt abuse my last resort to recover (Dones). I mentally fool myself but it also physically helps me out. I have been through counseling (last year) and have morale support (for the most part) from friends and my girlfriend, unfortunately she is also an addict. I have "quit" so many times I couldnt even give you an estimate. Today actually is probably my hundredth "Day 3". I am lucky to have found this site after almost 3 years of opiate abuse. The last time I used was on the day my grandfather passed, on this last thursday. Its been hard but everything combined is helping me stay strong. This forum is an outlet for me, and I am staying strong for my grandpa's sake. I just got a good amount of dones yesterday too. Wish me luck. The only thing that makes it difficult is that I am so used to it and have been through so much in my life that I am a little more passed the emotional stress than alot of the people in here quiting for their first time. I have not and will never give up but my motivation has dulled over the past year or so. Hey, thanks for the response by the way. Stay strong all.

[wait2long]

actually if you can keep your done dose that low...then your doing good...i guess i misunderstood what you posted...just stay away from the good stuff and try to stay on a level LOW dose of dones...whatever works is my motto!!  good luck to you and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

[ruby441]

I was using oxy. occasionally for 10 years & 3 years hardcore. When I started on the subutex at 16mg a day it was like a miracle, I had hope for the first time in years. When I got down to 4mg a day I made a very big mistake & took a few oxy. Totally hated myself after 18 days clean. The nurse who is counseling me thru my detox finally heard me the other day when I made it clear to her that I did not want to wean down at this time. I'm going to suggest to her that I stay @ 12 or 8mg a day. I am a nurse & work in a rehab. where I pass medications to people recovering from all kinds of surgery. The drug is @ my fingertips daily. I do not want to steal this drug again, it is morally wrong, I could loose my license & the drug was killing me, & all my relationships with those I love.
I'm still not sure what dose I should stay at. Any advise?

ruby441