A quick question regarding suboxone

[Ir0nY]

So, I have been reading a little bit about peoples sub experience on this site, and I must say, mine was a bit different I went through a 21 day inpatient detox, 3 days oxycontin withdrawal, followed by a 12 day suboxone taper, my stabilization dose was 6mg, the dose was cut 1mg every 3 days. Now, my full opiate withdrawal (I had cut my oxy dose to 60mg daily intranasal) was full hell revisited, the sub withdrawal was what the website said it would be, mild, i could eat, i could laugh, the only thing I couldn't do is sleep for 6 days, but I was optimistic and ready for recovery so in my mind i kept from being miserable by telling myself whats a few days of not being able to sleep when i would spend days not sleeping by choice in active addiction. As far has paws, I do not really think I have experienced any, i did do the oxys for a period of years. After the sub taper was done, I spent an additional 7 days in the detox (time they allotted for the sub w/d) then did a 28 day rehab program. The only sign of paws I suppose I could say I had were every 2 weeks for the first month I would have to spend a few extra hours sleeping. I am at over 105 days now (50 days inpatient, 55 days back in society), am very active in NA, and am very passionate about recovery. I believe from what I read subs are being given a very bad rap because of very bad doctors with very bad agendas (Drug maintenance makes both the pharmaceutical company and the doctors some good cash, there cashing in on the problem and the 'solution'). This is only my opinion but when done inpatient under the care of a supportive staff and a learned and compassionate addictionologist (I guess being a Canadian somewhat subtracts from what I see has the profit motive in the states) , with a VERY short taper period, followed by a 12 step oriented rehab program, then concluded by activity in a outside 12 step program, sub made this transition much much 'easier'. Theres no such thing has a simple softer way, there will always be withdraws, but Ive done cold turkey on oxycontin, and I've done w/d's off 12 days of subs, MILD is to mild a word, hell revisited vs some muscle ache and insomnia (the entire w/d of the subs I only needed to take 2 doses of imodium and i didn't miss a single meal).

I try and follow this rule with the internet, take the best case scenario you read, take the worst case scenario you read, and aim for results in the middle of the two lol.

IronY
'Religion is for those who fear hell, spirituality is for those who've already been there'

[avisg]

irony,
yes I agree in many ways unfortunately here it seems we have more bad sub doctors then good .There are some good ones  out there you may have to do some rescrearh to find them.It has turned into a huge money making business  taking advantage if the addicted .

[salsinator]

Hi Ir0nY - Congratulations on your clean time and welcome to the forum.  Great clean story and I appreciate you sharing your experience.  I think that the way you went about things was a formula for success and you should be so proud of yourself.  You can tell that you have a desire to be clean and stay clean and it really shows.

I was on sub for nearly 4 years.  It was harder than heck to get off of, but I finally decided to go through a detox program for the sub last June and I have been moving forward ever since without any trouble. I have not really had any issue with PAWS either, except for maybe the first month after.  The program I did used a Naltrexone Implant - which was horrible, but it works great for some and not others.  For me it caused extreme anxiety.  

Keep posting, you are an inspiration for others considering treatment.  Way to go!

[kc156]

Hello.  Also I am Canadian,and fully agree concerning the maintenance programs being cash cows for all concerned,except the addict.At this time I am tapering from methadone,and am close to jumping off,only at 8ml per day.
Where I live there is no detox facilities,not even close.And if there was,the government does NOT pay for that,that is in the hands of private businesses,from what I have checked out.
What ever way we can do it,good ,and wish you all the best.
Must run now to get my weeks supply,LOL.                                                   kc