Coming off Pain Medication and Staying Off them

[Krucetopherr]

I have had an opiate addiction for many years. I have experimented with them for recreational use, and unfortunately was put on them for pain from an accident I was involved in. While I do love the feeling they give me, they are ruining my life, my family, my relationship. Everything around me is falling apart from using. I want to be free of this addiction, I know I am addicted, I admit I am, and yet it is so hard to stop. I have come close to losing everything, and yet still can't stop. Though I don't have a huge habit like most, I don't get "dope sick" I can stop for a week at a time, but I can't get passed the mental cravings. There isn't much physical craving anymore, there are some, but not that bad. I do get some withdrawals depending on how much I use when I do, but the emotional, mental part is what's taking over. I have been through the assessments at the Health Dept, going in the direction of a Suboxone or Methadone program, I was recently honest with my Physician who has given me a 2 week supply of Oxy's to stabilize me while I decide during this 2 weeks whether I want to go cold turkey, go on a Sub or Meth Program, or have him ween me down within an 8 week period to lessen the withdrawals. I'm looking for advice suggestions, etc from those who are going through this or have gone through this. Again, my problem seems to be much more mental than physical. My doc gave me clonidine to help with the small withdrawal symptoms while on this 2 week script he gave me, which is a small dose of three 10mg's a day. While that is barely anything, it's to keep me from withdrawaling 100% full force. When I go back in 2 weeks I need to have a decision as to which avenue I am going to take that he has given me. Again an 8 week weening, cold turkey with come non narc meds to help the mental, or the Sub or Meth Program.. I know I'm repeating myself here, and rambling on, but if anyone has any ideas that has worked for them, or some help on this decision I need to make I would love to hear back..

[Robynbirdee]

Do NOT do methadone or subs!!!  The withdrawals are SOOOOOOOO much longer!  It is a miracle drug for getting people off of opiates but causes worse of a nightmare with the withdrawals.  I know this first hand (subs) and from ALL the hours and hours and HOURS of research on both drugs online.  I am talking weeks, a month! With pills it is 7 days TOPS!  Please if you don't believe me spend the next day reading every article and every forum you can on the subject.  I personally believe that the two drugs are called "miracle" drugs for people who are in serious trouble.  Such as lives ruined, homeless, junkies, people resorting to crimes like prostitution, theft, and have lost everything and everyone in their lives.  Because, then yes, it is a miracle for them.  But not a miracle for people who, for the most part, still have their lives but want to be off medication (whether for medical use or recreational).  My doctor even lied to me and said that day 3 is the worst and then I am home free!  What a joke that was! Please just do the research first. I wish I had done more but I was naive enough to listen to my dr who honestly didn't know much about subs in the first place (as I later figured out).  Wish you all the best.  You have to be ready in your heart though.  My desire to feel and look healthy outweighs my desire to get high.  I just longed for the feeling of waking up in the mornings drug free and energized for the day.  Simple as that.

[justme1119]

Hi, Welcome to the forum.  I have no experience taking oxys or suboxone but here's my two cents before I go to bed.  Why would you take the methadone or sub?  Would it be to avoid the withdrawals?  Because if you are really on a small dose, the withdrawals will only last two weeks max.  I don't think that the methadone will help with the mental part of it.  It is really hard to come off of methadone.  I do have experience with that.  It takes at least 90 days just to get past the worse parts of it.  More drugs do not help the psychological part of addiction in my opinion.  Sounds to me like you need either NA or counseling.  I don't mean to sound curt, but I wanted to respond before going to bed.  Best of luck to you.  There are many people here who have been through the same thing you are going through so read everything you can before making your decision.  It's great that you are asking questions before jumping from the frying pan into the fire.  Best of luck to you.