Concerns

[wifeofaddict17]

Hi,

I am the wife of an addict and we have a soon-to-be 3 year old daughter. Since I've known my husband he's been addicted to pain pills. He has severe back problems and was first addicted to Vicodin, dilaudid, and now Tramadol for several years. He was told that Tramadol isn't addictive and from there it got worse and worse. He was taking 10-15 tablets, 3-4 times a day. Anyways, things have recently gotten worse and 2 months ago he was hospitalized for 2 weeks and sent to rehab. He's since then relapsed on Tramadol and has come forth to me that he needs help. I want to be supportive and help him but all the lies and hurt has anguished me. Today, he got prescribed Suboxone as his treatment plan to get off Tramadol which seems like a catch 22 situation. I understand that Suboxone, while it'll help you get off your previous addiction, will soon replace your previous addiction with itself. That scares the daylight out of me and I try hard to not seem discouraged. I have been researching Suboxone and have talked to people that have said that it is addictive and some of the people have been on this drug for years, just as stated in the previous posts. In my research, I have found that this drug is 88% sucessful with counseling and therapy... I have told him this so I hope we can maintain a schedule where he goes 3-4 times a week.

I don't know this man without pain pills. I am scared that he will see me as something different and not want me any longer. I just need advice on how to keep encouraging him to attend meetings and regulate the amount of Suboxone he takes without seeming like I'm his mother. It's a tough situation. Thanks guys.

[ribs2k]

Hi wife ,
I am a week and a half into a Suboxone program. Using this and a strong support system and aftercare program can be very effective, My dr started me out on a fairly high dose at 16 mg, but I quickly tapered down to 8. I would like to get down to 4 mg and maintain that until I am confident I have overcome whatever made me take Pills. It takes discipline and someone who believes in you to be successful, and I would say that he would be very lucky to have you help him through this. Best of luck!!!
Randy

[selfinduced]

Please do not doubt your worth in this relationship. You from what I have read is the rock. If he choses drugs, sobriety over you, then it would have happened in time anyway. The way I read this, you are an amazing support system. Be educated, and then be firm. You have a life to live as well. Sorry, I am not sure about the whole suboxone weaning process, but you can learn together. Get the tools you need, but don't take on his destiny as your own. xx