Would low dose naltrexalone be useful in her case?
I can't stress enough that suboxone is a treatment for longer term hard core addicts and methadone as well and more so. These are harm redution treatments unless they are being used for detox, in that case, the shorter they are on these drugs, the better.
I am a heroin addict, and I can tell you first hand that heroin is not a drug you do once a week. That's always your intentions. For instance, she most likely got sick last summer and said, "I'll NEVER do that again." Then came the fall, and she thought to herself, "just one time wont hurt". That's where this evil drug gets you. I have battled with it, and had some time clean as well. It continues to pop up in my life though. It's good that she's doing outpatient therapy, and attending meetings. That will help her. In the beginning of heroin addiction is easy to keep up grades, go to work, fool the world. Before you know it everything is falling apart, and you are gonna quit everyday... until that day comes. Sounds to me like she's really playing with fire. I started off much like she was... a little here, a little there... You'll find yourself quickly doing too much, and having to use to be "normal". I also have known a lot of heroin addicts. I can't tell you one, that just stops and then months later does it a couple of times. It doesn't work like that. Most likely she's involved with people who are already addicts. Unfortunately if she is struggling thru addiction (as I suppose she is), SHE has to want the help. You can't want it for her.
As a ex junkie while in active use I would definitely not want the Naltrexone as you would get violently ill ingesting any opiate.. With the sub you can cheat if your heart is not into staying clean.. Ultimately it will be up to your daughter if she uses or not.. I had to move drop friends even broke up with long time bf to escape.. Many changes.. I have see heroin users use occasionally in the beginning but they always came back and once the b!tch digs her claws in you are hooked. Many graduate to shooting.. So instead of a substitute I would recommend to your daughter.. That she makes the changes she needs to stay clean..
Suboxone is for addicts who can't get through withdrawels. It is a narcotic and is addictive and puts addicts in a 'holding pattern" similar to methadone and is very expensive. Naltrexone is a anit narcotic and is not addictive and is for addicts who are not using or in withdrawel. Sub is hard to get off off like methadone and is referred to as "harm reduction therapy" and should be used for more desperate cases as methadone is used
Thanks all. She told me yesterday that she would not want to take Naltrexone but thought she would take Suboxone because she said the Naltrexone has serious side effects. I have just read a little bit about each med but they each have pitfalls. Is there some addict-type reasoning why she'd want the Suboxone over the Naltrexone? What kind of doc would she need to see?