Suboxone questions....

[motye51]

It's been almost 6 months when I first came on this site and you people helped keep me off that ledge of w/d and I will forever be in your debt.  When I first started here my husband and I were BOTH taking the subs but my dose was much higher than his.  Our plan was that I would w/d and get some stability back and then he would w/d.  We have shut our business down for 10 days to pull this off.  We started this past Friday, of which he had been tapering over the course of the month of May and June to make this more doable. I think watching me, he didn't want the same.  I explained to him about the sub half life so today is technically day 3 and I was wondering this:  If he was on a dose of less than 5mg per day for about a week and a half, how long do you think the w/d should be?  Did he taper enough to where it shouldn't be AS bad as mine were?  Just trying to give him some information regarding time frame???  He's eating, drinking, NOT sleeping (I found him this morning in the living room arm chair b/c of his legs), I've got all of the supplements from my detox plus some new ones that I've heard on here (nothing narcotic)....just wondering if its the length of time that's less when you taper correctly or less severe w/ds?

[lulu747]

Hey Honey-

I don't have much to add- just my support.  Sorry if I'm missing something but what I gather from your post is that you are off the subs and stable and now your husband is tapering?
I can only add to what IBK and nursegirl have said and that is to keep focusing on YOUR own recovery.  It's really all you can do.  Hopefully your hubby will be inspired by you and will follow suit.  Unfortunately though (as I'm sure you're aware) you can't MAKE him get help.  I know this must be so trying for you and your relationship and I just want to send you a big hug and support and tell you that you should be really proud of yourself.
You are made of tough stuff.  Take good care of yourself and the rest will take care of itself...
xo
Lu

[nursegirl6572]

Of course you've gotten great advice.

I think IBK said something that's SO important, and something I hope you keep reminding yourself of..."your recovery is YOUR recovery and his is HIS".  That's SO important.  While of course you will be guiding one another along and supporting one another, try not to get caught up in worrying about him doing it the "right" way.....you worry about YOU sweetie.  There is NO time in the world that's better to be selfish than when you're working on such a HUGE undertaking/change in your life.  

Sounds like you have a good solid plan.  Keep up the great work!  :0)

[weaver71]

What I have seen, a taper doesn't shorten the withdrawal and healing time, but it does reduce the severity of it. He was on them less time and at a lower dose, which should also help. On the other hand, I have seen people taper and have intense symptoms and have seen people jump at higher doses and have almost no symptoms. I do know for sure that anticipation and fear can make physical symptoms worse. No matter what happens, as long as you stay clean, it will be totally worth it. I say surrender to this new life, reach out for support in every direction, and make the most of today. There is no way to predict what it will be like, so it's a matter of doing whatever it takes, that's what it takes. Definitely keep your recovery separate from his. You can do it side by side, but you as individuals have to surrender to your recovery.

[IBKleen]

Glad to hear you are doing aftercare honey. Your program is yours and his is his.

You guys have been on Subs along time. I didn't know that. That being said, you did a quick taper. Tapers should be done slow to insure success. He may struggle a bit and you as well. I don't really know. I am glad you want to get off so buckle down and get it done so you can get on with your life. Keep posting..it does help.

[motye51]

I do N/A and have since mid January, 2014.  I did the 90/90 and now attend 4 mtgs a week, have a sponser and have started working the steps.  He, on the other hand, thinks that N/A is for people that are weak.  I only say that so you understand the resistance I'm getting.  I'm not pushing N/A on him, whatever he needs to do, he needs to do.  I took the subs for 7 years he took them for about 2 years (after a pretty serious opiate addiction that he tried to w/d off of himself but it didn't last).  I'm just hoping that we've allocated ourselves enough time to succeed.  I don't want to do this again (ever again).  Yeah, I didn't taper but as an addict, I wouldn't have, this I know about myself, unfortunately, I'm kind of a balls to the walls kind of person...... I'm really hoping that time wise, we will have it?

[IBKleen]

Yes, his withdrawal will not be as bad. That was the point of tapering right? I don't know how long he was actually on Suboxone or anything like that but with what you said he should have a fairly easy withdrawal.

When you are both done will you be following this up with any form of aftercare? I always fear for those folks who take Suboxone as a means of curbing their withdrawal and don't use it as it is intended. Hopefully you will both get through this and be done with it all. Let us know how you are both doing.