Legal question regarding suboxone

[HatesKidneyStones]

Hi...

I hope someone can answer this question.  I started the Suboxone treatment yesterday with a horrible outcome.  Long story short, I ended up finding another detox location closer to my home to go through instead of the one I went to yesterday.  The med office wanted me to come in on a daily basis to get my dose for the day.  Mind you, I paid, up front for the pills.  I got my prescription filled, then decided that I didn't want to do it that way, and came home with my prescription.  
I don't need anyone writing saying that the docs do that for safety, blah blah blah.  I know this.  I get the reasons why they do it.  My situation is different though and I'm not willing to play by their rules.  Might sound bad to you, but I'm being honest.  I plan on taking the pills WHEN they are needed.. only when I'm symptomatic.  After a week to 10 days, I then plan on weening myself off the Suboxone.  I understand that the withdrawal from that is not as bad as with Lortab.  I started taking the Lortab because of kidney stones, not because I was trying to get high or party or whatever.  I became physically addicted because of a medical situation.
My question is this..... can I get into any LEGAL trouble for not returning to the clinic?  I did not sign anything nor was I an inpatient.  The "rules" at the clinic were that I was to get the RX filled, bring it back to the clinic and let them dispense it to me daily.  I just got the RX filled and drove home.  I'm going to do this MY way.  
I just don't want the cops showing up causing problems for me.  Maybe a bit paranoid.  But right now, with the way I feel, that's the last thing I need.
Thanks.  
Thanks in advance.

[sadinmichigan]

I am glad you are commited to getting off all this stuff. i do understand what you were saying..but listen..as far as sub..the above poster is correct about the conversion. You really can't compare the 2..just like methadone. Why not take a couple mgs less of sub and take it more frequently..like coolio said..break it in half..if you need it ,it will be there..but from the lower amount of the pain meds you were taking ,the w/ds probably wouldn't have been as bad as the sub can be..either way  good luck..

[shelley04]

In regards to the conversion i wanted to share what my doctor said to me about this when I asked him about this very thing.  He said there really is no way to actually "compare" suboxone to other opiates.  His example was: when you first come in and you have been taking 120 mg of hydro, oxy etc. and he gives you 8 mg that works to make you feel comfortable and takes away the withdraws.  You then proceed to taper and in two weeks you are now taking, say 4 mg, with the same effect then it actually looks like the 8 mg and the 4 mg would be the same as the 120 mg of hydro etc b/c it is making you comfortable.  I know I am not explaining this as well as he did but it made sense to me.  I am also sorry that you are getting negative feedback as I started on suboxone and did a quick taper.  I relapsed very quickly and realized that I had not given my body time to get used to being with the pills, as well as the "routine" that goes with it.  So, I am now back on suboxne and doing a slower taper.  Since I am not off of it yet I cannot tell you how it will be coming off but I have high hopes.  I am also going to NA meetings (actually just started) b/c I also realized you do need some help if, like me, you were taking them only for recreational purposes, not medical.  Good luck.  I know there are a lot of people on here who have had great results with suboxone, just not sure where they are right now.  

[shelley04]

Sorry, I meant to say I had not given my body time to get used to being 'without" the pills.  Oops!  = )

[JRG]

I didn't want to sound negative I just wanted you to know you were not educated on sub. Sub is a very useful tool and done correctly can be very helpful. That being said I think you need a doctor and follow up plan in the picture. I know you were not happy with the sub doctor who gave you the prescription but there are others. Without a doctors help and follow up plan relapse is a big danger because when you stop the sub there are still w/d's. Your husband being on your side is a big plus but sometimes we need more.

I only share this information with you because I have unfortunately been down this road before.

I wish you the best of luck in your journey.

Jackie

[PinkBalletSlippers]

I think that people are trying to explain thats all. Most have been there . Getting sub and not going back is dangerous. And if you dont know about the drug it can be harmful. You could have left that clinic or told the doctor that you needed to speak to him more and not go through the nurse. There are always other doctors but now they have black listed you and if something bad did happen and you needed pain meds you cant get them. And I have worked with a pharmacy and sometimes it doesnt matter if your PCM will over write it . it comes up in the computer and they wont fill it . IT just seems like a huge mess from trying to run the show and that to me isnt always the way to go . Doesnt matter how you got addicted you did and need a bigger program like a doctor and aftercare. Im sorry to say this and please dont take it as being mean but we dont always know everything .

[HenryS354]

Welcome and congratulations on your decision and admission to being dependant on your meds.... Huge step for you!

(Keep in mind I used the word dependant not addicted!)  :-)

As far as your sub regiment is concerned... I am not going to pass judgement on your for your decision, but I will add some very important info about sub and my own experiences.

First I would like to say that Buprenorphine (Suboxone) Is VERY powerful stuff you are dealing with. When I inducted on sub, I was taking over 500mgs of methadone, and 60-80 Vics a day. I was started on 6mgs daily and that was way too much. You bring up a good point in that everyone is different, this was just my experience.  

I was on sub for three months before deciding to taper, and I am now at 1mg and decreasing. The wd's are not as bad as some of the other devils out there, but they are a real B**** none the less.

Also sub does more than just maks wd's and make detox easier.  The reason Ideal times for sub use are 3-6 months is that Suboxone repairs our bodies natural endorphin system, and gets us to produce our own natural morphine (Endorphins) again.  When we put foreign opiates into our bodies for long periods of time, our endorphin production decreases because our bodies think "Why should I make this stuff when its already being given to me."

We also have receptors in our brains (Picture holes) that opiates and endorphins fill.  When these "holes" are filled, we get pain relief and euphoria. Using foreign opiates for long periods of time creates more of these "Holes" to be fille.

So when we stop taking our drugs, two things happen.  
#1 Our natural endorphin production is barely working to pump out enough endorphins for what we needed BEFORE our drug use.

#2 We now have so so many more holes to fill.

Since endorphins make us feel good, happy, allow us to sleep, regulates all types of body systems, when we have all those empty receptors "The holes" we feel lousy and experience withdrawal.

Suboxone is like a shovel and a workers union....

It helps fill all those extra holes we created over time, and the workers union comes in and motivates that "Endorphin factory" to start producing again.

The longer you are on suboxone, the more repair is done, and ultimately re routes your chemical make up of the brain.

Now keep this in mind, just because you were only dependant on Lortabs, not addicted, long term use has still effected your Endorphin system the same way.  If after stopping sub you feel several months of Post acute withdrawal, you probablly didnt give your brain enough time to heal.

I do agree with you in the fact that is some BS that you were not remotely educated about such an important medication before handing you a script.  There is a lot of misconception about Buprenorphin and its efficacy.

There is another forum out there on the web that is tailored to Buprenorphine treatment and can give you just loads of information about short and long term suboxone treatment. If you would like, ovt message me on this site and I can give you the link.  you may have been there already before.

I wish you the best of luck with your detox. Happy to hear you are no longer in pain!!!  Please keep up the positive attitude you have goin, and keep us posted on your success!!!  :-) :-) :-)

Henry