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Tapering Formula
I can't believe I'm here. That is, I have been free from a heroine addiction for 9 years, have gotten married, have had 4 children (another on the way), finished degrees, certifications, become Vice President at a large bank, have nurtured a strong prayer life and have now found myself addicted to hydrocodone (approx. 200mg/ day). It all started when I was in a funk with myself/job/wife and "experimented" by trying to get a script online. It was easy. Well, it has progressed to the point where I am forging prescriptions, which seems too easy. I tried to quit a couple of months ago (this has been going on for approx. 6 months), was through the worst, and started it up again. Now, I'm so scared to quit (withdrawal was hell and I have large family who depends so heavily on my very active involvement. My wife has horrible morning sickness and I do absolutely everything home/child related before and during my bank job.
I'm rambling. Does anybody have credible advise regarding a tapering program? I've seen several "formulas" but some seem contradictory. Unfortunately, I can share this with absolutely no one. My wife is a no bull s--- type of gal, has no sympathy and would force a separation for a good long while (I don't see this as good for the kids, not to mention it would be devastating for me). I feel so selfish, so alone, and frightened that I may get caught for my illegal indiscretions (surely I must be missing something to think that prescription forgery is easy and painless).
Thank you for listening. I haven't mentioned this to anyone other than a priest. So lonely.
I'm rambling. Does anybody have credible advise regarding a tapering program? I've seen several "formulas" but some seem contradictory. Unfortunately, I can share this with absolutely no one. My wife is a no bull s--- type of gal, has no sympathy and would force a separation for a good long while (I don't see this as good for the kids, not to mention it would be devastating for me). I feel so selfish, so alone, and frightened that I may get caught for my illegal indiscretions (surely I must be missing something to think that prescription forgery is easy and painless).
Thank you for listening. I haven't mentioned this to anyone other than a priest. So lonely.
This is something that I found online. Looks like a pretty good medication for opiate addicts, especially those which the addiction has been long term. 5-10yr +
Buprenorphine, an opioid mixed agonist-antagonist, is a potent analgesic that appears to be effective for the treatment of opiate abuse. Recent preclinical studies have shown that buprenorphine also significantly reduces cocaine self-administration by rhesus monkeys for periods up to 120 days. This unexpected finding has led to clinical trials to evaluate buprenorphine's effectiveness for the treatment of dependence on both cocaine and opiates, as defined by DSM-III-R criteria. Buprenorphine's safety in combination with cocaine and opiates and its effects on electroencephalographic sleep patterns and regional cerebral blood flow were evaluated during inpatient studies. Buprenorphine (4 or 8 mg/day given sublingually) did not accentuate the cardiovascular and respiratory changes induced by an acute challenge dose of cocaine (30 mg given intravenously) or morphine (10 mg given intravenously) alone. In an outpatient open trial, buprenorphine significantly reduced both opiate and cocaine abuse by patients who had abused these drugs for more than 10 years. Most of these patients had failed in other drug abuse treatment programs. Reports of needle sharing also decreased significantly, and no patient tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The apparent safety and effectiveness of buprenorphine, combined with a high level of patient acceptance, led the Food and Drug Administration to grant a compassionate extension of the approved period for outpatient buprenorphine treatment from 26 to 52 weeks. Clinical trials of buprenorphine are ongoing. Possible mechanisms underlying buprenorphine-cocaine interactions are now under investigation.
Buprenorphine, an opioid mixed agonist-antagonist, is a potent analgesic that appears to be effective for the treatment of opiate abuse. Recent preclinical studies have shown that buprenorphine also significantly reduces cocaine self-administration by rhesus monkeys for periods up to 120 days. This unexpected finding has led to clinical trials to evaluate buprenorphine's effectiveness for the treatment of dependence on both cocaine and opiates, as defined by DSM-III-R criteria. Buprenorphine's safety in combination with cocaine and opiates and its effects on electroencephalographic sleep patterns and regional cerebral blood flow were evaluated during inpatient studies. Buprenorphine (4 or 8 mg/day given sublingually) did not accentuate the cardiovascular and respiratory changes induced by an acute challenge dose of cocaine (30 mg given intravenously) or morphine (10 mg given intravenously) alone. In an outpatient open trial, buprenorphine significantly reduced both opiate and cocaine abuse by patients who had abused these drugs for more than 10 years. Most of these patients had failed in other drug abuse treatment programs. Reports of needle sharing also decreased significantly, and no patient tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The apparent safety and effectiveness of buprenorphine, combined with a high level of patient acceptance, led the Food and Drug Administration to grant a compassionate extension of the approved period for outpatient buprenorphine treatment from 26 to 52 weeks. Clinical trials of buprenorphine are ongoing. Possible mechanisms underlying buprenorphine-cocaine interactions are now under investigation.
I am taking a new drug called Buprenorphine. It helps tremendously. I am a new person.
I am not having any withdrawal symptoms at all! It's great because I am not "buzzed" and no withdrawals! I couldn't ask for anything more right now.
You only took -4? You're doing great! Keep it up, K?
Leah
I am not having any withdrawal symptoms at all! It's great because I am not "buzzed" and no withdrawals! I couldn't ask for anything more right now.
You only took -4? You're doing great! Keep it up, K?
Leah
Actually I have only taken 4 today. The probelm is I am physical dependant, for my back problems, but I do like the high, that is why I am addicted. It is a no win situation for me. If i stop, I'm in back pain hell, If I continue, I abuse..It's so hard. But I have only taken 4 today.
You know what you should get, since you are not a true addict? Get some Ativan for your withdrawls if you can. It is like Valium and it helps alot. if you ask, the Docs will work with you..
MsBlacey~
You know what you should get, since you are not a true addict? Get some Ativan for your withdrawls if you can. It is like Valium and it helps alot. if you ask, the Docs will work with you..
MsBlacey~
I had the exact thing happen to me
Fentanyl is a very powerful drug - it is measured in micrograms instead of milligrams.
I, too, was placed back on Lortab when weaning from the Duragesic patch. Wasn't a pretty sight and I could not do it. I was put on methadone to help with the withdrawals. It took me a month, but I finally weaned off of meth and back onto Lortab. Then I was switched to Buprenorphine to help me taper completely off.
If you are determined, I was told to lower a dose every three days to wait for your body to stabilize. If you don't have that many left, then quicker is possible, but you have to be regimented and know that you will still experience a little withdrawals. A lot of people can't taper, but there are A LOT of success stories out there.
If you are stong willed, you can definitely beat this.
We are all here for you if you need to talk.
Leah
Fentanyl is a very powerful drug - it is measured in micrograms instead of milligrams.
I, too, was placed back on Lortab when weaning from the Duragesic patch. Wasn't a pretty sight and I could not do it. I was put on methadone to help with the withdrawals. It took me a month, but I finally weaned off of meth and back onto Lortab. Then I was switched to Buprenorphine to help me taper completely off.
If you are determined, I was told to lower a dose every three days to wait for your body to stabilize. If you don't have that many left, then quicker is possible, but you have to be regimented and know that you will still experience a little withdrawals. A lot of people can't taper, but there are A LOT of success stories out there.
If you are stong willed, you can definitely beat this.
We are all here for you if you need to talk.
Leah
PLEASE HELP! i HAVE BEEN TAKING 2-3 TYLENOL #3 WITH CODEINE FOR 6 YEARS. Upon learning I was pregnant I have taken a month to taper off. 4 days have gone by with no codeine in my system. It is maddening and unbearable. I feel like I have a very bad flu and can hardly function. The restless legs at night are absolutely maddening and I can get no rest. Each day I tell myself the the next will be better, but in fact it is worse. Today I have been crying a lot- don't know if that is part of the withdrawl or that I'm just so sick of being sick. Is there an end to this? Will I ever be able to sleep?
Over the years I have told my MDs my problem with codeine but they say "It should not be addictive". They keep giving me more refills. Initially if I missed a dose I would get diarrea so the MDs told me I needed it. I did get a lot of diarrea initially the first 2 weeks of tapering but none now. My regular MDs do not care. Is there some kind of professional who does?
Over the years I have told my MDs my problem with codeine but they say "It should not be addictive". They keep giving me more refills. Initially if I missed a dose I would get diarrea so the MDs told me I needed it. I did get a lot of diarrea initially the first 2 weeks of tapering but none now. My regular MDs do not care. Is there some kind of professional who does?
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