WENT TO AN ADDICTION SPECIALIST TODAY

[Madisonjsmom]

I went to an addiction specialist today.  I am 6 days clean.  He wants me to start Sub and to do an outpatient program and also two days a week one on one sessions with him.  Do I need the Sub since I am 6 days clean.  The problem is I can get clean but not stay clean for any amount of time.  He said the sub will help keep me from using.  He said he has patients that have been on it for 2 years and some that only stay on it a few months.  Please give me advice.

[needhelplease82]

I didnt read everyones posts on here but DO NOT get on the subuxone.  If you have 10 days clean its all mental at that point.  I was on methadone and went back to using heroin after completing the program.  Now Im on Subuxone.  I started at 12mg and worked my way down to 1mg.  All of those drops were tolerable but trying to go from 1 to 0 or even 1 to a 1/2mg has been a nightmare.  I havent been able to do it and dont know what to do.  Anytime I drop to 1/2 I wind up puking and feeling completely sick again.  Enough to the point where I want to use again.  If I were you I would stay FAR away from Subuxone.  Everyone pitches it as a wonder drug and it is but if you do your research (which I did too late) most people say its a lot harder to get off than methadone.  You should be looking into an opiate blocker similar to Naltrexone.  Im not sure of the addictive effects of the drug although I am not sure it has any.  Good luck.  

[worried878]

long post...maybe counseling would be enuf for u girl..that is a low dose to start sub...do what u gotta do tho...glad u r trying once again..sometimes things arent right in our lives..we quit the drugs but our lives r still not right..so we use again...take this time to get ur life straight and if u are happy with ur life..maybe u can stay clean..best of luck to u

[wannabefree330]

Regardless of what dose she was on, she has successfully quit on her own only to return back over and over.  She has had the supportive husband/family with her each and every time and STILL goes back.  I have seen many times on this site "if nothing changes, nothing changes".  How true?  No doubt the counseling and one on one will be a HUGE help, but we all remember what fog our brains were in when we were 7, 10 and even 20 days sober......not what it is months from that point.
I have quit twice CT off of opiates, and the last time had to go to detox.  Yes, I am on sub.  No it isn't a miracle drug.  If you really want to get clean, you use it as a stepping stone when you can't otherwise make that step on your own.  What it doesn't do for you is the recovery.  That is YOUR responsibility.  That is why it is important to go to groups, meetings, and counseling....figure out WHY you do what you do.  Sub does not make me high, I have NO desire to use, I don't crave....the sub OR opiates.....I don't want to get high....and I don't abuse my sub.  I am dedicated to my recovery and go to 2 meetings a week, and an aftercare once a week.  THATs where the true healing takes place.  The sub allows me to do it with a clear mind.  I didn't have to wait 72 hours to take it, and I did have some withdrawl when I started it.....but it was tolerable.  Absolutely NOTHING like going CT.  7, even 10 days is a huge accomplishment, but we all know thats just the physical part.  It seems Madisonjsmom is having difficulty once the emotional/psychological part hits her and thats when she returns.  I see no problem with taking a short course of sub to get you through that time.  Just as many on here are trying to talk her "out of" taking them, true that she may be swayed into trying it.  Regardless, it is her decision.
Just want you to know there are two sides to every coin.  But, don't go into this assuming Sub is a miracle drug  it isn't, as with any drug it has side effects and if stopped abruptly, can give you nasty withdrawl.  It won't be easy to face your demons, even with sub, but from my experience it does help.  You are doing the best thing you can, and that is talking about it, and sticking around even through the relapses.  We will support whatever decision you make.  But once you decide, commit to it 100%.

[avisg]

That is totally my concern is he is going to talk you into taking them .They will tell you all of the positives and how if you taper you will have mild wd ect ect and people with negative stories most have not done it properly.Many have been told this and found out the hard way it did not always work that way .I am very afraid between the pressure from the doctor and your family that you are going to walk out of there on them or with a script I really hope that's not what happens

[cathy5841]

i am not mtgoat..lol..but i am gonna give ya my opinion on that question anyway...of course they are going to do their best to make it look like it is the greatest thing since sliced bread.  he will try to convince you the ppl with bad experiences didnt follow the instructions for getting off the sub...thats what they do and they are good at it...kinda like a used car salesman...lol

[Madisonjsmom]

Thank you for the information...I will do some more reading tonight on the sub.  So..are you saying that if I go to the appointment to only get information about the sub and discuss it with the doctor that he could possibly talk me into taking the sub?