suboxone withdrawals? about to start detox :(

[HopesNeverLost]

hi all. i have some questions regarding suboxone... i am planning to detox starting tomorrow, so i will not do anything after about noon today so i can give my body time to start withdrawing.. I am planning to use subs, but i'm confused about those now after reading on this forum... Ive read a lot of people saying its not good to sub, and they have withdrawals sometimes worse than opiates.. is this true? Ive only heard the opposite! I was told that the subs close the opiate receptors, and imitate the oxy, kicking the w/d's until they are over, and there are no withdrawals from the subs so you can just stop taking them as soon as the other withdrawals stop? I only plan on taking the subs for 7 days, maybe up to 10 depending on how I feel.. My usual daily consumption is a minimum of 150mg to anywhere near 300mg of IR oxycodone, and oxycontin throughout the day, in doses of usually 30mg, or 60mg at a time, every 2 hours or so. I have been on these for 2 years as a result of a herniated disk in my back, severe scoliosis, and a home invasion incident where i was severely injured after being robbed and beat. i was fine on the oxy for about a year (starting at 10mg doses & only hitting 30 MAX) but after a year straight on them every single day, my insurance was cut down and when i decided to stop taking them due to finances, i could not. I was dependent on them, and got to learn all about this horrible world of addiction. I'm a typical addict, wake up hurting, think about my next line all day, if there's no foil around, i'm freaking out... It's gotten bad, Its not even for the pain anymore, Its just to feel normal. I dont even get high, I just have to use to make it through my day, as i work full time and go to school full time. Its gets kind of complicated though, because absolutely NOBODY knows about my addiction. Ive somehow managed to hide it this entire time, and if I ever was to let it out, I guarantee it would destroy my family and life - making family support not an option right now. They just wouldn't understand the addiction and probably come down on me pretty hard, and losing my fiancé is not something i'm willing to risk right now. So what do you guys recommend? I'm going to need as much advice and support as I can get, as this is by far the HARDEST thing i've ever done in my entire life. Its torn me apart, wasted over $100k on the stupid stuff, and has killed all my emotions and feelings (which i thought was a good thing).. Feel free to ask me ANY questions - as you guys are literally the first people i've ever gotten to talk to openly about. thanks for taking your time to read this. :) i'll be seeing everyone around :)

-Hope

[salsinator]

We cannot give you advice on how much you should take, but since you are not working with a doctor and only have 10 sub, my advice would be to take the least amount that you can that helps and then decrease from there.  If you start at 1 1/2, that is 12 mg, which is a pretty high dose for only a few days worth.  You can probably start a half that.  Once you get started, never increase the dose and only work down from there.  Sub is very strong and it last a long time.  Really, the best advise here is to work with a doctor experienced with sub if you can.

[HopesNeverLost]

I understand the downfalls about subs... But i only have 10 of them, and won't be able to get more so I plan on taking 1 1/2 tomorrow when the w/ds are unbearable, and going down a half every day until i only take a half and i'll split it into quarters from there. i have used subs to come off probably 10 times before, but have never made it more than a few days. The problems I have is that there is NO escape from having them around me. No matter what, unless I moved out of my house (which is absolutely not an option at all), I will always have access to 30mg oxycodones - an unlimited supply might I add. I don't want to go into details as to why, but the reality is that they are here, and always will be. Its not in my control. anyway, I hope that this time will prove to be the final detox. I am a very successful man, have lived a very luxurious lifestyle, but it will all be gone soon if I can't get control of this situation. Like I said, I spent over $100,000 on oxy just last year, before i even realized how much I was spending.. Its unfortunate in my case though, as I have a severe stomach problem, due to the lining being eroded away and the only relief I have ever found is from Oxy, so off it, regardless of if Im withdrawing or not, I am sick every day - & it's not been easy to cope with. This was an issue long before I even discovered oxy, and has been something i've lived with my entire life, so I need to stop using it as an excuse to stay on oxy, although it has given some comfort and relief, its also the denial kicking in making excuses, because we all know there is never any good from addiction to oxy regardless of the positive excuses we make up. :( This is going to be one hell of a ride, I plan on using the Flu excuse for next week... I will take off Monday (as I think it will be one of the worst days) & work Tuesday & Wednesday, And take the rest of the week off to recover, and have the weekend to sleep off the w/ds. I work as an Engineer, so working while withdrawing has proven to be almost impossible, with the amount of brainpower I am required to use every day, and the fast paced environment of my work. Luckily I caught up all my current projects, so I'm not going to be smashed by any quick deadlines and will be able to slack next week. Ive taken a lot of time to plan this out, and this is my chance to make it happen, so wish me luck, and I will keep in touch and let you all know how I'm doing. :) Thanks again for the support. Much love.

[GA Guy]

I have no doubt that you have some idea about what the detox will be like. I don't think you understand what the aftermath will be like. I took Suboxone over 8 months. Weened off successfully. Hid it all from my family, and relapsed 30 days later. Suboxone may help diminish withdrawals, but it only places the addiction into remission for however long you take it. It's like a placeholder for your addiction. If you want to do the Sub, do it the right way...go to a doctor, get honest with him and your family, get into recovery while taking it, and slowly ween off. Short term detox using Suboxone is mostly effective in people with only dependence issues or people in recovery situations like rehabs.

[HenryS354]

Follow Sal's advice!

If you do choose the sub route, do it for short term only.  Sub can be a lifesaver as it was in my case, but only for those that have exhausted all other options.

The horror stories you have read are indeed from those on long term sub use. I am on day 18 off sub, and while it wasnt a horror story for me, it certainly has not been pleasant by any means!  And here I am 18 days off of sub, and Im still having some uncomfortable wd issues.  After long term use, this stuff certainly sticks around for awhile!

I have no experience with a short term sub detox, so I cant help you there.  If you have to do this on your own, look up the COWS worksheet on the net. (Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale)  Check off your symptoms, and add the number up.  You MUST be in mild to moderate wd's before your first dose of sub, or you will be in a whole world of hurt known as Precipitated Withdrawals.

Personal experience.... the worse off your wd's are when you take your first sub, the better the chances of no Precipitated withdrawals.

Good luck,
Henry

[HopesNeverLost]

unfortunately, I have to do this on my own. I do not have a dr. right now to go to, but I'm pretty sure my insurance will cover me if I do decide to go see a doctor. I have spent hundreds of hours reading all about opiates, detoxing, etc... so I have a pretty good grasp on what I am to expect.. I've only detoxed once before, and only made it to day two before I was back on again. I am motivated this time, & with your help and some support and people to talk to finally, I believe it's actualy possible this time :) i will keep in touch, and let you know how it goes. I am going to the store this afternoon to stock up on the Hylands and amino acids/supplement needed in the health pages. Thanks again for the support, I do not think I wold ever be able to do this had I not found this site with you guys here for me.

[dominosarah]

Salsinator has given you good advice.  Sub is not a magic pill and needs to be taken under a doctors supervision along with therapy......Do your homework on this and find a good qualified doctor if this is the route you choose.  We are here to support you.....sara

[salsinator]

Hi Hopes - welcome to the forum and congratulations on your desire to stop.  Suboxone is a great medication and has it's place in addiction treatment.  Most of the horror stories that you read are people - like me - who stay on suboxone long term and then need to detox from that.  Since suboxone is a partial opiate and work on the brain just like an opaite, you do go through withdrawal if on it for long term.  If you are only planning on taking sub for 7 - 10 days, the withdrawal should be minimal to virtually nothing.  I have been on both sides - did use suboxone for a short time and stopped - and the withdrawal was pretty much nothing except maybe the runs for a few days.  I ended up going back on - not because I used, but because I felt I needed more stability.  I used suboxne for nearly 4 years and then went through a detox to get off.  Advice - work with your doctor and follow dosing instructions - be up front with him in how you are feeling and don't hesitate to ask questions.  Part of sub treatment is also therapy or other form of support like NA.  Don't blow that off -working on yourself is also a very important part of abstaining and remaining clean - no matter how the drugs got started.  Keep posting - lots here to support you.