question about aa & suboxone

[hmf099]

Hey everyone! I'm proud to say I'm 11 days clean. As you know, I'm using suboxone to help me with this. I attend aa and na, but usually aa (I'm cross addicted, I've been sober from alcohol over a year and a half). I don't really talk about subs much in aa because some "old-timers" are against it. My question is, when it comes time for my 30 day coin, should I accept it, or does it not count because I'm on subs?

[BlueOpiate]

Your welcome.  I'm new to the forum but not new to the hell of opiate pill addiction.  Sure, it would be much better if neither of us, or anyone for that matter, didn't take sub.  But I have given it a lot of thought and the benefits outweigh the risks for me.  Think of how many people are in jail or prison based on an opiate addiction.  Many committed crimes to feed their addictions.  Do you think some of them might not be there had they had access to sub?  Some people can kick without the help of meds and don't go to crazy when WD hits.  I saw the writing on the wall.  It would not be too far from now I would be doing things that I would never have dreamed of to get pills.  It's not me, I don't want it to be me, I had to do something to take a step back from the madness.

[hmf099]

Thanks blue, I really appreciate that. Thanks all of you. This forum has been such a big help in my recovery.

[BlueOpiate]

I'm on day 2 of subx after repeated attempts to quit the pills.  I too suffered horrible acute WD that could last up to 10 days which is not the norm.  11 days is great and I would call that clean time.  You are not getting high nor taking the sub to get high which is why we used pills in the first place.  Your intention is not to be getting high, as far as I'm concerned, it's clean time, but that's my opinion.

[North2South]

hey congrats on trying to get clean. I to used sub to get off my nasty oxycontin/codone habit. My advice to you is not to worry to much about wether or not your clean or not. Just stay focused on your goal of taking absolutely nothing. I am one those people who had a success story using the sub. Remeber your gonna have wd's no matter what,the goal is to make them as minor as possible. I wish you the best just remember there is not a big difference in symptoms on day 15 or if your on day 25. So jump off as soon as you feel comfortable and confident enough that you will stay clean. Best of luck yo ya.

[hmf099]

Oh, I forgot to mention, my sponsor and I parted ways so I'm looking to find a temporary sponsor within the next couple days.

[hmf099]

I know I eventually have to come off subs, i have no desire for long term use, I'm aware it happens and for some it helps keep them clean, but I really don't like the med, I'm just glad it helps the withdrawal. Sarah Yes, I am on a short term one month (28 day) program, I have about 2 1/2 weeks left. I may see if my dr can ween me off a bit faster though, I have side effects from the subs that I don't like. I'm also still having physical withdrawal symptoms 11 days in (insomnia, nausea, loss of appetite, lethargy, mood swings, night sweats, body aches, ect), on top of the mental stuff which is normal for me in this early part of recovery like anxiety, mood swings, slight depression, not feeling like doing anything, emotional, all that fun stuff ;). On top of that, the subs give me awful headaches, constipation, and sore mouth, so I think the sooner I'm of this the better.

I feel clean. I still have withdrawal symptoms, I still get cravings, I still use aa and and outpatient care, really the only difference for me really was the first 5 days weren't nearly as awful as previous withdrawals. I still had the symptoms, except the restless leg (and I'm very thankful for that), actually the physical symptoms have lasted much longer than before (I'm still having them) but much more mild. I think that's because my initial dose was quickly cut down because of the side effects. Whatever the reason, I still quit abusing drugs with outpatient care and some withdrawal ease from the subs. So I guess in my opinion, I have been clean while using subs as a tool in recovery. Maybe I'll feel different when I'm off the subs, but for now it's been 11 days since I've taken a single norco, from a 16-20 a day habit, and I'm VERY proud of that. When It's 30 days, I'll be off subs, so I guess I can decide better then if I'm "really" 30 days clean or not. Thanks for all the answers, I really appreciate all of them!

[dominosarah]

This is something only you can answer.  As IBK said, talk with your sponsor.

Are you on a short term plan with the Sub?

[BrotherFrankie]

im one of the old school guys.. sub and methadone does not make you "clean". While I am not against them as a short term tool towards changing a lifestyle of addiction, it is still a dependence (some may say addiction).

depends on a persons definition of sobriety.

I have argued on adiicts behalf when after a surgery they used a pain med and the old timers said they need a white chip that they picked up.. I do not agree to that. They were prescribed a medication for short term pain controll and took it as prescribed.

Its between you and your higher power. What do you hear in your heart? Truthfully..

subs are harder to jump off than the pills we used to take. Eventually you WILL have to get off them.. can you picture yourself in a nursing home later in life having to still be on sub's?




Be blessed
U r loved

[IBKleen]

I don't know that this is something that anyone could answer for you. YOU have to decide if you are clean or not. I used Suboxone to come off of pain pills some years ago. I did not start counting my clean time until the first day I did not pop a pill of any kind. Again, that is just me.

Do you have a sponsor? If so, this is a great discussion for them.

In any case, best of luck to you. Glad to see you are working a program!