suboxone for alcoholism?

[TJack]

I know this is the addiction forum.  I use to be here too.  I got off hydrocodones with the help of suboxone.  I was in a study with the sub and it lasted 24 days or so and was a fast taper, too fast.  i have never been so depressed in my life.  It lasted a couple of weeks and then gradually got better.  So, what did i do after that. Became an alcoholic. I have been to rehab, aa meetings, therapist.  i am now on naltraxone.  It helps but i feel very weird on it.  I am wondering if a dr. would prescribe suboxone for alcoholism?   I felt great when i was on sub.  Normal.  I didn't want to drink either when i was on it.  With this naltraxone, i do want to and do ocassionally have a couple of beers.  They don't even taste good, so i don't know why i do it.  Anyway, just wondering if anyone can tell me if it is ever prescribed for alcoholics? thanks. tJ

[medhell101_]

hi, i have taken subutex...the one without nalaxone.  The tablet, because i have severe allergys, and everytime i took a strip i would have break out in hives, so i got switched to subutex or buprenophine for opiate addiction. 8-9 years ago.  I am still on 4mg a day, and it helps me, not care about drinking.   My dad and my brother both are alcoholics, and I do not like alcohol as much as they did.  But i used to have 3-4 beers a night for years after work.  Once I got on subutex the drinking stopped to almost a 75 percent drop in my going to the liquor store after work.  I drink water instead.   It was hard the first week but subutex is a miracle if you use it correctly.

[TJack]

thanks.  i will talk to drs. office on monday.  i know when i was on the sub before i didn't want to drink at all.  Wonder why it didn't work for you that way.  thank you for your good wishes and right back at ya.  tj

[worried878]

seems like sub kinda acts as an ad for many...and the pills did and so does alcohol..i could c how it may work..having used sub i felt none of the depression i usually felt when i was oput of pills..i still wanted a drink tho..it didnt stop the drinking urge...i am not sure but i do know drinking and pills hit the same receptors...good luck to u in whatever u decide to do

[winner727]

one other thought . Ive worked w two different sub drs .the first one ,took regular urines . he would tolerate weed in the sample ,but not booze !  but this one now only took one urine ,in the start of treatment . you said you were in a study , did you get sub for free ? cause even w ins ,the script is 300 dollars a month .  but you probably know this .   good luck  .if you sign up , mabey you could make sure the dr will keep you on ,long enough , and wean you slowley !!    I personally dont think one should be on for life . also the goverment gave me a years free deliverd right to my phyc s  office . you might check that out  . cause 3 bills a month is big bucks      good luck again I would like to see you get back on , and wean much slower ,

[TJack]

When i was on sub about a year and  9 mos. ago.  I didn't want a drink either.  It didn't even appeal to me.  I felt great too.  I have a dr. to call in a city north of me, 60 miles.
so i will call them on Monday.
My friend told me there was a dr. on Dr. Phil yesterday and he told one person not to go off of it ever.  That it was like being a diabetic, you wouldn't quit taking your meds?
Wish i had seen that show.  Anyway, thank you for your reply.  Good luck to you too. tj

[Prospero73]

Bill Wilson, the founder of AA, never gave up hope that a "magic pill" would be found that would cure alcoholism.  In the meantime, the organization he founded does a pretty good job without prescriptions.  I quit drinking at age 50, 23 years ago, by just going to a LOT of meetings. A meeting is a condensed version of all 12 steps, especially #1 (every time you introduce yourself) and #12 ( your participation helps other people stay sober).  It can get boring listening to people ramble and whine, and if there's too much godliness it can get irritating to an agnostic (like me), but in the long run they can be really helpful.

[refusingbondage]

TJ - you know this is something Ive been asked in a private message a few times on this forum.  Can suboxone be used for alcoholish?  Honestly I dont know, although I dont think its approved for it.  What I can absolutely attest to is that I *never* wanted to drink while on suboxone.  I am not a big drinker but do enjoy an occassional drink a couple of times a month out with my girlfriends.. and that disappeared when I was on suboxone.  In fact, its always been our dream to go away, sit on a beautiful sandy beach and drink a tropical drink with a little umbrella (im from the city.. so to me that is the best).. anyway we did and I did not even drink my tropical drink. I just didnt want to.  And if I did drink I found my tolerance for alcohol was high.  Usually Im good on 3 beers or 3 wine coolers.. On sub 3 wine coolers had zero impact.  

I would suggest you ask Dr Junig on the Expert forum.  He would know best.  Good luck to you!

[dominosarah]

You know the saying getting clean is the easy part....staying clean is the hardest.  These addictions really suk but we are stronger than the addictions.  Keep fighting this and reaching out.  We are still here and will help you thru the good and bad.  Again it is nice to see you here!!!!!        sara

[TJack]

ps  i was on opiates for a year and a half, on and off.  i stopped them myself a couple of times on my own and thought i had the flu.  Never had a clue i was in withdrawals.
I can't take ibuprophen so was put on opiates for hip and hand pain.  Was on them for previous surgerys, 3 of them and never had a problem.  It is just kind of like it sneaks up on you and your're hooked!  tj

[TJack]

Life is good.  Not to be drunk.  I honestly hate wine now and that was my downfall.
narcotics were so much better, if that makes sense.  No one knew i was taking them and i felt fine.  i am afraid i could not go back to narotics to get on sub.  that is out.
but i will call the dr.s office and ask questions.  You two sound great.  You rock!  keep it up and keep encouraging.  That's great of you both.  tj

[winner727]

you didnt say how long you were using opiates ,I take suboxone now ,clean 4 1/2 years . you may have been weaned too quickly, seems to me ? Im no dr ,but I started w 2 eight mg   2 mgs  and just now am weaning {3 plus years } . Im down to a half a tab every morning . I used for 25 years though .I also kicked booze 16 years ago .so it can be done !  I see what your asking though ,and my pyhc talked about it being a magic bullet drug that may be used in the future ,to treat other social illness . he even mentioned it . there are many sub drs popping up ,in the norteast .who ,with the correct insurance would probably put you on it . only problem is you would need to be opiate positive which would mess up your  great sucsess w kicking opiates . try calling some drs and see what answers you get . I wish you luck . I hope you kick it all  ..   bob

[dominosarah]

I am doing well.  I am 7 yrs sober now and 1 yr clean off pills.  Keep going to meetings and find a person there that will help you thru the good and bad.  Alcohol will destroy a person in a big hurry.  I dont miss those days at all but i do understand where you are coming from.  It is tough but you are tougher.  Now the smell of it gags me.  How are you other than this??

[TJack]

Hi there and thanks for the response.  Yes i will ask the dr.  He is an hour from here and i have never seen him.  There is only one sub dr. in town, here and i got to see him only because i was in an adapt study.  he doesn't take my insurance so i will have to go north.  But, i thought i would just see if anyone had ever heard of it being given for alcoholism?  I haven't and i have my doubts.  And then i think about how hard it was to come off of that stuff and it scares me.  How are you?  Staying sober?   I hope you are doing well.  tj

[dominosarah]

Nice to see you TJack. I remember you being on here.  I am sorry to hear of your struggles with alcohol now.  It is so common to switch up addictions.  I dont know much about sub but you may want to check with the doctor.  They would be able to give you the best advice for this.  All the best......sara