Suboxone Treatment is Trading One Addiction for Another
At least, that’s what a lot of people say, right? Stop shooting dope or taking prescription painkillers and start taking methadone or Suboxone as a form of maintenance and people still shake their heads at you like you’re doing something wrong. We talked the other day about stereotypes of opiate addicts. It comes from those in the medical profession, people in government who make laws regulating opiate prescriptions and opiate addiction treatment, the average guy on the street.
But unfortunately, these bad attitudes toward opiate addicts and opiate addiction are not necessarily restricted to those who have never been strung out before. Even within the recovery community, some look down on people who undergo opiate detox as part of a long-term maintenance program. What’s that all about?
Why Are Opiate Addicts So Judgmental?
There seems to be this attitude among those who managed to get clean after a short detox and without methadone or Suboxone that that’s the only way it can be done. Or that if one thing worked for them, then nothing will work for anyone else. Some 12 step groups, for example, are notorious for telling people who are on methadone or Suboxone that they’re not clean and sober. What’s the point of this? Does it serve anyone to denigrate the detox choices of others?
What’s the Alternative to Methadone Maintenance and Suboxone Treatment?
These people who tell you that you’re not clean when you’re on either of these medications have a very definite idea of what you ‘should’ be doing. They would recommend that you do a short detox, either cold turkey or under medical supervision with a constant tapering off of any opiate medication you’re prescribed to keep the withdrawal symptoms at bay. After that, if you get cravings, you’re supposed to ‘tough it out.’ Go to meetings. Call your sober friends. Work the steps. Not that any of these things are bad ideas. In fact, they’re all great ideas. But there’s no reason why you can’t do those in addition to taking your methadone or Suboxone prescription if it’s keeping you from getting loaded.
Why Suboxone and Methadone are Legitimate Forms of Opiate Detox
When you’re on maintenance, you can choose to be at a blocking dose of methadone and on Suboxone, one of the nice characteristics of the drug is that it won’t let you get high off other opiates. So if you’re feeling like getting loaded, you know that it would be a waste of time and money because you won’t feel it anyway. Do you know that one of the biggest risks of overdose is getting high after a period of sobriety? People take too much without realizing how low their tolerance has gotten and end up with severe respiratory depression, having a seizure, ending up in a coma or dead. There are a number of reasons why maintenance programs are a good idea when you feel more comfortable, but to me, that’s the most important. If you’re dead, what constitutes clean and sober isn’t much of an issue, is it?
What do you say to people who tell you that you should get off methadone or Suboxone? How do you deal with the prejudice you face from other addicts in recovery?
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August 14th, 2008 at 9:28 am
I was addicted to Methodone and other forms of opiates. When I detoxed my doctor put me on Suboxone. It was a life saver. Not only does it control the withdrawal symptoms, it also subdues the chemicals in your brain that make you want to use. I have been clean for 137 days now, because of Suboxone treatment integrated into regular groups and individual therapy.
My boyfriend though, insists that I am not sober because I take Suboxone. I had a really hard time with that and told my doctor. He said, “Addiction is a disease. Doctors treat people with diseases. We wouldn’t tell someone with Diabetes to ‘tough it up’ because we have medication that can treat their problem. Addiction is not a moral failing, it is a pysical AND mental problem.”
August 14th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Today is my first day taking Suboxone. I hope this will help some of your questions since I was terrified changing over to Meth to Suboxone thinking that I would go into major withdrawals from not waiting long enough. So I will tell you a little about me and my first day experience.
I am 34 male 5’10” 180. I was taking 13mgs daily of methadone for the last three months. I started Methadone 3 years ago at 80mg and began slowly weaning for the last year to the present, 13 mg. Before Meth I started using opiates for 3 years first Hydro that led to Oxy that eventually led to intravenous Heroin use of $100-150 a day. My last dose of Methadone was on Tuesday at 8:00AM. I waited 53 hours (Thursday 1 PM) to take the 2mg Suboxone tab. I took it and paced my home waiting to feel the effects of either major withdraws or relief from the moderate withdrawals I was already in. 20 mins. went by and nothing really, 30min I’m starting to feel better, maybe a little. After 45 mins I felt…. FINE, NORMAL! PRETTY GOOD ACTUALLY! More importantly no perceptive withdrawals thank god. Its giving me no euphoric effects (I don’t feel high and lazy!). So far so good, and its 5:40PM. Tomorrow I plan to take ½ of a tab (1mg) since it has a 36 hour half life. Then the day after that I plan to take a whole and see how that works then so on and so on. (this is how my Dr prescribed it) The plan is to wean off of it in the next 1 to 2 months. I will let you know how it goes from here. Feel free to email me with questions I would be more than happy to discuss, anchorsteam@live.com. I’m so grateful not having to go to the DISGUSTING METHADONE CLINIC! Good luck to all!
August 15th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Angie, your boyfriend, though of course entitled to his opinion, is wrong to give you anything but encouragement as you undergo your detox. You are doing the right thing. You are taking care of yourself. Your doctor’s definition of addiction and recovery is exactly right. And you don’t have to be on Suboxone forever. It’s a treatment, not a cure. In the meantime, ignore your boyfriend and anyone else who is anything less than supportive of your very brave choice.
Jeff, congratulations on a successful first day! Definitely let us know how it goes for you. I’m very interested to hear how you feel as the days pass and you slowly wean off your Suboxone detox. Thanks, Jeff!
August 17th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Drug rehabilitation centers were created which focus on the distinct pressures facing opiate addiction treatment.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
help..suboxone saved me as part of my now,3yr.recovery from a 35yr.active addiction.But am petrified to come off–Been on 16mg.daily for 3 years.My Doc isn’t worried,but I AM!!I want to start weaning before I’m TOLD to…Thats the nature of the beast/paranoia-after being treated w/zero respect by medical field for so long….Long b/4subox. HELP!!!
August 19th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Hello all. I have been using Suboxone for about a year. It does work great for what it was made to do, keeping you from experiencing the symptoms of withdrawal. The only problem I have found is that after slowly weaning down to 2mg daily, if I stop I experience full blown heavy withdrawal. The withdrawal is no easier once I stop taking suboxone. So, it is just a tool to use to work up to the point of just stopping. Either way, I will not escape feeling absolutely horrible for 7 days or more when I finally decide to stop the suboxone. What would be more beneficial is for someone to help ease the actual withdrawals. Suboxone does not do this. Maybe something like mild tranquilizers to stop the endless restless legs at night? I don’t believe that suboxone alone is the answer, but that’s my opinion of course. Good luck to all, this is not an easy thing to do and it takes a lot of guts to go through it.
August 20th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
suboxone is a life savor it has helped me to stay clean from herion for 6 months as i sit hear and type this i am going thro withdrawls beacuse i ran out of suboxone that is when my head starts running and the sweats and nervousness doesnt help much i am in class and going to get SOMETHING asap suboxone helped me get through a drug program i will be done in 4months im in drug court stay off the herion!!!
August 20th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
I am on Methadone, I been in Recovery since last August of this year. I have had alot of people say you are not clean, if your on Methadone. I am clean and Sober. You don’t get high on Methadone, do they understand that? I don’t know how to explain it to them. But I also suffer with Chronic Pain daily, I have been prescribed Hydrocondone for the pain. I take them only when I am in severe pain. When I’m in medium pain I take Ibruprophen 800’s. I can and will not get addicted to the pain killers. I guess there’s a possibility? But, I am screened and UA from my Clinic for Treatment and the doctors office. I have had alot of people say then your not clean, but I take them as prescribed only. I eventually will reduce my dose of Methadone, and lower and lower until I can get off the medication. I use the meds for knee pain, from Arthritis. If anyone thinks I am not clean I beg to differ. Later, Debrinconcita.
August 21st, 2008 at 12:50 am
Joanna, I know what you mean: you want to be in control of the situation because, at the moment, it’s your body’s dependence that has the upper hand. Talk to your doctor. See what he or she has to say about coming down, even if slowly. Slower is better anyway. Staying clean by any means necessary is the goal. Good luck! Tell us what you decide.
Mike, thanks for sharing your story. You’re right. This is so hard. It seems like everyone reacts differently to the process. There are a couple of over the counter meds for restless legs. Have you tried those? What about hot water bottles or heating pads? Sometimes the only thing that works for me is to get out of bed and stretch. None of it is fun or easy, but those freakin’ restless legs when you’re sooo tired and want nothing more than sleep is infuriating!
Drew, how are you feeling? Still staying clean?
Debroncita, I know, right?! It’s impossible to explain it to somehow who hasn’t been through it. As long as you’re honest with yourself and do your best to stay objective and keep people around you who will help you stay on track. Sounds like you’re doing that. You know yourself. Who cares what everyone else says!
August 21st, 2008 at 1:04 pm
I was happy to find, again, that there is a “blocking” dose with Methadone. I was at a Methadone Clinic for almost 7 years and was tossed out after the new doctor that they hired implemented her NEW rules. She claimed there was no such thing as a “blocking” dose with Methadone. And she also forbid me to have any pain meds before, during, or after an inguinal hernia surgery. Needless to say, the pain was so intense it sent me right back out seeking relief in heroin. I hung in there, even after the incision became infected. I couldn’t sleep and wasn’t healing properly because I could not sleep or eat from the pain. Even she is ignorant about when it comes to treating addiction with Methadone.
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Yeah, Merrill, that blocking dose can be a lifesaver. Even if you don’t put it to the test physically, it’s often enough mentally just to know that it’s there. That doctor sounds like a nightmare. They did you a favor kicking you off the clinic, it sounds like. I hope you’ve found a new one with a more open minded staff. Or if you like, we can have someone from Meditox call you to see if Suboxone is right for you. Just let me know!
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:21 pm
I was put in contact with a doctor 3 days after I left the methadone clinic and he started me on Suboxone but it just didn’t seem to work for me. I was in terrible withdrawl from the methadone for about 3 1/2 weeks and kept telling the doctor but he was very slow at raising my dose. I eventually started using again till now. This is day 5 for me now and I feel pretty good. A friend gave me enough Suboxone to kick with, it is GREAT for kicking heroin. Day one wasn’t the best day, I took 16mg, but I got by and was able to sleep at night, tossing - but I slept. 2nd day I took 8mg, 3rd 4mg, 4th day 4mg, today 2mg. Tomorrow I hope none with an NA meeting. I’m going to do something I’ve never done before and that’s raise my hand and ask for some help. The feeling that Suboxone gives you is totally different from Methadone. It doesn’t dull your senses like Methadone does. It makes things almost to real, if that makes sense.
August 23rd, 2008 at 8:16 am
Hey everybody,
My name is Gemma and I’m 22 years old.
I been addicted to Heroin for 7 months I never knew when I started using that opiates was so addictive.I was very naive and stupid thinking I could do the “weekend warrior” thing before I knew it I had a habit.
I decided to get clean when I was no longer getting high and all I did was trying not to get ’sick’ I couldn’t get my veins anymore they where all collapsed from missing. I knew my tolerance wasn’t that high.
So I started taking methadone 15mg daily in April this year and in July this year I got off the methadone against doctors advice because I wanted to be fully clean and sober. I’m from Europe but I live in the states and my family back home thought that methadone treatment is the same as using heroin and my boyfriend said the same thing to me.
When I stopped using methadone I was taking 5mg daily I got sick having cramps, chills and restlessness for about 6 days.
After that physically i was feeling great.
Also I never used a support group Na or anything (I strongly recommend that you do) I thought I didn’t need any support and that because of my short term use of heroin I wasn’t like other addicts.
But what I didn’t know was how quick I was having cravings for heroin again slowly I started thinking about getting high every day.
I still ignored my cravings and tried to keep busy working etc to not think about it so much and 2 months went by and in August I had my 5 months that i been clean.
Then 2 weeks ago my boyfriend and I broke up and I did not want to deal with my feelings at all.
I bought a couple of percocet and took them for a couple of days then I got scared and stopped I did not want to get dependent on an opiate again. That’s the hard thing with New York city for me that drugs are always in your face at parties etc.
Then another week went by and was offered heroin at a party and just like that I snorted it forgetting how hard I been working with myself to stay clean.
I started shooting heroin once a day at nighttime for 7 days in a row.
And then yesterday ran out of heroin and I stopped using thinking i would not get sick because its just been 1 week.
And here I am laying in bed been dope sick all night until an hour ago when I looked through my old meds and I found a bottle of suboxone that was prescribed to me in march that i never used.
I took half of a pill 8mg 2mg tablet R-B.
And I took it after not using heroin for exactly 24hours.
I remember the doctor telling me to take half of the pill and then the other half 4 hours later.
I feel better an hour later after taking it but my question is after just using opiates again for a week do I really need it with my tolerance being so low?
Does N8 mean 8mg?
and also is 8mg to much daily?
I got a buzz from half of the suboxone I just took.
I really think i need to be treatment to stay off the heroin because when I’m not taking any medication the cravings are to hard for me to resist and I agree that addiction is a disease and that those ppl who say that you are not clean if you are in treatment with medication are fully wrong.
From my own experience I totally recommend to stay on your suboxone/methadone until your doctor think your ready to get off it.
Also its a very long and hard process getting clean and staying clean. You dont want to loose all that hard work like I did just because people are telling you that you are not fully clean and sober.I hope my story will help some people understand that its not just going “cold turkey” and then the problem goes away as an addict you need to have professional help and a plan that fits you and your needs for recovery that will help you stay clean and sober and not go back to using drugs.
Just my thoughts
Good luck to everybody!
August 24th, 2008 at 11:51 am
My son has been addicted for the past year to year and a half on pain pills and prescribed Zanex. He is now being treated in a suboxone clinic. They say it should take him 18 to 24 months before he can be off the suboxone. He has been doing it for 4 months now and is on 4 pills a day. He says he only takes 3/day. Doesn’t it seem like a long time to keep someone on this drug when he had such a short time drug abuse?
August 24th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
First off I am 21 years old. I have been trying to get off of vicodin and norco’s for the past 3 months. I was taking around 40 a day for the past 3 years. i went into a detox where they slowly weaned me off of them. I have had a few relapses but recently I have been clean for a month and am not on any maintenance program. Though I want to be. I have cravings every day and I dont want to relapse again but I also have a family who thinks that its just replacing one thing for another. I feel very lethargic and depressed most of the time. Would suboxone help with that or should I just keep trying to stay clean on my own without any help?? Honestly I dont think I can stay clean for much longer.
August 27th, 2008 at 2:57 am
It’s great to see young people realizing early on that they have a problem and doing something about it. (Alica) White knuckling it seems to never work all by itself but maybe with some kind of support group you can do it. I said before in another post that I believe that Methadone, possibly even suboxone, should be the very last resort because both are highly additive. 1000 times more then any pain pill. If you think you’ve had withdrawls from your pills, wait till you meet the ones from the other. They are horrible and VERY long lasting, even after tapering down on them. Try any means possible before going on a maintenance program. I am 52 and have been a Heroin addict for the majority of my life and have tried everyway I could ever think of to stay stopped but have never succeded. I kicked Methadone a few times and its not nice. But I am just one of those that truely need a maintenance program to have any chance of having some kind of life. I really applaud all of you young people doing it now. Whatever you do, do not take this diesese lightly because it will destroy you. I am one of the last of my old crowd to still be alive, I’ve seen addiction kill them all in one way or the other. Also there is no magic pill to cure our addiction. Even with Methadone or Suboxone we NEED counseling, meetings, and support to help us get to the root of our addiction. And even then it’s a tough road!!!
August 27th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I applaud everyone who’s trying to get off of any form of addiction. Don’t let anyone tell you what your doing is wrong? Iv’e had so many people putting me down for being on Methadone. I need it to stay off Heroin, until I’m strong enough to do it on my own. Then I will have Recovery support systems setup to cope with my past addiction. I never could have stayed clean without the Methadone’s help. I am hearing alot of good things about Suboxene. I wish I would have known about it before I started my Methadone treatment. I think it sounds more easier to wean off than Methadone. Iv’e seen alot of people who been on Methadone for most of there lives. I certainly don’t want to be one of them? I need to find the easiest way to treat my addiction? I hope everyone stay’s doing good on whatever you choose to help you in your addiction process. Methadone, Suboxene, of pill forms of meds, whatever fits your addiction process. I know what I’ve been doing has worked for me so far. I’ve been clean for almost a year now from Heroin addiction. I hope everyone stays clean and sober, anyway you can, that’s all that matters! Later, Debrinconcita.
August 27th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Merrill - How did it go raising your hand at the NA meeting?
Gemma - Thanks for sharing your story. I’m sure the person who needs to read it will find it.
Tammy - If he still needs it and doesn’t feel ready to face addiction without the support of medication, then it’s not too long. Unfortunately, there is no standard for how long one should be on Suboxone or methadone since everyone’s needs are different. You don’t find out until you stop taking it, and for many, it’s just not worth the risk if you’re doing well with the maintenance medication.
Alicia - First, congratulations on getting your drug addiction under control. Second, there is no need to go it alone if you don’t have to. If you feel like you need help, don’t be afraid to ask for it. The ultimate goal - a drug-free life - is too important. I agree with Merrill: get whatever help you need to stay clean.
Hi, Debrinconcita! Happy almost-one-year birthday!
August 28th, 2008 at 12:08 am
Well, well, well. Its been long enough for me. Ive read every pamphlet, Suboxone string, every article on Addiction and Suboxone treatments and ITS addiction, every post out there, related to each one of them and figured its time to now share MY story. Its not much different then most of yours. Except I hid my problem from EVERYONE except the person/people I was buying them from (i.e Doctors and the Devils workers in disguise-Dealers).
I am 32 years old, I am a single mother, and I knew before I Came out about this problem I had a great man in my life, but he confirmed it by how wonderful he reacted when I told him. I mean, Geez. Our entire relationship, ENTIRE RELATIONSHIP, I was high.
At my worst, about 2 weeks ago, I was popping and snorting up to 25 30mg Oxycontin/day (when the 80MGs were in town it was happy days). Lamints terms? I was taking equivilant to approx 70 10mg percocets/day on a GOOD day for over 1 year. for 4 years prior to that maybe only 40 of them so im DEFINITLY a statistic; i had to increase the dose to feel good. NOT good, right?
Well, Im on day 2 of Suboxone after a 2 day regiment of taking 2mg incriments until the right dosage was determined (2 8mg pills a day and from what Im reading thats not so bad after what I was doing). I wont lie however, I did stress my concerns of the addiction to Suboxone, or shall I call it concerns of WD from Suboxone to my Doctor. (I dont understand why no one will admit to the fact that Suboxone is addicting. All I keep reading about are the WD symptoms. Well, I feel good; not Euphoric good as much as just NORMAL good. That NORMAL feeling, after not having it for so long, can be pretty darn addicting, NO?) Now dont get me wrong, this Doctor I found is by far the best Doctor Ive ever seen and believe me, Ive seen so many I lost count, but I fear his plan for me is indefinite (call me crazy but when he SAID indefinite I got the impression he meant forever. So, if anyone is in the Central Jersey area and is looking for a good doctor let me know
(and I mean a doctor who can hekp you determine the right dosage of Suboxone and has the best bedside mnanor Ive ever seen. He called me the first noght on the meds at 10pm from his home to see how I was doing. HOw many Docs do THAT)
I wont lie, I am fearful of addiction to this Suboxone. HOWEVER, to whom ever else is as well, lets not forget. We are under strict supervision of a Doctor. Would a Doctor REALLY risk losing his/her license on perscribing a highly controlled substance to a “substance abuser” risking us abusing this drug too? I believe if you have the right EDUCATED doctor, He/She will perscribe it properly and tapper you off when its the right time (please never doubt that only YOU know when its right; not your doctor and not your family/friends; YOU)
Did you all know that Doctors can only treat up to 100 patients at one time for this problem and in order to treat our desease they have to pay for and take a course to get certified? So, lets not forget. These doctors, IM SURE, presented the same questions WE are presenting, to themselves. Only the sure, confident Doctors that believe they can help, not harm, took the course, completed it and continues to be available to us making it possible to kick this damn habit GOD BLESS THEM. WE SHOULD ALL LAY OUR HEADS DOWN FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND THATNK GOD THERE ARE DOCTORS OUT THERE THAT ARE DOING THIS FOR US IF ITS ALL CRACKED UP TO BE THE HYPE. I say IF BC I just started. Dunno WHAT my experience will be until i go thru it. Ill keep you all posted if interested. Im a bit harsh. People eiother love me or hate me. Its all in good fun thou. I hae to joke or id just be depressed 24 hours. O AND INSOMNIA OCCURS IN 14% OF PEOPLE TAKING SUBOXONE. GUESS WHO FALLS IN THAT 14%-just see the time this was posted- OYE!
(desease, sorry. I have to keep reminding myself its a desease, not some dirty habit).
I cant possibly be the only one out there that drained family and friends of money to buy the pills, hurt others, lied to others just to get them etc? I cant be the only one out there in denial its a desease and CHOOSE to call it a habit as self punishment for all the pain and hurt we inflicted on others. I cant possibly be the only person out there that wished at SOME point they were dead from this hell but then brings themselves back to reality, looks at their son (or loved ones) and keeps pushing forward, never looking back, only to blame ourselves. I guess Im not or else Id be writing to myself.
Well, I guess I just felt it was time to share, vent and get feedback on what I had to say. Please forgive ANY negativity in my tone. Make no mistake, I am very happy feeling normal for the first time in 5 years without having to thank Percoceet, Hydro or Oxy’s for it. My negativity is soley from everyones post here and everywhere else about these damn Suboxone and ITS WD symptoms and then reading the complete opposite on other posts and sites. This darn drug is to new to have so mych contradiction BUT its out there, scaring many of us. Did I screw myself with this? Should I just say “F” it and stop taking them right now? (O, ITALIAN NEW YORKER. I have a trash mouth, sorry if I offend. and YES, I talk with my hands so Id be a mute if i lost 1 or both hands) just thought Id throw in a joke to brighten up my gloomy post. Please dont hold back. I want to hear the truth even if it hurts i mean can I possibly be alone in some things I said or feel? Well, opinionate away.
Believe this, I love you all bc we are all in this together. Good Nite (well for you guys, Ill be up. THANKS SUBOXONE) LOL. small price to pay i guess. Bye
August 28th, 2008 at 2:35 am
I never made it to that meeting I was planning on going to. I was feeling pretty bad so I’m putting it off till this Saturday, it’s an NA meeting close to home. I’m also psyching myself up to go back down to the Methadone clinic on Tuesday to sign up, I think it’s a good move!!!
August 28th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Merrill-I disagree w/putting suboxone as a last resort..I’ve been on it for over 2yrs. after a 30yr.heroin,percodan etc habit.I have women in my support group through NA who “only” used pain pills for a relatively short period of time(months vs.years)-and could not stay clean until they tried the suboxone.I don’t think it matters how long one’s addiction has been.We all end up in thesame place it seems,right?(As inHELL!!)Try the suboxone-its worth it to stay away from the H,&other opiate pills-even just to stay away from the lifestyle,and other usung addicts.I’m praying for you.Best of luck.YOU CAN DO IT!!!!
August 28th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
whoops-got names mixed up-message directed to Gemma-but am praying for all of us addicts!Its unreal having people to talk to,who truly understand-after so many years of feeling completely alone.
August 28th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Alicia-Are you ok??If you want you can email me privately at joannagrimm@att.net-Be glad to offer whatever support I can.
August 28th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Doesn anybody have any suboxone success stories they can share ? How they came off ? Were the withdrawals bad ? I have never taken more than 2 MG a day. I am currently taking between 1 - 2 mg a day and I want off. I am scared because of all the stories I have read. Any help out there ??
Thank You
August 28th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
I was addicted to opiates for 17 years, I sought treatment when I was at my lowest and disgusted with the opiates controlling my life. After years of chasing the rabbit and thousands of dollars I tried Suboxone and got immediate relief. This is a wonder drug. I was clean for a full year when an accident resulted in surgery and yes….Opiates for pain management. Once again I was hooked. When the pain was tolerable I was out looking for all my old connections. I did this for about a week and saw where I was headed. I went to another addiction specialist and got back on Suboxone. I again got immediate relief and my self respect is once again coming back. This medication is a God send. People that sit with a cigarette and an alcoholic drink think they do not have an addiction problem. They are so wrong. Addiction is a disease that hits many many people in all walks of life…Even hypocrits.
August 29th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Joanna - Sorry I mis-spoke when I said that about Suboxone because I really do not have enough experience with it to pass judgement. And you are right, an opiate addiction no matter what it is, pills, Heroin, Moriphine, or whatever does eventually lead us all to the same place - our own living Hell. Personally, I did not like the way Suboxone made me feel though. After awhile my body felt good, but mentally I felt like there was something missing. Could be because I was on Methadone for so long and Methadone seems to dull my senses or something and Suboxone doesn’t do that to me. Like everything was extremely bright, alive, and I was able to feel emotions and I couldn’t handle that. I felt anxiety, kind of lost. That’s about the only way I can explain it. There’s no doubt though that it works great for others!!! THANKS!!!
August 29th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
I forgot to add - Peter: I have a lady friend that was on 24mg (3 8mg pills a day) for around 1 1/2 years and she walked off at that dose. She told me that she felt uncomfortable for awhile but didn’t go through any heavy withdrawls. I think it all depends on the individual, a persons metabolizism, health, tolerance, and so on. 1 to 2mg a day doesn’t SEEM like a high dose but you’ll never know how it’s going to effect you until you do it. If you really want off of Suboxone, then give it a try. I would suggest to prepare yourself and pick a day to do it. if you start getting to uncomfortable you can always stop it. Then maybe, try tapering it down as slowly as you can. Get a pill cutter and do 1/2mg for awhile, then a 1/4mg - if they’ll cut that small.
August 31st, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Merrill , She was on 24 mg a day and just stopped ??? I am reading horror stories on people who supposidly have tried to stop and can not. I am so afraid that I am going to be stuck on this crap forever.
Thank You for your reply
September 3rd, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Hi, my boyfriend and I have been on Suboxone for about two weeks now. I am doing well, I started on 8mg, and I am down to taking a quarter of a pill maybe once a day, sometimes I’ll go almost two days without anything…
My boyfriend on the other hand, is not doing so well. He will be feeling great and only taking a quarter like me…and then…yesterday and today he couldn’t even go to work because he feels so bad. He has restless body and sweats.
So my question is, why would he be feeling so bad after two weeks of being on the drug? He hasn’t been on anything except Suboxone… is it just some good days, some bad days, or is something wrong? He has probably taken 3 whole Suboxone today and it just doesn’t work. Help!
September 6th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Hi everyone. I have been on methadone for the last year and have been on Suboxone once in that period of time. I started taking methadone to help with an opiate addiction I suffered from. After a period of sobriety I decided it was time to get off of methadone and checked my self into a state assisted program. After 7 days of nto taking any methadone I was released and they placed me on suboxone.
I have to say that keepeing and maintaining an open and honest relationship with your doctor is a key element to the suboxone protocol , I am again on methadone and again looking at how and when will I find the time to try and get off of methadone again. I wasn’t using any illegal substances at the time of the suboxone treatment , just poor communication on both of our parts. Make sure that the dose you are prescribed works for you , for as trying to adjust your intake of suboxone is a very critical yet difficult task. Only YOU know what works for your body.
September 8th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
I AM AT 30 MG OF METHADONE , STRONGLY CONSIDERING , I’VE EVEN MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A WEEK FROM TODAY TO CHANGE OVER TO SUBOXONE. AFTER READING ALL THESE BLOGS I’M REALLY SCARED AND CONFUSED. I NEVER DID MUCH MORE THAN VICODAN, AM I SCREWED FOR LIFE? I WANT TO BE OFF OF OPIATES ALL TOGETHER! ANY ADVICE FOR A SHORT RUN ON SUBOXONE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED! I HEARD LESS IS MORE WITH SUBOXONE AND THAT YOU COULD GET OFF OF IT. HOW LONG IS TOO LONG?
WORRIED
September 11th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Andrea-Reading all the above posts, reading yours is like reading my diary. I, too, have never posted my story and have been addicted since July 29, 2006 (yes I remember the exact date drugs changed my life). I am 25 and for the last year I ended up doing around 8 80mg oxycontins (or the equivalent) on the weekends to get high and about half that during the week just to maintain. I have spent over $30,000 since March of this year. I have been on one 8mg Suboxone three times a day for about two weeks now and no definite time frame set for my recovery. My doctor told me that I will be allowed to determine my recovery time because i would never be able to stop on someone elses terms. Everything is going great so far…and I hope it is for you as well. Thank you, and everyone else, for your posts. Good luck and God bless you all.
September 17th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Judyth, I am only experienced with Methadone. I really could’nt tell you about the effects of Suboxene. Some things I heard were good some were bad? I really don’t know what to do either. I was going to switch over from Methadone to Suboxene myself recently, but then some horror stories I heard were not worth the risk. Some people try it and it works for them. But, I am also undecided. If you try it and it works out good for you, please let me know on the blog on this website Okay? I would really appreciate some feedback from you or anyone else who’s been on Methadone and switched to Suboxen. Also is it covered by Medicare of other State run Health Insurance programs. Or do you have to pay cash? Please let me know? Later, Debrinconcita in Oregon.
September 19th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
well, I am a 22 year old male and I have been using opiates for about 3 years now. It started off innocent and fun like most people. I would take 2x 7.5mg vics here and there. I didn’t think about them or crave them, they were just something to enhance the mood whenever I went out to eat or to the movies. It stayed like this for about 2 years, but the innocence ended about 6-7 months ago, when my girlfriend broke up with me
My girlfriend of 2+ years broke up with me. She was my best friend before our relationship so the pain is worse than just losing a girlfriend. I have known her for about 7 years, maybe a little longer and I love her to death, both as a lover and as my best friend. Not seeing her ever again just wasn’t working out so I started to take the pills even more heavily. It went from mood “enhancement” to mood “stabilization” because I just could not be HAPPY without her or the drugs.
So ever since that happened, I moved onto oxycontin. I snort about 80-160mgs a day. It wasn’t every day though, because I was taking suboxone to fill in the days when I couldn’t get any pills. Now, I’m on suboxone for real, but my doctor is no help. I walked in, talked to him for LESS THAN 5 MINUTES and he wrote me a script. He has a “36 week plan” for me or some crap like that. He’s just in this for the money. Suboxone = $$$ for doctors, they aren’t all trying to “help us”.
Besides that, I do fine on 2mg a day. I snort my suboxone, which makes it work better, but it keeps me in the habit of my drug “behaviors”. I still do oxy 2 days every 2 weeks (pay day). Even on suboxone, I still want drugs. I am just so depressed all the time since my loss, I feel like nothing will ever change my mind.
I feel like I will just never be happy again.
Well I’m not sure what the point of my story was really….just venting. I’m going to try and use sub the way I’m supposed to (not snorting it) and try to stay away from oxy for a few months, then tapper myself down to tiny tiny bits, then I’ll go head first into WD and see how hard they are.
From the horror stories I read about suboxone WD…it makes me want to stay on it for the rest of my life…which scares me also, but in a different way lol.
Stay safe and healthy guys. Maybe I’ll update in a few months!
September 19th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Oh btw, what I meant by “Im on suboxone for real” is that I was buying it off the street to fill in the days I couldnt get pills.
Also, it’s only been the passed 2-3 months that I felt withdrawals, before that I could go days without anything.
It feels like a “switch” was flipped and BOOM out of nowhere I was addicted. It happened so recently and suddenly.
September 20th, 2008 at 3:40 am
I myself had a 9yr heroin addiction. Shoot heroin anywhere from a dime a day to a gram. I have been clean for 6yrs now. It was not easy and still to this day I have trouble sometimes. I have alot of will power and fight it whenever an issue arises. Personally I myself I do not believe in Methadone. When I took Methadone and most people I know who take Methadone still use heroin just alot more of it to get high. Its because of this reason I do not like Methadone. I however am in favor of Suboxone ad wish they had it when I was getting clean. It took me a few prison trips and loosing my son for a year to the state before I finally was like no more. I can suy that I know hundreds of peole who are on heroin lots of them have died, many have lost there kids or do not really care about them and there familys just getting high, and lots of more friends who are doing life in prison. Even though I do not like Methadone I am in favor of it for those who do take it appropriately. I am most definitely in favor of Suboxone. In my opion it would be really cool if people could kick heroin cold turkey like me and stay off it like I have but in reality the chances of that are very unrealistic. As I said before I know hundreds of people addicted to heroin and I am the only one has managed to pull it off the way I have. My stubborness and will power can get me in trouble alot of times but it has also saved my life and given my children a mother they need and can be proud of. My husband is one of those other people. He has not been in my life or the childrens for four years. Right now he is here in my room on my bed kicking a gram and half a day habit. Im trying very hard to get him on the suboxone program. Trouble is were going through a low income detox and we were late yesterday because we I live 2 hrs away from the place and a long train decide to show up so he lost his bed. I hope to god he gets a bed today. Even if he makes through the physical withdrawl he will be back out there using the next day if he doesnt have some kind of maintence. I am thankful there is Suboxone and yes even though I dont like it Methadone. For all of you who cannot make it the way I have stick with the Methadone and Suboxone they might be the only things to save your life and do not pay any attention to what everyone else says who most likely have no clue what they are talking about.
October 10th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Thanks to everyone who takes the time to post in all the millions of these forums. I got a lot from reading through it, even having been through recovery and the programs of NA and AA for a good portion of my adulthood.
Im 24, struggling with opiate addiction since i was about 19. I’ve been through a couple medical detox’s, as well as maintenence treatment programs. I know the only way for me to do it is a quick detox, with suboxone or subutex.
3 days of suboxone use followed by up to 2 more days depending on how i feel.
The worse relapses i’ve had were after long maintenence treatments. But again, that is me. The best success i’ve had was 10 months of no drug use following a 4 day quick detox.
I just went through YET ANOTHER detox beginning of september. 4 days following treatment (9 days since last heroin injection) a decided to get high one time, 20 bag is the smallest i can get. My tolerance was down so much it kept me REALLY high for over 3 days, followed by withdrawals about half as bad as when i went into the detox.
I also suffer from back pain, but it seems like once i get sober for about 30-60 days, just me being active again strengthens it and ALL of the pain goes away. I really cant stand the back pain and the insomnia those first 45 days or so….
Well i acquired enough suboxone to detox myself, i waited 24 hours, or until 4 a.m. this morning, took 2mg, and then 2mg at 6. I feel really good i know this feeling wont last after i quit taking them as the back pain will return, i feel none of it now though, i feel alive!
This drug is a miracle in my eyes for a quick detox as it doesn’t build the same tolerance or prolong the withdrawal effects from heroin. I know the longer i’m taking opiates, the longer i will be dealing with back pain. I’m fucking done this time!!!! I want to be free again!!!!!
October 10th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
is there any relief to the restless leg syndrome. it gets so bad i smoke bud before bed to try and help me sleep but all that does is meke me groggy the next morning.
October 13th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Really, jman? Smoking weed helps relieve twitchy legs? I had the opposite experience back in my using days: it always caused strange (highly annoying) muscle twitches and jerks. There’s this over the counter medication that’s devoted just to restless leg syndrome. Has anyone tried it?
October 13th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Hey Jman, have you ever thought of seeking a doctors help for your restless leg syndrome? I had the same problems, and I also have been addicted to Heroin for the last 15 years. If I can get help, from a doctor, and have, you can also. Just don’t tell them your an addict, whatever you do! If you do, you might not get the help you need. Also the same thing as Jman, I suggest Justin do the same. Anything that helps is good for us all. I hope any of my suggestions help either of you two guy out. Later, Debrinconcita in Portland, Oregon.
October 26th, 2008 at 10:25 am
I have been reading and researching for months. My daughter, hooked and shooting opiates (dilaudids) is now on 40 mg of methodone (for last 3 months). We agreed to this so she could get through her school year before dealing with her addition. Well, she has chosen to withdraw from her school as she is heading for an F anyway…and says she wants to deal with the addiction now that she doesn’t have school to worry about. However, she does have finances to worry about so also needs to find work and keep it. We are in Canada in a small town riddled with drugs. We drive 6 hours once a months to get her script for methedone. She goes to the drug store every day. She is getting tired of it. She has booted her user boyfriend out and has someone more positive and a non-user in her life. She has spoken to her methadone doc about suboxone and he wasn’t very encouraging and said it wouldn’t be covered by my medical plan. She won’t go into a treatment program/facility but I know she can’t do it alone no matter what she is taking. Which would be better for her in the long run. She is only 22 and has so much to live for but right now she is stuck in this merigoround of drugs trying to find an answer.
October 28th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Mel, suboxone or subutex treatment is rarely covered by health insurance, and is a bit of money, but is truly a wonderful drug as it not only reduces the effects of withdrawal symptoms from other opiates, it really takes away all of the depression us opiate addicts endure when no longer taking our drug of choice.
My experience with methadone was it left me groggy and opiated to where as i was functioning at a mere fraction of my true potential in every day activities. I still felt the depression every day of feeling like a f*ckup drug addict.
While taking suboxone or subutex, I am very alert with almost no depression, and really motivated to do the right thing. I know i cannot recover on a long maintenence plan with the subutex, but for short term recovery, and for detoxing my body off of the full agonist opiods, and methadone, the suboxone works WONDERS.
I actually would not be as worried as you are about her being able to take the pills on her own, i don’t even feel the need to use heroin when i am taking suboxone, nor do i feel the need to try to abuse the suboxone. Although as to what kind of treatment program she would be using in correlation with the medication, after she is not taking the suboxone anymore, some sort of support group or effort will def. need to be made as to not fall back into the same old, bad habits!!
October 28th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Mel: Most importantly, your daughter has to WANT to stop using. No matter what your’e on, be it Methadone or Suboxone, she still has to change herself. Drug couseling, a therapist, meetings, you have to put in just as much effort in staying clean as you did getting high. At 22 years old she has an eccellent chance of recovery if she really wants it. I wish her & you the best!!
October 29th, 2008 at 6:48 am
Thanks so much for responding Justin…My daughter is really hard headed and thinks methadone is just fine, on the other hand she says she wants to become clean. She is now dropped out of school (college) and says one of her priorities is to work on becoming clean (on her own). We have an appt with her doc next week and I want to discuss other options to getting clean and detoxifying. My insurance does cover suboxone. Her habits and circle of friends has already changed since her new (non-user) boyfriend has come into the picture. She is on 40 mg of methadone a day right now. She does understand the importance of detoxifying and I know that saunas help, but other than that I am not sure. It will be so nice to show her a response from a real person instead of material i keep throwing at her from the web. Thanks so much.
October 29th, 2008 at 10:15 am
I have posted my addiction experiance here twice before and it is a comfort and a form of therapy for me to see it in print. I am hoping my experiances will help the thousands of lost souls out there that are battling addiction. THEY ARE NOT lost souls. For those of you that are on the Suboxone treatment, PLEASE stick with it. It works!
As I said in an earlier post I had a relapse because of surgery. After my surgery I was staying at a friends house while recovering. This friend had an ample and steady supply of opiates, Oxycontin, Percs, Methadone, Lortab, Vicodin and even Duragesic patches that can be chewed for that opiate blast. This was in the period of my relapse. The new Doctor that I went to for my Suboxone was very difficult, to the point where I was on the verge of taking my friend up on her offer to give me opiates. On the condition that I stayed there after I healed and more or less become enslaved. The problems with my new Doctor, were that in order to keep getting the treatment I had to go to so many meetings and counselors that it made it impossible to live a normal life and be able to work. I was right on the verge of giving up. I made the choice to contact my old Doctor and he agreed to re-instate me in the program. The visits to him were pleasant and he was very understanding. He was also the counselor. The visits to him took about an hour where we discussed my problem, my life, the things that sent me towards the opiates and ways to avoid them. I moved out and away from the person that made opiates so readily accessable and am still clean. I moved not because it was the right thing to do. I am not tempted to go back to the opiates. My life is coming back together even though I have many issues to resolve because of my 17 years of addiction. I am taking each day as it comes. People when all is going wrong, when it seems that you are at the bottom looking up at hopelessness, do not reach for the opiates. They do as you know make things seem better for a while but they will have you under there control immediately. Stay with the Suboxone and know that you are not alone out there. This is a battle you can and will win. For the people that still say you are not clean unless you go cold turkey are crazy. Medications made you an addict and let medications help you beat the addiction. The success rate of suboxone users is far greater than the cold turkey method. I have heard of people dying, committing suicide and actually maiming themselves by cutting and tearing at themselves in the agony of withdrawels. Hopefully the FDA and the makers of suboxone will be able to get the cost of the treatment down. I am one of the lucky ones that has insurance coverage, but it is still expensive. My prayers and good wishes go out to all of you who are battling this. Stick with it this is a battle you can win.
October 31st, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Jimmy: Relapsing after surgery is exactly what happened to me but in a very different way. I was on Methadone Maintenance for approx. 6 1/2 to 7 years when I had to have surgery. The new Doctor at the Methadone Clinic I was at forbid me to take any Pain Meds before, during, and after the surgery or I would be thrown out of the program. I was in terrible pain months before the surgery but hung in there for fear of being tossed out. After the surgery the pain was beyond agonizing! I couldn’t sleep, eat, or even think and I lost around 50 lbs. The incision wasn’t healing and became infected because I was so worn out, my body couldn’t heal right. To make a long story short I eventually start shooting Heroin again for the pain and to escape from the situation I was in. I was very quickly detoxed from the clinic and tossed out for noncompliance of the rules. What that Doctor did was beyond cruel. I believe she thought that I didn’t need pain meds because I was already on Methadone and that it would take care of it, or she was just downright sadistic!! It was probably one of the worst experiences of my life.
October 31st, 2008 at 4:26 pm
There’s no excuse for people who are haters to Methadone or Suboxene users for their form of Treatment. Who are they to judge anyway, nobody not even a doctor has a right to tell anyone what way to go about Opiate Treatment. Unless of course they are a specialist on Opiate treatment, addiction, and/or both Medications, and have made studies of both medications for the past 20-30+years or so? Unless they are qualified enough to be the one and only Specialist in this area of study, then and only then would I take their advice on Treatment issues. I can only do my best, with what I am taught, or what I have studied on Addiction treatments for my own Recovery process. Whatever works for me, might not work for someone else. But, to each his own?? So don’t judge anyone, unless your qualified, or unless your the Lord God himself!!! OKAY OKAY !!! Later Debrinconcita in Oregon.
October 31st, 2008 at 6:05 pm
I was addicted to lots of opiates over my life. The last one was oxycontins. I’ll spare you the details because you all know them. I got on suboxone…16 mg and then I quickly settled into 8 mg a day. I tapered for almost 2 years by going down 1 mg at a time. If I felt strong I would drop 1 mg and stay there for a month or two or three and then taper again. eventually I was on 2 mg and then 1 mg and then 1/2 mg and then 1/4 mg and then I actually forgot to take them. I felt like a plane coming in for a long, slow landing and the best part is this…in all that time I didn’t get high from pills and my brain healed. I changed from a person obsessed with getting high who was completely guilt ridden and stressed out to a person who enjoyed not being high and who wanted to experience a “normal” life. I got married, lost my druggie friends, moved to a new neighborhood, started a new business and completely changed my lifestyle. Suboxone helped me become a normal person and I never felt like I was still addicted because I could get sub legally and I wasn’t getting high, it was helping me with the cravings, and I knew I would taper at my own comfort level. I’ve been off suboxone for about 6 months now. I didn’t have insurance and the suboxone is expensive but not as as expensive as a growing oxycontin habit and the more I tapered the less I spent.
That’s for those people who want a success story because for me it was. Good luck to everyone because what you’re trying to do is hard.
October 31st, 2008 at 11:14 pm
amy, if you read all these i hope you agree this is the 1st site/forums that do not judge on either drug and bielive that everyone tolerates one or the other differently………………..
November 1st, 2008 at 7:35 am
All of these stories, feelings and thoughts are terrific for me. My daughter is still reluctant to “switch from one to another” because “she feels fine the way things are right now”…40 mg methadone. This will help me to help here as long as I can convince her to read…as one writer said she has to WANT to do it. You are so right. That seems to be my biggest struggle is to get her to even admit she is still addicted. In her head she has convinced herself that if it isn’t in a needle it isn’t an addition…and that she can slowly just taper off the methedone. I know, from everything i read, this isn’t true. Thanks especially to Brent, I think your story might be one that will get her thinking
Thanks for all the comments from everyone, I love this site. I will be checking back…only 4 more days before we see her doctor and I have to sell her on it first. She is just soooooo pig headed.
November 1st, 2008 at 11:11 am
Jman, Valeria, depending on the severity of the withdrawal i’ve found that with very light withdrawal, smoking pot actually helped the twitchy feeling and provided some comfort and ability to sleep, but with severe withdrawal i’ve found it to be quite displeasing, almost seeming to make it worse.
I have also found that you can detox yourself with a VERY SMALL amount of subutex or suboxone used in combination with smoking pot.
I dunno, lol, just things i’ve tested multiple times with confirmation haha. Sitting there trying to smoke pot feeling even worse with every hit but determined it could make me feel better.
November 1st, 2008 at 6:02 pm
my understanding is that methadone is really hard to taper off of and that the withdrawal is agonizing. when I first started on Suboxone I actually got it every day at a methadone clinic and it quickly became clear to me that a lot of the people were deliberately taking a high dose of methadone so they could catch a buzz. Probably not as strong a buzz as using a needle to shoot dope but it seemed like some people didn’t want to get off methadone. I also have to add that I didn’t enjoy being around all those other opiate addicts either and not because I think I’m better than them or anything because I’m not. I was just interested in “changing my environment” so to speak and for me that meant not hanging around other drug addicts. I’m 100% sure that eventually I would have made more connections at the clinic with people who could get me drugs and I simply didn’t need that. So I got a doctor who would prescribe me the suboxone and I took it in the morning before I even got out of bed. Then I went on with my day and never even told anyone about my past. I was even able to quit smoking cigarettes. Only my wife and a few friends even have a clue that I was a drug addict and I sort of like it that way. Mel good luck with your daughter. She is going to have to want to change and for some people ( me included) I did drugs for so long that I related to other drug addicts better than what I considered “normal” people. Eventually, I wanted a different life. If I could tell you how your daughter will make that shift I could probably change the world and make a billion dollars too.
November 1st, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Justin…all little, no matter how small, tips will help someone. It might even be me. I am going to try and have one more heart to heart (eye opener) talk with my daughter before going to her addiction doc. Hopefully all of the info you all have provided me will help in that talk. She actually missed the pharmacy tonight. At first I thought, oh shit she will be miserable tomorrow. Then I thought, hey maybe this is a good point for me to show her that with suboxone she won’t have to worry about that part of it. She will take when and if she needs it and no rushing to the pharmacy at the last minute because you realize they close at 6:00 tonight instead of 9:00. So this could be a good point for me to use eh?
November 1st, 2008 at 7:11 pm
I have read a reply by Mel about his daughter. Is it that you believe she is still an Addict if she is on Methadone. If she works a program the way she’s supposed to, she can taper off later and be drug-free. In no way is she still an Addict if she’s on any dose of Methadone or Suboxene. I hate the fact that people keep saying your still an Addict if your on either one of these perscribed medications. Please talk to their doctor or another person who know the real facts on Methadone or Suboxene please. Don’t believe all the hear say comments anymore. Nobody really knows the effects or the results except her doctor or counselor or the clinic she’s getting her Meds at. I’m positive she will be clean and sober, if she does the program right, and goes to NA meetings and finds a Sponsor and admits her addictions. It has worked for many, don’t give up on past failures or stories from others. Later, Debrinconcita in Portland, Oregon.
November 5th, 2008 at 10:00 am
In response to debra, we will ALWAYS be addicts, even if we are taking NOTHING. As far at methadone goes, if its either that or shooting heroin, OBVIOUSLY we can figure which one is safer! I firmly feel that those methadone clinics, well some of them, not all, totally aren’t working towards your well being and it really feels like they are trying to keep you roped in and hooked on the methadone. Now of course there are counselers at those places that are really great, but the majority seem like “businesses”.
I like how suboxone and subutex programs go directly through independent doctors. That way you can find the doctor who you feel is truly working for you and your well being, and actually trying to get you off the drugs.
Now recognizing that methadone has its useful purpose, I don’t agree that people should spend their whole lives going to the methadone clinic, thats not freedom at all, and I know thats what I am trying to achieve through all of this stuff…
November 14th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
I am a 22 year old male who became addicted in highschool and the addiction carried all the way through 5 years of college as well. I have had 3 or 4 friends who also were addicted get sent off to the military and have been clean ever since(4 years). Getting clean is possible if you totally commit yourself and believe in yourself mind body and spirit. Its usually a change of environment that can help. My friends 3 friends were IVing heroin for 4 years and their parents sent them to the military and now 4 years later they are all clean and craving free.(They said the cravings finally went away after about a year.)
November 15th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Merrill, My heart goes out to you for your horrifying experiance after surgery and this sadistic Doctor who forbid you to take pain meds. This had to be so terrible for you. My god Merrill Doctors are supposed to be compassionate. We became addicts because we made a poor choice and decision. I am sure that had you known before hand as well as if I had known how quickly we could become addicted we would never have made that move towards a life of addiction. My addiction doctor is a very understanding man. He knows and accepts the fact that things such as surgery, an accident or some other illness may make it so you have to take pain meds for pain management and that a relapse is possible. You see Merrill he understands because he himself was once addicted to opiates. Thats a twist if I ever saw one because he being a doctor would have no problem getting all the pain meds he wanted. His only concern about having to take an opiate in an emergency situation would be the interaction it would have with the Suboxone. So he gives all his patients a card to carry to inform medical personnel that you are on suboxone treatment. The card also has his personal cell phone number so in the event of an emergency he is to be notified immediately and he will take over the pain management required for your emergency. If there is a forum or a way that I could e-mail you or you me I would gladly give you information on this wonderful Doctor. Good luck to you and again I feel so terrible about your experiance even though I dont know you
November 16th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
To reply to Justins thoughts on Methadone. I think it’s really up to the individual to work their program. Nobody can keep you on Methadone if you don’t want to be on it. For those people who been on it for years, them and only they will be on it forever. They choose to be, so they can use and take methadone also. They always going to be addicts, no matter what help they receive. I am not one of them, I know what I’m doing. I will get off the methadone when I’m ready, safe and clearly have a support system in my life. If you have anymore questions, Justin let me know, OKAY??? From Debrinconcitia in Portland, Oregon.