[butterfly19]

Scott,

First let me also give you a belated welcome to SR!! It's a wonderful place to voice your problems and get/give tons of support!! Also, a big conratulations to you for deciding to get clean! I haven't been visiting around on this forum, though I should as I'm on suboxone and trying to wean off of it. I remember you from the meeting the other night and your words meant a lot!

I am so so sorry that you have had to suffer so much at a young age. I can only identify a little with what you went through as I also lost my father when I was 24. It was soon after that when I discovered that opiates numbed my pain. Five long years later, I was forced to face all my demons and begin the recovering process. I've been on suboxone for 15 months. Not everyone is on it that long. It is very individualized and also, often, how your dr. chooses to treat your addiction. I'm currently at 3 mg, going to 2 mg most likely this coming Tuesday. I have a lot of big changes coming up which I mentioned in the recent meeting. And, honestly, I'm scared to death.

But to focus on what you were asking about: I also suffer with depression and anxiety--issues that were present and being treated for long before my battle began with opiates. I've been on lots of meds, and it comes down to what works for you may not be the same thing that works for others. Presently I'm on Pristiq 50 mg(which is new for me)--I started on this after a recent severe bout of depression. I'm also on Buspar for anxiety, Elavil for sleep and pain control, Lyrica for pain control, and Ativan (which I'm very much aware can be addicting) for anxiety. I also take blood pressure medication as well as meds for severe irritable bowel syndrome.

There are so many of us addicts who also have to deal with depression and anxiety. A lot of it can be helped by medication, but I cannot stress enough that participating in therapy can truly help you get to some of those dark issues that you tried to numb away. It has helped me a lot. A little over a year ago, I didn't think I could have possibly come as far as I have. SR has been a HUGE part of my recovery as well. Having a good support system is essential in recovery!!

Any questions you might have about suboxone, please feel free to voice them. I hope to see you around often and be witness to your continued success. Please take care, and never hesitate to contact me if you need anything at all!!! Stay strong, stick to your regimine, and know that you can conquer this!!!

Peace & Love,

butterfly19 (aka SP)