Buprenorphine info

[godsonmyside]

A medical detox is a good idea

Yes, methadone is an opiate but it is also used to get people off of other opiates. Which is what he told me he was taking it for.

It is also taken by many addicts to not go through serious withdrawl symptoms. His way is obviously not working really well, he really does have you in a bad position and it is a trap that we have had our loved ones in before too. We don't say this because we don't understand this, we say this because we have been right where he is at, and right where you are at too.

Peace,
Todd J.

[fitnessgirrl]

Originally Posted by splendra

honey he probably needs to go to a clinic so he can be monitored and supported. You are not quailfied to manage his meds for him without at least some input from the doctor who is writing these scripts you are going by what your b/f says and we all know he only tells you what he wants you to think needs to be done. Him telling you what to think is not the same as knowing the facts. I wish you would send him back home to his mama and let her manage his addiction...

Doing the right thing by an addict is not easy but if you really want want is best for them you find the strength to do what is right. If you love him then help him by doing what is right not what he says he wants you to do. I think he needs more professionals involved in his case.

I used to work out at a gym for many years and nobody did steriods at the one I went to. We drank water and ate right and by the way I do hold a record that has never been broken by a woman and I also worked out with people who held other records so it is total BS that they are needed to compete... They are very dangerous to the heart amoung other things. And him combining all this other stuff you better put 911 on your speed dial...

No, steroids are not needed to compete but people take them. I go to a hardcore bodybuilding gym and I know several women who take them also. I realize that they are dangerous.

He isn't going to go into a clinic or move back home. It's not reality. I guess I just have to deal with it.

[fitnessgirrl]

Originally Posted by godsonmyside

It is also taken by many addicts to not go through serious withdrawl symptoms. His way is obviously not working really well, he really does have you in a bad position and it is a trap that we have had our loved ones in before too. We don't say this because we don't understand this, we say this because we have been right where he is at, and right where you are at too.

I understand that you have been there and are trying to help. I think he is taking it for withdrawal symptoms as well.

[splendra]

Originally Posted by fitnessgirrl

He isn't going to go into a clinic or move back home. It's not reality. I guess I just have to deal with it.

Why are you owning his stuff? His drug addiction is his not yours. You do not have to deal with it no matter how good he is at getting you to take responsibility for his stuff. A step back might look like you handing him his methadone and telling him you are not his keeper and by the way it is the loving thing to do. Love don't take no cr@p...

[fitnessgirrl]

Originally Posted by splendra

Why are you owning his stuff? His drug addiction is his not yours. You do not have to deal with it no matter how good he is at getting you to take responsibility for his stuff. A step back might look like you handing him his methadone and telling him you are not his keeper and by the way it is the loving thing to do. Love don't take no cr@p...

I know that his drug addiction isn't mine. He had this problem for years before he met me and it's not going to go away overnight.

I thought holding it was helping him but I guess it doesn't really matter. I will give it back. I just didn't want him to take it all but I guess I shouldn't be controlling that.

[fitnessgirrl]

Originally Posted by eddie z.

You're welcome, fg!! Usually, Suboxone is used to help people get off methadone, not vice versa. Methadone is extremely difficult to withdraw from. It's supposed to be easier to get off the Suboxone, which is buprenorphine and naloxone. That's why I said going from buprenorphine to methadone is backwards.

That is what I was afraid of... I don't understand why he would ask for it then? And why would his doctor give it to him? He must know this... he knows all about his drugs. he is already complaining that his dosage of methadone isn't enough and doesn't do anything. He said the doctor isn't going to keep prescribing it. His withdrawal will be worse. Then what?

Why am I so worried?

[fitnessgirrl]

ok, so I talked to him about this. He knows the withdrawal from methadone is much worse than buprenorphine.

He said since he will only be on methadone for two weeks that he is not going to get withdrawal. That only happens when you are on it in higher doses for a longer period of time.

[rdn82]

Originally Posted by fitnessgirrl

Everytime I say or do something he relates it back to this 'personality disorder' that he is nw convinced I have. (Maybe I do but still...) It's really making me stressed, frustrated and depressed. I am beginning to feel like maybe I really am mentally unstable and dysfunctional.

No one has ever done anything like this with me before and it is very unsettling.

Is he trying to take the focus off of himself?

YEP, he is. He sounds exactly like a good friend of mine, who I'm stuck with because we run a business together. He has a major Vicodin addiction, and even beforehand he was somewhat of a control freak.

His most common tactic lately is to keep taunting and baiting me, trying to make me angry. Then the moment I show any kind of upset reaction, he tries to use it as evidence that the problem is with *my* attitude, and the only reason he acts the way he does is because of my "issues". I almost started believing it until I talked to his girlfriend and a few other people, and they all said he does the same thing to them.

Every time anyone tries to talk to him about his Vicodin addiction, he always shifts the conversation to how he is worried about his friends who drink too much. Same deal--it's primarily a defense mechanism to try and take the focus off themselves, as you pointed out. I believe the psychological term is "projection"- they're taking things they don't like about themselves and projecting them onto other people.

And of course it's also possible that dealing with such crap from someone you care about is causing you to become angry and/or depressed, so you should step back and assess your own state of mind from time to time as well. It can also put you in a state where you're more likely to turn to drugs as an escape. Please don't go there. Good luck, I know how trying it can be.

[Gooch]

nearly 60 posts about finding an easier softer way.

If 1/2 the energy required to substitute, ratonalize, justify and explain away addiction were expended in acceptance, going to any lengths to stay clean, sharing experience, strength and hope with working the steps of Narcotics Anonymous, getting a sponsor, and learning a new way to live, I bet more would believe in the miracle than allready do.

Don't get me wrong, I have a bunch of compassion for the addict still suffering, just very little tolerance for the widespread denial of disease.

[splendra]

<TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD class=alt1>

Originally Posted by fitnessgirrl

Why am I so worried?

<!-- / message --></TD></TR><TR><TD class=alt2></TD><TD class=alt1 align=right><!-- controls --></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Because you probably have some little voice inside of you that is telling you that you are in over your head.

You know people in recovery would be doing everyone a favor by not starting a new relationship before they have a year clean...

Are you really wanting to put yourself through this hell? He is just controling you and manipulating the heck out of you.

I wonder which personality disorder he says you have...don't own what he says about you either...

[Gooch]

Originally Posted by splendra

You know people in recovery would be doing everyone a favor by not starting a new relationship before they have a year clean...

yup....

and people who aren't in recovery would be doing themselves and everyone else a favor by not getting into a relationship with someone who hasn't been clean a year, got a sponsor, worked some steps and most important of all figured out who the hell they are before trying to figure out what love is.

[eddie z.]

Originally Posted by rdn82

It can also put you in a state where you're more likely to turn to drugs as an escape. Please don't go there.

I have thought of this, too. Co-dependents make great addicts. My biggest regret in life, and the thing I probably owe the most amends for, is getting my husband sucked into my addiction. Please, fitnessgirrl, take care of yourself and don't EVER EVER EVER let him lead YOU down the garden path. Please try some 12-Step meetings either for co-dependents or for addicts, maybe even both.

I also suggest some time apart. I went to treatment for three months and then stayed at my dad's when I got home. This gave me and my husband each time to work on ourselves. Your boyfriend really ought to go to treatment, I think, but it doesn't sound like he's "through" using yet, unfortunately. And who is this doctor anyway? Sounds like a huge enabler. He needs a no-nonsense addiction specialist who won't be conned into giving him whatever he wants.

Love and hugs,
Eddie

[fitnessgirrl]

It can also put you in a state where you're more likely to turn to drugs as an escape.

Originally Posted by eddie z.

I have thought of this, too. Co-dependents make great addicts. My biggest regret in life, and the thing I probably owe the most amends for, is getting my husband sucked into my addiction. Please, fitnessgirrl, take care of yourself and don't EVER EVER EVER let him lead YOU down the garden path.

Can I ask how this happens/happened? The reason I ask is that I used to be afraid to do or take anything. Now I find that changing. I am drinking alot more. Just about every day. I am not taking opiates or anything illegal - nothing like that. I started taking fat burners...supplements...that sort of thing.

He would never give me drugs because he wants a gf who is drug free. His ex was also an addict.

It's just when I read that it sort of jumped out at me. Because I see a difference in myself.

[splendra]

Originally Posted by fitnessgirrl

Can I ask how this happens/happened? The reason I ask is that I used to be afraid to do or take anything. Now I find that changing. I am drinking alot more. Just about every day. I am not taking opiates or anything illegal -

Living in active addiction can bring out the codie in us...

[fitnessgirrl]

Originally Posted by splendra

Living in active addiction can bring out the codie in us...

So that is considered co-dependant behavior? I guess I don't understand what co-dependancy is... I need to read more on it.

ARRGGGGHHH - I guess he is feeling crappy with the withdrawl but EVERY DAY now he tells me he feels like crap and he wishes he was dead.

Today I snapped and was like "Well then just kill yourself. There are people out there a lot worse off than you are. You don't have it so bad."

He got quiet and got off the phone. I can't take that. Why does he always have to say that? Sorry...that sort of aggravates me.

[splendra]

Someone who threatens suicide needs to be seen by a mental health professional. Girl you do need help I hope you get it. I still wonder what personality disoder he thinks you have?

[fitnessgirrl]

Originally Posted by splendra

Someone who threatens suicide needs to be seen by a mental health professional. Girl you do need help I hope you get it. I still wonder what personality disoder he thinks you have?

Isn't it usually the people who threaten it that don't do it though? That is always what I thought. He does have a therapist.

I don't know. He thinks I have Borderline Personality Disorder.

[splendra]

Do you think your life is better with this guy? I mean really...have an honest look at your living situation, your job performance and your social life. Why are you drinking more than usual?

You are getting ready to be forced into moving out of your apartment. I am sure people that you associate with at work are noticing changes in you. Why are you letting this guy take you down? You say you have never felt this way before that is probably because you have never let an addict into your life before.

[fitnessgirrl]

Originally Posted by splendra

Do you think your life is better with this guy? I mean really...have an honest look at your living situation, your job performance and your social life. Why are you drinking more than usual?

You are getting ready to be forced into moving out of your apartment. I am sure people that you associate with at work are noticing changes in you. Why are you letting this guy take you down? You say you have never felt this way before that is probably because you have never let an addict into your life before.

There are many times that yes, I feel like my life is better with him. Then once in awhile I get stressed and frustrated I guess.

I always drank when I was stressed (maybe twice a week) but I guess I wasn't 'as' stressed. Now I guess I drink more because I am more stressed. I don't drink heavily. I usually only have 2 drinks so that I can unwind and relax. Otherwise I am a complete basket case at times. I don't get drunk or drink to the point where I feel sick ever. I actually hate drinking but I hate feeling the way I feel sometimes even more.

I have asked my co-workers if I seem different. No one seems to think so.

I was always a bit of a mess. I have never had it completely 'together' so it's not like he is taking me down. But I guess at times the situation is not helping.

I guess I am just continuing to make excuses. I am sick of listening to myself actually.

[splendra]

Originally Posted by fitnessgirrl

I guess I am just continuing to make excuses. I am sick of listening to myself actually.

good that sounds like a step in the right direction. Get really sick of making excuses for him. I can't imagine how bad this could get if in this short time you have been with this guy it is as bad as it already is.

Unless you back off from this guy really soon I can guarentee you several years of hell... be afraid be very afraid...

[eddie z.]

Borderline, huh? That's what I figured he'd said. Borderlines do tend to get involved in just the kind of relationships you're in now. I used to be labeled borderline as well and I did have a lot of the same symptoms. Get a professional opinion, though.

What you said about your drinking worries me terribly. I drank and used to change the way I felt, too. And saying you drink even though you don't like it, that's really scary. Again, I say get some help, either professional or from a support group. Quit trying to go it alone.

Love and hugs,
Eddie

[fitnessgirrl]

Originally Posted by eddie z.

Borderline, huh? That's what I figured he'd said. Borderlines do tend to get involved in just the kind of relationships you're in now. I used to be labeled borderline as well and I did have a lot of the same symptoms. Get a professional opinion, though.

What you said about your drinking worries me terribly. I drank and used to change the way I felt, too. And saying you drink even though you don't like it, that's really scary. Again, I say get some help, either professional or from a support group. Quit trying to go it alone.

I know I need help. Yesterday was a bad day. I had to leave work in the middle of the day because I couldn't function. Then when he got home from work at 11:30 we had to 'discuss' everything until 3am. Needless to say the conversation didn't go well. I got no sleep because he can't sleep with the withdrawl. And I had to be at work at 8am. On top of this I am sick with some kind of cold sinus infection. He started in again the morning because the conversation wasn't over and he wants answers today. Then I turned into my normal wreck behavior and there was no way I was going to make it into work.

So he gives me a bottle of Ativan that he got from his doctor so I can function. He hands me his new prescription for methadone to hold again after he took extra of course. He took xanax yesterday to help him deal with me and he will probably want the Ativan's back too. Because I am such a mess. I need to be committed I guess.

So I am at work. I can't function. I wouldn't have been able to with the anxiety but now I am just out of it. I don't know which is worse.

I am dreading tonight. Another night of no sleep. All my fault of course because I am Borderline.

[splendra]

Get thyself to a therapist or some kind of mental health clinic. I don't know what ativan is but, I am sure you should not take it just because he says to.


You need to get away from this guy darling...

[fitnessgirrl]

Originally Posted by splendra

Get thyself to a therapist or some kind of mental health clinic. I don't know what ativan is but, I am sure you should not take it just because he says to. You need to get away from this guy darling...

It's a mild benzo - Lorazepam. I was a hysterical mess and I couldn't function.

My company has some sort of Life Balance program I am going to call today.

[splendra]

I am glad that you are calling your companys "Life Balance" program. You might want to do some reading of the post by people who are kicking a benzo habit it is not a pretty sight.

Take care of yourself...