Detoxing from Methadone/OXY help?!

[woog]

So long story short. My GF was/is addicted to Oxycontin, was doing a lot but we have tapered her down to 5MG of methadone. She's just about to get insurance, we've been getting the methadone from a relation of hers. This last week has been bad, mood swings, etc. Unfortunately, I have nothing else to calm her down with, but an inadequate, unsteady supply of Xanax. Xanax works wonders for her, and makes it realistic for her to kick it and be done with it. I just don't see her getting over this last bit without a steady supply. She's just about to get insurance, Medi-Cal(medicaire). My question is can anybody, who lives in or around the Bay Area, recommend a good addiction specialist to see who accepts medicaire? I would like to explore Suboxone, sounds less habit forming and more functional than Xanax. However, I've read plenty of horror stories regarding suboxone. Would it be best to stick with what works, or to explore suboxone? I understand the two don't mix. I've spent a lot of time calling/searching but have come up with nothing. I would really appreciate any help. I know we're not doing this in the ideal fashion, but we are making the best with what we've got. Thank you very much!

[Sugah]

What has she done to help herself? In my personal experience, so long as I had someone to help me manipulate my addiction (including procuring medications/drugs illegally), I never had to take responsibility for my recovery. And by making someone else responsible for my recovery (taking hostages), I was able to maintain the illusion of control over my drug use.

My suggestion would be to hand her the phone book and the telephone and let her get clean on her own. If you want to help, help yourself and find a Naranon meeting. I'm sure you care about her and mean well, but how you describe helping her -- for this addict, at least -- is really enabling her addiction.

Peace & Love,
Sugah

[christin1225]

Sugah is very wise in the sharing of her E, S, & H (experience, strength, and hope). So, if I were you, I would heed her advice. Actually, even though I'm not you, I often heed her advice.

That being said, Suboxone is very often a cash-only business, and I mean business. You may have trouble finding a Sub doctor who bills insurance let alone one who accepts government programs.

Has your g/f expressed a real desire to get clean? Believe me when I say that I understand the insanity of trying to get clean. It's not an easy process. However, self-medicating is not the answer to an addict getting clean (so please stop helping her to get Xanax or methadone). Inpatient is a good answer. It's also a good way for her to get prescribed the medications that she may legitimately need.

I commend you for wanting to help your g/f. However, it's in your best interest and in her best interest as well, to allow her to take the initiative in her recovery. You can support her and, believe me, your support will be very important (my husband's support of me was more precious than anything that he has ever done for me).

If your g/f calls the detox unit, tell her how proud you are of her. As she packs her clothes and you drive her to the hospital, remind her that you will be waiting for her and will even visit on visiting days. Then, if you can find a program for family members of addicts, I suggest that you attend it.

The fact that you love your g/f seems quite obvious to me. She's very lucky. However, it's not always easy to know how best to love an addict. Your girlfriend has a disease, a serious, life-long disease. The best thing that you can do for her is to learn what you should not be doing for her and what you should be doing for yourself.

Please keep us posted.