Hello & my subutex taper plan

[seelivemusic]

Hello, so glad I found these forums and I will be sure to pass the address along to some other folks I know. I've been on subutex for 8 months and it saved my life but my plan has always been to taper at some point. I started at 24mg, then 16mg, 12mg, and now 8mg once a day.

Since subutex has such a long half life my plan is to spread my taper over a few months so that both my body and mind can deal with it. Next month I plan to cut to 6mg, then 4mg, 2mg, 1mg, and finally .5mg. I have read that for some people the hardest part of the taper is from 1mg - .5mg - 0mg so I was wondering if I could take my subutex every other day because of its long half life ant that might make things easier on my body and mind.

Again, glad I've found yet another recovery resource!

[Dee74]

Hi seelivemusic
Welcome.

Are you seeing a doctor? Those are good questions to put to them.

We can't give medical advice but we do share our experience here - I have no experience of Subutex, but others will be along

D

[seelivemusic]

Dee74, thanks for the input I should have added a few things.

I am seeing a doctor for subutex treatment and while I will follow his guidelines I am looking for others experiences as well. While I respect my doctor and really like him, he hasn't been thru a sub taper and may not have been addicted to opiates.

[cjsg]

When I was taking suboxone I had a hard time following instructions for the first week or so. I had to literally, let my doctor take the wheel. He was good to me...always consulted with me when planning and starting a taper. I deferred to his judgment one time when I thought I was ready for a taper and h e thought it better to not do so. I learned that his objective point of view can be invaluable. Sometime we feel willing and ready to do things that that other may see that it might be more prudent to slow down a bit... or speed up a bit...whatever. I think it is wise to allow your doctor to treat you... it seems like you have your whole taper planned out beforehand. i don't know if that is wise. Should you have a say in your treatment??? most definitely, but you shouldnt be calling all the shots alone. My treatment was best carried out step by step in complete communication with my doctor with no premature tapers. I made the choice to allow my doctor to do his job and give his suggestion an honest and decent go of things because my past decisions regarding drugs showed me that I hadn't a clue. Wanting to taper and get off suboxone is great But take it one step at a time.. and take each step in its proper place. This is just what I learned from my 2 and a half month experience on suboxone. it worked perfectly for me..but only when I followed instructions.. beginning tapers on your own might lead to failure. not always...but it could happen. You could feel you are ready when in fact you aren't. Anyway, that just my opinion. i wish you luck. Suboxone worked really well for me and I am thankful to my doctor.

The hardest taper for me was from 4mg to 2 mg. Every step down after that was nice and slow..and deliberate. I had no significant discomfort, but a few annoying cravings from 7 to 14 days clean.

[christin1225]

Originally Posted by seelivemusic

I was wondering if I could take my subutex every other day because of its long half life ant that might make things easier on my body and mind.

slm,
Welcome to SR. I have never tapered bupe to numbers nearly as low as 1mg and .5mg. So, I have no personal experience to share. I have read of others doing the "every other day" thing for tapers. It makes sense that the long half-life would make that possible.

I must say that I agree 100% with your idea that dosing every other day could be a wonderful psychological boost: "Hey, look at that! I went an entire day without taking anything!" Yep! It sure sounds like a psychological shot in the arm for recovery (no pun intended).

[seelivemusic]

Thanks for all the replies, I appreciate them. I do plan to listen to my doc first and foremost but I am also looking to learn from others personal experiences.

It has been my decision to seek suboxone treatment thru a professional after much research and discussion with others. I never planned to be on suboxone for ever and it was always my intention to taper after a year on maintenance. If I am wrong and cannot deal with life without suboxone, the door is always open for me to return.

I am addicted to alcohol as well and I don't think I would have been able to stay sober without this suboxone program. I certainly don't think I would be looking at 9 months of sobriety next month without some type of maint program.