New with some questions
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 8
New with some questions
I am going to go see an addiction specialist and he deals with Suboxone. Suboxone seems like a great tool to help break the habit of Norco's, but I don't want to be on it long term. I am wondering what is the shortest, but realistic time frame that people need to start and finish this medication?
Thanks ~
Thanks ~
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Mi
Posts: 1,318
Hi Libbilu,
The answer seems to vary widely among professionals.
The rehab my husband went to only believed in using subs for detoxing, as it is very addicting.
The doctor I saw after rehab believed 1yr. to be sufficient, although I quit after 6mos.
And I've read on forums here at SR about doctors prescribing it to their patients indefinitely.
Personally, I think my husband's rehab has the right idea. I endured 6wks of withdrawals from subs, but I quit cold turkey.
Good luck to you!
The answer seems to vary widely among professionals.
The rehab my husband went to only believed in using subs for detoxing, as it is very addicting.
The doctor I saw after rehab believed 1yr. to be sufficient, although I quit after 6mos.
And I've read on forums here at SR about doctors prescribing it to their patients indefinitely.
Personally, I think my husband's rehab has the right idea. I endured 6wks of withdrawals from subs, but I quit cold turkey.
Good luck to you!
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 8
Thanks for responding. I know it is very addicting and I feel scared about that. Do you mind me asking how long your husband was on it? I know I will get more answers when I go for my appointment, but I am anxious right now because I want to be done with drugs and I have had a taste of w/d and it's ugly. What I am hoping is to be on subs for a short period of time and wean off them and to still be able to function with my kids and at work at the same time. Do you think this sounds like it could happen?
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Mi
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My husband was on subs for 5 days during detox to counteract the withdrawals from heroin.
We both were prescribed Methadone for 10yrs & when we lost our doctor last yr., we resorted to heroin. I was also prescribed Norco & Klonopin those 10yrs.
Suboxine was a lifesaver, easing us through those agonizing withdrawals.
I'm a firm believer in mind over matter & the power of positive thinking. Once I decided that I wanted to live a clean, productive life, there was no turning back. And I believe anyone else can too.
Incidentally, I was only taking 2mgs of subs when I jumped. I thought this was a very low dose, so I might as well quit. However long you decide to be on subs, make sure you wean to a very low dose when you quit.
Believe in yourself & you got this. Hugs!
We both were prescribed Methadone for 10yrs & when we lost our doctor last yr., we resorted to heroin. I was also prescribed Norco & Klonopin those 10yrs.
Suboxine was a lifesaver, easing us through those agonizing withdrawals.
I'm a firm believer in mind over matter & the power of positive thinking. Once I decided that I wanted to live a clean, productive life, there was no turning back. And I believe anyone else can too.
Incidentally, I was only taking 2mgs of subs when I jumped. I thought this was a very low dose, so I might as well quit. However long you decide to be on subs, make sure you wean to a very low dose when you quit.
Believe in yourself & you got this. Hugs!
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: out west
Posts: 63
Hi libbylu.
I used suboxone for years while actively addicted to oxycodone and then heroin. I would always try to have a few subs at home for the times I couldn't get or afford pills/dope.
Then in 2014 I went to a clinic and was put on 8mg of suboxone per day, which I stayed on for about a year, with no relapses on the hard stuff. After a year I cut down to 4mg a day which I did for about 4 months.
In April of this year I flushed 16 suboxone and quit cold turkey. It was hell. Hell, I'm still sneezing and having digestive issues. I sincerely wish I would've just kicked the pills and dope cold turkey because kicking suboxone felt just as hard because of how long it took to start feeling better.
At the same time, suboxone allowed me to get my life in order. I was working two jobs, rebuilding my credit, mending relationships with family and friends, etc. This is why I have a very two sided view on suboxone. It can help you get back on track and stop the daily hell that is active addiction, but it's no magic bullet and you'll have to withdrawal from it someday too. I would suggest trying to use suboxone for a short period to help with the worst of withdrawals from a full opiod agonist but be careful. It's an opiod and it's addicting.
I used suboxone for years while actively addicted to oxycodone and then heroin. I would always try to have a few subs at home for the times I couldn't get or afford pills/dope.
Then in 2014 I went to a clinic and was put on 8mg of suboxone per day, which I stayed on for about a year, with no relapses on the hard stuff. After a year I cut down to 4mg a day which I did for about 4 months.
In April of this year I flushed 16 suboxone and quit cold turkey. It was hell. Hell, I'm still sneezing and having digestive issues. I sincerely wish I would've just kicked the pills and dope cold turkey because kicking suboxone felt just as hard because of how long it took to start feeling better.
At the same time, suboxone allowed me to get my life in order. I was working two jobs, rebuilding my credit, mending relationships with family and friends, etc. This is why I have a very two sided view on suboxone. It can help you get back on track and stop the daily hell that is active addiction, but it's no magic bullet and you'll have to withdrawal from it someday too. I would suggest trying to use suboxone for a short period to help with the worst of withdrawals from a full opiod agonist but be careful. It's an opiod and it's addicting.
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Join Date: Aug 2015
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sorb - could the withdrawal have gone more smoothly if you didn't go cold turkey and just keep weaning? The subs make me nervous, but I do see how I could do this without some help. I am so mad I feel like my life feels so out of control and even more scared that I won't be able to get past this. I don't mean to sound dramatic, I just have been on a crazy journey and I am tired.
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: out west
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Yes, I believe it woulda been a lot less painful to do a veryyy slow taper (and when you take it for as long as I did I believe that's the correct way to do it).
I had circumstances out of my control nudging me real hard towards getting off quickly tho. And I knew I had to quit and didn't wanna prolong the withdrawals that I had been devoting my life to avoiding for the past 5 years any longer.
As far as being "sober" on suboxone, that's a touchy subject for a lot of recovering addicts. I liked to think I was "sober" while on suboxone, but not "clean."
Please don't let my post scare you away from suboxone without doing plenty of research and deciding what's best for you tho, I just wanted to give my true experience with it. The nearly 15 months I spent on it was better than anytime using pills/dope. I just wish I did things differently (and I don't mean that I wish I tapered slower -- flushing those and facing it head on was the best decision I ever made).
I had circumstances out of my control nudging me real hard towards getting off quickly tho. And I knew I had to quit and didn't wanna prolong the withdrawals that I had been devoting my life to avoiding for the past 5 years any longer.
As far as being "sober" on suboxone, that's a touchy subject for a lot of recovering addicts. I liked to think I was "sober" while on suboxone, but not "clean."
Please don't let my post scare you away from suboxone without doing plenty of research and deciding what's best for you tho, I just wanted to give my true experience with it. The nearly 15 months I spent on it was better than anytime using pills/dope. I just wish I did things differently (and I don't mean that I wish I tapered slower -- flushing those and facing it head on was the best decision I ever made).
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Mi
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No need to apologize hun. Ask all the questions you want.
Methadone comes in 2 forms, liquid and pills. Pills are normally prescribed for pain & liquid methadone is normally given to heroin addicts. Liquid Methadone & Suboxine are both prescribed to heroin addicts, but they are not the same. Methadone is an opiate & suboxine is an opioid ( opiate blocker. ) Imo, I don't think heroin addicts should be given methadone. I think it's just trading 1 addiction for another. But, again, that's just my opinion.
My hubs was given suboxine during his 5 day detox, no longer.
I didn't feel like I was clean on subs, which is why I quit 6mos early. I wanted to be 100% drug free. On the other hand, I didn't feel like I was a low life junkie any longer. So like Sorb, my opinion of subs is split.
I also wanted you to know that you don't need to have a question to post here. You can post anything you want when you're feeling lonely. Your fears, your desires, your temptations, ect...
Hugs!
Methadone comes in 2 forms, liquid and pills. Pills are normally prescribed for pain & liquid methadone is normally given to heroin addicts. Liquid Methadone & Suboxine are both prescribed to heroin addicts, but they are not the same. Methadone is an opiate & suboxine is an opioid ( opiate blocker. ) Imo, I don't think heroin addicts should be given methadone. I think it's just trading 1 addiction for another. But, again, that's just my opinion.
My hubs was given suboxine during his 5 day detox, no longer.
I didn't feel like I was clean on subs, which is why I quit 6mos early. I wanted to be 100% drug free. On the other hand, I didn't feel like I was a low life junkie any longer. So like Sorb, my opinion of subs is split.
I also wanted you to know that you don't need to have a question to post here. You can post anything you want when you're feeling lonely. Your fears, your desires, your temptations, ect...
Hugs!
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,966
Hi Libby I have been on Sub too. Ive been on it for longer than I had planned to be. Mainly the fear of withdrawals is what's keeping me on it. But I have to agree with Sorb and KZ that I have a sort of love-hate relationship with it?!? Just kidding....ha!
I'm not sure what your history is? Like how long you've been addicted to opies and how many attempts at quitting you've had? That would be important when choosing Suboxone therapy. The reason I chose sub this go around was because I had made numerous attempts at quitting and was unsuccessful. Going on sub was almost a last resort. Probably, Methadone would have been last. But since sub worked for me...never relapsed back to pills since my induction....I didn't need to go on Methadone.
I'm now tapering off. But plan to go super slow since I'm a total wus when it comes to withdrawal. Can't even imagine doing what sorb and KZ did.
Just keep in mind that sub doesn't effect everyone the same. I had a really tough induction. (Wish someone had told me this) Was sicker than sick for at least a month after going on it. I mean very sick! Couldn't get out of bed and was throwing up in a bucket beside my bed. I ended up lowering my dose and it did help me. The sub doctor I had at that time was useless! He refused to take my calls and/or answer any of my questions. It was a horrible experience that I never want to repeat again. That is why I'm so worried about getting off and withdrawing. But I have to do it. Can't stay on this forever.
Honestly, my opinion is if you can get into recovery without it...do so. Acute wd off faster acting opies is only 6 or 7 days......Nothing when compared to several months it takes to get off of Sub or Meth. Or use it as a tool for withdrawal...I guess the doctor knows how that works? But that's just my two cents. For those who MUST take it for maintenance or relapse it's an effective treatment. Plus I feel we do a disservice to them by saying we aren't clean or sober on sub. Because for some, it's the only thing that helps them to break the cycle and get any time off their DOC. I believe addiction comes in degrees. Some people have no problem getting clean once they decide...but for others it's just super hard! Do if this medicine helps them do that...I'm al for it..and I don't feel it's right to judge them got using it! Just my opinion.
Because I felt clean and sober these past couple years. I do not feel high on sub nor do I have those addict behaviors I had while on the faster acting opiates. My family will tell you I am not the same person who was addicted to pills! So basically I feel that I switched from an addiction to a physical dependency. I do not feel I need sub...do not crave it or look forward to my doses. I just know without it...I would withdrawal.
Hope this helps. If you have any other questions please ask....I'll try to answer them as honestly as I can.
I'm not sure what your history is? Like how long you've been addicted to opies and how many attempts at quitting you've had? That would be important when choosing Suboxone therapy. The reason I chose sub this go around was because I had made numerous attempts at quitting and was unsuccessful. Going on sub was almost a last resort. Probably, Methadone would have been last. But since sub worked for me...never relapsed back to pills since my induction....I didn't need to go on Methadone.
I'm now tapering off. But plan to go super slow since I'm a total wus when it comes to withdrawal. Can't even imagine doing what sorb and KZ did.
Just keep in mind that sub doesn't effect everyone the same. I had a really tough induction. (Wish someone had told me this) Was sicker than sick for at least a month after going on it. I mean very sick! Couldn't get out of bed and was throwing up in a bucket beside my bed. I ended up lowering my dose and it did help me. The sub doctor I had at that time was useless! He refused to take my calls and/or answer any of my questions. It was a horrible experience that I never want to repeat again. That is why I'm so worried about getting off and withdrawing. But I have to do it. Can't stay on this forever.
Honestly, my opinion is if you can get into recovery without it...do so. Acute wd off faster acting opies is only 6 or 7 days......Nothing when compared to several months it takes to get off of Sub or Meth. Or use it as a tool for withdrawal...I guess the doctor knows how that works? But that's just my two cents. For those who MUST take it for maintenance or relapse it's an effective treatment. Plus I feel we do a disservice to them by saying we aren't clean or sober on sub. Because for some, it's the only thing that helps them to break the cycle and get any time off their DOC. I believe addiction comes in degrees. Some people have no problem getting clean once they decide...but for others it's just super hard! Do if this medicine helps them do that...I'm al for it..and I don't feel it's right to judge them got using it! Just my opinion.
Because I felt clean and sober these past couple years. I do not feel high on sub nor do I have those addict behaviors I had while on the faster acting opiates. My family will tell you I am not the same person who was addicted to pills! So basically I feel that I switched from an addiction to a physical dependency. I do not feel I need sub...do not crave it or look forward to my doses. I just know without it...I would withdrawal.
Hope this helps. If you have any other questions please ask....I'll try to answer them as honestly as I can.
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Join Date: Jul 2015
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For those who have taken subs how long does it take before you suffer withdrawal? I have taken them for a week or two and didn't have a problem when I stopped, I am considering going on them and would much rather not trade one withdrawal for another if I can avoid it.
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Originally Posted by GS123 
For those who have taken subs how long does it take before you suffer withdrawal? I have taken them for a week or two and didn't have a problem when I stopped, I am considering going on them and would much rather not trade one withdrawal for another if I can avoid it.
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Join Date: Sep 2015
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In my opinion, any maintenance drug should be used for those who have tried inpatient rehab and other methods of getting clean. Should be used as a last resort kind of thing. Just like opiates Suboxone inevitably will have it's consequences when you try to come off. There are so many mixed opinions on it, it's hard to get a clear answer and only you will know for sure whether or not it's a favorable option.
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