Has Anyone Come Off Of Buprenorphine?

[law]

Hi All:

I want to thank you all for this great web-site. It is one of my favoriates and I read it as often as possible. I am considering trying BUPRENORPHINE to come off of Hydrocodone. I have read many positive things about this drug, but I have found very little about anyone weaning off of BUPRENORPHINE and what detox is like when you stop taking the BUPRENORPHINE.

If anyone has taken BUPRENORPHINE to kick the hydrocodone habit and has eventually come off the BUPRENORPHINE, would you please let us know how difficult it is to quit the BUPRENORPHINE.

My wife right now is firmly against my trying BUPRENORPHINE because she thinks I am simply substituting 1 opiate for another. She may be right and I am trying to educate myself about this issue so I can make a truly informed decision. Any input from the board would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all for such a caring place to voice our concerns, struggles, and triumphs.

God Bless!

[Luckydog]

its best to speak w/ your MD ..and be honest about your "addiction". I am sure that your MD will help you find another way to deal w/pain.

Lucky

[law]

Dear Lucky:

Thanks for taking the time to address my question. I appreciate your advice. Please know that my addiction has no quotation marks around it. My addiction is a very real, recognized, and hated part of my life. I have escalated to between 20-25 Norco (hydrocodone 10/325) per day over the last year. I need to quit and have tried unsuccessfully on my own. I have read quite a few articles & testimonials about BUPRENORPHINE that discuss how great the drug has been for the former hydro user in quitting the daily use of hydrocodone. It really sounds like something that may be of value to me in my quest to stop using. However, I don't know what is the withdrawl effect from the BUPRENORPHINE. That is really what I am hoping to find out via this thread. If you have any insight, please let me know.

Thank you and KA `ÔLELO HAOLE .

[law]

Please help. I need advice.

[Clare Waismann]

I am the director of a treatment center for Opiates, and we detox patients for Buprenorphine as well. It has been widely used in Europe for a slow taper from narcotics.
The drug its actually half agonist and half antagonist. The agonist side is the opiate that replaces your hydrocodone and keeping you from withdralwing, and the antagonist side is the one that pushes it out of your receptors.
In other words, I have seen people that were able to taper off with it, but your wife is right , I have seen a lot of patients that just traded one drug with the other.

[Theresa A.]

The only thing that has worked for me is the NA Program. I used to hate hearing that - I never could accept that but I know today it is true. Eventually I didn't even think NA could work for me but that just meant I was on my way to recovery.

I just posted something on going to a meeting - it can't hurt (if you've never been) - it is just a lot of people trying to live, having a good time without drugs - friends (I never knew I even wanted any) - living clean. IT is about learning how to live.

It has saved my life. It can't hurt to check one out - even if you don't think it is for you. I sure didn't. I wasn't okay with it for a long time but eventually I came to realize the only chance I had was NA and I better start trying to do the deal.

Your friend in the program,
Theresa A.

www.iwantrecovery.com