suboxone users?

[tipsana]

I am just coming to terms with my vicodin addiction. After a lot of time online (for once, NOT looking for another hydro script), I think the best treatment option for me is suboxone. I've tried cold turkey and taper down; failed at both (miserably). I've scheduled an appt. for this thursday with a dr. I found on the samsha site to discuss suboxone. He, and three other dr.s I contacted insist that I be hospitalized for 2-3 days at the beginning to set dosage and prevent relapse. I would very much like to hear from anyone one else who has tried this method, both in patient and out patient. I really don't want any period of hospitalization (concerned about privacy, etc.) and am also scared about what to expect. Please help. Thank you.

[gratefulgal]

hi tipsana! welcome to SR. I too abused hydrocodone so I can relate in that aspect (especially hunting on the Internet for them!). I do not, however, have experience with suboxone, but I know others on this site do, so just hang tight and someone will be along to help you. And by the way, you've taken a really good step by starting to come to terms with your addiction. Good for you!

[leontes625]

Hey Tips, I just did the same thing. Depending on where you are you do not have to be treated inpatient. I am working with a DR in NYC who is working with me outpatient and very trasparently. I am able to work, function and not experience the horrors of withdrawl. take a look at www.nabumed.com and specifically the three day bupe treatment. It might make for a nice combined vacation to NYC. Or he may be able to recommend someone in your area doing the same kind of thing.

I am in day two. Slept fine last night and apart from some understandable irritability, I am functioning as normally as I would, normally. LOL

Feel Free to PL me with any more specific questions. You do not HAVE to spend three days in the hospital.

[ashleighnb]

I thought I would share my recent and ongoing experience with you to provide some encouragement. My husband started suboxone one week ago today for his percocet addiction. Just a bit of history, he went to rehab two years ago and was successfully sober for 1 year and 1/2 and has relapsed. He came to me with this information and we have researched options for him in order for him to detox on an outpatient basis with the agreement that if this does not work he will agree to go the inpatient route again. Hy husband is and has been very active in AA with the exception of during his relapse period (always a good indication that something is going on!) Since starting the Suboxone he says he feels wonderful. I can truely see a calmness that has come over him and this is a very welcoming thing. His obsession which would wake him in the middle of the night and keep him up for hours on end wondering where his next pills would come from have subsided. Keep in mind his doctor is working very hard with him and having daily contact and counseling with both he and his sponsor to ensure that he is living every aspect of his recovery to the best of his ability but I think this medication may be what he needed to get him over the initial withdrawl symptoms and give him the boost to get back involved in the program and enjoy living sober again!! Just to give you a sample, my AH's doctor started him on 8mg and will taper him down to 0 after a two week period. If you are in Minnesota - try any of the following - you can also check other states on this locater service as well.

http://buprenorphine.samhsa.gov/pls/bwns_locator/dr_search.process_query?alternative=CHOICEG&one_st ate=MN&state=00&zip=00000

[tipsana]

Thank you to all for taking the time to let me know about your experiences. I've talked with a few doctors now, and have decided to enter a program next friday -- the three day MLK weekend means I won't have to miss any work. I decided my refusal to enter into a three day induction phase was a combination of fear and control-issues (imagine that! I have control issues! lol) and have decided to take the advice of so many of the doctors - a three day stay to set dosage and concentrate on creating a treatment/therapy plan, followed by all outpatient treatment, NA, etc. I am really scared -- I've never done anything like this before. I also have to say that I am really ashamed and embarassed to have gotten into this situation. I know I should consider myself lucky that the only thing that's been injured so far is my pride, but I still feel like cringing when I consider what I've gotten myself into. (sigh) Oh well, I guess the coming days will be a perfect time to practice "let go and let God" -- my fear is so big that I need something as big as Him to get thru it!
Thanks again to everyone who took time to help me out. It made a big impression on me that complete strangers would offer help like this! Peace to all of you.

[ashley80]

Tips...I've used suboxone many times over the last year to detox from hydrocodone...it works very well, BUT....I am so glad you are doing it under medical supervision...and in an inpatient setting. You CAN do it comfortably at home, but I think your willingness to hand over control is a great idea.

I didn't do that, and got caught in an ugly cycle of using my drug of choice, then suboxone, then back to DOC, etc. My "do it yourself" method....even though it was legal and under a doctor's supervision....didn't work.

The suboxone detox is easy...the hard part comes after you are done with the sub....you don't get major withdrawal symptoms like you would with a cold turkey detox, but you do get some mild restlessness, depression, anxiety and insomnia. If you have medical and other-addict's support....I think that will help you get through it.


Suboxone is a strange drug....taking MORE makes you feel Worse...unlike vicodin...so make sure you only take as much as you need to feel ok. The follow up you are planning...with NA and treatment, etc.....is the key to success.....from one who has been there....I wish you success....I'm sure you will make it!

I went through the same shame thing when I finally admitted (a year ago!) that I had a problem with vics....I was a secret addict...nobody knew. It's very freeing to finally admit you have a problem and get the help you need. I hope you will let us know how it goes.....I'll be thinking of you!

Ashley

[leontes625]

I would offer the addition that the particular program I am on provides for exactly the pitfalls Ashley mentiones. After the 30 subox you move to an opiate blocker so that if you do "fall off the wagon" you get no benefit from it what so ever. Plus there is a medical treatment for RLS (restless leg syndrome), a referral to a doc for the depression and or symptomology that lead to the addiction, some short term anti-depressants and the encouragement to get back out and swim. Look at it this way...

the opiate was drowning you. The Suboxone lets you tread water and then the Naltrexone helps you start to swim. And once your brain and body learn to swim again...well then there ya have it.

Great good luck to you tips. I am praying for an easy stay next weekend and a wonderful, successful new life.

[ashley80]

leontes...sounds like you have a great doctor and program. I'd love to hear more about how it's working for you.

[Roxann]

I have just completed a suboxone program, and I feel fantastic. I was taking 10-30 vics a day, and I'm having NO withdrawl symtoms at all. I feel "normal" ( If I even remember what normal feels like) I feel really good.

Someone said that you have to take it as prescribed. One pill under your tounge, and if you try to take more, or if you swallow it, chew it or try to inject, you get immediate AWFUL withdrawl symptoms and you waste the pill.

I hope you try it, and have success. Good luck!!

[tipsana]

Well, I'm back from my treatment center, taking the suboxone, and havn't had a vic (and only MINOR cravings) since Thursday p.m.. I feel great! I'll post more in detail later, but just wanted to take a moment to tell anyone considering this program that it is worthwhile and it works! I'm not saying there isn't work to do -- I'm attending NA meetings and start an 84 hour outpatient program tomorrow, but I'm doing it! And I am so grateful for the peace and relief I am experiencing right now. Nite all, and take care.