When is the time to start Tapering off.......?
 

Im fairly new to this site but i've been on Suboxone for 5/6 years with the same doctor with no issues or relapses. I think about taper off all the time bu the thought of ever suffering through any kind of withdraw again frightens the hell out of me! Anyone that can share there experiences with this would be much appreciated.

Hi and wekcome Goal :)
I have no experience to share with subs myself.

What does your Dr say?

D

I am in the same position Goal and wish I knew the answer too!

Thanks for replying to my post. I was looking for any personal experiences that anyone may have had with tapering.

My Dr. says to let him know when I ready and we will go down a .25 at a time. Another words go down to taking a .25 less for 1 month and if all is well drop down another .25. Ive asked all the questions of what to expect feeling wise and what happens if I feel I need to go back up. All of my questions have been answered with satisfactory answers. So I'm not sure whats stoping me from trying.... Fear I guess??

All you can do is give it a go?

D

I appreciate the reply Dee. Im just looking for anyones experience with taper off Subs. How they did it what helped or worked for them. Ive been taking them for a very long time now and I have my life in order. I feel like I'm ready to take the leap to tapering off but something keeps me from going for it? Ill take any words or wisdom or advice anyone may have good or bad.

I understand the paralysing fear but sometimes I think you just have to make that leap of faith - if you want change?

I hope someone with experience might see this thread at the top of the forum :)

D

I have no personal experience, but was in rehab (for me, it was alcohol) with a couple of guys who were there to get off suboxone in a supportive environment. Something to consider?

I know this is an old thread and OP is probably long gone. But for anyone else who might land here in the future.....

I quit heroin some years ago at the same time as my now ex-husband. I didn't go to meetings or rehab, neither did my ex-husband. Both of us are still well. Both of us had been long term heroin and methadone addicts (over 24 years). We did it in different ways. I did a long methadone maintenance/taper (over 18 months), he did a Suboxone maintenance/taper (over 3yrs). I did around a year maintenance and then a taper at my own pace for about 6 months. He did his Sub maintenance for a little longer (around 2 years) and then tapered also for about 6 months. Setting our own pace and being totally in control of our own taper was key for both of us and I can tell you that neither of us suffered any withdrawal whatsoever. So a painless taper is absolutely do-able.

Also, bear in mind that there is no shame in being on maintenance. It was one of the most freeing things that a medical professional ever said to me. He said after 24yrs of addiction - whatever it takes to give you a functional and normal life. That same prescribing doctor (my local GP not a drugs specialist) also allowed me to set my own pace when I knocked on his door and told him I wanted to start tapering. With a stabilised life a taper is nothing to fear. :)