Drug Addiction Treatment: Suboxone & Subutex
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For a long time, methadone detox or methadone maintenance coupled with Narcotics Anonymous meetings was the only way to treat drug abuse long-term on an outpatient basis. Clients with a bed at an inaptient rehab facility, however, had access to a variety of methods and medications, including Buprenorphine. Buprenorphine hydrochloride, commonly known as Buprenex, is an injectable analgesic that has been used for the treatment of opiate addiction since the 1980s. Buprenex is effective on any opiate (heroin, oxycodone such as Oxycontin and Percocet, hydrocodone such as Vicodin, morphine, oxymorphone, fentanyl) whether it is smoked, taken into the body intranasally or taken in through intravenous mainlining. Due to the fact that it needed to be directly injected into the bloodstream in order to be effective, it has been unavailable for doctors to prescribe to clients on an outpatient basis or for methadone clinics to offer to their outpatients as an alternative to methadone.
Enter Suboxone and Subutex. In October 2002, the FDA approved these buprenorphine-based medications for release in the United States. Although also intended for use at inpatient facilities, the breakthrough was the FDA allowing Suboxone to be prescribed by federally approved doctors and psychiatrists, and allowing pharmacies to fill these scripts. The reason for the change in procedure was that Suboxone and Subutex took a high dose of Buprenorphine and condensed it into a small 2-mg or 8-mg pill, which would be ingested sublingually by holding it under the tongue.
The difference between Suboxone and Subutex
The only difference between Suboxone and Subutex is that Suboxone contains naloxone, an opiod-receptor antagonist. It is commonly misunderstood that naloxone is put in Suboxone to block the effects of other opiates if the patient attempts to get high during treatment, and although this is certainly an advantage, the additive's main purpose is to prevent abuse of the drug. In order to begin Suboxone therapy, the patient must refrain from using opiates for at least 24 hours before beginning treatment. If someone is switching from methadone to Suboxone, it is recommended that he be at a methadone dose of 30mg or les. If he does not refrain and is not in full-fledged withdrawal, or is not at the methadone minimum at the time of the first dose, the medication will precipitate even worse withdrawals as the medicine is administered. This is because the naloxone (which is used by emergency response teams in cases of overdosing) attacks the drug by binding itself to any opiates present in one's system. Subutex, on the other hand, can be taken less than five minutes after using without any adverse reaction.
How it works
When opiates are taken into the body, dopamine is released which produces a feeling of pleasure and euphoria. As the drugs wear off, the receptors which received the opiates are left empty, causing withdrawal symptoms to begin. The buprenorphine in Suboxone attaches to the empty receptors and stops them from feeling the pangs of craving and withdrawal. It is a partial opioid agonist, which means it completely halts withdrawal without producing the euphoria and unconsciousness that is counterproductive to a healthy, functioning lifestyle. At its best, buprenorphine also blocks other opiates from attaching to the empty receptors and does not allow a high to be felt.
MORE INFORMATION
- Suboxone.com
- SAMHSA -- buprenorphine
- National Alliance of Advocates for Buprenorphine Treatment
- Buprenorphine Physician locator
- FDA -- Suboxone/Subutex
- Drug Info for Buprenorphine
- Partnership for a Drug-Free America
- Facts about Heroin
- Heroin Facts & Figures
- Drugs.com Forums
- Oxycontin Information
- Patient Success Stories
ADVANTAGES
Unlike methadone clinics, which require clients to come in every day to take their dose in front of nurses, after the first Suboxone/Subutex dose is monitored by a doctor in his office, a one-month prescription may be filled that will allow the patient to take the pill in the comfort of his or her own home. Although a 2mg, 8mg or 16mg dose can potentially last anywhere from 48-72 hours, almost all doctors instruct that it be taken every single day to ensure that a proper, active level of medication is running through the system at all times. One of the benefits of buprenorphine-based drugs is that they have a low ceiling effect, making it less likely for individuals to overdose on the medicine. Buprenorphine also has a limited effect on breathing, also making it less likely to induce overdose via respiratory distress.
Over 3.7 million Americans have either tried opiates or are currently addicted to them, but 400,000 of those suffering have successfully completed a buprenorphine program in the five years since it was approved for distribution in the United States. Although considered a "miracle drug" by the thousands who have escaped the grip of addiction through buprenorphine treatment, Suboxone and Subutex were primarily designed for, and are most effective on, those suffering from low level opiate dependency. Those with a high degree of dependency may benefit best from a different form of treatment such as methadone maintainence. Below are some helpful links citing resources for the different types of addiction therapies.
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methadone madness in minnienapolis.................. in fact its so bad we may need spell check..........hey choose your poision do you feel better on anti depresents or do you still chastize the man that cant spell and gets it on the street corner.
It doesn't seem like we hear much about suboxone in the news these days. I don't see it prescribed much at my clinic.
Deb
Addiction treatment and recovery resources for the addict and their families. <a href="http://www.addictiontreatment.net">http://www.addictiontreatment.net</a>
Ive been on methadone for years on and off un-prescribed along with other opiates and illicit drugs.About 4 months ago I actually found a doctor to prescribe me methadone for opiate addiction to methadone. This is highly unusual to get a doctor, or actually he is a PA to ween me off methadone.I started to feel he was getting pressured to stop, or to hurry the process. I am just about to start Suboxone therapy and I'm scared cause I have to stop using methadone for 48hrs before starting. I'm excited for the change, and appreciate the help that the PA did give me, but ultimately the unsecure feeling I had of whether it was technically legal to do, although I had my parents hold all my meds, and give me my days supply everyday.So in a sense I had my own in home clinic which got me down to the level needed to switch over to suboxone.Ill try to give an update on how things go. I wish everyone all the luck and regardless of what anyone says either methadone or suboxone,subtex,buprenex etc...is always better than the alternative addiction to whatever opiate is the drug of choice.Everyone needs to help lift the stigmatism of these invaluble medications that have saved many lives when taken correctly.
Hi I just thought I would say that I was on heroin and methadone (together) more or less for six years. I tried to switch to suboxone and wated 48 hours but boy did it make me rattle. please take my advice because I dont want u going through the same thing. DO NOT GO ON SUBOXONE. GO ON SUBUTEX. else u will rattle bad and get strsight back on the gear and it will scare u to death, im on subbys now but only because just got out stoke heath prison so had no choice. I know im only 19 but trust me iv been opiate dependant since was 12 and trust me, suboxone should only be given to people who are really withdrawing and I dont think it shoulf be given to people on meths because unlike heroin it stays in system alot longer. Plus it gets in your bones.
I am having problems because I am taking Suboxone under a physician's care. But I am being court ordred to take urine tests for "opistes". I am getting continuing positive results for opiates due to the Suboxone but most judges and therapist know very little about Suboxone that I can not get verification of the opiates being present in the Suboxone. Can anyone help with this?
Thanks,
Jo Tyler
Great job taking a complex subject and aking it very readable and clear! There is a lot of misinformation and ignorance surounding opiate substitution therapies ( as Jo Tyler is facing with his drug test results!) and we will all be better off once this drug goes more mainstrean. Thanks!!
suboxone does not show up as an opiate on drug test
suboxone DOES NOT SHOW UP ON A OPIATE DRUG TEST... I was ordered to absolute sobriety and all I could do was subs to get off OC's and man was I relieved when my case worker said I was negative after being on subs for a week...whew...
Very interesting article and comments that describe others experiences with this form of addiction recovery support
I am currently taking ocs and percs. i tried the methadone clinic and was on it for 12 days up to 90mg per day. i have an appt with a suboxone doctor soon and im not sure what i should do. some one told me i should get on subetex 1st because methadone is still in my system.
oh yah i forgot to say that i stopped taking methadone because i had a allergic reaction to it. ive been off for 5 days and now im taking the pills again.what should i do?
Are you positive that sub does not show up on a court ordered drug screen? I am tring desperatly to get off pills. And I have to take a drug screen for court, I do not have a doctor to give me suboxone yet, so a friend of mine is giving me some to take the edge off. I fust dont want to go to jail though, but gosh it is so hard. Am I safe to keep taking them even though i dont have a prescription?
Yes, Suboxone does show up in Court ordered drug test and the Courts do not approve of suboxone for treatment. I know.
suboxone is realy easy to get just call your local hospital and ask them for a referal of doctors or phsyciatrists (sorry if i mispelled ) that will presribe it. i called got a referal called doc at 700pm went right to him and i was at pharmacy by 830pm in hand by 900pm they give it to u fairly easy because its something for people that really want to do the right thing and the docs know that thats why theygive it to u there is also a patient assistance program for people without insurance just call the manufacturer reckitt benckiser they will tell u how to do it good luck all any questions email me at sm-1979@live.com plus if u have a script
for any drug courts cant do anything about it its legal just have to show them the bottle cause im on probation later good luck all
to all you opiate addicts out there reading this...hang in there...its NEVER easy no matter how much you change your life around its a daily struggle..sobriety comes with time, not by ignoring the fact and trying to put it behind you and forget about it. And to all you methadoners - i'd stay away. No matter how good or normal they may make you feel, all they're doing is fucking you up more. Its a fact that Methadone withdrawl is on of the MOST PAINFUL opiate withdrawls to live through..and it doesnt just go away after a few days. It gets into your bones, believe you me Suboxone may not give you that tingly feeling but it does kill the craving (physical more than mental) The mental part is ALLL YOU! Like I said before.. sobriety comes with time, so give it some
good luck to all
P.S. NEVER..and I mean NEVERRRRRRRRR halt suboxone/subutex/methadone use WITHOUT the consent and assistance of a DOCTOR. If you have your mind and heart set on getting off of any of these drugs, PLEASE take my word for it it is absolutely the most PAINFUL experience to endure, and long lasting. You might think you don't need it anymore.. you can do without it..it's holding you back, WHATEVER YOUR REASON MAY BE you don't realize how strong the medication is till you don't have it anymore..believe me at that point you'd be wishing it was still in your posession. The doctor who's care your under will wein you down safely the way it SHOULD BE DONE and if youre having trouble coming off they can usually even prescribe things to help (for stomach problems, anxiety, sweating, etc.)
GOOD LUCK ALL
does suboxone show up in probation directed urines
5 year heroin addict and now have 8 months clean. Detoxed off of 70mgs of methadone, about a $70 dollar a day heroin habit, and a slight benzo addiction as well. Suboxone was used as a 7 day taper than was switched to subutex for 3 days. I was told from my doctor in detox that this was the way these drugs were ment to work. But out here in Chi doctors do it just like methadone, all about the money, ya know! I suggest, for those that really want a new way of life, to check into a state funded detox (they are in every state and you wont need any money to get in) and get the shit out of your system. Then ask your case worker to help find you a state funded rehab for 30 - 90 days, (AZ has good ones) and then into a sober living home if need be. Then you will have choice back but now the real work will begin. Luck has nothing to do with anything when it comes to getting clean, only truely wanting to stop will make this nightmare end. I will do what I can for any addict wanting to recover mbodella@yahoo.com
I am facing a probation drug creen and used suboxene to get off opiates will it show up on my screening??? Please only resond if you know what you are talking about other wise do not dtess me out with assumptions
I have been on Suboxone since June 10, 2008. I see a suboxone coordinator twice a month and go to drug and alcohol counseling biweekly in addition to seeing my suboxone doctor monthly. I have done the research and know that suboxone only shows up in a specific test (a test which is different than the standard drug tests). It DOES NOT show up as an opiate. Suboxone doctors will do two separate tests, one that shows if you are indeed taking your suboxone, and one that shows if you've taken any other illegal/non-prescribed drugs. The day before I saw my doctor for suboxone I used a fentynal patch, took 160 mg of oxycontin and had about 6 soma and a few ativan, I took the suboxone as soon as I had the prescription filled and did not suffer any kind of pain or withdrawal from using it "too soon" You can get through this if you really want to change the way your living. Suboxone was a miracle for me and my family. I've been clean for 7 months and counting.
Suboxone is just another methadone epidemic. My friends are getting high on suboxone and selling their prescriptions on the streets. And the witdrawal symptoms from suboxone are just as intense, if not worse than methadone. I do not condone either method. I am a recovering addict who used Neurontin (prescribed), and over the counter meds to control the worst symptoms. I stopped taking the Neurontin approximately 2 weeks in and felt alright. Six months later, I was productive and drug-free. I do not see many doctors prescribing Neurontin for drug addiction, unless you are on the west coast, and I would like to see it happen more often. Neurontin is non-narcotic and non-addicting. I advise anyone who is trying to get clean to ask thier doctor about this medication. Good luck to all of you.
Why do people talk out of their asses. It pisses me off so much. First of all I am currently on suboxone and the withrdrawel pains are no where near as bad as any otheer withdrawel I can take 1 8mg suboxone and not have to takee another one for 4 or 5 days. Also it does give you a euphoric feeling but not as strong as the previous opiate you were addicted to. That is why this drug is so great, not only does it take your withdrawel pains but it satifiees the people who still want that high feeling. This stops people from going and getting high on the other drug they were addicted too and gets them off the drug completly and if you take your doses right theere are almost no withdrawels from suboxone when you stop. Your doctor knows what he is doing because in order for him to be able to pescribe them he had to take and pass an 8 hour course and test on suboxone. He will ween you off the drug and you will be drug free. You just have to follow thee doctors orders and you have to really want to stop otherwise it doesn't matter what your doctor gives you, you will go back to whatever you were on. Trust me I have relapse 4 times but I am determined to get my life back because I only have 1 life and I want to be awake and aware of everything so I can have stories to tell my kids and grandkids stories that don't start with"omg I was so high that night that I...etc Good luck everyone and dont listen to anyone who says anything bad about suboxone it saved my life
I was on heroin for about a year and shooting it at least 8 times a day. I ended up having to go to the hospital cause I got really sick and while in there they put me on 40mg of methadone per day for the 9 days that I was in there. I went to rehab after that and the withdrawals from methadone were bad. I would rather have withdrawn from Heroin..it may be a little more painful, but it's shorter. So, I relapsed about 2 weeks after rehab and started shooting heroin again. I went to a doctor that I found on Suboxone.com and they got me on Suboxone and it helps so much. It is rather expensive, though. I have really good health insurance and it was still $170 for 30 pills. But, I'm supposed to be taking an 8 mg two times daily, but didn't want to hurt coming off of Subs whenever that happens, so I take one when I'm craving and it makes it go away almost instantly and I can go about 5 days without taking one and then I crave or get really tingling feeling, restless, and aggitated. Anyways, Subs have helped a lot. I know a ton about this stuff, heroin, and oxy's...so if you have questions, just ask. I'm more than happy to help.
In response to: recoveringincalifornia, No Suboxone does not show up on a drug test. They have to test specifically for Suboxone and it does not show up as an opiate. I've talked to my doctor about this and have a few friends on probation who are taking suboxone daily and still pass their drug tests. You'll be fine. If you have any other questions, let me know.
Subutex/Suboxone really is a wonderfull drug for those who KNOW what withdraw is. I was on 3-4, 10mg tabs every 2 hours and tried many many times to quit. Withdraw will make you seriously slap yo mama to do what ever to stop it from happening. Finding Subutex was the best thing ever, no withdraws and I feel normal, not high, but normal again. But hey, if you can come clean off a nerve med (nurontin) %) good for you, let me know how long it last :)
I was 5 years clean with no opoid replacement treatment and even after 5 years I gave in to my addiction. Once you have that addiction it will never go away. So for those few of you who can get away with no replacement medication than great for you, but for the majority of opiate addicts it is a daily battle to resist giving in to our addiction. Scientifically proven, addiction is when the brain interprets a substance as a necessity for living such as food and sex. If you do not have that substance in your system your addiction part of your brain will override all normal thinking and create a need to live emergency for that substance. IF you don't believe me then google it or go ask a professional, do some homework. This is why replacement therapy can be so sucessful. Of course the choice to use the opoid substance in the beginning was a choice unless it happened through pain treatment but once your brain turns it into a need to survive substance, which happens before you even know it, it is too late and you are addicted(time dependent on dosing and genetic components). ADDICTION IS A DISEASE! Would you criticize a diabetic for taking insulin to survive, well why would you criticize and judge a person for taking a medication to help treat the disease of addiction. Also once your body became accustomed to receiving opiates from an external source your body stops making its own "opiate-like" neurotransmitters...so even after sucessfully detoxing your body of all opiates you will not feel normal for years if your even lucky to recover normal neurotransmitter function. In some cases the body will not recover its normal neurotransmitter function (another aspect dependent on dosing and length of abuse) and so you never feel "normal" again. Very low pain tolerance, no feel good sensations etc. Methadone and suboxone, subutex are opiod agonists. They replace the need for opiates while allowing the individual to function in daily activity without the daunting cravings overshadowing that person's every thought and action. Suboxone is buprenorphine with naloxone. The naloxone is an antagonists which means it will remove any opiates on any opoid receptors. So if you are trying to get off of methadone or any other opiate (i.e, morphine, heroine, oxycontin,etc) then it will remove them from your receptors and you will go into immediate withdrawels. The buprenorphine will then reattach to these open receptors and withdrawels will subside. You will need to be dosed correctly with close monitoring within the first 48 hours of treatment (usually once a dose that resulted in diminished withdrawels will be the correct dose). Buprenorphine is a partial opoid agonists and will not show up as an opiate on a drug screen unless that drug screen tests for buprenorphine too (last I knew the drug tests which screened for buprenorphine had not been validated by gov. meaning unreliable results). So the drug test being used must test for buprenorphine as well to have it show up on in results. Subutex does not contain the naloxone and is alernative buprenorphine treatment which can be used for women who are pregnant or people who have allergic reactions to the naloxone. I have been on both and I did not feel the difference between the two, both were effective at subdueing cravings and restoring a "normal" balance in my body with respect to pain tolerance and responsiveness. Opiate addiction is a life long disease. and although there is no cure for addiction (not yet anyways) , there are great options to help those who suffer from addiction to be able control and treat their addiction giving them a better chance to succeed at obtaining a clean and healthy life style. I am there with you all battling addiction everyday. Sure there are going to be slip ups, like I said I made it 5 years clean and slipped up for a year before attempting to get clean again. Even with opiate replacement medication there is still that part of me that craves it again. There always will be, my replacement medication helps to make the cravings weaker and more managable so that I am less likely to slip up then when I was without any replacement medication. But I still have to make that decision everyday as to whether or not I want to/and will use again. And just like any other disease you will have your good days and then you will have your bad days & you might find one medication to work better for you then another. Just remember you are not the only one dealing with this and you have every right to obtaining a normal and happy life again no matter what jugemental (ignorant) people have to say. Good Luck to all of ya !
I am currently taking subutex prescribed by my doctor. I live in louisiana. the medicine is too expensive, and i was wondering if anyone may know a clinic or anything that i can get free or cheaper medicine?
I am currently taking subutex prescribed by my doctor. I live in louisiana. the medicine is too expensive, and i was wondering if anyone may know a clinic or anything that i can get free or cheaper medicine?
i'm currently on subutex but because i've been on subutex 8years now they're having no eefect so in theory i wake up withdrawing and feel shit .
So my doctor has moved me back to methadone , which i'll add i didn't want to do but had no choice i took my last subutex 2mg today at 11am but last night 24 hiurs ago i had 10mg as i'm on 12mg aday and i split my dose so i have subutex 2x aday i did this because i fount the sheleve life subutex once gave me has now gone so i need to feel normal and by feeling normal i have to take 2x aday.
Anyway i wasn't aware subutex didnt have naltraxone in it so i was ok to take my methadone as soon as my withdraws started from subutex .
I've just took 3omg of meth 2 mins ago and i'm hoping my withdraws i'm currently feeling now will dissapear once meths kick in .
As anyone ever took SUBUTEX not subxone SUBUTEX and used methadone or herion and been ok as i'm worried the subutex in my system still will push the methadone out and mi'll be withdrawing.
Thanks everyone you've helped me decide i'm ok to take meth on subutex i took 12hours ago i just hope i dont fucking rattle cold turkey as a result.
xxx
Email me if you've any expericeneces to help at shelly_swanzy@hotmail.co.uk
thanks guys and sorry for spelling i'm withdrawing and worrying.
does anyone know how long it takes to become dependant on suboxin.
if i take one a day for two weeks then stop. aside from wanting opiates again am i gonna be twitchin for suboxin
Hate to keep asking but am I correct to believe that suboxone does not show up on aN 11 PANEL DRUG SCREEN?
i heard that 1 doc can only prscribe 30 patience to subetek or suboxone is this true?
i've been on suboxone for the past two months almost. i'm prescribed it through a suboxone clinic. and no it does not show up in a 11 panel drug screen (i've had at least 10 since i've been on it) or most other drug tests. my doctor told me it only shows up if its specifically tested for.
I've been taking 2mg of Suboxone a day for the past two weeks to get off of OxyContins. I've bought them from a friend. Does anyone know if I will go through withdraws if I quit taking them now? I'm scared to find out. Please email me. smartplaze@yahoo.com
Wow....a ton of information here, some of it not so good. But this is how we learn I guess....by sharing with others!
In my experience, you cannot compare suboxone to methadone. Methadone is far, far worse....in a number of different ways.
I work in a detox center and treat opiate addicts every day, so I see this stuff over and over again.
This forum is so typical of suboxone forums: it contains a little bit of useful and accurate information, and a LOT of misinformation. For example, two people here have commented that suboxone "gets into your bones". Jesus Christ...where do some of you people come up with this crap?!?
And then there's the guy above who complained about those who "talk out their ass". And guess what? He then proceeded to talk out of his own ass for two paragraphs!
Here's the real scope folks. Sub is useful, but it really should be used short-term (less than 30 days). If you've taken it longer, it's not the end of the world. You'll just need to taper that much slower.
And the key to using Sub successfully is to taper slowly. Most people are fine until they hit 2mg. Tapering down from 2mg requires a little more willpower. But if done correctly (i.e. slowly), it's really not that bad. And while you will have some mild withdrawal symptoms when you taper off Sub, they are not anywhere near as bad as with other opiates. Yes, you'll feel "uncomfortable", but you won't be shaking like a scared chihuahua, completely unable to function.
You just have to make peace with the fact that there is no 100% easy way to get off meds. However, Sub does make it easier than it would other wise be.
BTW, when it comes to Sub, you should ignore 80% of what you read on the Internet. Because the fact of the matter is that hundreds of thousands of people have successfully used Sub, and then successfully weaned themselves off of it. The reason you see mostly horror stories on the web, is because people tend to "speak out" only when they've had a bad time. You rarely read about the thousands and thousands of people who do a course of treatment with Sub, get off of it, and then move on with their lives. And the reason you rarely read about these people is exactly that: they've moved on with their lives, and feel no need to re-live the experience on the Internet.
So stay positive. Used correctly, Sub is a great help in getting your life back on track.
Steve,
I agree with most of what you said. Subs are great for getting your life back together. And staying on them for a month, I also agree with. I was on them for almost 4 years. My doctor didn't warn me of the dangers of taking them for so long. In fact, I can remember him telling me that I may need to stay on them forever and there will be no WD symptoms. Call me naive, but I believed him. I wasn't a hard core opiate user at the time- just young and stupid.
Anyway, I really hope that people who choose subs become more educated on the matter. I have been to 2 different Sub doctors (bc I moved) and both told me the same thing. So therefore, I think some doctors have less info than us.
I have been off Subs for almost a month. For the 1st 5 days, I was crappy (resteless legs, low energy, NO sllep), then had a bad day (9th) then started feeling much better. I think once your body allows you to get sleep, you start feeling better. That may take a week or two. Now my lingering symptom is less sleep (6-7 hours) and low energy. But I'm so glad I am clean, I just wonder how much easier it would have been if I wasn't on them for so long!
im trying to quit using subutex now .. i didnt start yet because i just dont have the confidence im afraid of being bored and not having that routine everyday. i've gone thru the suboxone thing before but now its like it doesnt work i swear i go thru withdrawl for hours and hours and hours and i take it and it still makes my withdrawl worse. so i'm hoping the subutex will work better. any advice? also, i've been on heroin for about 3 or 4 years and i do a lot.
ok so i've read "yea you can test for the suboxone" and yes it will show up, then i read "no, its going to show up for an opite" i have been reading this hold darn thing and it's still confused as hell ... i'm in drug court and they test for everything but only sometimes for alcohol and methadone. is it safe for me to take it if they don't suspect me taking it??? i need some serious help and info sooon plz can some one email me asap it would safe my life !! jonsmith1979@yahoo.com or amandakat17m@yahoo.com
thank you to all who respond!
I,too, need to know if suboxone will show up on urine tests. I have (from a friend) used suboxone 3 days ago (8mgs)and again today-Wednesday (8mgs), I am going to wait until Saturday to take 2 mgs. and take my final 2 mgs when I feel I need it. Hopefully this works anyway. I get probation test next week on site, so that is a ready-test do not know how many panels it is. I am also starting a once a week substance abuse class, that is going to test me. That will be this coming Tuesday. I have told the substance abuse class that I have been free of roxys, and I have for 5 day. But I just want and feel the need to finish my last suboxone. Do you think it will show in either test? I just dont want them to find out - I want to be clean for my tests I go for 24 weeks and hope this will help me.
you people should learn to spell. i am a recovering heroin, methadone, and oc addict; those are the worst feelings of withdrawal i have ever endured. suboxone saved my life and i've been on it for 2 1/2 yrs. i spent at least $150/day on my addiction and would've spent more if could have. i was blessed to have found suboxone and would advise anyone who needs help to try it before methadone. a true opiate addict knows that it's impossible to quit cold turkey. good luck to all that wants, really wants a clean life.
ggggg
I was on a 400 dollar a day herion habit and pretty much was on deaths door daily..all family and friends had nearly given up and I wanted to die....4 years later I have 2 beautiful daughters and a home..and I owe it to suboxone is that clear enough for those wondering if it works...also I was in drugcourt and probation and it doesnt show up on drug tests take it from someone that knows...email if any questions I am a pro. Jmhorton78@gmail.com
i need help
im addicted to pills and need help, i do about 5 opana 40s a day and to those who do not know what an opana is, its oxymorphone i compair one of these 40mg pills to about 1 1/2 oxy 80s they are very powerful and highly addictive, my brother and i both struggle with this very bad addiction but today he had gotten 2 suboxone 8s, we each took one under the tung and it really helped alot, iv been feening like a bitch and the suboxone todally took the feen away i need help getting them but i dont know if i can because im only 17 if anyone can help me with anything i would greatly appriciate it. Thanks
Hello, I just read your postings you had written about how you were considering taking suboxone. Please take my advice on this as a person who has experienced this and is going through now as I type. Fuck the drug companies and whatever bullshit they try to tell you about taking suboxone longterm. Use it as a taper to come off oxy's. That is it. Taking two mgs everytime you start to feel sick for a week should be sufficient. It is a long lasting opiate so if you have a mild oxy addiction only take it when you physically feel sick then get off it as fast as possible. That is the way this drug was initially meant to be prescribed. No one ever told me that. Now the drug companies are marketing this as a longterm solution. It is not. Believe me you will feel good taking this drug for about six months, after that like any other drug tolerance will set in and you will need to take more and more of it just to get out of bed. No more taking one pill and feeling "normal" for two days. This process will happen fast and you will just continue to have to take more and more and more. Withdrawing from this shit is absolute hell. It will tkae you about six weeks just to not be in constant chilly bone grinding pain coupled with wild crying mood jags and terrible depressed thoughts. You will find yourself doing the dishes and crying uncontrollably for no reason. It is hell!!! Mind you I stopped at four mgs after 8mths of use. After that you basically will feel numb for another month. No enjoyment from food, sex, whatever it is that blows your hair back, just gone. Nothing. I couldn't take that second month. With the alienating the people closest to you. Not being able to work worth a fuck. Gone. So I sit here tonight wondering how the fuck I am going to get off these pills that cost me 500 a month, that cost me food from my kids mouth. I am thinking about doing a reversal and going on oxys again for twenty days and then tapering with suboxone the way people are supposed too. We will see. The longer you take sub the more magnified all these things will become. If you can quit taking them now. Quit taking them now. Best of luck to all of you. Feel free to email me anytime I would be courious to know how you are doing with all of it.\ Sean email: s-roberts27@live.com
I have several comments to make. I first took pain pills when i was 17. I am now a 26 year old mother of a beautiful daughter, pregnant with my second, living in a nice home and have a awesome fiancee. ALL BECAUSE OF SUBOXONE!! I was taking perks, oxycotin, vicodin, you name it. I would drink on top of it all. I was to the point to where my life revolved around pills. My daughter didn't have a mother. With all this my fiancee was by my side doing the same thing. We had nothing, I mean nothing! Living with our parents, no car, no money no nothing. As soon as my fiancee got paid we were off to find our pills. I was in a terrible car accident on September 11, 2008. I had pain meds coming out my ass. That's when everything changed. My fiancee was the first to go to the suboxone doctor. The day that he took the meds he hasn't touched anything since. The doctor was expensive but people were willing to help him cause he was making the right choice. He began to help me too by giving me a dose out of his medicine daily. We have both been clean since October 2008. I am pregnant with my second child and wasn't sure what to do about being on the suboxone. Plus, I didn't have a prescription of my own. Everyone told me i could switch over to methadone since i was pregnant because it was safer. I wasn't up for that, i had taken methadone to get high. So i found out i could take subutex. I also still have a DSS case that has been lingering for 5 months. I have a nurse that comes to my house every Monday to drug test me. She knows that i am taking the suboxone. Everytime she test me my drug test comes back negative. She told me she would have to send it off to find out about the suboxone. This drug test is for court. They have to use if to prove that i am not on drugs. I want to know if there is someone out there that has taken subutex and gave birth or is currently pregnant and is taking subutex. Am i the only one?
just went through precipatated withraw from 7 years of methodone, i will tell you there was nothing worse. It was my fault I told the doctor i was off methodone for 72 hours and i went down on my dose really i was on 110mg and dose the day before so try hard and do what the doctor tells you i know its hard we are addicts. Good luck three days later and im feeling great.
ive been reading through all the comments and i was shocked to read a comment i'd wrote 2 months ago.anyway luckly i got off the methadone and back onto subutex 16mg aday .
subutex.subxone is miles better than methadone and i'd go as far to say methadone should be banned i hate the stuff.unlucky for me thoe ive ben on subutex 8years now looking back i should of only been on subutex for 3weeks max .subutex subxone is a wonderul detox drug just dont dow hat ive done and satay on them indeffently .
Hi guys,
I was on heroin for about 3 years then clean for 6 years. I relapsed about 15 months ago and was on and off it for about 8 months when I got onto subetex. i started on 4mg per day and went down over a 6 month period to 0.5mg per day. Today is my 4th day without and let me tell you, it's hell! Stomach is absolutely screwed and it's like I get anxiety attacks etc. It's not like standard withdrawal when you come down from stuff, but it's pretty bad. I have no idea how long this will last as where I am subetex is not available and I had real difficulty in getting it in the first place. I want to be completely clean, but don't know how long I can take this and work 45 hours per week.
Don;t really know what non-opiate drug I can take to help, but I really hope it starts to get better soon. I'm in real pain and discomfort 24/7 and I can't get anymore subs plus I think I will just have to go through all of this again and I don't want to. Any ideas?
5 days off and still shaking. Not functional at all. Weened down to 1 mg. Was on them for 1.5 years. Used opiates since 2003. Suboxone is good until you come off of it.
I have done this 3 x now and each time has been aweful.
DO NOT TAKE SUBOXONE OR SUBUTEX OR METHADONE. The only way out of the cycle of addiction is to go through it. I kicked methadone cold turkey. It was hellacious but I do not EVER wake up sick in the morning, I do not EVER need to take a pill or a liquid or a shot or anything to feel normal. Also, you only THNK methadone and subuxone make you feel normal. TRUST ME, you have forgotten what NORMAL feels like. You have forgotten what FREEDOM feels like. PLEASE trust me. PLEASE give yourself the chance to LIVE. PLEASE find an NA meeting and a sponsor. You can go to a hospital and safely detox for a few days. YOU HAVE TO GET SICK. IT IS THE ONLY WAY OUT AND I PROMISE YOU THAT WHAT IS ON THE OTHER SIDE IS MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN ANYTHING YOU HAVE EVER KNOWN OR IMAGINED. I PROMISE. I know. I kicked methadone cold turkey along with ambien and xanax. I know dope sick. I know desperation and today I KNOW FREE AND HAPPY. PLEASE DON'T SELL YOUR SOUL to another chemical.
I want to say that no matter how long your clean it never goes away. I stayed clean for 4 years after 3 trips to rehab and suboxone treatment. Surprise I have been diagnosed with a pain disorder and I'm at it again. Just know yes suboxone is amazing for withdrawals. Only you can keep yourself clean. I knew I shoulda never started on narcs again but a doctor was giving me them and so I justified. Yes suboxone shows on some drug screens depending on which tests are being used. I worked in a pharmacy and when we would get that question we were to say yes. There is hope I am going to get suboxone again and continue to try and defeat this demon. Never give up if I would have given up I would be dead. I know that in my heart if you wanna stay clean no drug is going to ultimately do it for you. I hate methadone I watched my father be on it for 15 yrs, no weaning down process and it ended up he intentionally overdosed when I was 15 yrs old. It just fed his addiction. You have to want it, be ready for it and stay humble. Just cause you feel better doesn't mean you are.
I have been reading on this site alot lately as I am a 12 year opiate addict who has been on it all. Including methadone and suboxone and subutex.
Yesterday I was reading on this site and clicked on a blue highlighted word which led me to a site. A pharmacy site. Are they real, can I actually buy all the stuff they have on there with out a script?
Has anyone ever done this before, just looking for something to help me if I am experiencing PAWS after coming off my sub, which I have been tapering. Long and slow. Been on it for six months, tapering down for two.
Thanks
what we put our attention on grows.
I know for those of you who get subutex pills, instead of suboxone, you can taper your doses lower than .5mg. Take even smaller pieces of that pill for many more days to taper off! You do not need a pill cutter or anything, just keep making those pieces smaller to tiny to dust. It does help really. I wouuld have hated to have just dropped off at half a milligram
For anyone that,s coming off Suboxone you need to know that at 2mg daily your going to suffer w/d. You NEED to go much lower to have a less painfull w/d. Been there done that.
Yes Sub. is addicting don,t beleive anyone who tells you different, my wife and i both are on them again after F-n up
with our sub Doc and getting cut off.Thats how i know 2 mg will still give bad w/d.
Having said all that Sub.Is a better option IMO than OPIATES.
Also shop around for pricing on Sub. it varies widely ! I found a local non chain Pharmacy that sells them for $6.00
per 8mg pill and you can fill any amount you want as many times as you want until your script runs out.
I hope some of this info. helps.
Well, I have been trying to get off opes for a while. At this point, I have been constantly using for almost a year, addicted... with about 2 years before that where I would so some OC here and there (10-40 mg doses here and there, but I never new what withdrawal was like till about a year and a half ago)
The last 2 months I have really wanted to get off (sadly my number one reason for this is I'm out of money, I know that not the best reason to get clean, or at least stay clean)... Anyway, lately I have been on and off of any opiate I can find... from OCs, to Opana (oxymorphone), fentnyl, and heroin. I sniff these (except the fentnyl, which I will either wear the 3 day patch, or chew pieces of it). I really am happy I never started shooting anything (considering the withdrawels I have gone threw, I feel really bad for those with serious habits of shooting bundles a day) luckily I'm afraid of putting a needle in myself, and haven't had a friend do it. So far this summer I've tried waining my self off again and again... gotten myself down to even just 20 mg of OC a day (considering my habit was something equivalent to 160mg-400mg of OC a day) 20 mg was almost nothing, and I was happy of that. Of course very time I wained myself down, i would either get a hold of a decent amount of money, or a friend would renew his or her prescription, and come over to 'get effed up'
Sadly, right now, I have been doing roughly 80 mg of Opana (which I feel like 1 mg of opana is anything from 3-6 times stronger than 1 mg of OC... maybe more, but people have different reactions I suppose)... anyway, this is far from my low dosing of 20 mg of OC a day, but I am broke, and really don;t want to waste any more money anyway (tho I'm sure if I had the money I would be buying more). Luckily, when I picked up ~20 of these pills, I traded one of them for 5 subs, 8 mg a piece. I have tried them before, but never for more than a day, now I am planning on trying my best to quit. I was out of all opiates (other than the subs) tonight prior to going to sleep, but I begged a friend for a bag of H just so I could sleep (then do the subs later today)... well, I woke up at 6 am, and didn't feel like I had enough opes in me to go back to sleep (even tho it had been on 4 and a half hours since I did the bag). Anyway, I was dumb enough to do a little bit of one of the subs I had. Well, after 15 minutes I was ina much worse state of withdrawel (premature withdrwael, or whateve you want to call it).. i felt soo stupid that I took the sub before waiting atleast 12 (pref 24) hours after dosing. Anyway, for the last hour and a half, I've been reading all the info I can to make myself feel better.
Anyway, I finally don't feel as horrible as I did 15 min after taking the sub (took about 1-1.5 mg max) but I still feel like I should be taking a little more to get rid of WD symptoms. I'm almost afraid to, considering how bad I felt from the first mg. I am wondering if I take more, if I will again be put into a premature withdrawel, or if I already went threw 'the bad' part, and can take a little mroe without worrying.
Also, I only have 40 mg total of subs, and after that, I really don't want to be doing anything else (well, I do wish i could get my hands on a bupe, like xanax or something... jsut to take the edge off, and I never had a problem with any of those drugs, nothing like opes, thats for sure). Anyway, can anyone recommend any form of a daily dosing structure with a taper?... I was considering starting a 4 mg dose today (maybe with another 1-2 mg before bed) and to go from there. All I know is, i need to get off these opes, and I feel like I've been on them for too long, and apparently am too weak minded o just get off them myself.
One of my biggest concerns is I am doing whatever possible to not have to go to rehab or anything. I would prefer to keep my addiciton off the record (and hopefully never have to look back after this). One major this is, I;ve been away at college for 4 years now, and am about to move back in with my parents in 2 weeks(I never had an addiciton while I live with them).. i would prefer they never knew about this problem, and I want to be completely clean by the time I move home.
Anyway, sorry for the long post, but i could use any advice/support that you guys can give. thanks!
Sorry for the spelling errors etc above, as well as calling xanax a bupe.. i think i was thinking of benzos, i think thats that right term but thats not important.
Also, I really am confused, and hoping some of the things i hear are't true.... I mean, does everyone thing addiction is a disease that you will never be cured of?... I don't like thinking of it that way.. first off its a little depressing thinking I'm going to fiend opiates for the entire rest of my life... I hope thats not true.
Also, if I'm not mistaken, the first step of a 12 step program is admitting you have NO control over your addiction, and CAN'T fix the problem yourself. While I have been struggling drastically with this addiction, I still don't want to admit I am helpless, I still have a little faith in myself that I can get off these things with my own will (and maybe a little help from suboxone for a couple of days to help with withdrawel)... I''ve kicked the habit before, but every time its been harder, and this time I've been on opes daily for longer than I have ever before.
hey everyone, my name's nick and i've been using tar for the last 2 months about. i smoke about 3 to 4 balloons a day, i have 3 8mg suboxin and a grip of 10mg valium...do you think ill be able to withdrawal alone and be ok with only the 3 suboxin? like if i take bits of it at a time??? please let me know,m email if u have to, i really need help. thank you. my email is caranonick8@gmail.com
oh and i have 12 50mg trazedone....get back to me someone, thanks again.
Addiction is a live long disease and you cannot help yourself, by thinking you can just stop with no help. The sooner you understand that, the better off you will be. I am an addict with many years experience. All started in 2002 after a car accident. I was perscribed Perc's, took them as perscribed at first then within 6 years, I lost my nursing liscense, lost custody of my 2 young children, lost my home,thousands and thousands of dollars and three rehab stays. My habit was up to 30 5mg perc's a day. I decided to try Suboxone 19 months ago and have been clean from perc's ever since. I went from 16mg of Suboxone a day now down to 2 mg per day. Never looked back. My life has changed in so many ways. I am currently up for reinstatment of my nursing liscense with the state board. Have paid off a $45,000.00 in credit card debt. Have regular, frequent visitation with my children and have my own apartment back. Suboxone works...I am living proof. Good luck to all of you out there still suffering from this horrible disease. God Bless.
I was wondering if anyone knows whether Subutex gets out of your system quicker than Suboxone? The Subutex not having the Naloxone it, I'm thinking (hopefully) that it leaves your body quicker. (that's what I heard). I'm in Drug Court and they do test for the Buphenorphine.
subozone is good works 4 me if an only if u take them as ur docter prescribed
I see all kind of Doctors do the wrong things, and that is abusing thier power to control thier income by proscribing pain medecine to many inocent people who aren't at fault at all... Suboxone/sobutex aren't alike though simealer to eachother, the only difference is sobutex is more addictive and prolongs the treatment. I proscribe it all to those who comes to my office with the opiates addiction. This is the best way out. Trust me I know.
How do u get on suboxone?My son has bought it off the street.Please help me to help him.
Hi,
I am a recovering heroin addict, in the UK. I was using 0.5g a day. Now I am on 35mg of Methadone a day, and keep meaning to go down, but haven't got round to it yet. It does seem stupid that everyone at the methadone clinic is still just coming there daily, not really going down on their dose.
They offer subutex at my clinic. Should I consider this? I need to come off these opiates, but can't be bed ridden in the mean time.
And I have done cold turkey once and have to say I can't do that again.
Ditto, switching to Subutex and tapering or tapering from methadone is, IMHO, a very similar situation. WD is unavoidable at the end of the day - I have been through all of this many times and there is no such thing as a pain free WD. I am not usre how Sub is governed in the UK, but here in Canada you can, after an initial induction period, get scripted a months supply at a time rather than head to a clinic or pharmacy daily for a dose as is the case with methadone, so in this respect, it gives the addict a bit more freedom in their lives. That said, there are still the monthly doc visits here and the occasional drug test, but if I were looking at a maintenance situation, I would opt for Subs any day.
I have Suboxone im in Orlando...Hit me me tsheehan93@yahoo.com
I have been addicted to pain pills (Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, OC, Morphine ect) for about 8 years now, the last 4 years heavily. Usually it's hydrocodone though and I take about 40 pills a day at 10/325 mg. I have never actually tried quitting or even thought about getting sober untill about a month ago. So far I have had 1 attempt at getting clean and I went to a Social Detox and I only lasted 2 days and I couldn't take the W/D anymore. I left and went right back to popping my pills again. I felt better instantly but at the same time I felt like shit because I let everyone around me down. I had hopes to acheiving my goals at getting sober and I failed. Most say "if you want it bad enough you will just stop" or "I don't see how you can be addicted to a pill". And honestly NO ONE will understand what anybody else is going through because the experience and feeling is different for each person.
Tomorrow will be my second attempt at sobriety. I have a Dr. appt to be put on Suboxone. I have done some reading on site's though and from what I have read you do have to be clean at least 24 hrs before being able to take it without going through instant W/D which I'm not. (I can't go 24 hrs without feeling like shit, I'm just not strong enough. If I was I would just suffer the week of detox and be done with it.) With the Subutex you can take it within 5 minute's of "using" and you won't be put into the W/D instantly. That is one thing and separates the two from each other. I'm not sure what the Dr. will decide to do tomorrow. Hopefully whatever it is will be my stepping stone to getting my life back and finally started at the age of 24.
I think this will work, not just for me but for anyone that's really wanting to get clean. You have to want to do it for yourself for it to work. Anyone doing it just for Court, Probation or even just to pass a UA is just a temporary solution for the time being and it won't be effective long term because your not doing it for YOU. Your only doing it because it's being forced upon you.
So for the people that are getting clean for YOU. I wish you all the best of luck and I hope everything works out for you. :)
Suboxone IS NOT just another methadone epidemic..Its worked wonders FOR ME AND PEOPLE I KNOW..just because your friends are abusing it doesn't mean everyone is. It' helped me and saved my life..you shouldn't judge it just because you know people that ABUSE it. And they shouldnt be on it if they're TRYING to get high..they arent truly wanting to get off drugs then.
You cannot test positive for opiates if you are taking suboxone. I was on Suboxone for 2 years and had to take random urines to screen me for the levels of suboxone and be sure I wasn't positive for heroin so that's CRAPOLA sorry hun, yuo're wrong!
Maybe you are having a 6 or 8 panel screening done and they are looking for suboxone, but it wouldn't show for OPIATES, you should find out what's really being tested. ARE U USING DOPE or what!!
Suboxone saved my life ... I have been on opiates for 25 years .. BAD w/d each time i tried to quit and put my life together. I could NEVER do it cold turkey or NA or rehab (3 times).. I even did methadone treatment twice and used coke and benzos with it to make it "funner". I finally found something that has helped me get my life together and i do not give a shit if its another chemical or not. I can NOT do it alone and this is the ONLY thing that has helped me get my shit together .. I let my kids, wife, family down EVERY day until i discovered suboxone . I can work, love, be a dad etc .. . I hate those people that compare this to methadone addicts and selling their scripts. Are you born under a rock? everything has its bad spots BUT suboxone works and i will swear by it and thank god everyday for finding it and helping me get my shit together - here is my email if you have questions or want to talk about it ..john_mc751@hotmail.com ---------- and by the way suboxone/subutex does NOT show up on a urine test unless its the test that rarely is given and i should know, i work in a clinic that does the urine tests for new hires , accidents or suspision of drug use ...
Later
I have been on Suboxone for over 3 years now. It saved my life. I am back to thinking clearly & have my life back. My Dr. thinks it should be used long term. I would like to come off the Suboxone one day, but the disease won't go away! I would rather be on the sub & use it as I am supposed to, then stop & my disease take over & ruin my life again. Thanks to the Dr. who care & help addicts!!
cher was that test given for pre-employement ????
maybe they were suspifically looking for it???
Hey Ive been reading all of these and Im suprised at some of the negativity of suboxone use.I have been on suboxone since dec of 08' and it has kept me off of everything else,Ive got out of debt and most of all Im not chasing or craving.That to me is priceless.I think some people just dont understand that opiate addiction is very unmanagable. When I was using I got so addicted I wrote presciptions. They were false and was getting 90 each week for 4 months. I knew in my heart that is was very wrong and serious but my addictive thinking led me to tell myself it would be okay because I needed them and couldnt live without em'..I was also getting them online,without a real script and when all this eneded and reality was my only option I turned to Suboxone after a month of being severely sick..For me without suboxone its impossible to funtion. Before now I couldnt sleep, hallucinations,irribilty,chest pain, coldsweats,panic attacks..I not only had to quit I want to.It is just to hard to live without my Suboxone.I now live a normal life without guilt and shame. It saves me everyday. I work the 12-steps and participate in meetings a couple times a week.Im still recovering and always will be. Suboxone has been the best thing in the world for me,besides the constipation,so I do recommend it to anyone that has a drug problem, it can work if you want it to!!I take a moment and pray for the suffering addict..May you find peace.The sun will shine tomorrow and never give up on something you truly believe in.
To the person asking about ordering pills online:
Do not attempt. It is illegal and when I did I received a
letter from the Homeland Security Act saying they had been seized. I was afraid I was going to jail. Lucky that did not happen, but I'm sure if I ordered again, a second offense would probably land me there for life.
To those praising suboxone as being a miracle drug I have one question. Are you still taking the suboxone ?
From the comments I see most are still on it and think they are cured. I wouldn't praise it until you are able to live without it. Only then has it worked successfully.
If you are still taking it, it is the same as the Methadone Maintenance scam which I am currently a victim/supporter of.
When I got on it I thought it was supposed to be short term aand part of a detox. Over 5 years later I'm still on it. I'm down to 25mg from a highest dose of around 135mg.
Its a shame that the doctors don't help you taper off because they want you on it for life for the money they make off your misery. Every time I want to decrease I have to argue with the doctor who always has to recite his commercial for methadone -"It is the safest drug in the world with no side effects" Blah BlAH Blah
invalid_email@cox.net
I am also in Drug Court and suboxone DOES show up on the drug test i got a positive result... So i had to quit the soboxone as well but the withdrawal is nowhere near as bad as my previous opiate withdrawals just feel a little cold and tingly. It is not that bad just deal with it. If you are unsure about the drug test i would take it before your first drug test because most places allow you to "fail" your first drug test because they know you are still dirty. If it shows up positive, then you know.
To Eric,
I have been on 16 mg of subs for 1.5 years and want OFF them. Please tell me about the withdrawal and how much you were taking when you went off of them? Thanks
So to all my serious intravenous drug users out there who love to shoot coke, and shoot dope.. there is a way out but... its still a rough one. Hey I just turned 21 and Ive been doing dope for 5 years, shooting it for 2.. Last January I had to kick a mean heron habit in jail for the second time. and for the second time when i got out on parole, I fucked up.. but hey now I'm on Nuerontin 800mg 3X daily, Klonopin 1mg 2X daily, and Suboxone 8mg 3X daily... I also take Adderall 20mg once daily. And hey I blaze kush and haze to ease my mind as well... so Im a fuckin lush, atleast I dont shoot dope doe.
Unless it is specifically screened for (which is rare), suboxone will not show up on a regular 5-, 7-, or 10-panel drug test.
However, let me say that after a few years of trying to kick a heroin habit with suboxone and failing time after time, I realized suboxone was just a crutch and a substitute for full opiates. It is NOT the answer. It is great as a detox aid if you have a large habit, but after that, get rid of it. Life is actually easier being off of EVERYTHING instead of being ON suboxone.
I took pain pills of all sorts for a good 2 1/2 years. During this time I would spend upwards of one hundred dollars a day to get high. I never, ever had a problem with addiction until I was introduced to lortabs. I had experienced all through my adolescense with marijuana, cocaine, and even meth, but never pills. I started using at the age of 26. I'm now going on 29 and have been on suboxone/subutex since August 4, 2009. I finally had enough and went to see a doctor at a suboxone clinic and got my life back. After taking the suboxone for less than a month, my fiancee and I became aware of the fact that I had become pregnant. I quit going to the suboxone clinic, and wouldn't you know, started to use pain pills again. Even though I had been on the suboxone for a good month or so, I wasn't strong enough to not begin to use again. Being fed up with myself and with what I was doing to my unborn child, I went to another suboxone doctor and he prescribed me the subutex. I've only been going to him for a month now, but just went for a check up for the baby and the baby is doing great. I'm not sure if there would be any harm done to my unborn child for my slip back into my lortab use, because my ob/gyn doc was informed, by me, of my abuse and asked me if i experienced back pain what I preferred to be prescribed. With hearing that I figured that lortab was safe to take while pregnant, just only as prescribed. However, I'm glad I only slipped once, because over all I feel better about myself and about the care I'm giving my unborn child. I can tell you this about the drug test, most docs at a suboxone clinic have a special "dip stick" test that they use on your urine to make sure the suboxone is in your system. I'm not 100% for sure if it shows up on a regular drug screen, but I do know suboxone/subutex is only in your system about 72 hours. I def would recommend taking this medication to get clean. It's given me my life back. And lord knows I was down the wrong road several times, and I had even given up hope on ever becoming clean. The therapy is expensive to get started on. I know that my meds each month without insurance would be almost 800.00. Thank god for insurance! To those of you considering this treatment, it's a god send! Good luck!
I was addicted to painkillers and heroin for years before going on methadone for about three years. By the time I got off, I was up to 125 mg a day and had gained about 150 pounds (a nasty side effect of methadone that hit me particularly hard). During those years of methadone maintenance, I never used, and remained "clean," though many in AA and NA saw it differently (which I can understand). I finally got off methadone by using subutex. At a detox facility I stopped the methadone cold turkey and did not experience withdrawal symptoms for almost ten days. Once they did kick in and were severe, I began the subutex, and it worked like a charm. My problem was that I tried to get off it too early, which, as some mention in this thread, can be a big mistake. Two months after starting subutex, I was down to 1/4 pill a day. I thought I could just stop and the effect would be minimal, and even my doctor agreed. Instead, I went through two weeks of hellish withdrawal that was worse than anything I had gone through before (maybe because it would not end). The point is that subutex does indeed work, but there's no rush to get off it. Take it from someone who knows.
raymondphilippe says:
2 years ago
Very interesting hub!