End of the road

[ekalrag]

I think this is is a nice site, a lot of you seem to support eachother, I've reached the end of the road, the drugs stopped working a long time ago, I just use them to feel normal, 'cept I don't feel normal, I really envy the average guy on the street, who can eat properly, sleep without drugs in them , I have had a long term habit with subbutex but just want to STOP STOP STOP, plus zanax, I'm well scared because it's yet another rattle I have to do, I've found NA meetings help, but I live on my own since breakup 3 months ago and isolation is a killer, I just want to know, how long will a detox from subbies be, I'm on12mg a day, want to get down a bit then kick them into touch. Please, if someone's been in the same boat let me know if it's as bad as coming off methadone or H, I know i HAVE to taper down benzo's 'cos they're well dangerous. Thank you for taking time to read this.

[tgtiffany]

I'm from Texas too!  OMG it's so hot.  lol

EKALRAG I hope that you are doing well today :)  Keep your head up!

[stilltrying1965]

I dont know if its the same as coming of heroin. That was my doc but i went cold turkey and have been clean for 193 days. So i dont know if its the same. But we still have to go through all the flu like symptoms and all the mental stuff. I cant see the subs being much harder if it is harder but you can do it. You can be that normal guy that walks down the street yes you. Just put in the hard work and you will get the pay off,s Wishing you all the luck in the world for you can and will do it my friend  GOOD LUCK,,,,,James

[kmo2626]

Hey there, a friend told me your story and I have read your threads, you show a lot of strength and considering detox it a great mind set that you are in. I have been off Norcos for 8 days and today am having a bad day, I did the cold turkey thing and thought I was on the road to BLISSFUL THINKING....instead I feel like Im on the road to WISHFUL THINKING! However, someone told me today that it took a lot longer than 8 days to get hooked and will take a lot longer than eight days to get off. I have a lot of support, but there is no better support than people on here who are going through what we are going through. I try to think positive. I really have read so many horror stories on here, that the pills have lead to crime, bankruptcy, loss of home/job etc. I dont want "their stories" to be my story. But whether I like it or not thats where my life would have been headed because it only gets worse. if you are able to do a 28 day detox I would encourage you. Can I come too? I hear the UK is beautiful this time of year! Im from Texas....wish I was in the UK right now! Stay strong and I will check back with you :)

[tgtiffany]

How are you today??

[selfinduced]

I know you have a new plan and routing for you as you move forward. Just wanted to send you some positive energy and strength for the day. This is a beginning of a whole new world for you and your son. I know you have your work cut out for you, but you will succeed!!!!

[tgtiffany]

I think if you can do the detox, then go for it!!  Norcos and hydros are what people call "hydrocodone"  Which is pain killer that many are addicted too.  It's what my husband was addicted to...it's like vicodin, if you know what that is.  Anyway, have a good day okay :)  And let us know what you decide on the detox!!

[ekalrag]

Hey, thanks alot for your response. I've had a real bad day, and I saw this counsellor, he knows me inside out, and I might go to a 28 day detox, because you hit the nail on the when you said it's hard for an addict to taper. I have tried so many times, it's like getting in the ring with Mike Tyson - ie I 'aint gonna win. I've been prescribed 12mg of subs for months and months, then I was buying some on the black market, and doing silly amounts, 12mg just about holds me, over weekend, dropped further, but again, you are so right, it's the last bit that is so, so hard. Here, in the UK, drug agencies just about give you what you ask for, in terms of subbies as well, so that don't help. My doctor just thinks addicts are scum, criminals  etc etc, so he isn't really a help either, he just writes the script as long as I don't darken his doorstep :)   As for zanax, that scares me, big time, because of potential fitting, seizures etc, I was doing 5-7mg a day, silly I know, now it's 2 1/2 a day, but I have to be well careful with them, I had no idea, 1mg of zanax = 20mg  of diazepam, that FREAKED me out. Anyway, thanks, my friend, for your words, I have the weekend to think about going into a detox, 'cos my life is miserable as it is, and I  do meetings but I might need a safe enviroment to come off. There's alot of words i don't understand on this site, like norcos (?), hydros (?), but a drug's a drug, I guess, I suppose my DOC is more, which is a pretty sad state of affairs. Thanks again, yeah.

[worried878]

Been a while since i saw someone on here taper off sub...course I am not on here as often as i used to be either.
I have taken su b, but not to quit.  I used it when i was outta pills.  Nvr addicted to it tho..
I have helped quite a few folks get off.  Meetings are important while u do this so u dont go back to your DOC.  
Most folks are on more sub than need be...ie, i was a 100 plus mg a day hydro user, and 2 mgs was enuf to get me thru the day with a buzz to boot.  I did see a sub dr and he wanted to put me on 12 mgs.  I didnt do it, but already knew 2 mgs was more than enuf for me.  I liked sub and it gave me nrg, so it was not a good route for me as i abused hydro for nrg as well...the good feeling it gave me
Most have no trouble tapering until they get down to 4 mgs, alot do not have an issue until they get down to 2 mgs.  Your doctor is the best person to help u with this if he is willing to do so.
After u get down to 2 mgs, most would taper slowly, even down to slivers.  This is a powerful drug and it doesnt take much to keep u going.  It has a long half life so a longer wd than most narcotics, save methadone.
If u go really slow, it is do-able without a ton of physical issues.  Problem is, now u r trying to taper and it is hard for an addict to taper!  Sux major hot dogs!  If u have help/like a friend u can give ur sub to who will dole it out daily, it will help.  U also need to cut off supply so telling ur sub doctor is a key part of this.  I am not sure if sub is now ur DOC, but  for most, that becomes this issue.
Most would stop the sub then tackle the xanax.  Keeping an eye on ur xanax intake during this would be advisable so it doesnt sky rocket while u get off sub.  Writing out a taper, making a plan, picking a quit day, sticking to that quit day, and seeking support are all important.  Can u ask ur doctor for help

Tackle the xanax taper when u feel strong perhaps...talk to ur doctor and read thru the health pages and focus on the sub articles as well as the thomas recipe if u can.

above all...stay strong, and know u can do this, many people have so u can too!

[tgtiffany]

3 months isn't a long time, but Xanax is better to drop down all the way if you can to reduce any chances of the seizures and stuff.  How are you feeling though?

[ekalrag]

Hi, I, going 12, 10 , 8, etc with the subbies, I will stay at around 6 for the weekend then I just want to cluck it out, the zanax I have to be careful with, I am on 1.5mg a day at the mo, but will go down and down to .5 for a few days then drop it out, I've been on them 3 months which isn't good, but it isn't years so that's a plus.
I'm glad your husband is doing well, hat's off to him.
Regards.

[tgtiffany]

Sounds like you are doing pretty good!!  Yeah, I have to agree with you on the methadone detox, it's horrible.  Yes, I"m clean...I'm actually not an addict.  My husband was an addict and I came to this site a few months back for help for him.  He's doing good now though :) And is staying sober.  He was addicted to Hydrocodone, and previously had done the whole Methadone thing as well.  Had a lot of experience from all that.  I know what you mean about wanting to be happy again too!  That's sooooo good that you want to change your life for the better!!!  What dose do you plan on jumping off from on the Xanax and subs??

[sudie58]

you are definately going in the right direction, its good you want your life back, you are right about the xanax but i am sure 2 mg is a fairly safe jumping off point, with the sub , you could ask your dr. for a taper plan? and also tell him/her about the depression, i wish you well, what will you do?

[ekalrag]

hi. I got prescribed subs a long time ago, bout, 18 mths, and for a long time didn't really bother to do anything about it, was in a sort of fake comfort zone (12mg a day) , it did keep me away from heroin, by and large, but it in the last 3 months started buying zanax via the internet, and really went to town on them, I've realised for a long time I am very unhappy, and the times when I have been happy is clean. I have to taper zanax, thats a definite, because of fitting, seizures etc but want to come off subs asap, I'm ashamed to say I have alot of experience in coming off opiates, methadone is the worst, H is a hard but short rattle, but I've never come off subs but mates of mine have and they say it's nothing compared to methadone of H. So subs for 18 mths, zanax for 3 months. Doing 2mg of zanax a day, from 5mg last week, and now 4mg of subs. Still awake? :)  anyway that's it by and large , can't eat alot, energy has gone, but I just want my life back, clean, happy, and laughing which I haven't done for so long . Thanks for asking, yeah? Appreciate it. Your clean, yes? Thanks.

[tgtiffany]

I know lots of people that abuse Xanax.  It's so easy to get and keep using I guess that's why.  Most don't realize how dangerous it is until it's too late, glad you know about the tapering though :)  Your already on a taper for the both, are you saying that you're just gonna jump from the 12mg Subutex or still continue to taper down?  Yeah, I know with Xanax you really have to taper slow because of the dangers and seizure risks and all.  So, with the current taper you're at does it feel do-able?  Or do you feel like dying? lol.  I know that you're tired of them all together, but don't try to taper too fast otherwise you'll be more miserable than you have to.  Also, were you prescribed the Subutex prior or are you taking it because you're trying to get off the Xanax?

[ekalrag]

Thanks - I'm coming off alprazolam (xanax), I've been abusing them for 3 months, 5mg a day which is just stupid, but want to (have to) taper them 'cos it's dangerous with benzos, been on 2mg for 3 days, I've had the horrors, it isn't nice, proper panics and that, then I'm taking subbutex 12mg a day, but again, over the weekend dropped to 6mg, feel clucky and can't eat but I been on them 18 months and just want RID, I will just, please God drop, drop, til I don't take them, personally with subbies I'm sick of working out a tapering plan, sure it works for lots of folk but it doesn't for me, a withdraw is a withdraw, tired of being a slave, thanks alot for reply, ta.

[tgtiffany]

HELLO!!!  First off I want to say welcome to this site :)  It might be a little slow on weekends, but things will be picking up again soon.  I hope that you are doing alright today considering.  Exactly what were you taking and how much for how long??  It will help us help you if we know what you are/have been taking.  I know that methadone WD is a hard one to go through, but tapering will help a lot.  Also, your title says "end of road"  I would like you to think of it as just a different road.  Like you were on a dirt road, through withdraws you're going to be on a super bumpy gravel-y road with some pot holes and after it's all over you're gonna get to that paved road :)  You CAN do this!!!  Keep your head up again and whatever you do just keep on posting!!!!  :)  

[selfinduced]

Good Morning, Just wanted to say hi and you have come to the right place. I don't have alot to offer you as our drug is different. I do know that I have been watching this site for over a year as I was semi denial about my problem. When I did jump on,There is priceless advice. What we do have in common is the envy of fellow folks that really breath in each breath enjoying a clear mind and healthy body. I know we can both have that from what I have read. Taking my last pill today. Good luck to you!

[sudie58]

dont worry about it, it can be quiet on here at weekends and also there is the time difference, also its best to stick to one thread , it gets noticed more and leaves more room for others, i know we have messaged ,but dont get disheartened for other replies. best wishes.