Should I take Suboxone?

[baj42]

I have been addicted to opiates for about 20 years.  I have been through many treatment centers and detox facilities.  I completed a detox in July of 2008.  Though I have taken many scripts of lortab 10 since then,  I have not become physically addicted again.  It seems that I have no motovation, energy, or interest in anything unless I have opiates in me.  When I have them I actually feel like getting out of bed and trying to make something of my life.  I get 60 lortab 10 once a month.  I usually take them in about 10 days, then I stop because I dont want the physical withdrawls.  My mind is constantly on the pills because I know they take away the depression and make me feel like I can actually contribute to society.  

I have heard different things about Suboxone.  I am wondering if I shoul start taking it.  Some say it effects the same brain receptors as any other opiate and may make me feel better.  I need some suggestions.  I have tried the "stopping opiates altogether" and I always wind up where I am today.  Could Suboxone help or should I just keep "white knuckling it" and hope things get better?  In case anyone is wondering, I have been in AA and NA for many years, but that doesn't seem to help the physical/mental aspects as much as I would like.

Your comments will be appreciated.  Thank You

[dominosarah]

Excellent post worried..........I so agree with you.

[worried878]

What is ur long term goal?    from what i read/and only commenting on a short paragraph which is not ur whole entire history..it seems as if u use the hydros as an anti-depressent or a stimulant..we both know that is not the intention of this drug...but those who experience nrg etc are at risk for addiction....beleive it or not we r in the minority...for most of the population narcotics make them sleepy...if we had this effect we woulda never become addicted cos we crave the nrg they give us..so be it as it may...we have chemical deficieny that makes us react differently to narcs than most react

u seem to do well avoiding addiction...but u know u r playing with fire and it could catch u at any time again..and if u keep this behavior up...full force addiction will grab u eventaully

the reason i ask about ur long term goals is sub can be used short term for detox///or u can stay on it for life if u can afford it...it sounds as if u go to meetings but r unable to let ur doc go..if u truly believe u have done everything u can and u just are not happy without narcotics...then maybe long term sub is ur answer...short term for wd would not be cause u do wd monthly//or better put/u know how to avoid wd...so short term sub/21 days or less which is what the calulated time u can take this drug and avoid addiction/but help wd/would not really be of help to u....u feel u r not complete/happy without a narcotic....so if u have tried everything u can to stop///and u just can not///then possibly consider sub long term...like for life//cos if behaviors dont change then nuttin changes...warning tho..sub is powerful..it can turn on u long term and then u find urself unhappy again....cos in reality u have never got to the root of ur chemical deficiency/depression/etc
what is the longest amt of time u have ever stayed narcotic free?  90 days is often the turning point for many as the brain has to heal/has to start producing the endorphins u have been feeding it/Hence AAs motto/90 meetings in 90 days

ur dose is not really a qualified  sub dose....wd from sub will probably be much tougher than what u r taking now/but drs out there will give it out u in a heartbeat if u go to the right dr/many sub drs would start u out at 12 mgs or more which is way stronger than what u r taking now/in comparison/hard to compare as sub is a partial and not a full agonist/but dont let anyone fool u//that stuff is sticky and after long term use wds can be prolonged and hard

If u feel u have tried every avenue...have made it to 90 days clean so u can see just how well ur brain can bounce back..done ur work to the fullest on ur innerself/going to a meeting here and there is not doing the work///tried an Anti-Depressant that may help u with this depression u encounter/ then perhaps it is time to throw in the towel and get on a long term maintenence drug/sumpin i would rarely say/recommend at ur dose/but u sound like u r beaten/that u can not do anything more than what ur doin

staying clean is a committment..and ongoing..it is tough and no one here would say that it is not tough..staying clean is hard work...but if u continually do the cycle stated above..there is no way ur brain can heal before u bombard it again with pills...and if u feel u canot ever break this cycle///sumpin i could never say cos i  am the type who will never give up...that is me tho...we r all different..if u have read all the info in the healthpages/understand ur disease...and feel unable to ever crawl out of the hole u r in...the u gotta do what u gotta do...and no one here would judge u for it..as we have never walked in ur shoes..educate urself..only u know what YOU can/need to do//only thing i can add is that "for me" it would be a very last choice

[earextacy]

sorry a few typos there...its late...anyway: Methadone stinks compared to Subutes and Suboxone...its is very strong stuff with very few side effects. It time releases and builds up in your body...like a residual or half life or something (if my term is correct.). Heroin users are much harder cases but can work for them as well. Dont suffer when u dont half too...this stuff changed my life...I hade a slew of addictions...the pills...up and downers, any speed I could get, hell even GHB if you can believe that! Subutex can and will help you tremendously...give it two weeks to get into your system and you will be crying tears of joy. Good luck to you!

c

[earextacy]

I currently take Subutex for opiate addiction (15 ten mg a day) and have for a year. It is a miracle drug in my opinion...was taking up to 2 or 3 daily to start and have easily gone down to 1/2 subutex in a year or so. I could care less about another opiate it works so well. Please do yourself a favor and start this program...Methadone is no comparrison either Subutex or Suboxone...basically the same will work. Heroin users have a mucha tougher time...but they work.. They are expensive...but not like the habit you are trying to eliminate. This is all I have time for now...its late. Good luck and God bless.
Earextacy