Help, Suboxone users

[CrAzYlAdY90210]

Have been on 8mg Sub daily  for awhile, well set my apt a week 2 late & they would not let me come in early & didn't want 2 hear anything. So to avoid my fear of withdrawels, I got 50-10mg oxy's..and started 2 take them daily..my doc apt is in 3 days....is it ok 2 tell my doctor what happened and what I did, or will he stop seeing me? scared..been going for like 2 1/2yrs never did this before, stayed on my subs an nothing else? please any advice will help

[nursegirl6572]

This precise reason  is exactly why when in a sub (or methadone) program, that you need to be 100% completely compliant....with all aspects, making appts, keeping appts, being on time, clean UAs, etc.  Most clinics have very very strict rules, and for good reason.  If they didn't, it would be a free for all.....so understand that.  Think about it...they are dealing with ALL addicts, and not to be hurtful...but addicts are the best liars and manipulators out there, so to avoid that, they set strict rules and expect EVERYONE to follow them.  Kind of a no tolerance policy, you know?  And even with THAT, people STILL manage to pull the wool over their eyes, which jeopardizes everyone, especially the doctor whose license and DEA# is on the line.  

Now, some clinics aren't as strict when it comes to messing up.  Some have a one strike you're out kind of motto...others will be a little bit more forgiving.

The problem I see is that they KNOW you failed to make your appt in a timely manner, and that you were trying to get in there sooner....so it's going to be kind of tough.  Addicts relapse, it's expected, but your situation is completely different.  You turned to an opiate to buy you time until you could see the sub doc again...which you ended up in that predicament because of your failure to make the appt in a timely manner.  

I always always advocate honesty....and I'll tell you why...because people, ESPECIALLY people in these kinds of settings really appreciate honesty, and they will be completely unforgiving 100% if you lie an then get caught in that lie (which is likely).  The truth may not have the outcome you want....but lying just continues the addict behavior.  That's not good.

I think you're going to have to really really plead with them to keep you on.  You're going to have to SHOW them with your actions that you're committed to the process, and that you will abide by the rules.  If not, there are other people waiting to get into clinics who maybe WILL be fully committed.  That's how a lot of sub docs feel.  That people who aren't compliant are wasting everyone's time.

Understand my comments aren't directed at YOU personally...I'm just trying to be real honest about how the staff feels about these kinds of things...I experienced it first hand.  Hopefully you have a good track record with them with the exception of this one incident.  If you do, they may be forgiving and give you a final chance.  Most likely, they're going to put several conditions on keeping you for a while....more frequent appts, random urines, med counts...etc.  If that's the case, move Heaven and Earth to do whatever you need to do!

Good luck to you, I hope you can turn this around.  I'll be anxious to hear the outcome.  Fingers crossed for you that you get another chance to prove yourself.

[Jinx_777]

i usually say honesty is the best, but in this case honesty will get you discharged from sub's.  

are you going to have to take a UA???  if so, i guess i would plead my case to the doctor and beg for forgiveness.

in the future, i would have just cut down the sub's in order to stretch them out.