Suboxone - Percocet, Oxycontin & Abuse!

[djp58]

Hello everybody,

I am new to this board and want to voice my concerns. I am stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Here is the situation:

I have been taking Percocet's constantly for a year and a half now. Typically, I take four 500mg's a day (2000 mg total of Oxycodone)

My dear friend started with Percocet & Vicodin and moved on to Oxycontin, recently taking up to 200mgs a day.

The both of us are very close and are the only ones who know about one another's troubles. My buddy, over the past few months, has got his hands on a few Suboxone knowing that he needed to quit. A quick note about the both of us is that we both work full-time and have very high responsibilities and cannot afford to take time off or go to any clinics or rehabs.

Now, after reading a bunch of material and different opinions, he took his last Oxy two afternoons ago, woke up yesterday early and took Suboxone. He has been taking his Suboxone (I think about a quarter at a time through the day) and has been doing very well - with my support. I feel as if now, since we are both in this together, as being a hypocrite as I am still abusing and he is two days clean.

What do I do and say to keep on giving him a helping hand?

How do I get off these Percocets? Now that I see his motivation, I think I am ready. I need to quit as I feel my health is deteriorating. Am I in a tough situation, taking the amount that I have been for the past year and a half?

Please - any help is greatly appreciated.

[carriekeegan]

oh!!!!!..................GOOD!!!
Your first post was confusing to me, because you said you have been taking 2000 mgs a day, which would be about 400 5mg pills a day!!lol I was gonna say "How the heck are you still alive!!!!! Now, from your second post I understand you are taking 20mgs a day. You pose a good question, does it matter more how much or how long you use. If its how much...I would say you will do fine, you could start now and be feeling, still a little crapy but ok on Monday. I'm trying to get off a 200 mg a day percocet addiction (for about 2 or 3 years) If its based on how long.....you, like with me will struggle for awhile. In my opinion having detoxed 3 times it is disapointing to find out its more than a week at least for me. I would say I dont start to feel normal (ie- no sweats, no nervousness) for about three months! However it is SOOO worth it. How many times do I have to do this before I realize I cant take these pills in a controled maner? Anyway I'm happy for you and your friend its the begining of the end!!! I dont know who on the board I heard this from, but I think its great; "Nothing changes if nothing changes!" Good luck, keep us posted!!

[lisammm]

Suboxone has helped me work on my recovery. I have tried so many time to stop ct and always went back to using norco. Now I go to NA/AA, have joined a recovery group at my doctors, and excercising and eating right so when the time comes to wean myself off suboxone I will be ready. I stopped my addiction with suboxone. That is, I may take a substance that my body is dependent on but, man, I am not living an addicts life style anymore and for that I am so thankful. But this is just my story and my opinions.

[djp58]

Thanks for the prompt and honest advice. As for my friend, he is taking little crumbs of the Subs throughout the day (for the past few days) and seems to be doing very well. He is very happy with himself and is encouraging me to get moving with my life. For myself, taking 4 x 5mg Percocets a day for a year and a half - how is my withdrawal going to be? Will it be severe, and how long will it last?

I am going to keep on encouraging my buddy with the hopes that I will follow in his footsteps. Thanks for all of the support.

[liscamdave]

I agree with Lesa, your friend is not clean, he is just not abusing the oxy's right now. HE is still getting a partial opiate which is keeping him out of w.d for now. Does he plan on continuing with sub? Sub should be given by a dr or taken under a drs care. Don't get me wrong, I tried to quit before with I think 4 8mg sub pills and as soon as I was done the 4 pills, my w.d starting back up and was bad. So he is going to go through it, its a question of when. If he takes little, tiny pieces of the sub for a few days, odds are he will have minor w.d the whole time and thus getting some of the process over with. However, all he is really doing is dragging it out. If he, and you,just stop now and get through the weekend, you will both be feeling better by Monday. Trust me.

You can do this as well. If you both want to quit, now is the time to grab the reigns and do it. Just get it over with. YOu can have your lives back in no time. Believe me, before it gets worst, just get out now.

Welcome to MH...

[10356]

Hi and welcome to the forum.. I was taking on average 20 25 or even 30 norcos a day by the time I quit.. I was on them for 4 very long years.. I would like to say I'm very happy for you both that you have found your desire to quit.. the unfortunate thing for your friend when he does stop the sub.. he will still go through wd.. also sub is very addicting.. getting it off the street with no program is sorta like playing with fire.. I had quit ct.. I find this the fastest and easiest wat to overcome active addiction.. spending one week sick is a small price to pay for our Freedom.. many have paid a much higher price... as for support for your friend just encourage him to put down the sub quickly as said before.. very addicting.. I'm sure more will come on with support and advice.. I wish you and your friend well.. lesa