does the length of time your on subs make a difference in the withdrawel symptoms

[Jen171]

My question is.... does the length of time that i take subs make a difference in how hard it is to get off subs all together? Like for example ... I quit smoking heroin tomorrow and take a sub and then try and taper  quickly (as in a matter of a week or two...) I go from taking one sub a day, to a half in 3 days, then a quarter....etc. Would that make it easier once i try to go without anything at all? (no opiates or subs) or would that make it more difficult? or neither? I dont know. Im just so ready to wash my hands of all opiates forever and be free of this thing thats holding me back and tying me down! Its so obnoxious to be on such a short leash and to not feel well half of the time, and to have to make excuses and lies all the time! But Im so afraid of the withdrawel aspect! I know I wont be able to stand that feeling when theres an easy cure thats accessible to me. I need to make this as swift as possible...and as quick. i want to be done NOW!!! I want to be on the road to recovery already

[salsinator]

Hi Jen,  I also wanted to mention that a good aftercare program and therapy or support group like NA is very important for success. Just taking sub will not help you deal with the causes for why you use. Those who work a full program have the best success at staying clean.

[salsinator]

Hi Jen,
Congratulations on your desire to quit heroin. The plan that you have with sub sounds like a good one, the length of time you are on sub and the dose both have a direct effect on withdrawal. Sub is quite strong and if you are on it long term, the withdrawal is horrible, long, and drawn out. I took it for close to 4 years and ended up going through a detox nx because I could not taper below 1mg. You will begin to become dependent on sub after about 21 days, but if you start to taper off after the initial detox, it won't be bad at all. Be careful though, some people need to be on sub longer term to prevent relapse and stop the drug seeking behavior. Sub is also designed for dosing just once per day. Some docs have patients use it twice per day. I do not recommend that, but listen to your doctors advice. Feel free to message me if you have any questions. Also, keep posting, there are others here with experience on sub. Best of luck to you.