opiate detox with the help of subox.

[away13]

Does ANYONE have any suggestions on how I can detox from a pretty nasty opiate addiction with the help of suboxone. I have not started the subox. or detox I am a total stranger to this and am soooo grateful to have found this site. Who the hell knew so many are trying to get this ***** monkey/gorrilla off our ******* backs. GOOD LUCK AND LOTS OF PRAYERS TO ALL OF YOU... any suggestions for me??? Thanks, AWAY

[wait2long]

I transitioned to suboxone from methadone, methadone withdrawals CAN last up to 4-6 weeks, 3 days on suboxone wouldnt have cut it for me...

[Stacy79]

The need to remain on Suboxone for an extended period of time is because drug addicts by nature want a quick fix.  Suboxone is an opiate, so what is the point of switching from one opiate to another, just for a few days or weeks, just to take the pain away?  The pain has to come eventually, and Sub just prolongs it.  But some people have deeper issues regarding WHY they are drug addicts.  And these people need counseling and therapy and anything else they can get, to get to the root of their problems.  This doesn't happen overnight.  Therefore, Suboxone keeps them stabalized, without the pain of withdrawal, to allow time for the mental healing to happen.  It all depends on the person, and how long you feel you need to be on it.  You may have been fine after 3 days, but other people may relapse that way.

[girlybuff]

You must not take it unless you're in withdrawals or it can throw you into withdrawals.  Take it at least 12-15 hours after your last does.
Take the smallest amount possible.  Take a half of an 8mg pill then wait a half hour and take another half if oyu need it.
I suggest you tkae it for a very minimal amount of time and stay at the lowest possible does.  The longer you are on it, the harder it is to get off.  Taper slowly every fe days by a half a pill until you find yourself down to a crumb.  It has al ong half life so dropping down a dose shoudn't be that uncomfortable.  You will probably feel "discomfort" a day and a half after your last does.  
I don't suggest being on it for more than 10 days but remmember to have an after plan (meetings, therapy etc.) or you are likely to replapse.
Good luck to you.

[ButchH8]

I stopped Suboxon after 3 days. I do not understand the need to remain on Suboxon for extended periods of time. Once the Opiate wd  has passed 3-5 days, You should be able to get off everything.

[away13]

thanks for the vibes and I do wish you the best luck with the whole non narc pain med. I have Lupus and get pluresy and peuricarditis a lot so I dont need street meds my doc is a drug dealer himself. Deep down I know I abuse the **** and I have come to a point where I dont want to anymore. When I quit will be another day that I dont have to work. Hope it is soon. going to bed now but ill be back 2morrow. see ya, and thanx!

[Victim of Surgery]

Thanks, away13. I'm going to a new Pain Mgt dr in a few weeks to try and find an alternative to opiates after the surgery. I met with the doc's GNP who told me I might be able to take Tramadol for pain, although I don't know much about it. I refused to take the hydrocodone after my last surgery but the pain was just too much once they removed the morphine drip. I forget what they were giving me but after 24 hrs, when they told me the ONLY alternative was hydrocodone, I gave in. 10 months later, I'm still dealing with the w/d. Just do whatever  the doc says and don't take how he/she treats you personally. I've been treated like a criminal and I really resent it. But, after 2 different Pain Mgt doctors I've come to the conclusion that they are all the same: cold, uncompassionate (if that's a word) arrogant, business people who trust no one and believe in no one. They are more worried about their practice and their license than with helping you. And, if you complain they basically tell you to go find another doctor. It's really quite incredible, not to mention frustrating. I've been given the wrong prescription a number of times and the dr and his staff just say, "oh well." Just keep telling yourself that there is no alternative. Use them as they use you and get out of it what you can. Again, don't take it personally. You definitely seem to have the right attitude but it will be your inner strength that gets you through it, not the doctor. He's just a tool and you have to figure out the best way to use that tool. I look forward to hearing how your appointment goes so be sure to post here soon after. Good luck!! I'm not a praying person but I will send you whatever positive vibes I can. To me, it's all cosmic.

[away13]

I do appreciate you both responding so quickly. Im going to talk to another Doc. family doc 2morrow or tues. I know there is no easy cure and if it was that easy everyone would use b/c quitting would be cake. To Victim of surgery I have heard that sub is harder to get off than any opiate if youve been on it for any length of time. This may sound terrible but I have read that if u take opiates while detoxing (a pretty large ammount) it will help dramaticly. Good Luck. If you will be taking narcs. after the surgery  anyway.  

[Victim of Surgery]

I started on 2 pills a day. After about 2 months, I started stretching the time between doses every week. Instead of 1 pill every 12 hours, I went to every 13 hours, etc. Every time I stretched the time between pills, I got sick within 1 or 2 days. I will say the sickness was less severe each time but I was still sick none the less. 2 weeks ago I was down to 1 pill every 24 hours and my doctor told me it was safe to stop. I need to stop because I have to have more surgery on my neck and you can't go under when taking suboxone. Well, after skipping the first pill I got w/d and went to half a pill for 4 days, a quarter pill for 5 days and last night I tried to stop again. I was up all night with nausea and horrible spasms throughout every fiber of my body. Every cell in my body felt like it was traumatized. I got some relief by staying active but soon got exhausted. Finally, at 4am I went on line and got some relief just by talking to other folks here. At 8am I took a hot bath, which helped a little. After eating and showering I felt a little better but by 3pm I gave up and took another quarter pill. All of my doctors are amazed at how sensitive I am but that doesn't help. Everybody is different. Hopefully it will work better for you but there is no quick fix. Just stay with it. I can say thay while it seems to be taking forever, each time I get sick it is less severe.

[IBKleen]

OK..

first, you need to be in withdrawal..at least 15 hours. That is the rough part. Then take 1 8 mgs tab. Wait at least an hour and half. If you don;t feel good, take a half of one. You need to find your own level. that is key. If you are doing this short term, then you will need to stay on YOUR level for three or four days before you start a taper.

It is tough hun. these doctors are money hungry. So, you will have to go with your body and mind with this one.

When will you start? Make a plan to be off work, etc. when you start.

[Victim of Surgery]

You MUST have a doctor to help you. If you start taking it and can't get any more you will be in even more trouble. You can't just stop taking it once you start. Suboxone is also hard to stop for some people. I have been on it for about 4 months and get sick everytime I reduce the dosage -- even with a doctor's guidance, a clonodine patch, a slew of vitamins and supplements and lots of support. And, I am using it to weather the w/d from hydrocodone which I only took for a few months after surgery. Suboxone really helps but it's not a cure all. Search Suboxone on the Web and then look for doctors in your area who are licensed to prescribe it. Not every doctor can dispense it. GOOD LUCK!

[away13]

no, a doctor prescribed them, but I have heard horrible stories regarding staying on sub. for to long. I thought I would try to find out what others have done.My doc gets $350 bucks a month(per visit) so of corse he wants me to take 3-4 tabs a day.

[IBKleen]

Glad you are here.

If you don;t know how to use it, I am guessing you got the Sub on the streets. Bad move. Suboxone is a program which should be directed by a doctor. It is not just a matter of taking a pill.

So, how many do you have?