suboxone

[perco13]

i've been using 150mg of percocet a day for the last 2 years and i cant live like this anymore. I went to a very reputable doctor in manhattan today and we came to the conclusion that i will taper off using suboxone. Now, he recommends i find a stable dose of suboxone  and use it for a longer period of time until i feel i can cope without anything. My argument to him was that i dont want to substitute percocets for another substance like suboxone, i want to use suboxone ONLY to taper off to help with withdrawals and such..and then stop using it. He is afraid that due to the amount i was using and the timeframe the cravings will come back and i will eventually relapse. I dont know what to do. i know im going to use the suboxone to taper off but should i take the doctors advice and continue it to help with cravings etc. or should i do what i feel and discontinue it after the percs are out of my system. Does anyone have experience with using suboxone for a long period of time? if so i'd appreciate any insight i can get on this. How you reacted to it, tapering off of it. This is a very important decision for me and i would hate to become dependent on something else, that would be counterproductive to my goals. Thanks :-)

[perco13]

thank you all for your input. i've made a decision to use suboxone just for the taper and see a therapist for aftercare. i hope it all works out. g-d bless you all! - ike

[bewitched_queen]

I have no experience with suboxone but have heard it was actually a much harder, longer detox &WD period than the percs. Trust yourself.I thought of sub also but after reading up on it I decided to face my demon once rather than twice by having to face my first addiction then yet another one to the suboxone. Just my opinion. Hope you get the best plan for you!!

[ready2bfree49]

I was on methadone ...90 mgs...for 7 yrs. I thought the same thing you did about not wanting to subtitute one drug with another ( oxys to methadone was what I did...didnt relize i was doing it until it had a hold of me..) once I took my 2nd to last 10mg methadone and I tapered down...I could feel it comin...so, i went to my reg. doctor for sleep aids , aniexty meds etc. and wen i got it there (he was already aware of my story...) he informed he just got his dea to dispense suboxone.....so, i'm goin to give it a try ( hope to god my ins. will help pay..) SHORT TERM !!! thats where i messed up with the methadone...short term is the key.....I went to a clinic tho that wanted you to be a "lifer" 100.00 a head...a week....all about the $$$
GOOD LUCK!!!! i'm on my 2nd day and adjusting from one to the other isnt easy but what should i expect after taking methadone everyday for 7 yrs....

[perco13]

I completely agree. I definitely have nothing to lose by trying the use of suboxone for sole detox. I actually told him that, he didn't have any objections. Like you said, if it doesnt work out the suboxone will always be there. To be honest i was shocked to hear him immediately recommend being on a steady dose of suboxone, as if automatically assuming i have no chance without it. Thanks for your reassurance. i start the suboxone on monday so we will see what happens. Thanks again for your input.
All the best. Ike

[hellc@mst]

Yeah. I dont like to contradict the advice of a doctor but I think you need to trust your instincts and first try and use the suboxone for the purposes of detox rather than maintenance. You've got nothing to lose by giving it a go and the suboxone will still be there should you need it at a later stage.

Cravings are an inevitable phenomen experienced by all addicts who try and overcome their addictions. It is premature of your doctor  to pre-empt/circumvent the cravings  phenomena by foisting indefinite maintenance. I think your doctors attitude is defeatist and fatalistic as well as being extremely discouraging. He was wrong to dismiss abstinence so readily based on the presumption that you will not be able to cope with the cravings.

As I stated earlier, there is no harm in trying to use suboxone as a detox aid.   You can cross the cravings issue as it arises. All the best on your journey.

Kind regards jeremy. Recovered ex-Addict.