staying sober from opiates.

[HelpMeg]

I was an addict on and off for almost two years.. I just recently went to a suboxene clinic.. which is what I needed.. My only problem now is getting to meetings since I have no car to get there so how can I get the support I need to stay off the drugs? I'm ready for a new life and I'm tired of all the wasted time I've spent on opiates but I don't seem to have very much will power. It ***** how some drug can completely control your life. I guess I'm just looking for online support right now. The town I live in doesn't have Na meetings but it does have AA.  Could I go to a aa meeting and get the same result?

[mheadey]

No problem, have a good day

[mheadey]

No problem, have a good day

[AShellof_Me]

Thank you for clarifying. I hear you on the doctors over prescribing and all that. I get you. this makes more sense. thanks

[mheadey]

I was not trying to discourage or get in the way by any means,  I think what I meant was,  for me,  as soon as I knew it was time to get off and get clean from opiates,  I should have just fine it cold turkey,  we all have it in us as son as we know we are ready.  I am mad because I found out suboxone is only supposed to be given for no more than 3 months and then you should be done.  These doctors make a fee for prescribing it and literally only do it for the cash money,  come to find out you are not cared about,  treated like a human being,  and given the drug for the rest of your life by some doctors.  I get that it can save someone from withdrawls,  but we can do that on our own,  bite the bullet for 2 months and I assure you, you can regain your life with out subs.  As for going to na, you should,  I supposed going on it off subs could be good for you.  Let's get rid of subs altogether,  they are worse than heroin,  pills etc.  Combined, its all about you,  and if you are strong enough and ready to stop using altogether,  and I believe you are.

[AShellof_Me]

Hi Meg,

I don't want to cause any issues here... but my son is a heroine addict, so i'm somewhat familiar with suboxone. I don't know what your drug of choice is but if you are currently being prescribed suboxone and you are taking it AS PRESCRIBED and are NOT abusing it... and are OPEN, willing, and honest about wanting to get sober... then going to a meeting can STILL be VERY effective for your sobriety whether or not you're on the suboxone.  Don't let people stand in the way of YOUR recovery! This is YOUR sobriety and YOUR LIFE at stake. Stand strong.

Praying for you.

[mheadey]

I wouldn't recomment going to na untill you are off the subs,  you are still under the influence of a strong narcodic,  the truth is you won't be the real you untill you are off of everything.  I am only saying this because I went to na  meeting while on suboxone and went to one when off of them,  and it is not the same,  you are not clear minded while on subs,  I'm just being honest.  If you are ready to get off of pills you can get off everything.  And detox from opiates are way easier than detox from subs,  subs are ruining people's lives everyday

[Julia M Aharonov, DO]

Your friends here are correct, going on general Addiction forum will give you a lot of support. I just want to disabuse you of a notion that you are opiate free. You are being treated for your addiction with what is called Opiate Maintenance Therapy.   Suboxone is an opiate and is extremely addictive. There is a blog I wrote that addresses specifically both Suboxone and methadone as methods of treating addiction.
I am a big believer in post withdrawal long term Naltrexone therapy. This is what we practice in our clinic. Our goal is initiation of long-term Naltrexone therapy, which will guard you from physical cravings and enable you to participate in viable talk therapy which can actually produce result without the constant pull of opiates. Because Naltrexone induces withdrawals if you are not completely clean and opiate free, we initiate that therapy under sedation, so that the bulk of the acute withdrawals happens while you are asleep.
Take a look at my blogs about options for detox and recovery. You may also take a look at my clinic website where I also have my blogs and a lot of other info about drug addiction and recovery. Look especially into the blog and the info on Naltrexone therapy after getting clean. It really improves your chances of staying clean for good by cutting down your physical cravings. Look into my clinic website as well. All this can be done by clicking on my name in blue.

[AShellof_Me]

Hi Meg and welcome,
There is another forum here called: Addiction: Substance Abuse. I think you will find a lot of support there from a lot of very loving people who have gone through the same thing you are now.  Some who are going through it now... I'm a recovering addict also.

Regarding AA & NA, my home group is an AA group - it just worked out that way for me - for the best. My DOC is crack. I tried a particular NA group, and it wasn't for me... but I know there are great groups out there. So, if you have an AA meeting close by and you can get there, GO! :)  You will find in the flesh people to support you and teach skills you MUST learn to STAY sober. It's one thing to clean out... and yeah, that IS hard!  But it's all together another thing to change the WAY we addicts think and that takes a lot of WORTHWHILE work.

I hope you'll stick around and come on over to the other forum to find the others! Addiction: Substance Abuse

Prayers out!

[Jaydizzle]

To answer your question yes you can go to aa. First step in any 12 step program is realize your not God, powerless, and life is unmanagable. If that fits then aa will work. Good luck