Just wanted to share my experience for anyone who might be in a similar spot.
A couple months ago, I finally opened up to my primary care doctor (heās internal medicine) and told him I had been abusing opioids and spending over 1500 or more a month on them for several years and I couldnāt take it no more. Which to be honest he wouldnāt say it because heās so shy but he was probably irritated considering the fact that he would prescribe tons of hydros anytime I wanted lol.
He told me he didnāt usually prescribe Suboxone or Subutex long-term, but heād help in the short term while I found a clinic. He started me on 2mg/day of Suboxone films, which honestly did nothing for me. I was still using opiates like crazy ā including 7-OH ā even while on them. He also kept my Klonopin at 2mg/day, which Iād been prescribed for nearly 10 years.
Eventually, I used the Medicare Part D (my fav ) prescriber tool to look for a doctor who not only prescribed Subutex, but also other meds I might need ā like Klonopin or possibly Xanax if I ever needed to be switched. I wanted someone who truly understood addiction and mental health, not someone whoād just see āaddictā in my chart and dismiss me. I found this doctor, gave him a shot, and honestly ā it was one of the best decisions Iāve made. Heās been solid from day one and treats me with actual respect.
At our first appointment, he looked over my chart and saw I had been prescribed 2mg/day of Klonopin. He then handed me a mental health questionnaire ā stuff about my childhood, how I react to stress then and now, how badly certain things affect me emotionally, etc. After looking over it, he upped my Klonopin from 2mg to 3mg immediately, without me even asking. That alone was a huge help.
Right away, he said, āOh no ā tell your primary care Iām taking this over now.ā Then he said, āWith your severe PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and depression, this is definitely an inadequate prescription for you. You need the Klonopin increased.ā
That honestly shocked me. My old doctor had me convinced for years that 2mg/day was the maximum legal dose anyone could prescribe for Klonopin. I really believed that. Smh. I never thought it could be increased. But this new doc actually looked at my situation and symptoms ā not just the number on a screen.
I also told him that the Suboxone films my primary gave me were making me nauseous. Iāll admit ā that wasnāt completely true. They made me feel a little off, but mostly I just hated how they made me feel mentally. I knew Subutex worked better for me. So yeah, I mightāve stretched the truth a little to make that switch happen ā just being honest.
He switched me from the 2mg Suboxone to 8mg of Subutex daily. After 5 or 6 days, I was still struggling hard with cravings. Real opioids and even 7-OH were still constantly on my mind. I called the office, and within 15 minutes he had a new script for 16mg waiting for me at my pharmacy. No hoops. No lectures. Just support. That kind of response meant a lot.
I did okay at 16mg, but then one night I had a super vivid dream about sniffing Roxyās. I woke up literally about to relapse ā ready to go call my guy and grab some OP40s or blues. I told my doctor straight up, and he upped me to 24mg of Subutex. Since then, Iāve been doing a lot better. I usually stick to 16mg/day, but Iāll take the full 24 if Iām having a really rough day. That extra tab is like a cushion when things get tough.
I also told him how thankful I was for the Klonopin increase, but lately my stress, anxiety, PTSD, and panic attacks had gotten worse. Most nights Iād be woken up by nightmares at like 2ā3 a.m. and couldnāt fall back asleep. He didnāt blink. He said, āAlright, Iām bumping you to 4mg/day. Try the extra at night and see how it helps. If it doesnāt do the trick, Iāll keep you at 4mg and weāll add something like Ambien, Seroquel, or Temazepam.ā I havenāt tried those yet, but itās nice knowing Iāve got options.
Also ā and I know this isnāt ideal, so no judgment needed ā but most of the time, my ROA for Subutex is intranasal. Thatās just what works best for me in terms of managing cravings and feeling like itās actually doing what itās supposed to.
At the end of the day, this doctor actually treats me like a human being ā not a junkie or a problem to manage. After years of being looked down on or brushed off, itās been a huge relief to work with someone who listens, takes action quickly, and doesnāt make me feel like less of a person for my past. If youāre struggling and not getting real help, keep looking. There are good doctors out there who actually give a damn.
A couple months ago, I finally opened up to my primary care doctor (heās internal medicine) and told him I had been abusing opioids and spending over 1500 or more a month on them for several years and I couldnāt take it no more. Which to be honest he wouldnāt say it because heās so shy but he was probably irritated considering the fact that he would prescribe tons of hydros anytime I wanted lol.
He told me he didnāt usually prescribe Suboxone or Subutex long-term, but heād help in the short term while I found a clinic. He started me on 2mg/day of Suboxone films, which honestly did nothing for me. I was still using opiates like crazy ā including 7-OH ā even while on them. He also kept my Klonopin at 2mg/day, which Iād been prescribed for nearly 10 years.
Eventually, I used the Medicare Part D (my fav ) prescriber tool to look for a doctor who not only prescribed Subutex, but also other meds I might need ā like Klonopin or possibly Xanax if I ever needed to be switched. I wanted someone who truly understood addiction and mental health, not someone whoād just see āaddictā in my chart and dismiss me. I found this doctor, gave him a shot, and honestly ā it was one of the best decisions Iāve made. Heās been solid from day one and treats me with actual respect.
At our first appointment, he looked over my chart and saw I had been prescribed 2mg/day of Klonopin. He then handed me a mental health questionnaire ā stuff about my childhood, how I react to stress then and now, how badly certain things affect me emotionally, etc. After looking over it, he upped my Klonopin from 2mg to 3mg immediately, without me even asking. That alone was a huge help.
Right away, he said, āOh no ā tell your primary care Iām taking this over now.ā Then he said, āWith your severe PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and depression, this is definitely an inadequate prescription for you. You need the Klonopin increased.ā
That honestly shocked me. My old doctor had me convinced for years that 2mg/day was the maximum legal dose anyone could prescribe for Klonopin. I really believed that. Smh. I never thought it could be increased. But this new doc actually looked at my situation and symptoms ā not just the number on a screen.
I also told him that the Suboxone films my primary gave me were making me nauseous. Iāll admit ā that wasnāt completely true. They made me feel a little off, but mostly I just hated how they made me feel mentally. I knew Subutex worked better for me. So yeah, I mightāve stretched the truth a little to make that switch happen ā just being honest.
He switched me from the 2mg Suboxone to 8mg of Subutex daily. After 5 or 6 days, I was still struggling hard with cravings. Real opioids and even 7-OH were still constantly on my mind. I called the office, and within 15 minutes he had a new script for 16mg waiting for me at my pharmacy. No hoops. No lectures. Just support. That kind of response meant a lot.
I did okay at 16mg, but then one night I had a super vivid dream about sniffing Roxyās. I woke up literally about to relapse ā ready to go call my guy and grab some OP40s or blues. I told my doctor straight up, and he upped me to 24mg of Subutex. Since then, Iāve been doing a lot better. I usually stick to 16mg/day, but Iāll take the full 24 if Iām having a really rough day. That extra tab is like a cushion when things get tough.
I also told him how thankful I was for the Klonopin increase, but lately my stress, anxiety, PTSD, and panic attacks had gotten worse. Most nights Iād be woken up by nightmares at like 2ā3 a.m. and couldnāt fall back asleep. He didnāt blink. He said, āAlright, Iām bumping you to 4mg/day. Try the extra at night and see how it helps. If it doesnāt do the trick, Iāll keep you at 4mg and weāll add something like Ambien, Seroquel, or Temazepam.ā I havenāt tried those yet, but itās nice knowing Iāve got options.
Also ā and I know this isnāt ideal, so no judgment needed ā but most of the time, my ROA for Subutex is intranasal. Thatās just what works best for me in terms of managing cravings and feeling like itās actually doing what itās supposed to.
At the end of the day, this doctor actually treats me like a human being ā not a junkie or a problem to manage. After years of being looked down on or brushed off, itās been a huge relief to work with someone who listens, takes action quickly, and doesnāt make me feel like less of a person for my past. If youāre struggling and not getting real help, keep looking. There are good doctors out there who actually give a damn.
Key Differences That Reduce Risk
Full Agonists + Benzos = One of the Deadliest Combos
Real-World Data Backs This
Final Summary