Can Wellbutrin help subutex withdrawal???

[wirehangers]

Hello there! I'm new to the site. I'm sure this question has been asked a million times over and everyone is sick of answering it. Here's the deal...
I went on a short 2 week heroin stint (about .25 gram tar a day) after being sober for several years. I immediately got my hands on some subutex because I knew I didn't want to go down that road AGAIN. For the past 3 weeks, I've been taking an average of 1mg subutex daily. I've never detoxed from subutex. I just took my last half milligram and I'm wondering what to expect. Since this has been short term and light use, I don't see the withdrawal to be anything as bad as what I've dealt with in the past. The big question I have is whether or not wellbutrin will help with withdrawal? I'm 99% sure it won't help with the physical symptoms, but wondering if anyone here has had success with taking it for the depression aspect. Any and all advice will be appreciated. Thanks so much!

 

[Grand Touring]

First of all, 2 weeks is not enough to build dependence. Maybe a psychological one, but not physical. Secondly, When I came off 3 years of Suboxone use, I got super depressed and was on my way into an MDE, or major depressive episode. It was so bad I had to seek professional help. The first thing he put me on was Wellbutrin and Neurontin. Now, about 6 months later, I'm not depressed, I have good days, I have bad ones, but we forget about that as users. So seek professional help if you haven't. And to keep it short, Wellburtin won't hurt.

 

[Tommyboy]

^ While I agree that it may help, I think that they should try to go without any substances at first to try to let your brain chemistry get back to normal on its own. If after a while you think that you need something to help with depression or anxiety, then you should seek professional help. It's best not to get diagnosed while in withdrawal though because the symptoms you are experiencing may be temporary and go away on their own with time, so that's why I suggest that the OP waits until considering any psych meds.

Also, I'm pretty sure that they are asking if it [Wellbutrin] will help with their acute withdrawal symptoms, which it will not. It may help with PAWS, but again, I would recommend trying to get through it without any medications unless the symptoms become too much to bear.

I'm going to move this to Sober Living.

Homeless --> SL

 

[neversickanymore]

Hey Wirehagers.. welcome to BL.. sorry you slipped back in.. the proper medications to detox off opiates are clonidine and possibly a non opiat drug for restless legs syndrome, addition of a bezo will be up to you and your dr.. there have been people who have used a prescription amp during withdrawal to try and alleviate the craving, depression, lethargy commonly associated with this temporary state, but there is as much a chance of the relief of these symptoms as there is an increase in anxiety, agitation, restlessness, anger, and fear.. IMO, set up an appointment with a dr and I agree you should have little or no physical withdrawal from the one bag of tar a day.. but if you dont mind me asking why did you relapse??? Your going to do fine.. oh and how many hours after your last H dose did you take the subs? this could give us a really good indication on whether you will withdraw.. or would have before the subs.. hey this wont be as bad as you think.. :D

 

[wirehangers]

Thank you for replying. Much love.

THANK YOU!!! As far as the relapse... I've been clean for 6yrs from heroin with 3 little slips (no more than 2 week benders). This time, my job was sucking the life out of me, I had gone off of my antidepressants, and I just so happen to walk across a dope dealer on the way home from work one day. Bad choice, but whatta ya gonna do? I started taking subutex about 20 hours after my last dose of heroin and continued the very low dose for 2 weeks. Actually snorted the last little crumb I had before I went to work this morning (the job that is driving me crazy). Today was my last day at that job. NO MORE SERVING OR BARTENDING FOR THIS GUY!!! I now have a week off before I start my new job that is super rad. Great money, commission, benefits, bonuses, and 20% off my rent (I will be a leasing consultant for the apt complex I live in). Started back on the wellbutrin 6 days ago and have all full week to adjust to side effects and deal with any withdrawal I might have. I just bought tons of immodium, I'm prescribed a benzo, and have promethazine as well. I'm totally prepping myself. But I'm pretty sure this will be a cakewalk compared to the straight junkie withdrawal I went through time and time again years ago. Thanks again for responding. Just to know someone cares enough to give advice and ask questions gives me more hope. Props to you and your team. I'll keep you updated!!!

 

[neversickanymore]

Please do keep us updated, and .. IMO dont even think about the IMODI.. i think you may be making much bigger deal out of this than is need.. hate to say it but most of us slip.. afterall we are addicts the difference between the ones who live a good life and those that get swallowed back up.. are the one that get rite back up, and then identify and make the changes that brought them to a relapse, like you have done with throwing in the towel with the server industry, proactive is the key but you already new that.. you could give some good advice and wisdom around here hope to see you around!!

 

[wirehangers]

Me? Make a bigger deal out of something that's probably not a big deal at all??? NEVER!!! ;0) That tends to be my nature of worry. I'm SURE you're right. But since coming off of subutex is like...the only thing I've never had to withdrawal from, I was a little nervous and didn't know if there were any symptoms that would be different from your typical full opoid withdrawal symptoms. QUESTION... Why no IMO? I'm assuming "IMO" is code for immodium. I'm not taking it currently. Just have it for back up. It's been roughly 24hrs since my last dose. I actually feel better today than I did yesterday. If anything comes of this, I expect it to hit tomorrow or the next day. Thanks for recognizing my proactive steps!!!! We've all been there. Live and hopefully learn. I knew I had to quit that job and make a drastic life change or I would return to "fuck it" mode and continue the downward spiral. I am happy to give advice to anyone who needs it on this site!!! It's an AMAZING source of knowledge, experience, truth, and hope. There's no telling how many lives have been saved due to this site. Know that and know that it is appreciated by many. Much love.

 

[Tommyboy]

I believe that the reason that neversickanymore suggested against using Imodium is that it may just prolong your withdrawals, and since your last slip-up was short then taking Imodium will actually be like you are using for longer since it's actually an opioid.

I also recommend against using Imodium, unless you feel some diarrhea coming on while you are at work. Other than that it will cause more harm than good. It's best reserved for people with larger habits that really require a taper to make it bearable, but you are not in that position.

 

[wirehangers]

Thanks Tommyboy. I'm off work for another 6 days, so I will avoid the immodium at all costs. I do have to go shopping for business clothes later in the week. I forsee myself taking some then to avoid what could be a terrible experience at a department store ;0) Thanks again for the great advice.

BTW... It's been several days and I feel GREAT!!!! Making sure to get the proper vitamins, lots of sun, entertainment on Netflix, music, etc. I've been running errands and prepping for my new job with no car and my legs aren't even in pain! I assumed I wouldn't be able to leave the couch for a few days. Totally made a big deal outta nuthin'. But with a total of about 5 weeks under the influence (including the H), I won't be surprised if tomorrow isn't as awesome as today. I really appreciate your support.

 

[neversickanymore]

back to the good life hangers.. you can help people get what you have gotten.​

 

[wirehangers]

:D Thanks!