Opioids Just started on subutex. What happens regarding my tolerance if I relapse?

[kace]

Hi, I'm on day 2 of no heroin and 6mgs of subutex instead. This sudden sobriety is scary and I feel alone and pretty down. I was wondering what would happen if I went back to heroin (leaving 2-3 days for the subutex to get out of my system?).

How long would it take my stupidly high tolerance to go back down?

Also, how long will it take to break the physical dependency to heroin?

Sorry. I wish I was stronger, but I don't think I am. :/ I need to have the willpower to make it to town to get the subutex, but I don't have I have it in me.

 

[PKPro]

Bupe maintains your tolerance. And stays in your system a long time... So your tolly will still be there, you might even need more dope to get good...

 

[beforethebeginning]

i know its dangerous to combine multiple CNS depressants,
but maybe u need to take a low dose of xanax to chill your mind a bit.

or perhaps get on a non-CNS depressing mood stabilizer for a few weeks.
u know that once u get clean u'll be happy.

either because ur tolerance is gone,
or because you decide to stay clean.

go for it

 

[BlueHues]

It really depends on how much you were using, which with heroin, it's near impossible to calculate. You'll still maintain at least some tolerance to opiates while using the bupe, but if you were using a large amount of heroin, the bupe won't keep your tolerance at anywhere near the same level it was while using heroin daily, so you have to be very careful and approach using as if you don't have a high tolerance.

Generally, your tolerance goes down very quickly, but if you were a regular user it comes back very quickly as well...

If I was using a gram of heroin daily for a year and then stopped for a week, but then decided to start using again after a seven day break:

The first day back, just a half gram of heroin may be enough to kill me!

But by the seventh day back on heroin, my tolerance would be right back up to where it was...

That's generally how it works...

Also, how much buprenorphine you're taking everyday will also play a large part in what your tolerance to full agonist opioids will be, if you start using them again.

Always approach it as if you have a really low tolerance, that's the only way to be safe.

 

[Mr.Scagnattie]

Only way your tolerance is going to go down is if you stop using opiates all together, or get on a lower dose of bupe than what you where using of H.. otherwise you're just substituting one drug for another as far as how your brain looks at it and your tolerance.

To get totally free of opiate dependency, it takes about a month for the acute-withdrawal phase to really end. But, even after that, it only takes a few days of using again in a row to become dependent again.

 

[kace]

Thanks for your responses guys, I find them all really helpful. I am definitely going to try my hardest and stay on the subutex and off the heroin for as long as I can.
I am weak though, prone to suicidal thoughts and deep depression . I just need something to feel the horrible void, and get into the habit of feeling sober and leaving the house everyday to to to the pharmacy..
It sounds so simple, but argh, trying to give heroin, benzos, coke and tobacco all at once is not fun. I just fear I will slip up, not make it to the pharmacy, (which will result in me losing it!), going back to using and being careless about dosage. Bad feeling this will happen one day and it will be it. Again, can't stop thinking about ODing and being free, it's hard to ignore these messed up thoughts. Sorry, downer post..

 

[BlueHues]

^Even if you can't see it now, things can and will get much better. You're going through a lot right now, give yourself a little time...If you're having suicidal thoughts, you may want to consider seeing someone who can prescribe you some meds that may help you...Although, extreme depression is very common in these types of situations. I've felt just the way you do many times, and it's always gotten better. Then, when you look back on how you felt before, it's hard to even remember feeling that bad, which is why a lot of people relapse...and then go through it all over again!

You might find it helpful to start a thread in The Dark Side about what you're going through...

 

[Zwanya]

kace: I want to begin by telling you one simple fact--you are not alone in this. Many of is have been exactly where you are right now. Many of us have been able to break free of the heroin/pills with the help of suboxone. So can you.

Your feelings of tremendous depression are not a reflection of your weakness; you are facing multiple addictions head on. You are being honest and authentic with yourself (and others) about what's going on. That's admirable. It shows your strength.

It can take a few days to acclimate to suboxone when you are just starting. When a person has a high tolerance, and it sounds like you do, it isn't always a smooth transition. Sometimes it can take a few days for the body to become comfortable. So it is natural and common for you to already be thinking of using. I would encourage you to try to make it through a few days with just taking your subs, so that you can get an accurate idea of how well you tolerate it. The effort might be worth it--you may be able to handle being off the dope more than you think.

much peace and good luck to you.