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New here and need help getting clean

Xtina24

Greenlighter
Joined
Jan 28, 2016
Messages
10
Location
St Augustine Florida
Hey there. So I'm new around here and not totally sure if I'm posting where I'm supposed to be. I'll do my best to get across what I am asking without breaking rules. So I've been taking roxy/oxy? 30's(snorting) 1-3 a day depending...almost everyday for the past 8 months and here and there dabbled with dilauded (iv) and skin pop. I've been taking suboxone 1/2 to 3/4 of a strip a day for three days. I don't want to use again and I have no support system. So I really need all the help I can get. Am I using the sub right? can i stop taking it now? Help me! Please and thank you... Hopefully I didn't break any rules....
 
Hi, welcome to bluelight. I am moving this to sober living.

I personally have no experience with suboxone; but a lot of other people here on this site have.

Do your friends and family know about your addiction and your desire to get clean/sober? If not, tell them and you will have a support system.

I personally never got into AA/NA or even non-12 step recovery programs; but a lot of people do find them to be extremely helpful and a support network for sobriety, and it shows them how they can have a wonderful life without drugs and addiction.
 
I assume they are the 8mg suboxone strips we are talking about? If so 1/4 of a strip a day would be a good dose to start off with. Now if you are still having cravings or withdrawals then you can go up to half a strip. I think the sweet spot for sub is around 2mgwhich is 1/4th a strip.

Welcome to Bluelight and sober living. We have a lot of really kind well educated posters to answer your questions. So if you have any other questions or issues you want advice on post ask away in this thread.
 
If all you're using buprenorphine is for a detox, you could stop today, or ideally take a lower dose for two or three more days, and suffer little ill effects. If you're only been taking 4-6mg of buprenorphine per day for three (or up to seven) days, you won't experience acute withdrawal from the buprenorphine. You will likely still experience some of the withdrawal symptoms, a general malaise, some insomnia, perhaps GI discomfort (cramping, diarrhea, nausea), heightened anxiety/feeling of alienation, regardless of whether you stop taking the buprenorphine today, in a few days, or taper down over the course of a few more days. But those symptoms would be the result of your body finishing it's detox as a result of your prior opioid dependency.

Generally speaking it would be ideal to take buprenorphine for a full week when using it to detox from short acting full agonist opioids like those you used, and tapering down as opposed to just stopping at your current dose (but considering your habit and the very long acting nature of buprenorphine, this is far from necessary). Ideally you can access other comfort meds to deal with the other symptoms, although much reduced compared to cold turkey detoxes, you will likely experience (gabapentin, clonidine, sleeping meds, etc).

The kick is the easiest part of this process though. Given your circumstances, I doubt it will be very difficult for you, regardless of whether you stop the buprenorphine today or taper down over the course of the next three or four days. I would highly suggest trying a day without taking any, and if you do feel you want to use it for a few more days, reducing your dose to no more than 2mg. Skipping days is very effective. Unless you feel maintenance is necessary (which really should be accompanied by other treatment, ideally a good therapist and psychiatrist combo), there is really no point in taking Suboxone for more than 4-10 days (assuming the detox isn't for a longer acting opioid like methadone, which is not your issue).

Like I said though, your kick is the easiest part of this process. Addressing the issues created by your (I will assume negative) patterns of drug (mis)use/addiction, as well as issues that existed prior to your drug use that may have led you to self medicate ("underlaying issues") is really the name of the game. Finding some supportive communities and integrating yourself (or sense of self/identity) into them, to become a part of something bigger than yourself that is supportive of your authentic wants and needs - most importantly one you feel genuinely/authentically connected with them, as opposed to having to force or fake your way along - and developing passions/hobbies outside of opioid (mis)use that are healthy and supportive to general, long term recovery and stability are the harder part aspects of dealing with opioid addiction and dependency.
 
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Thank you for the help y'all. I think I'll skip my sub today I woke up feeling pretty ok. I do have gabapentin and benedryl if things get hairy. I am mostly alone in my addiction and sobriety. I told my mate about it and he freaked out and told me to stop now and quit being a weak person.... I have acquired a sponsor although I'm not hip on the 12 step program. I appreciate all words. Thanks again.
 
Is this day 4? You could skip todays dose and then take 1/4 and then 1/8th the day after. Buprenorphine has a long halflife and it builds up in your system, even if you are feeling shitty you are feeling less shitty than you would otherwise. And the 7 day rule is important, many people have the intention of a short taper but end up taking it for long enough to start withdrawaling off of buprenorphine which can be it's own special hell after enough time. Patience is something that opioid addicts seem to have the least of and it's probably the most important thing to have during recovery, as well as not wallowing in self pity and negativity. These things can weigh you down and keep you from making positive changes in life, just being stationary and procrastinating are the things that have seen me fail in the past. Remember that you can do this and it's not that bad, the longer you use the worse it gets, being patient and confident in yourself will see you succeed.
 
Thank you for the help y'all. I think I'll skip my sub today I woke up feeling pretty ok. I do have gabapentin and benedryl if things get hairy. I am mostly alone in my addiction and sobriety. I told my mate about it and he freaked out and told me to stop now and quit being a weak person.... I have acquired a sponsor although I'm not hip on the 12 step program. I appreciate all words. Thanks again.

Sounds like you're getting your feet wet OP, bravo! :)
 
Wellll I failed a bit... At about 2pm I started feeling the itch to go score, but I was still feeling pretty ok. By 4:30 I had decided it had been long enough since I took any sub and I was going to get high! Drove to my spot ordered my doc and at the last second got the sub instead. I was out, so if I got sub I could split it up into 4's and know I'd be set for a few days. For good hopefully. Or I could get high and be broke and have no fallback. Fucking shit lol. Feeling good about my choice. Thanks for the replies y'all it really feels good that I have this space to be honest. :)
 
That's not a failure. You went through all the motions to score and then decided not too. I would say that's a huge victory cause generally once you put a relapse in motion its almost unstoppable.
 
Well here's to day 5 without snorting or iv'ing! Woo I kinda feel like the...almost normal. I was up at 6am and making coffee and shit lol. Strange how when you're in the throws of addiction you think it's all normal and nobody can tell. I can for sure say that I haven't been feeling or acting like me. I still don't think anyone around me knew. Not even my husband...kinda sad really. I'm gonna go to work and not stop at the dealers house first! That was the hardest for me, stopping the addictive behavior (not that I'm fine or ok or healed) but my route had to change. A few times I had to turn around because I started going where I didn't need to be. I'm blabbing on. Sorry. Also can anyone tell me what gabapentin does to you? Effects? Peace love and chicken grease y'all!
 
Thanks :) question. I've never taken the gabapentin before, what does it do? Anyone know?
Gabapentin affects the nervous system.
I am about a month into the process of getting clean off H, so I understand what you're going through coming off of oxy. If I were you I would use that gabapentin for one of two things: either when you are out of subs and strapped for cash and the withdrawal pain is still too much; or save it until the cravings are so bad that you're ready to give up on getting clean. I'm not promoting doing other drugs in leu of oxy because it is obviously best to abstain from doing anything if you can. Personally I can't. When I reach the point where I'm ready to give up and get high or die, I turn to other drugs instead. Three things to keep in mind if you use this method: stay away from any opiates, change it up (don't continually use the same alternative drug because then you're just trading one addiction for another), and this is a LAST RESORT (when you literally feel you can't go on, not to keep getting high everyday). When and if you ever reach that point, take the gabapentin instead of finding a way to score oxy.
Congratulations on getting this far in the process. I, too, am getting clean without a support system and I know how hard it is. The fact that you've realized that you CAN do this is going to be very important to your recovery. So every single day, as often as you can, find a way to remind yourself that YOU CAN DO IT and it IS worth it!! This will be one of the hardest things you will ever do in your life, but believe in yourself. I, and everyone else on this site, believes in you. :)
 
Gabapentin is great for a lot of withdrawal symptoms. Without any tolerance to gabapentin or gabaergic agents, it can alleviate most of the symptoms of only but the worst kicks. Even for those with a tolerance it still can help a hell of a lot particularly with RLS, insomnia, anxiety and malaise. Mostly imhe RLS.
 
Thanks again y'all for helpin out! Today is day 7 and day 2 with no sub. I'm feeling ok, hot flashes here and there and a little nauseated. I'm really thankful that I found this site. It helped me through. That is all. Peace love and chicken grease y'all...
 
Glad to hear your improving. It does get better in time,and you seem like your doing great. Keep up the good fight and youll see the light out of this foggy tunnel soon.:) Wish i could offer more support but ive never used subs,but im always up for a chat if you need to talk.
 
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