I am hoping someone can help me. First, let me introduce myself, my name is Alexis and I was a heroin addict for many years. I have been clean for over 12 years and remain clean. I went cold turkey and suffered the withdrawals without any help. I understand nowadays there is help out there. Here's my problem... My husband is addicted to oxy's and I am looking into every possible option to get him off them asap. Is it possible to do a quick, painless withdrawal with Suboxone? Is there any other fast way to stop the withdrawals? How expensive is Suboxone and how free is a doctor to prescribe this medication? From what I read, the doctor will NOT prescribe this medication if you are still using, is this true and if so, how long does he have to be off the oxy's before he can start Suboxone? How expensive is it? Is there any other alternatives? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for any and all input. I look forward to hearing from anyone who can help. Thanks again!
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H&R Moderators: streaM Freak
New to this.... and I need HELP!
- Thread starter Alexis69
- Start date
Smoky
Bluelight Crew
Hi Alexis, Congrats on 12 years clean. Awesome! Some questions you ask could indeed be answered here but not all due to some of the guidelines.
The painful part about moving to subs would be the waiting period (as you mention) as well as an appropriate dose to match the amount he was using. I'm not a doctor but I would suggest less than 7 -10 days (max) on Suboxone if he is only going to use it for withdrawal. There are many factors involved depending on him personally, for example -- duration of use, amount using… pain issues, body weight and so on. 12 - 24 hours approximately to wait with Subs for the oxy IMO as it's not as short acting as say Morphine, but not as long as some other opiates. There are meds one can also use in the interim before the induction period. Some may disagree with this.
I do apologize for the delay and feel like you might receive some more support in Sober Living or Other Drugs. There are many that would know more about Suboxone specifically that have been through it. Would you like me to move your thread to one of those forums? And if so which one?
Great to have you with us, please feel free to pm me or ask any questions here.
Best, Smoky
The painful part about moving to subs would be the waiting period (as you mention) as well as an appropriate dose to match the amount he was using. I'm not a doctor but I would suggest less than 7 -10 days (max) on Suboxone if he is only going to use it for withdrawal. There are many factors involved depending on him personally, for example -- duration of use, amount using… pain issues, body weight and so on. 12 - 24 hours approximately to wait with Subs for the oxy IMO as it's not as short acting as say Morphine, but not as long as some other opiates. There are meds one can also use in the interim before the induction period. Some may disagree with this.
I do apologize for the delay and feel like you might receive some more support in Sober Living or Other Drugs. There are many that would know more about Suboxone specifically that have been through it. Would you like me to move your thread to one of those forums? And if so which one?
Great to have you with us, please feel free to pm me or ask any questions here.
Best, Smoky
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Thank you for your reply and help. I really appreciate if you would move my thread to every forum which would generate help/information for this issue. I would like to hear from anyone who actually went through the withdrawal period from start to finish. I have so many questions! Thanks again Smoky... Alexis
Alexis, I believe you know what to do because you have been there and you overcame your addiction, which is against all odds. The best you can do is support him through his withdraw. Just remind yourself he did not walk into his addiction overnight and he is not going to be able to walk away from this without paying for it. Make him as comfortable as you can and treat the symptoms of opioid withdrawal as best you can. You can do some simple research and find what meds will help the best just be cautious with the meds you choose and use them in short term. I wish you and your family the best.
manboychef
Bluelighter
How is he doing? He should be feeling just a bit better if he already stopped.
cj
Bluelight Crew
There is no painless way to get off oxy after 2 years. A suboxone taper will help but he is still going to be sick for a week or so. He will also most likely go through post acute withdrawal syndrome. Here is a brief article on it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-acute-withdrawal_syndrome
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-acute-withdrawal_syndrome
manboychef
Bluelighter
Please don't tie how you feel about yourself on his shortcomings. You are obviously doing well, and you know and are experiencing the detriment that a partner with a habit can create in your life.
I know you don't want to hear this, but sometimes recovery is selfish, and at some point he is going to need to wakeup and realize that he can lose you if he continues using. I have ruined many good familial, romantic, and close friendships due to my inability to quit using drugs....but at the time it didn't phase me. It took me truly wanting to stop, and not an outside influence to make me seek help for my problems. My bottom was losing all that were close to me and feeling truly alone.
Good luck and godpseed Alexis.
zack
I know you don't want to hear this, but sometimes recovery is selfish, and at some point he is going to need to wakeup and realize that he can lose you if he continues using. I have ruined many good familial, romantic, and close friendships due to my inability to quit using drugs....but at the time it didn't phase me. It took me truly wanting to stop, and not an outside influence to make me seek help for my problems. My bottom was losing all that were close to me and feeling truly alone.
Good luck and godpseed Alexis.
zack
Thank you Zack, I absolutely understand the process and in no way is he hindering me... only himself. I stand behind him 100% and an reaching for the stars to get help for him. I too lost a part of my family and everything I owned to drugs so I know the routine very well. He's asking for help but not making a move and that's the reason I reached out to this forum. I greatly appreciate your input and everyone who responded. Thanks again and hopefully I will have good news in the near future...
Sincerely,
Alexis
Sincerely,
Alexis
cj
Bluelight Crew
In my life I discovered that I built resentment towards people who "reached for the stars to get me help". I felt like shit for not wanting it as bad as they wanted it for me. Then I resented them them for making me feel bad about myself. Then feeling bad about myself led me to medicate with more heroin. Vicious cycle it is. . My favorite line from my favorite book Tainspotting is "Protect me from those who wish tae help us". He is going to have to find his own path out of the opiate maze, all you can do is help keep him alive through the twists and turns of that maze. Teach him harm reduction, make sure he has clean needles, get narcan for the house and your purse. Do everything except buy him heroin. All the while letting him know that if he wants treatment your there to help. Any kind of treatment not just abstinence. Let him know methadone and subs are an option. Eventually I got tired of the bullshit opiate life brings but I still loved the drug so I got on methadone and my life has improved drastically.