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Opiod Maintenance

P

ProfessorBananas

Bluelighter
Joined
Jun 15, 2012
Messages
70
I've been using opiates regularly for about 2-2 1/2 years now. I started off snorting and started to iv about 5-6 months later. I was clean for about 5-6 months at one point and ended up relapsing due to stress and depression. Even though I haven't been using that long I don't feel as if I'm able to function without taking opiods. Even when my physical withdrawls subside, my depression has never totally gone away. Basically, I just don't really feel like myself unless I've used.

Recently I've begun to consider trying to get into a methadone or suboxone maintenance program. I'm almost 100% I will relapse without being on maintenance. I'm really having a hard time coming to grips with the idea that I may be on opiod addict/user for the rest of my life. I'm not even totally sure I need to be in a maintenance program. I just think it will help with the depresion and the likelyhood of relapse. Has anyone been in a similar situation or had to make a similar decision. I appreciate any input or advice. Thank you.
 
It's really unfair how expensive Suboxone can be for those w/o insurance. I feel very lucky that insurance pays for my suboxone. I've been on sub maintenance for about a year, and its been a god send. With sub maintenance you usually only have to see your sub Dr. once a month. In my case, less then that, more like every 4-5 months. Also sub blocks other opiates very well even at low doses. Methadone does too of course, but only at a higher dose. I've also found subs to be an excellent anti-depressant. While it doesn't get me "high," it gives me an energy and a mood lift, which SSRI's have never done for me.

If you decide to go on sub maintenance, consider your daily dose. Your Dr. will probably want to start you at a high dose, 16mg maybe, but I've found it to be more effective at lower doses. Tapering down to a lower dose, like 2-4mg/day, has all the same positive effects as a higher dose, but without the mental fogginess that high doses of sub can cause.

Suboxone may be expensive, but its gotta be cheaper than an illicit opiate addiction, not to mention way safer.
 
Have you thought about anti-depressants? It sounds like if you found one that works for you, you would be ok.
I wouldn't depend on opiates for your happiness.
I have been where you are right now. an anti depressant helped On the other hand, you gotta do what ya gotta do to stay sane and happy

edit: for the opiod maintenance i would go the suboxone route
 
I was on antidepressants as a teenager without alot of success. Years of drug abuse have made my dpression worse too. I'm not totally opposed to the idea but, admittedly, I don't have a totally open mind. Plus I think maintenance would help prevent relapse. Maybe I just need stronger willpower though.

I would prefer suboxone to methadone but the suboxone programs in my area are so expensive if you're uninsured.
 
I agree with Erikthered, suboxone works so well as an anti-anxiety/anti depressant. SSRI's do not work for me. It's only after going through addiction and getting on sub that I found a medication that works. I have to exercise regularly and take suboxone, and I actually feel 'normal'. (well, what I figure most normal adults feel like). It's amazing. And I don't feel high, just feel like I should.
 
dmtmate said:
id go with ibogaine.
Click to expand...


Yeah cos that's a well known Maintenance substance 8(

Ibogaine is not used for maintenance . But i would expect that you knew that. I would also say that Subs are a better option than Methadone .
When i got in treatment Methadone was all that was around this was decades ago mind .
My first script was for Injectable Methadone Concentrate ampoules . I wish subs were about when i needed them .
 
Subs are ok but dont think they dont have negative side effects. They are not a miracle cure. When you come off them the mental cravings and anguish will return. Think of ORT as like calling a timeout in a football game it gives you time to regroup and organize.But once you stop the game continues.
 
^This^ hard. I'm not much of a fan of opiate maintenance. If your life is so chaotic and unstable, and the behaviours so risky that maintaining for a while with ORT is better than the alternatives then sure, it's a no brainer but nothing in your post to suggest that's the case here Professor? You seem to be talking entirely about how you feel when you don't use, which is less good than you feel when you do, at least for the 6 months or so that you've been clean in the past. At the risk of sounding overly blunt, no shit! That's opiates. ;) 6 months ain't a long time far as recovery goes.

Look, you're an addict. At some point you will have to come off, the addiction has to be paid for. If materially speaking things are relatively stable might as well bite the bullet and do the detox now, before any more damage is done that might make detox all the harder in future. Maintenance is just delaying the inevitable, and most importantly delaying your recovery. Recovery is possible I can assure you. Normal function will return, as will normal mood. You will feel better in time once you're properly clean and abstinent of opiates. Wouldn't it be preferable to get to that place sooner than later, and be able to enjoy that bit more of however much is left of your life without being a slave to your DOC or whatever maintenance option you choose to replace it with? It has to be, surely?

If depression following detox is the issue driving relapse than anti-ds, counselling, CBT, a support network of some kind whether that's NA or just a good social circle of none-using friends who know the score, whatever, all will serve you better in the long run than maintenance. Indeed, most or all of those things will still most likely be necessary when you do jump off the meds eventually, nothing changes there. You'll just be needing them sooner if you jump off now.

Best of luck, whichever way you jump.
 
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I am trying to make the same decision right now. I was clean for over three months after struggling all year and just had a little bender. I know suboxone takes away the cravings and would probably help me get my life back together sooner. Even though l have been clean...l haven't really been happy. My boyfriend managed to quit and have no relapses ...and l know other people on this site have been able to do the same. It's been hard for me. Hard question to answer, my boyfriend would freak out if l try to go on subs...he would know that means l have been effin up.
 
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