before I had much tolerance (or dependance) for opiates a couple lines of suboxone (snorted) would make me feel very euphoric and I would nod for hours..
when I was on bupe for maitenance I would feel very energetic and happy.. almost a speedy like effect but not much euphoria..
after relapsing I used bupe for a rapid 7 day detox and felt no euphoria or high feeling.. it just subsided my kicks greatly...
Amapola made a great suggestion with lowering tolerance and then trying a higher dose to see if any euprhora like effects are present..
Bupe isnt a good choice of drug for wanting to feel high or euphoric IMHO.. opiates with a shorter half life like hydrocodone or oxycodone give much more pleasureable feelings then bupe ever will.. but you definitely do not want to be messing with those if your on bupe for maitenance because of those drugs in the first place.
I agree... the euphoria usually only comes to those who abstain for a few months and then try a dose above their threshold level, which would likely be a very low dose between 0.2 mg and 2 mg, depending on build and natural tolerance and all that.
I have during my buprenorphine treatment attempted to reach 'higher' levels of satisfaction, and only rarely do I manage to get a 'nod' effect, and almost never is there any euphoria. With that said, bupe has many subtle effects, that should be considered apart from the desire for euphoria, such as A) it keeps wds at bay, B) it gives a 'warm' sensation that maintains stable body temperature, and as such one can relax in ones own body, without having the hot/cold flushes that come as one of the first signs of wds IMO, and C) it almost nullifies the desire for opiates, if enough is taken to saturate opiate receptors (this is of course dependant on tolerance, and the lower dose one can stay at without craving opiates, the better)...
...and D) and E) and F), and so on.... A lot of other things can be said about bupe, but for those using it for maintenance, there is no rush to be had, and the euphoria can only be experienced if one indulges in activities such as exercise or social gatherings, where you might be able to convince yourself that you are floating on cloud amongst your friends and foes. Although if you become acquainted with the subtle effects of bupe, you may be able to convince yourself that you are indeed experiencing a certain degree of euphoria. I mean, you are on a pretty potent opiate, and it is bound to have euphoric effects, although to a minimal degree, even though it is a partial agonist.
If someone wants euphoria and a rush from a maintainance drug, I think they should choose methadone. I have tried both oral and IV methadone, and it is really a good alternative to other opiates if one wants to taper out, as it will satisfy the desire for a rush, and provide euphoria to a certain extent. But with time and tolerance build-up, this will pass.
When it boils down to it, those of us in treatment for opiate addiction shouldn't be chasing the euphoria or the rush, we should be glad that we can get through a day without wds and not have to think about constantly reaching a euphoric state of being and seeking out that rush. Just a neutral state of being, as boring as that might be at times, at least it let's us focus on the more positive aspects of life, and get our act together and do what is best for ourselves.
P.S. I might sound like I am praising bupe, and that I have been stable and following the treatment plan, etc... but nooooooooo.... I have had plenty fuck ups along the way, and by now, my bupe ORT has dragged out twice as long as plan A dictated, and now I am tired of the opiate cycle and the devil in me seeking the rush and euphoria. That I will find naturally or other places. Time to taper down the bupe, jump, get clean, and enjoy a good summer working, going to parties and festivals, going abroad for field work, and so on... There are so many wonders to be had out there, that will have you thinking you are floating on a cloud amongst your friends and foes, WITHOUT OPIATES. The real tricky part is staying clean IMO.
P.S.S. And yes, an opiate-naive person would get a rush and a good nod from a low dose of bupe, no doubt, but that soon passes with continued use and abuse.
