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Treatment Suboxone or cold turkey?

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Mattyg37

Greenlighter
Joined
Mar 14, 2017
Messages
4
Hi Guys,

I have been a heavy oxycodone addict for the past year or so. It started off like I'm sure most of you started off - I'll sniff one pill every once in a while and never get addicted. And for a while I was able to use occasionally and not get addicted. Well.....needless to say that didn't last. I have become a full blown oxycodone addict worse than I ever could have immgined. For the past 6 months I would say in average I take anywhere between 90-120 mg's of Oxy a day. I'm not going to elaborate on what happened but shit hit the fan in my life and it is time to get clean. I have gone a day or two at most without using over the past year and I am so scarred.

I was able to get a suboxone prescription to help get me off the oxy. I am now on my second day without any oxy with the help of 8 MG of suboxone. My question is am I better off just doing this cold turkey or doing it with the subs? I am afraid of the suboxone withdrawals I read about but am also terrified of oxy withdrawals. Please help and give me your best advice.

Thanks,
MattyG
 
Mattyg37 said:
Hi Guys,

I have been a heavy oxycodone addict for the past year or so. It started off like I'm sure most of you started off - I'll sniff one pill every once in a while and never get addicted. And for a while I was able to use occasionally and not get addicted. Well.....needless to say that didn't last. I have become a full blown oxycodone addict worse than I ever could have immgined. For the past 6 months I would say in average I take anywhere between 90-120 mg's of Oxy a day. I'm not going to elaborate on what happened but shit hit the fan in my life and it is time to get clean. I have gone a day or two at most without using over the past year and I am so scarred.

I was able to get a suboxone prescription to help get me off the oxy. I am now on my second day without any oxy with the help of 8 MG of suboxone. My question is am I better off just doing this cold turkey or doing it with the subs? I am afraid of the suboxone withdrawals I read about but am also terrified of oxy withdrawals. Please help and give me your best advice.

Thanks,
MattyG[/QUOTE

Hey Matty this is my first post so I hope it shows up properly.! I went through the same thing with Vicodin, morphine, and opana. Up to 160mg day. I was taking all of these at once, and they where prescribed by a Dr.(a spine dr). And then I was lucky enough to already be seeing a doc who prescribed suboxone. First thing I want to mention is you will not feel as good on subs... not the same relief as the pills you have gotten used to. Second suboxone does have its own withdrawal. For me I could have tolerated a Vicodin/ morphine withdraw better than the suboxone.
I have ran out of both and suboxone was worse for me. However it is a life saver for some people who need to get up every day no matter what. If you can take a week and detox with only .5 -1 mg of suboxon a day. You will be golden. Sense you are already taking it I would suggest not switching back for sure! And also take as little as possible. Pot and benzodiazepines are a God sent in these times. But you shouldn't need the benzodiazepines with the suboxone. If you do take them both I would recommend the smallest amount possible.
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Also I would say I had some very uncomfortable nights for about 2 weeks. My withdrawals went from 2 days in the bathroom, to three days in the same clothes. No energy and panic attacks to kick. After a week I could do an hour of house work without needing to lay down. I also tried tramadol to ease the withdrawal but it only helped after a couple months of being clean. I am scared of withdrawal too but it will be over, and it's soooo worth it! My advice is do not expect to feel good for a month or so. Including depression, I was not myself until I got on Prozac for two months about 6 months after I detoxed. Do not get upset for not feeling good. This worsens everything. Be patient with yourself. Everyday I focused on what I could do and was thankful it was getting easier.
 
Hi Matty and welcome to Bluelight. I had several experiences like leavenomanbehind where I was just miserable coming off opiates. (really helpful posts by the way) Suboxone kept me from being sick but at the same time I was having cravings because I was not ready to get clean. It is one of many tools medication-wise that you can use.

You could explore going to meetings or counseling if you find yourself wanting to get high. Do you find that the Suboxone is helping you? Whatever your reasons for quitting, this is a decision you won't regret. I'm going to move this to the Sober Living forum where you can find lots of people in the same boat. Let us know how you're doing! <3
 
I think it depends on how you think you will do once your done withdrawing. Some people have a harder time than others and do better with daily maintenence like Subs or Methadone. Withdrawal is miserable any way you cut it. But perhaps if you have a doctor help you taper down with Subs it wont be that bad. Good luck!
 
Mattyg37 said:
Hi Guys,

I have been a heavy oxycodone addict for the past year or so. It started off like I'm sure most of you started off - I'll sniff one pill every once in a while and never get addicted. And for a while I was able to use occasionally and not get addicted. Well.....needless to say that didn't last. I have become a full blown oxycodone addict worse than I ever could have immgined. For the past 6 months I would say in average I take anywhere between 90-120 mg's of Oxy a day. I'm not going to elaborate on what happened but shit hit the fan in my life and it is time to get clean. I have gone a day or two at most without using over the past year and I am so scarred.

I was able to get a suboxone prescription to help get me off the oxy. I am now on my second day without any oxy with the help of 8 MG of suboxone. My question is am I better off just doing this cold turkey or doing it with the subs? I am afraid of the suboxone withdrawals I read about but am also terrified of oxy withdrawals. Please help and give me your best advice.

Thanks,
MattyG
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suboxone if you have the option. I was always able to just stop using suboxone after I have detoxed with no effects.
 
Hey, OP...One thing to keep in mind (you may already know this) is that there are several ways that mess like suboxone can fit into your recovery. On one hand, you can use a short course of subs to lessen some of the WD symptoms from a full agonist like oxy, essentially doing a very quick taper off of your DOC. On the other hand, you could get hooked up with a structured, ongoing opioid replacement therapy program, where you would be likely to take the suboxone for a longer period of time (under a doc's supervision) while your life stabilizes.

Either of these approaches can be helpful, and the choice comes down to your own preference (though a longer-term ORT program is pretty much the gold standard for opioid addiction treatment, to the extent that such a thing exists).

One thing to keep in mind: if you're talking about using the subs only for a brief period of time to reduce the severity of acute WD, you're not likely to become physically dependent on them, and as such, it's unlikely that you'll ever have to deal with withdrawal from burprenorphine.

Likewise, if you were to use subs for a longer period of time--as part of a medically supervised ORT program--any reasonable doctor will help you taper off them when the time comes for you to stop taking subs. A well-designed taper will make coming off the subs quite manageable.
 
Hi everyone,

Thank you all so much for your replies! I have been going to AA as well. Have gone to two meetings in the past 24 hours and they are very helpful so far. Sounds like the general consensus is to use the subs to help. If I were to use the sub to help me detox what would be a good dose for that? What would a taper plan look like?

Also - how long can I use subs for realistically without getting physically addicted?

Thank you all so much for getting back to me. Another day off oxy is a better day for me.
 
Also I wanted to add - I really can't take a week off to detox. I have a high pressure software sales job where time is money...to take a week off out of the blue will not only greatly impact my work performance it may also get me terminated.
 
Well for whatever reason that you're quitting congratulations! I only hope that you truly want this! If your mind is strong then you can do a very fast sub taper with very minimal withdrawals! This is my first post on bl... I've used it a bunch over the years but since I'm currently in recovery I'd like to help others get clean!
I'm just now coming off of a HUGE 2 year iv H and iv fent addiction. This past Thursday I decided that enough was enough! I've got a wife and 3 year old son to live for!
Anyway my taper plan is as so.... you must wait as long as possible from your doc until you induct yourself on subs and the longer you wait then the less subs you'll need and the more successful the taper!
Day 1: 4mg am 2mg pm
Day 2: 2mg am 1mg pm
Day 3: 1mg am .5mg pm
Day 4: .5mg am .25mg pm
On day 5 you can also do the same if you have to but DO NOT go longer than a week! Keep in mind that suboxone last up to 72 hours in your system so the theory is that suboxone covers up the withdrawal from your doc and gets you past the 5-6 days of hell while not taking it long enough to get hooked.
In my situation I'm sooooo sick of the drugs and want out so this works but a lot of people NEED the sub maintenance for some time. I just know how I am and I know that I'd be one of the many that is on suboxone for years and DO NOT want that! The worst part of this plan is sleep so if you decide to go this route it's a good idea to have a few benzos to aid in sleep but don't take them longer than needed. I personally loaded up on natural sleep aids that help but not a lot. If you go this route you'll feel 80-85% physically but more like 90% mentally!! What I've found that helps me while doing this is keep moving! When you sit around your mind takes the wheel which is no good! Also when you excercise it helps your body to produce those great endorphins which is crucial!! Drink plenty of water to flush your system and eat lots of healthy protein! I feel like I've wrote a book, I'm sorry for how long this is but just stay out of your head and force yourself to stay out of the house!! It's beautiful this time of year!
 
Thanks for the advice! Waiting now 24 hours to induct.....first time using this method to w/d....kinda scared, pray it works!!!
 
Mattyg37 said:
Also - how long can I use subs for realistically without getting physically addicted?
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It is different for everyone, but it is safe to say that using buprenorphine to manage acute opioid withdrawal will not lead to another dependency when used correctly. What that means is using it like Meatman354 suggested, decreasing your dose or simply limiting yourself to not using it longer than absolutely necessary.

The acute withdrawal syndrome from a short acting opioid like oxycodone generally lasts about seven days, so you will be pretty safe using buprenorphine for a week to manage the withdrawal. You really run the risk of having to deal with some, albeit relatively minor, withdrawal syndrome from the buprenorphine once you've been on it for about a month, but if you are just using it to detox yourself there is no reason you should be taking it for more than 1-2 weeks tops.

You may however benefit from an extended detox, which is using buprenorphine prescribed by a doctor over the course of six months. The six month period is broken up into two main parts, where you first find a dose you can stabilize on and then start slowly tapering it down over the rest of the six month period. Statistically speaking people seem to do better utilizing an extended detox protocol under the supervision of a doctor or through a clinic than just using it to detox themselves for a week, but it you don't have the option of working with a clinical team an extended detox (like any form of ORT) is not something one should undertake willy nilly.
 
You've got this!! The worst part for me was waiting to take the subs!! I waited 36 hours and waited until I was in pretty rough withdrawals! Just make sure that you don't base how you feel on time. Base your withdrawals on the cows scale and make sure you score 24-26. It might only take 18 hours but should take longer. do read that link that I sent you. It truly changed my life! I've got your back and I'm here if you need me!!
 
Toothpaste I appreciate you clarifying my post. I've seen you all over the board for years! You've helped a lot of people and that's just great! Music has helped me a ton! I'm jamming now! Wish I was sleeping thoooo I feel like I'm loosing my mind! I think I'm gonna go to my small town doctor and lay all this on him and see what he can do... at the minimum some Valium would really help.
What do you recommend toothpaste?
 
Thank u....just did the scale for the first time and HONESTLY only an 8. It's been 13 hours.....not even thinking of taking anything soon but now that I'm awake I'll prob start thinking myself into feeling more sick ya know....This has GOT to work for me. Thanks for messaging back
 
Hey, I read the link and liked what everyone had to say and am in hopes of makin it thru this short term detox......I've been on methadone on 2 different occasions but couldn't stay clean through it.....I have two 8 mg tabs.....Not sure what to take at first 1 or 2mg? Prob just 1 and then wait an hour....
 
How are you feeling???? What I normally do is 1mg increments because I've been thrown into pws and that shit is terrible!!!! I shot 2 mg a few years ago and it was like 9 hours after opiates.... the worst hell ever!!! Puked and shat myself along with pouring sweat and intense freezing... I really believe that shit'll kill ya!!!!

You'll be fine tho!! You wanna wait as long as possible and feel as terrible as possible before starting for the best results! I know I know it's hard to wait when you feel bad but you'll only have to do this once and after you'll feel great!
 
Ok,couldn't wait any longer. Took 1mg 2 hours ago....it was the first time i have used a strip except for years ago i did enough and felt it but had not misused opiates before....hell, even really used them....i started this hell 5 years ago when my mom died and i got disposable income for the first time TO BLOW....and i did.....my life has been brought down to an animal level it seems and i'm literally freaking out right now.....I have to get thru this but all i want to do is feel better and sniff one.....I waited and hour and a half then just took another 1 mg....I guess I feel a TINY better than I did at 3:59....
 
To be honest if it were me I would go ahead and do 2 more mg. And end the suffering. You're probably not going to feel very great but you'll feel better with than without. My wife always feels great while I have 2 days of hot flashes and chicken skin!
I know what you're saying. After my dad died 3 years ago I turned my problem into a MONSTER!! Didn't care if I lived or died.... I lost a great business, my motorcycles and nearly all of my money. It got to the point where I would choose the crud over food!
Me and my wife just walked 4 miles and feel GREAT! Today is our first day off of subs and I don't feel bad at all! I know it's still in my system though.

You hear it all the time, "if I can do it anyone can" well I promise you it's true in my case!! Yo think that this time last week I was banging a G/day and banging a few patches on top. Iv fent makes your tolerance go through the roof! I just cannot believe how good I feel!! And you will too! Just stay out of your mind and force yourself out!
God bless!
 
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