I didnt read everyones responses, but I am is a veteran of suboxone. I was prescribed the sub lingual tablets the first time around and successfully got off the dope. Later after sports injury requiring surgery I was addicted to opiates again and got back onthe suboxone, this time sub lingual film strips. Both work just as good, the strips are kinda a pain in the ass b/c they're individually wrapped however they take a fraction of the time to dissolve compared to the tabs.
Anyway, DO NOT take suboxone until you are beginning to feel the effects of withdraw. For everyone this time frame is different, they say 12-24 hours for IV heroin, I believe about the same for pills. Methadone on the other hand, has an extremely long half - life, requiring one to wait about 3 days if memory serves before administering the suboxone. The ideology for this is that suboxone binds to the opiate receptors stronger than do opiates, therefore if one still has opiates lingering on the receptors the suboxone will kick them off causing whats called precipitated withdraw, which is worse than regular withdraw.
To answer your other questions, I cant say this enough PLEASE do not get in to methadone, in my opinion that is the worst possible thing to do. I has met people who have been chained down to the methadone system for 30+ years, and the clinic docs wouldn't aid in getting them off of the drug. It is purely a replacement method. Plus you are forced to go to the methadone clinic every day to receive your dose w/ the exception of take home packs which are sometimes given for the weekend, or in special cases.
As far as suboxone dosing, for someone who is on a hefty dose of opiates, doctors generally write an Rx for a high dosage of suboxone to begin w/ to ensure enough gets in the system to accommodate for the lack of opiates. I was given a dose of 8mg X3 per day (24mg total) to start, and upon establishing a good clean record reduced to 16 mgs per day, and over the course of time slowly reducing the dosages. The titration process varies, some people do it one way, others another. I reduced the dose to 1mg for a bit, and then 1/2 mg, then 1/2 mg every other day, and then little pieces every other day, probably 1/4 or 1/8 of a mg. That last dosage is probably more of a comfort thing, but its up to you. There is some discomfort getting off the subs, not gana lie, but its a hell of lot better than withdraw from opiates if you do it right.
For duration of usage, time frames vary. I was on suboxone for 2 years, some use it as a quick detox program for a week or so. Some people, end up maintaining a long term low dose of maybe 1 mg or so just for the comfort or deterring aspects of the drug as it is an opiate blocker. As far as dosing, I want to stress this point, it should be taken as a complete dose, all at once. Some people like to take some in the morning and feel sick later and take some more. It will work best taking the full dose in the morning, rather than breaking it up through the day. Its half-life is 24 hours(might be bit off on that number).
Whichever route you decide to take, in my opinion suboxone is the best way to go. It reduces cravings, you become more functional, and it is an opiate blocker so even if you felt like getting high you wouldn't be able to which as a deterring factor works wonders. You would have to wait 3 days or so for the subs to be completely out of your system to get the effects of the opiate. And most people use on impulse rather than mark it on the calendar when you can get high.
Lastly, I don't know if the rules are different state to state, but I was able to visit a psychiatrist once a month and receive an Rx for the entire month. I'm surprised you have to go the pharmacy every day. Suboxone has a website where you can locate doctors who are licensed to prescribe the drug, maybe look in to that to make it easier on you. I hope this was of some help, ill check back if you have any other questions. Good luck and and congrats on making the choice to get some help, especially w/ subs. I think its a miracle worker after failed rehab attempts and outpatient programs, until finding suboxone and dropping a bundle a day dope habit.
