So, I'm looking for some advice on whether I should begin a suboxone maintenance program. I know there is a lot of info here on bupe, and i've read a lot of it, but still didn't find quite was I was looking for. I'm looking for people to weigh in on the value of a sub maintenance program, compared to just sticking it out cold turkey. So, maybe someone that has been where I am can help.
A little about me....I've been using opiates in one way or another for about 4 years, of course started with low 'rec' uses, and progressed to about 200mg oxy/per day snorted or IV'd, then heroin - almost always IV'd. I'm def past the heaviest of my use, the last 6 months or so my use has been on and off and up and down in quantity and frequently less as IV, but always still something a few times a week.
I have now been off oxy/dope for about 5 weeks (except for 10mg perc around week 2 - used for pain, and felt no high). I didn't experience any acute withdrawal symptoms when I stopped using this time. I've been through so many shitty withdrawals, i hardly notice the PA w/d symptoms, that has pretty much become my 'normal' anymore. I took about 4mg of sub last week, about 1.5mg a day for 3 days, and it made me feel so much better, energized, no anxiety, lethargy, and got a ton of shit done those few days, lol.
So, my question...finally. I'm not actively in w/d, but I'm experiencing cravings, restlessness, extreme anxiety, and find that I'm smoking a lot of pot, and started drinking almost everyday, to deal with these effects and keep me from using opiates. I want to take suboxone for the positive effects that I get from it, and also to keep me from relapsing...BUT wonder if i'm bettor off just keeping up with cold turkey.I also am going to be on court mandated drug testing soon, and am worried about giving dirty screens if i relapse--really don't need any more legal trouble. Oh, and I know that there is w/d from bupe, i've taken it many times before to stop using, and come off it pretty easily, and it has always worked well for me, just never had the option of a legit script and a maintenance program for continued use.
Any advice, or more questions are welcome.
A little about me....I've been using opiates in one way or another for about 4 years, of course started with low 'rec' uses, and progressed to about 200mg oxy/per day snorted or IV'd, then heroin - almost always IV'd. I'm def past the heaviest of my use, the last 6 months or so my use has been on and off and up and down in quantity and frequently less as IV, but always still something a few times a week.
I have now been off oxy/dope for about 5 weeks (except for 10mg perc around week 2 - used for pain, and felt no high). I didn't experience any acute withdrawal symptoms when I stopped using this time. I've been through so many shitty withdrawals, i hardly notice the PA w/d symptoms, that has pretty much become my 'normal' anymore. I took about 4mg of sub last week, about 1.5mg a day for 3 days, and it made me feel so much better, energized, no anxiety, lethargy, and got a ton of shit done those few days, lol.
So, my question...finally. I'm not actively in w/d, but I'm experiencing cravings, restlessness, extreme anxiety, and find that I'm smoking a lot of pot, and started drinking almost everyday, to deal with these effects and keep me from using opiates. I want to take suboxone for the positive effects that I get from it, and also to keep me from relapsing...BUT wonder if i'm bettor off just keeping up with cold turkey.I also am going to be on court mandated drug testing soon, and am worried about giving dirty screens if i relapse--really don't need any more legal trouble. Oh, and I know that there is w/d from bupe, i've taken it many times before to stop using, and come off it pretty easily, and it has always worked well for me, just never had the option of a legit script and a maintenance program for continued use.
Any advice, or more questions are welcome.
