Trying to come off two drugs at the same time? (Opiates and benzos)

[kace]

Hi there. I've been tapering off of benzos for over a year now, from about 150mgs a day to now 12mgs. It's been shitty, and I've had to pause lots and stabilise back on 15mgs as whenever I get to 12mgs I get mad crazy, anxious and suicidal. I've been doing okay on it this time though, and am back to coming off a mg every week or 2 weeks.

When I was going through the mad suicidalness last year I got my hand on some opiates and got myself addicted to heroin. Now I have a date set for next Friday to meet up with a medical doctor and sort out either suboxone or methadone. I was wondering if I should hold off on coming off of benzos and stay at 12mgs whilst I try and tackle the opiate addiction? Or, just keep doing as I am, as I will probably be miserable anyway? Hah.

I'm just worried as in the past every time I go below 12mgs of Valium I end up wanting to kill myself, and I've heard coming off opiates is hard and depressing. I don't want it to get too much.

Any advice? I still don't know whether I should pick methadone or suboxone. Either way, I will have to pick it up everyday from a pharmacy. I'm scared I won't make it one day. What would be the repercussions off this?

I also have a nasty lump from IV'ing, which hasn't gone away after a whole week. It's on the crease of my arm, is incredibly painful and I can't straighten my arm. I'm sorry, I know BL is no doctor. I'm seeing mine on Monday, but till then, any idea? I've missed shots in the past but the lumps have always cleared up. I know it's probably an absess.. The lump seems to be getting bigger which is worrying.

Edit:

Went to the out of hours gp, turns out its a cyst in my arm and I've just been given some codeine (hah) and antibiotics.

 

[thedawn]

my suggestion:
don't take methadone,go for suboxone.they're both "bad" but subs also has an
anti depressant effect.it works on depression.you will need it.

don't stop the valium now.wait.you don't want to go crazy.
maybe lower the dose to 5 mg 3 times a day?

these are just suggestions.im not qualified.

wishing you all the best from cali.

 

[schwiftee]

my suggestion:
don't take methadone,go for suboxone.they're both "bad" but subs also has an
anti depressant effect.it works on depression.you will need it.

This. Well put.

Benzos are just a bad drug imo and that would be my priority as far as quitting them altogether while moving to a low dose of subs - a substance, that in my experience, is easier to kick. But while I'm sure there are some people better off on them, that number is small and is one of the shittiest drugs as far a pros vs cons of using for the most part.

 

[T. Calderone]

Glad you're getting that lump checked and get that out of the way. That's got to be causing you stress on top of everything else. The decision whether to take methadone or suboxone is personal. I'm not sure what would happen if you missed a day picking up your meds at the pharmacy. Depends on the dosage of each and how a person metabolizes.

For example, I know a lady who gets methadone but can't go to the clinic every day because money is an issue. But she goes every other day and that works for her. Conversely, there are people who have difficulty getting through the night because they find it wearing off earlier than it's supposed to. Also it is a CNS depressant like diazepam so your doctor will need to supervise your usage of both drugs together.

Keep in mind while taking suboxone, if you relapse on opiates it's blocking mechanism will prevent you from getting high. It's important that you don't have opiates in your system when you take suboxone, as it could be send you into precipitated withdrawals. Whichever route you choose, if you start to experience cravings for heroin let your doctor know so your dose can be adjusted.

Every person is different and has to go at their own pace. Consider how long you have been tapering from diazepam only you would be doing the same with opiate replacement. Once you get the opiates sorted, you can taper more effectively on the benzos. This is a huge step and you should be proud of yourself for taking this initiative! Hope all goes well with your arm and let us know how you're doing.

 

[herbavore]

kace, I'm so glad that you are going to see a doctor and get this sorted out. Talk to the doctor about tapering the benzos and see what he/she thinks. Stopping them altogether might be too much while you adjust to a replacement therapy.

I hope you feel proud of yourself for taking this step--you should!

 

[phatass]

i would recommend sub over methadone from experience (plus the antidepressant effect cited higher up of subs)

How long were you on benzos for?