Withdrawal From Opiates

Why do you think docs prescribe Suboxone or Methadone for opiate withdrawal, make patients stay on it until they are completely addicted to it for years, then have to treat them to come off it? Why don't they treat a 5 day opiate withdrawal with a benzo to sleep, clonidine, gabapentin, trazodone for a week or two instead. It would sure help society not be addicted to Suboxone. Worst drug ever.

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Most people, even if they are addicted, can't just take a ton of medications to try and sleep through their withdrawals and be out of work for that length of time.

Treatment with Suboxone or Methadone enables them to still work and be productive, while undergoing addiction treatment and, unlike Methadone, Suboxone usually enables most people to eventually become completely drug free, although it does take a long period of time.

The FDA classifies this medication as an opiate that is most commonly used to treat drug addiction, so it has the potential to be habit forming and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and constipation.

Usually, with Suboxone, no other treating is done to get off of it, other than a very slow taper of it.

Are there any other questions or concerns?

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Suboxone Is the devil. I would have been ok if they had just given me clonidine in the first place for a 5 day opiate withdrawal.

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I'm taking clonidine right now and haven't slept through at all.

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Verwon - I concur! I'm not sure why so many people talk badly about suboxone. Are these the same people who before suboxone were curled up in the fetal position praying to die bc of withdrawal? Or people who have little to no experience with it?
I believe if prescribed properly in the beginning that suboxone is a life saver. I've seen too many people in methadone clinics who's cravings could not be quenched even with the highest dose. I never understood why they start people out low and gradually increase! I've had many people say that they never felt "satisfied" like that hunger for more methadone or something else mixed with it is what they needed. Suboxone works immediately, and in my experience put a hault to any feelings of "I need more" or "I need something else". I miraculously felt like a "normal person" my first dose. If honest with their doctors from the beginning, it'seems absolutely possible to gradually taper until you can handle coming off all together. I don't believe that tapering off of suboxone works for everyone, some people may need it for the rest of their lives and frankly I don't see the shame in that. Addiction is a disease and like any other disease people take medication to help keep them alive or prolong their lives

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I was on it for a year. Yeah, it took away withdrawals, but also took away my life and personality with it, much like the opiates I took before it. I am now 5 weeks off sub and still feel pretty bad. So, yes, I do have experience with it and some people have a negative one.

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DCcc - I'm sorry you had a bad experience and are having a hard time. And I understand that it may not be for everyone. Actually I have a close friend who took it for a while and it definitely wasn't for her either. It's almost like it was too strong of a medication for her. She nodded out all the time, her movements became slower, I felt like it made her kind of "foggy headed" if that makes sense... she ended up getting off of it by herself without much trouble. Do you feel like that may have been the case with you as well? Have you tried an antidepressant or anything to help you feel better?
Don't give up you have made it too far!

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Yes, I felt the same as your friend. Tired, nodding off, very foggy headed enough to where certain people I saw a lot knew something was up. I do take anti-deps. Right now I'm sure any sub wd should be done. I was on a very low dose over the year. 4mg/day was highest dose I was ever on until I gradually tapered. I just think my body is having a hard time balancing and I need my meds adjusted. I'd rather just never take anything again.

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DCcc - Wow yes I remember people making comments about her too and she was on a low does as well. Methadone made her that way and worse. I wonder if there is a connection between people with lower tolerances and bad reactions to subs? At any rate, I'm sure you will find a combination that works for you so you feel like yourself again. Peace and Love to you.

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H and W- Thank you for the support. Yes, I do wonder if the low tolerance has something to do with it. I'm just happy that I made it through getting off subs. I think it's the hardest thing I've been through so far in life. Just bc of the physical issues for so long. Maybe just the whole addiction for years has been such an eye opener. I started right after my divorce. I have met so many people since then that don't even know me or who I was before these meds. 5 years of people I've formed relationships/friendships with won't recognize me. My personality is a lot different. It's crazy to think about.

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I was prescribed opiates over the past 6 months and I've come to the realization that I WANT to quit. It's my day 1 and I just feel like crap. I have no urge to take them because I want to stop that bad. I have read that it only gets worse though after day 1 and that's what scares me. I was taking 1-3 10 mg pills a day for pain.

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So how is day 2 going? As an addict I don't mind helping you get thru this. If you're still checking this thread let me know and I'll tell you everything you need to know about quitting.

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Re: DCcc (# 5)

Yeah, when I stopped taking pain meds I felt better after the 3rd night, and I was good after a week.
Suboxone took so much longer. Never again.

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Doctors must meet you at your current state in the disease process.

1. Some people cannot quit opioids but they want to stop with criminal activity during procurement - Methadone is one solution with very consistent results.

2. Suboxone; I am not familiar with this drug. I imagine it is easier to taper off of this drug when compared to Methadone.

3. Precipitated withdrawal with Naltrexone. This is the quickest way to get the opioids out of your system. If you have been using for a couple of days or a week or so; this option can be great. It does not make you sick like Methadone withdrawal.

Not every one wants to quit, and many fail to do so.

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