Prescription and Synthetic Drug Abuse Support Group

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Bf dealing with recovery

Natalie129
Natalie129

so I am on the other side of this... my boyfriend (of a year +) is suffering with some day-to-day sobriety issues, mainly opioid cravings. He has been off suboxone since December and had 3 slip ups since - only one being opioid use- ... he is now going to a therapist but she has recommended he go back on suboxone. To me this is a step backwards? Shouldn’t she be helping to give him the tools to work past the cravings not putting him back on a drug used for those who are opioid dependent? And what’s the end game? I already went through the taper and withdrawals with him once from suboxone. 


Any advice appreciated. 

Addict2Recovered
Addict2Recovered
Maybe he's just not physically ready to come off yet. Until he's completely ready and knows how to deal with the cravings maybe it's best if he goes back on the subs. He can get more psychotherapy as well at the same time and get the tools he needs when he's ready to wean back off the subs again. Remember everyone's road to recovery is different no two are alike. We all walk our on path with support from each other. No judgement or anything but maybe that is the path he needs. Hope all continues to get better and God Bless.
Community Leaderbobinmaine
bobinmaine
In most states, Suboxone is only prescribed while the addict goes through some sort of treatment program, which usually encompasses in or out patient treatment, or addiction counseling or both and/or followed by NA meetings. Once you get the support and learn the tools to handle life without the need for drugs, then you are weaned off from it. You do not get withdrawals from suboxone if you wean gradually, over a period of time. It is not meant to be a permanent cure.

I was on suboxone for about 4 months. I went through detox and later went through an IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) plus 12 step meetings. Suboxone saved my life!
Hope this explains.

God Bless
Natalie129
Natalie129
When he first did sub. it was approx. for 6-7 months, without any doctor supervision or program- however he has completed an inpatient program previously (without success). Even with a taper from what I understand there are still some withdrawal symptoms (similar to SSRI use)- when he tapered off in December there were very little withdrawal symptoms and he didn't have much of a hard time weaning off gradually. Now he is in therapy - but the direction of that was to handle anxiety and to handle dealing with life's stress without numbing it with drugs- something he's never really had to figure out how to do. If he has been living for a year plus with only one mishap of opioid use is suboxone really the best answer at this point in his recovery I guess is what concerns me. He has also mentioned maybe not ever getting off of suboxone - which I disagree with. I don't understand the long term plan idea in his mind or in his doctor's. (The prescribing DR does want him in NA as well as continue his therapy). Does suboxone give you a type of high as would drug use? (forgive the naivety, as I said I am on the other side TRYING to be supportive and understand)
Community Leaderbobinmaine
bobinmaine
Suboxone is much better then methadone because you cannot get high from suboxone if you take it as prescribed which is under the tongue.... I heard from some of my coworkers that they can get high from suboxone if they crush it and snort it. I don't know how true that is as I have never tried it.

Yes if you wean too fast you may have some very mild withdrawals but imho, it's not bad at all, however, the longer you are on it for, the worse the withdrawals. I have seen addicts here on ds who had been on suboxone for 2 or 3 years and when they tried to wean, it was an absolute nightmare! Pure hell! So if he is on it for a year or longer, he may never get off it, not without paying a price.

You might want to think twice about a long term relationship with him. I will pray for you both...

God Bless
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