Posted by Lindsay Rae on April 1, 2004, at 12:32:29
In reply to Watch the Sub..., posted by krazybirdlady on March 31, 2004, at 16:00:57
>" suboxone is really not the "miracle drug" that it is cracked up to be...it's very hard to detox from as well...."
Have you personally detoxed from this drug, KBL? Because I know several people who have tapered from both Methadone and Suboxone, at different times of course, and all referred to the detox from Suboxone as "a joke compared to Methadone," or something along those lines. Suboxone is not for everyone, of course. Neither is Methadone. But if given the choice, a heroin or Oxycontin addict would be better off, in general, trying the Suboxone first. Making a switch from Methadone to Suboxone is tricky, and there is no avoiding the sickness, since one would have to decrease the Methadone dose substantially, then be prepared to have the remaining Methadone bumped right off those receptors while the Sub takes over. Since it's only partial agonist, the Suboxone won't make this person feel better; in fact, it would send him/her into mild to severe withdrawals, depending on the person and the amount of time between doses. So for those of us who are currently on Methadone, unfortunately there is no easy way to switch over to Buprenorphine. But for a heroin user, having the alternative to maintain with Suboxone has substantial benefits, including privacy, monthly or bi-monthly visits, and the absence of all drawbacks associated with having to deal with "The Klinik." Methadone, when used correctly, can and does change lives tremendously, but the restrictions can be paralyzing, especially to those of us who have been true to our recovery for years. The embarrassment of frequent urinary analyses and the daily visits keep patients from getting and/or keeping a steady job. There are numerous other drawbacks to this system, as any MMT patient will be happy to tell you. The thing is, when Methadone is in the wrong hands, it can be deadly, as I know first hand. My husband died last November from a Methadone overdose, and he knew as well as any informed client how the drug affects you when you don't take it regularly anymore, or take a significantly higher dose. He knew about the slow onset, and he had weekly takehomes for years without ever abusing them. If this could happen to him, imagine how many unknowledgeable recreational drug users try to get high with Methadone and kill themselves in the process, not realizing that it's building up in their systems.
Look, all I'm trying to say is that Suboxone has a much lower potential for abuse, since it turns on you if you exceed the "ceiling" level dose. If you're in withdrawal, Suboxone will make you feel better. If you're high, Suboxone will knock you down so hard, you won't know what hit you. The potential for diversion is almost non-existant.
That's all...L Rae
poster:Lindsay Rae
thread:323443
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20040130/msgs/331310.html