Heroin Withdrawal: Methadone Detox Facts

Question: Suboxone for heroin withdrawal?

(Posted by: Mary G on 2008-12-12 08:10:05)

Hey, i'm mary 18yrs old and I have been struggling very badly with a heroin addiction for the past 7 months of my life and i hate doing it. I do about two bags a day (i used to do more, but i cut down a lot to try and ween myself off. Two days ago i decided to try cold turkey, needless to say i could NOT DO it, After 13 hours without it i was in such severe pain, had trouble breathing, my heart beat was all weird, could barely stand and yeah it was terrible. It scared me to death, I have a friend who tells me Suboxone worked for them and they were fine after a few days. To be prescribed to Suboxone do you have to be put away into a hospital or anything? Because i just want the presciption and to go to NA and some out patient programs. I can't leave my house, my animals or anything. I would never ever go into a rehab. I hate being not able to go where i want when i want or to be able to go outside. Plus my boyfriend is in jail right now, he's miserable detoxing in there and i am trying to do them same. I just need some help. It'll all be worth it in the end. Thank you for your help. Please answer seriously because i hate when people make fun of someone or is mean on this thing when they have no idea what they are talking about. Thanks again! =]

Posted by: kellyasp52 on 2008-12-13, 13:21:38

Do you have insurance? If so, go to the suboxone website and do a search for dr's in your area that can prescribe the medication. (Or you can always pay out of pocket). Certain Dr's are allowed to do the induction and maintenance of your drug therapy right from their office. My Dr. does it. He said that this drug has worked miracles for people addicted to opiods. You will have to be in mild to moderate withdrawal when you arrive at the office, so there is a little pain involved, but once the pills dissolve, you will soon be pain free. Oddly enough you will notice your craving for opiods will be very minimal or even more likely, completely disappear. This is a miracle drug. Go to the website and punch in your zip code. You will be on your way to recovery. Congratulations on your decision, you will be very pleased with the results.

Posted by: Kelsey on 2008-12-12, 08:59:52

First, let me start by saying good for you for trying to kick your addiction. It will be a long and difficult road, but you can do it!!! Secondly, let me explain to you how Suboxone works. It's basically a replacement for heroin. I hate to say it like that, but it's the truth. You have these receptors in your brain called mu receptors. When you use heroin, it binds to the mu receptors which is what gives you the high. Suboxone works in the same way. It binds to the receptors, only it doesn't get you high the way heroin does. Instead, its binding to the mu receptors alleviates cravings by 'tricking' your body into thinking it's getting what it wants. It also reduces symptoms of withdrawl. Sometimes it's used for detox only, sometimes it's used as maintenance and taken daily to prevent cravings. Suboxone can be prescribed by any doctor who has taken an 8 hour training course in the drug and who has registered with the substance abuse and mental health administration. Unfortunately, not too many doctors have done this. You may want to ask your friend which doctor he or she went to. Suboxone is safer than other drugs used to treat substance abuse (like methadone) because it has low potential for abuse, and it doesn't supress your respiratory rate the same way that other drugs do. Whether or not you go to an in or out treatment program really depends on the doctor. Sometimes when withdrawing from a substance like heroin, it's best to be in a facility that can help alleviate the symptoms of withdraw. These symptoms can sometimes be deadly, so it's best to be near a trained staff who can take care of any problems that may arise. See if you can get a friend or neighbor to take care of your animals for a few days. Once you get through detox, you can most likely do an outpatient program. Hope this helped, and I hope you are able to get clean and stay clean! Best of luck to you!

Posted by: Mr Bean on 2008-12-12, 09:26:18

Whoa! i can't say i feel ur pain cuz i have neva done heroine but i know what iz 2 lose a relation 2 drugs, & i truly respect u a lot too cuz here u r, not givin up, tryin hard 2 fight a monsta like heroine on ur own, keep it up, honestly i don't know if suboxone will help, but obvious kelsey knows a lot 'bout it, listen 2 her, & pls don't hate rehab so bad becos if it's d only ting between u & life why risk it then.. we'll always be here 4 u @ Y! Answers...