Just started taking subs

[gezza26]

Hi All,

I've been battling opiate addictions for the last 4 years. I'm 26 and started on codeine at 22, now graduated to Heroin 6 months ago. In between I've covered most of the spectrum of opiates and detoxed 3 times.

Anyhow I started taking 6mg of Sub last week coming from Heroin. I had a horrible night of detox, no sleep, cold sweats ect ect. 30 minutes after taking my first dose I felt a great relief. It's like my body just said "ahhh that's what I wanted...". I feel so great on the subs. I have incredible energy, less anxiety and depression. I haven't felt this good for quite some time. Thing is I'm so happy on the subs I'd stay on them for the rest of my life if possible.

I relapse basically because I never seem to be able to beat dope sickness. Sure enough I feel better, but I always still feel achey and restless even 1 year clean. My chances of beating it are slim and I can accept a lifetime of taking something if I feel so much better. Subs seem perfect as they elimate that and I dont feel super high, but I just have a nice buzz going on. If the subs poop out, i think i'll go on methadone. I never want to go through methadone withdrawal so once again it would be a lifetime commitment. I just think I function better with opiates, though long term 'done scares me a little. I notice most methadone guys at the pharmacy seem quite zombie like. I don't want to wind up like that. I guess a low dose would be better.

Do people have any warnings or considerations on long term methadone, besides withdrawals? Does it cause depression ect??

P.S. Why does everyone refer to themselves as SWIM around here??

Cheers

[Panthers007]

Methadone seems to be the Thorazine approach to opiate-addiction. From what I've seen in people who take it is as follows: Slurred speech, drowsiness, dizziness, inability to focus, and cravings for more heroin.

If the Suboxone is working for SWIM, I'd say it's a few steps ahead of methadone treatment.

Now please go and read the rules for these forums. Pay close attention to the rules concerning self-incrimination. These rules ARE enforced. The rules are here:

http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/ann...t.php?f=43&a=1

[oggy]

Originally Posted by Panthers007

cravings for more heroin.

This is the biggest problem with methadone, it doesn't take away the cravings at all. Most people go on it as a free top up.

Addiction is a Psychological problem and nothing more. The physical withdrawal is just a result of your body getting used to it.

oggy added 7 Minutes and 50 Seconds later...

Originally Posted by gezza26

Do people have any warnings or considerations on long term methadone, besides withdrawals? Does it cause depression ect??

Honestly if you feel good on the subs stay on them. Methadone is not fun and would not be an option ever again.

I've heard lots of good things about subutex but only when used in short term treatment. About 3-6 months.

Really you don't want the life that methadone brings, life on methadone shouldn't even be considered as an option but this is only my opinion so no flaming please.

[gezza26]

Originally Posted by Panthers007

Now please go and read the rules for these forums. Pay close attention to the rules concerning self-incrimination. These rules ARE enforced. The rules are here:

http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/ann...t.php?f=43&a=1

Ah thanks now SWIM understands

It seems a shame there's very little other options besides methadone and subs for maintenance. SWIM thinks something like oxy maintenance would be better than methadone, but SWIM guess's there must be other considerations. SWIM knows heroin prescriptions would be the end of him. Cheap and legal gear would mean loss of job, friends, family then most likely life. Heroin ripped through SWIM like a storm. It's obviously his favourite, but also his enemy. Of all the opiates it definatley is the most destructive for SWIM.

Subs are still going well for SWIM. There is some very mild headaches of the tension variety. They are very mild though. SWIM thinks subs would be quite abusable for opiate sensitive or naive. Last night he felt like he was flying high above the world. It's a nice long mild buzz. SWIM hopes this keeps up as it stops him from thinking about H, and provides some much needed relief from depression. SWIM is actually getting his life and finances in order at the moment. He's seeing a financial advisor, getting his tax done and rebuilding friendships and family bonds. He feels positve for the first time in a long time, and isn't so high that life gets on top of him. He feels more in control.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Good monkey. Now be creative!

[Orchid_Suspiria]

Suboxone and methadone both have pros and cons.What is right for one person may not be right for everyone.Swim has had nothing but bad experiences with suboxone.But if it works for swiy great!Swim knows methadone can be a trap,its the one opiate that sealed his addiction.Yet at the sametime swim thinks methadone might be the only route that he can feel normal with.But as swim has said methadone is not for everyone nor is suboxone.It is all based on the individual and what works for them.

Swim disagrees with the poster that says methadone does not take away all the cravings.In swim's case suboxone took away none of the cravings.It stopped the physical withdrawals but the mental thirst for opiates still goes strong to this day and probably will for the rest of swims life.Swim found when taking blackmarket methadone he craved no other opiate.Swim has noticed suboxone is best for those with light opiate habits or those that have not been addicted for long,and really it sounds to swim as if suboxone may be the best option for swiy.

[gezza26]

Originally Posted by Orchid_Suspiria

.Swim has noticed suboxone is best for those with light opiate habits or those that have not been addicted for long,and really it sounds to swim as if suboxone may be the best option for swiy.

I think swiy might be right there. The buzz from suboxone is light and if your opiate receptors have been battered with years of abuse you might not even be able to catch a buzz. This means you'll probably just think about taking H and it wont work.

[oggy]

SWIM had to go up to 120 mg methadone a day before his cravings went away. Heroin was almost pointless at this dose, at 80-90mg heroin was still used at very high dosages but when funds ran out he would go through just as bad a rattle as a normal heroin withdrawal for 2 weeks till he would get more funds. Honestly if you think heroin withdrawal is bad stay away from high doses of methadone. Not trying to put fear into anyone but methadone seems only effective at higher doses. I've only heard good things about subutex for detox and keeping cravings at bay, however SWIM has no experience with it so have a wee read on this forum, lots of information here. Use the search at the top of the page and judge for yourself.

Best thing you could do for now is look for a buzz in other areas of your life. Like an old hobby or try to find a new one.

[frankz81]

dont go on methadone, u will be sooo lazy, wanna sleep so much and prob put on weight. swim was on meth for 3 years, did detox then subs for 2 weeks, felt great now on buprenorphine patches and functions well....

will never ever go the methadone route again, it is swapping one hard narc for another where as although subs is the same, it gets rid of cravings and gives u back the energy u miss and will have ore of a life.

[oggy]

SWIM was very depressed on methadone and put on 3 stone from the sweet tooth it gives, his alopecia came back real bad. He's lost about 2 stone since detoxing 4 months ago and he's still detoxing now. Still not 100% yet. Will probably take a year (maybe methadone does get stored in the fat cells? Maybe will feel fine when that last stone has gone.). I really hope this doesn't put people off from detoxing though as its really a very short time compared being a slave on methadone for life. Only had 3 days of nasty withdrawal out of all this though.