Which Is better for Heroin Addiction treatment?

[Face]

Hello!
I have been taking Buprenorphine 2mg/day for the treatment of Heroin Addiction. For some reason, I havn't been receiving my meds for the past 3 months. Therefore, I relapsed and started taking Hero** again.

I need an advice of which medicine is better for the Addiction Treatment? Is it Buprenorphine or Methadone?

Thanks

Face

[billyboy1965]

[SIZE="3"]Hello!
I have been taking Buprenorphine 2mg/day for the treatment of Heroin Addiction. For some reason, I havn't been receiving my meds for the past 3 months. Therefore, I relapsed and started taking Hero** again.

I need an advice of which medicine is better for the Addiction Treatment? Is it Buprenorphine or Methadone?

For some reason is a little vague. Why wouldn't this be discussed with the doctor who is supervising the withdrawal?

[BuckeyeFan]

Buprenorphine is better...hands down.

[gazbg]

it really depends onthe person, everyone is different, id talk to a specialist about it, in my experience ive found methadone to be the better medication for cravings.

[Benway]

It all depends on what you aim to accomplish. If you wish to stabilize and maintain your addiction then methadone is normally the better route. When the optimum dose of methadone is reached cravings for opiates will significantly diminish. Methadone will also block most of the euphoria you'd normally experience from other opiate use.

Buprenorphine [subutex, suboxone] is also used to maintain opiate addiction and with a high degree of success. It doesn't seem to reduce cravings as well as methadone although when the optimum dose is reached it should block other opiates. Bupe has a great deal of success with reduction detox and if your aim is to detox completely then I'd suggest this route.
The common method at my local project is to maintain on methadone then if a detox is indicated then a switch to bupe is suggested.

Please note that using bupe has its own unique complications. Unlike methadone, which is a full agonist and addicts can immediately be inducted onto, bupe is a partial agonist. This essentially means that system needs to be clear of other opiates otherwise it will precipitate withdrawal symptoms [quite nasty too]. This does not normally cause problems with short acting opiates like morphine/heroin but is of concern when switching from a long acting op like methadone.

These are not a substances you should be looking online for tho. You really need to discuss these with your GP/clinic. You need stability and IOP's are not reliable enough, and very expensive for these types of meds.

[BuckeyeFan]

It depends on your goals for treatment and how much heroin you're using. Bupe will take your cravings away initially but sucks long term. If you just want to continue using then go with Methadone. If you're serious about quitting go with bupe and some counseling. Just don't stay on bupe long term. (More than 6 months I'd say) Good luck bud.

[Raphael3289]

Hey bud, sorry I feel your pain. From previous experiences I noticed the bupe would help with physical struggles as oppose to methadone would help physically and mentally, but remember methadone is a lot harder to come of off than bupe!

[chell55]

Never had heroine addiction but a few years ago my doctor put me on a low dose of methadone for pain. I didn't like it cause it made me sweat and itch awful so she took me off of it. The withdrawls were awful. I had a terrible time getting off it even though my dose was very low.
As others said it depends on your goal. Rather you want to get off completely or just find a maintenance medication.
Good luck. Hoping you are successful. I had many friends along time ago that ended up with this addiction. It changes your life forever.

[Face]

I might not Explained my situation good enough.

I'm Facing a little problem since I moved to Kuwait, a country in the Middle East. When I was in the US, I was under Heroin Addiction Treatment, and since I moved to Kuwait I couldn't continue the treatment because the strongest med they have down here is Tramadol 100mg!! I had to make my own research after so many relapses. Finally, I came through Raj who was supplying me with Buprenorphine 2mg and everything was great until he stopped getting Buprenorphine's supplies from his suppliers!!
Now, I'm lost again and relapsed a month ago. I hope I can get some help in this great forum.

Face

*This post was auto-merged. The following text was added 6 minutes after the last post:*

For some reason is a little vague. Why wouldn't this be discussed with the doctor who is supervising the withdrawal?

That was the reason my friend. Since I moved to kuwait I struggled to get Buprenophine online, because the srtongest detox they have down here is Tramado 100mg! and the IOP I used to get my med, Buprenophine 2mg, from has been out of stock for 3 months, what was a reason of my current relapse

[SuzyGreenberg]

I've been on Suboxone since 09. I started at the ridiculously high dose of 32mg. I tapered down to 3mg in early 2010 and continue to take 3mg daily as a maintenance dose.

If suboxone is used properly, you can lead a normal life that is free of withdrawal and cravings. I work long hours in an office everyday, and am neither physically or psychologically impaired.

Also once, you've been on the same dose of Suboxone for a long time it doesn't lose it's efficacy. You do not need to increase the dosage due to tolerance.

One of the best things about Suboxone: Is that it binds so tightly to the opiate receptors that it's almost impossible to get high on opiates.

I can sit in a room with a bottle of oxy and it doesn't bother me. I know if I take them, I won't get high so I've lost my obsession with the pills. It's kind of like life on training wheels for the opiate addict, and I am okay with that, for now.

I do not recommend methadone. I used to see methadone patients daily. They would get their dose, and were nodding out within the hour. They spent the day drinking coffee, smoking cigarette's and staring at the wall. Also, you can also still abuse opiates while on methadone.

I am not saying that all people on methadone resemble my statement's above, but that is what I witnessed in my professional experience. I could go on and on, but I think you get my point.

Good luck to you!


Here's some of my background info:- I have a MA in Psychology with a concentration in substance abuse and research. I used to work as a licensed substance abuse counselor, and conducted numerous studies on substance abuse, relapse, recidivism rates, etc.

I do not work in the treatment industry anymore. I do not believe in the disease model of addiction or support 12 step based rehab. I am not trying to be controversial. If it works for you great, but I prefer bi-weekly sessions with my Addiction Psychiatrist, behavioral therapy, SMART Mtgs, etc.

Cliff note version of my substance abuse issues:
I abused opiates/benzos among other substance from the age of 21 to 28. I became physically and psychologically addicted to both substances from age 29 to 31.5. I was highly functioning during this time, and no one was aware of my issues.

I knew my oxy/benzo abuse was way out of control, and that I needed help. So, I told my family what was going on, and I checked into rehab in early 09.

[Wish]

I can only give you my honest opionon on this subject. And this comes from someone who has taken both methadone and suboxone in the past.

Suboxone tends to be more beneficial for folks who have a runaway hydrocodone, tramadol esque type of addiction. Someon3 who has maybe been taken pain meds(opiate/opiods) for awhile and finds themselves in a state of withdrawls towards the end of the month when there script runs out and wants to end the up & down cycle all together.

Getting off Suboxone is much easier to get off of then methadone and while it eliminates WD's it does nothing for cravings.

Methadone tends to be a better fit for IV/needle users whose habit consumes there every move and very existence. It is a bit more heavily monitored and provides a stricter structure for those "hardcore" addicts. It is also a full opiate agonist(spelling???) and is much more effective at killing the jonesing/craving aspect of kicking opiates. Heroin being particularly rough to kick and being more a lifestyle then a habit usually I'd recommend the structure and shelter of methadone initially but once stabilized I would strongly suggest converting over to a suboxone regimn as methadone WD's are a nightmare and second only to "H".

Good luck and perhaps drop a reply on your specific situation, ie. amount used daily, method of ingestion/injection, cons as a result of your use, etc. This might narrow down your best approach/method that is more tapered to your unique set of circumstances.

Much Love & Much Props. Stay Strong & Lean on Us,

-WISH

[deadhorse]

dont beat yourself up for those short relapses- just dont get strung out- honestly i think if they supplied h like they do suboxone it would be farrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr more effective. and that long drawn out far was for emphasis-not because i was nodding out

[gazbg]

you deffinately need to discuss your options with an addictions specialist before making a decision

[Face]

I've been on Suboxone since 09. I started at the ridiculously high dose of 32mg. I tapered down to 3mg in early 2010 and continue to take 3mg daily as a maintenance dose.

If suboxone is used properly, you can lead a normal life that is free of withdrawal and cravings. I work long hours in an office everyday, and am neither physically or psychologically impaired.

Also once, you've been on the same dose of Suboxone for a long time it doesn't lose it's efficacy. You do not need to increase the dosage due to tolerance.

One of the best things about Suboxone: Is that it binds so tightly to the opiate receptors that it's almost impossible to get high on opiates.

I can sit in a room with a bottle of oxy and it doesn't bother me. I know if I take them, I won't get high so I've lost my obsession with the pills. It's kind of like life on training wheels for the opiate addict, and I am okay with that, for now.

I do not recommend methadone. I used to see methadone patients daily. They would get their dose, and were nodding out within the hour. They spent the day drinking coffee, smoking cigarette's and staring at the wall. Also, you can also still abuse opiates while on methadone.

I am not saying that all people on methadone resemble my statement's above, but that is what I witnessed in my professional experience. I could go on and on, but I think you get my point.

Good luck to you!


Here's some of my background info:- I have a MA in Psychology with a concentration in substance abuse and research. I used to work as a licensed substance abuse counselor, and conducted numerous studies on substance abuse, relapse, recidivism rates, etc.

I do not work in the treatment industry anymore. I do not believe in the disease model of addiction or support 12 step based rehab. I am not trying to be controversial. If it works for you great, but I prefer bi-weekly sessions with my Addiction Psychiatrist, behavioral therapy, SMART Mtgs, etc.

Cliff note version of my substance abuse issues:
I abused opiates/benzos among other substance from the age of 21 to 28. I became physically and psychologically addicted to both substances from age 29 to 31.5. I was highly functioning during this time, and no one was aware of my issues.

I knew my oxy/benzo abuse was way out of control, and that I needed help. So, I told my family what was going on, and I checked into rehab in early 09.

@SuzyGreenberg thank you a lot for your help. This is very nice of you and made things more clear to me. I already had an idea about what you said but I needed som type of clarification from someone who has more experience. Thank you again buddy

[Face]

@SuzyGreenberg thank you a lot for your help. This is very nice of you and made things more clear to me. I already had an idea about what you said but I needed som type of clarification from someone who has more experience. Thank you again buddy.

[mistressC]

Could opiate pain meds help with this? Since it is similar, wouldn't it help with withdraws and cravings? Then you could step down from higher doses to lower? I used to have a heroin habit. And I knew nothing about hydrocodone or oxycodone, etc at the time. I wish I did. I feel it would have helped when I didn't have the money to buy the H. Anyone have any experience with this? And to the OP: Would you consider this to be a worse situation than you are in currently?

[Face]

"Good luck and perhaps drop a reply on your specific situation, ie. amount used daily, method of ingestion/injection, cons as a result of your use, etc. This might narrow down your best approach/method that is more tapered to your unique set of circumstances."

Dear @Wish I'm taking 3 grams IV a day, approximately one shot every 3 hours. When I was taking Buprenorphine for my Addiction Treatment, I was waking up on time, 5:00 o'clock in the morning, doing all my work and social live duties perfectly. But after being not able to receive Buprenophine for the past 3 months. I got fired from my job and feel very bad for what I ended up to. That's my situation buddy. Thanks for your concern.

[sophie30]

Could opiate pain meds help with this? Since it is similar, wouldn't it help with withdraws and cravings? Then you could step down from higher doses to lower? I used to have a heroin habit. And I knew nothing about hydrocodone or oxycodone, etc at the time. I wish I did. I feel it would have helped when I didn't have the money to buy the H. Anyone have any experience with this? And to the OP: Would you consider this to be a worse situation than you are in currently?

This is probably a really bad idea, an ex of mine was an H addict and he switched to Percocet to try and come off and he just wound up taking handfuls of oxycodone (AND acetaminophen). Suboxone was what worked for him too, and almost seamlessly it seemed.

[alumni]

I do not work in the treatment industry anymore. I do not believe in the disease model of addiction or support 12 step based rehab. I am not trying to be controversial. If it works for you great, but I prefer bi-weekly sessions with my Addiction Psychiatrist, behavioral therapy, SMART Mtgs, etc. I needed help. So, I told my family what was going on, and I checked into rehab in early 09.

Congratulations on your recovery so far.
However, I'd be interested in why you disagree with the "disease model."

[Face]

@sophie30 I totally agree with what you said. The major Problem with ex H addicts is CRAVING. If there wasn't something called craving that is considered as a "tax" for abusing Hero**, it would be so much easier to quit it without any medicition help such a Buprenorphine.