Suboxone, Valium, Adderall?

He needs to stay on the suboxone for at least the same amount of time he has been addicted. You have to remember that addiction doesn't go away it can only be controlled. It takes years for a heavy addicts brain to revert back chemically to it's normal state. There are addicts that need ORT (Opiate Replacement Therapy) for the rest of your life. I believe that for now I fit into that group but I am always open to change and advances in the addiction therapy field.

Heroin addiction really plays havoc on the brain and it's chemistry especially if it has been abused on a daily long term basis. So your son needs to realize that it isn't just about stopping the heroin and then getting off the buprenorphine (suboxone), he has to give himself time to get his life back in order and I'm sure you can appreciate that doesn't happen over night.

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I must admit that I am nervous about the Valium especially 40mgs/day. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist which can slow down the respiratory system, taking a benzodiazapine especially Valium which has a long half life adds to the respiratory effect. He should really try and use the Valium as sparingly as possible.

I don't understand the Adderall as once he is stable on the suboxone he should start to get his energy back but I'm not a doctor so it is totally up to him and is physician.

So my opinion is to take the time to get your life in order because trying to get off the suboxone quickly will almost surely lead to relapse... Good luck... Dave

I am also the parent of a 26 year old son who is on suboxone. He was also prescribed nuvigal, which is somewhat of a stimulant but not nearly as strong as adderall, and xanax, but .05 if needed and he only gets 20 a month. He didn't even take the nuvigal, he didn't think it did anything, and it was VERY expensive but he does take the xanax and the suboxone. He has been on it for the same amount of time he had a relapse. He also was a heroion addict but had been clean for 2 1/2 years and took some vicodin and that went real quick to kadian and he asked about the suoxone and went to it after 6 months of using. I do beleive it affects the brain chemistry because I was on hydrocodone for 2 - 3 years for a hip injury and I nearly lost my mind trying to get off that. He tried to tell me that but I didn't get it and I should of because I am a recovering alcoholic an very in tune to recovery but it is different when it is your child.

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I can understand my recovery but not necessarily his. I became so co-dependent that it was unbeleivable. I had to start my recovery all over but that's another story. Sorry - these things have so many stories behind them. Anyway, He is weaning down a little at a time, breaking the pills into bits but he has stayed on it for a year and has been on 4 mg and day and after a few months is down to almost 2 mg.. If he even hints that he isn't feeling right I think I will see why he has to stay on the small amount of suboxone -- this is a drug that is relatively new and we don't understand alot about it - especially from patient to patient. It doesn't seem to be abused, at least not that I am aware. I felt different about methadone and my son is very good at manipulating when he is 'using' but the suboxone lets him feel normal, like the years of his clean life and it is very difficult to understand and I support you. It is hard to be a mother of a child and try to be all things to them. I have found the happy medium and life is p[retty good now but it's like waiting for the other shoe to drop sometimes. If he is a little upset I worry but at least this drug isn't one that you can lose control in a minute and go shoot up. They get very sick. Once we didn't get his meds and the Dr. had to call it in and was 4 days without it - he was O.K. for the first 3 but on the fourth he drank some of my daughters cough syrup with codeine - he get so sick - I don't think he'll ever do that agaiin. Well hope I didn't bore you with all this - I always llike to hear what other mothers are doing to maintain their sanity thru something like this. He works 10 hours a day and is in love and ready to really be an adult, altho I think he is wonderful and he works with his father in a family business so I think that is bad too but we manage. Good luck and let me know if you need help.

I wanted to comment about the side effect of constipation while on suboxone. I know your son needs to be on 16 milligrams for now, but, when he is able to taper, the constipation will lessen. Apples and warm apple juice, extra water, fruit and oddly, walking or other light exercise will help. When I was on the dose of 12 milligrams, I used Phillips Milk of Magnesia caplets and suppositories. Once your son has been on the suboxone for 3 weeks, his receptors in the brain should be good and coated with suboxone and he may be able to drop the doseage down by 2 milligrams. It is a long acting medication and even if he skipped a dose ( after he has been on it for at least 3 weeks) he would be fine for at least 48 to 72 hours without suboxone. It on average stays on the receptor sites for 3 days to 5 days. The brain needs about 4 weeks to get used to a lower dose.

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If he wants to try this taper ( just to lower his dose and not necessarily get off completely ) have him break the pill into 4 pieces, one piece is equally to 2 milligrams. He would then take 1 whole 8 milligram pill and 3 of the small pieces of the second pill. He shouldn't feel any ill effect from tapering for 3 days and I am betting he will be fine on the lower dose. Then after 3 or 4 weeks on 14 milligrams, he can try dropping it to 12 milligrams. There are faster ways to taper it, but, he may not be ready to taper that quickly. There are some who say that the second blocking drug in suboxone causes anxiety, in that case, he could try the sister medication, Subutex, that does not contain that medication. I do know how frustrating and scary it is getting on suboxone and not being able to take Benzos. I decided to quit both Lortabs and Lorazepam at the same time and didn't know to ask for subutex. I have done pretty well just on suboxone and wish him continued success. Tell him not to rush getting off suboxone if he has had prior relapses. Suboxone is alot safer on ones body than other substances.

I really wish I could add something but it looks like maybe everybody has covered the addiction part of this. I would however like to express to you that you are not alone. My son has been dabbling around with oxy's and xanax from the street. Then I referred him to a phyciatrist that I knew, he came out with Suboxone, Adderall and Wellbrutrin. On thursday the 29th of April he called me and told me he was going to hurt himself. Well, I called 911 and they baker acted him. He must have called me 20 times the first night crying that he wanted ME to get him out. I told him Jarryd you got yourself there and this is the first time in two years I don't have to worry about you tonight! They kept him until Monday. He signed a release so his counselor could talk to me. I was blatently honest about his "meltdowns", so they kept him an extra 24 hours! Just want you to know you are far from being alone.

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Kids today seem to mature later and place a great importance on money and material things. I am quite sure your son will make his way. As someone else said with a great mom like you how else could it be! Bless you and your family Fall Queen