[barb0106]

My bf is in the second day of processing to be place into a substance abuse program. He has a very bad oxycontin addiction. He does not have medical but the clinic is going to help him with that. He has two choices, suboxone or methadone maintenance. They said the suboxones would be a better choice for him, but it seems like he is pushing for the methadone maintanance. I've seen a few people on methadone, and they looked whacked. What are the differences between these two approaches? Is one more addictive than the other? Is one easier to get off of? I'm really worried that he won't get better,I don't want him to trade one addiction for another.

[ymccormack]

Barb: I'm sure Dave will weigh in on this since he's a wealth of info on both! In the meantime, I suggest your BF try whatever they are recommending. Methadone (as I understand it) is good for long term, heavy opiate addiction or people with chronic pain.

Suboxone is for moderate opiate addiction (if there really is such a thing?). The withdrawl from methadone is really, really hard. The withdrawl from suboxone is also hard but alot of people do it by following a tapering regimen. Which he should follow.

With Methadone you have to get in a program. He has to prove himself before he'll be given methadone to take home and even then it will only be a few days worth. I know people who eventually got off methadone -- but it took them years to do it. Keep in mind: both my friends had been addicted to heroin for 20 or more years so they were willing to invest the time to get off for good.

Unless he's been addicted to OC's for many years, he's probably better off with the suboxone.

Keep us posted! Good Luck,

YM

[barb0106]

He's been addicted for about 5-6 years, I've been with him for almost 2, he says he stopped for a bit, but he can't recollect when or for how long, He always says something different. I've been on him since he admitted the problem to me. I hope this works, not only for him, but me too. he's a good person. Tank you so much for the info. And I will definetly keep everyone posted.

[Cats Meow]

You can expect him to be on methadone for life if he goes that way, it is THE most addictive drug ever made, it's very difficult to quit, very few ever do, and he would be trading off.
The SubO is a better choice, but it is expensive, while meth is cheap. The Sub shouldn't make him high, and you won't have to worry about him taking more narcs on top of it.
Methadone should always be the last choice/option. Please read up on it.

[HollyCarney]

my husband is a heroin addict in his third year of recovery. He has been very successfull with suboxone, and recomends it to anyone in recovery. I do as well. Like I said he has done the best in the past 3 years on suboxone then he ever has in the past 10 years. The side effects are not as bad as methodone. He lives a normal life raising three kids and working it has changed our lives unbelievably

[PLegba]

Others are correct in that Methdone is a long-term process. I was on it for almost two years, and that's short for most. One reply was wrong in that Suboxone is for moderate opiate addicts. In fact, most of the people I know on it are recovering heroin addicts, including myself. I would suggest Suboxone, even though it cost much more. Methadone withdrawal is brutal, and I would actually catch a buzz each day off my dose. Not good for somebody who's trying not to get high! Suboxone has been a much, much better experience for me and my recovery. If his doctor weens him off the right way, he'll be fine.......

[prettypoopoo]

I've been on suboxone for over 6 mos. and just recently weaned off, as one is supposed to. It's been 2 weeks and I still feel terrible...not as bad as h withdrawal, but it ROUGH!! That's why I found this site today, to get some advice. What I have found on this site and others, is that suboxone should only be used for a month to avoid this type of withdrawal. Boy, I wish I wouldn've known that before!!! The doctor doesn't tell you that, though, he wants your money, so he'll keep you on it for as long as you'll come back (they told me about 12mos).

[pinkdaydream]

I took methodone several years ago and it was the worst hell coming off of it ever. I am literally terrified of this drug! I couldn't walk for a month due to leg pain.