[Typical]

Hello.

After being on this forum for the past three weeks, I have to say that I am more informed regarding the biggest issue at hand here; opiate withdrawal. I am truly stunned at the number of people that are going through this trial.

And, I don't know if this will help, but I will continue with the hope that it does.

I was running with a previous thread called "Yet Another Suboxone." After spending many years on a Fentanyl patch then a very short stint with Suboxone, I am celebrating being free of both. I think that is important to share. It CAN be done. Sharing the positive experiences is an important part of this I think, no matter how small the success.

I had a specific recipe for myself to get through this:

1. Extreme Faith in Gad;
2. Extreme Motiviation;
3. Extreme Faith in God;
4. An extremely devoted, loving and caring spouse...(Thank you for the deep leg rubs when RLS was kicking my behind!); and
5. Extreme support through this forum.

I now have three nights of full sleep under my belt!! And, as those of you in this boat know, that is a big deal!!

One of the other things I "do" in my spare time is train parrots for freeflight with positive reinforcement. This takes an extrordanary understanding of basic behavior. How they learn new behavior is through very small approximations or successes then reinforcement of that behavior. Changing just one small thing in your basic behavior can have a very positive influence on the way this works. So, when those small successes are achieved, reward yourself (not with drugs of course) but with something that is important to you. It will reinforce the new actions you are taking with your life and make changing your behavior just a little easier.

Even with the basics of behavior analysis under my belt, my faith is the thing that was primary in taking me through to the other side. It was hard, but you know, what isn't?

My prayers are out to everyone who has or is making this jump. Post your small successes, let everyone know you've made it another day. And remember, you don't have to go through it alone.

Because of whose we are!!!

T.