To avoid intense withdrawals, how long after my last heroin use should I wait to take Suboxone?
How long after my last heroin use can I take Suboxone?
Question posted by shelleybelle on 12 Sep 2010
Last updated on 10 August 2021 by uriah8
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
10 Answers
Honestly I've taken it maybe an hour after using, I went through about a 45 minute period of withdrawal, after that I felt fine. I have done this two times in the last month, no problems here
24 Hours and start with 4 mg is my best advice which has never failed me before. Best of luck staying away from the devil.
I think there are too many variables. I've bounced back and forth countless times over the last 4 or 5 years. Twice I've gone into precipitated withdrawal. The one time I took a sub after 3 hours, another time was after about 16 hours. Yet there are times Ive taken it after 6 hours and was fine. I can literally take both at the same time sometimes and nothing (i don't get high but I still feel the effects such as calmness, great sleep, etc.). I haven't figured it out but those two episodes definitely scarred me and I hesitate to go back on every time. I think usage plays the biggest part (how much and how often) ... but i'm still trying to figure it out.
It depends on how long you have been on it. I can do it 5 hours after, and it feels as if I waited to long, it's all depends on the person so I'd say 6-8 hours, that's about right right there. Everyone says longer because that's being on the safe side, so 6- hours in is my advice
I would absolutely wait until you can't wait any longer no I mean over the 24 hour mark. I have waited 24 hrs and took a sub and went into the worst withdrawal of my life. Literally thought I was going to die. I had to leave my family and go use it took a lot to even feel anything note I am going through that vicious cycle again. I will atleast wait until I can't possibly bare it anymore and after the 24 hour mark. Someone recommend the COWS chart I found it very interesting. I will keep you guys Posted if I can. If anyone has. any more input on when I should take it please talk to me. I'm scared to even try again. That is how bad the premeditated withdrawal was it was sooooooo bad.
Def wait as long as humanly possible ive gotten sick even after 24 hours taking it..id say try a total day off n then while u won't sleep take it next morning like 30 hours every hr makes a big difference
Everyone says 12 hours 24 hours BUT please here me out. I took the advice of one person online who said when you feel your systems are unbearable that's when you take it - that for ME was 6 hours after last use. I was on the verge of just giving up on life. I was also doing very strong stuff that i had to reboot every four hours; keep in mind there are different grades of H. Secondly, I weigh 200 pounds and I am 5"9 my metabolism is probably different than the average person. I was terrified to take a sub bc of all the stuff I've heard about precipitated effects etc. but I was losing my mind so i took the risk and i discovered the 6 hour mark. I usually never take the time to come on here and reply to these questions but i felt like people should know.
So at the 6 hour mark... did you get sick? Or did it help you? I need to know. I weigh the same as you & sane height. It's been 16 hours for me... which is rare... I usually go into withdrawal a lot faster... so far it's bareable... but it's starting to get unbearable & I'm scared to take the sub.
Yeah I'm also wondering if it helped or if you got sick.
Did you get sick or did it help?
I don’t think they’re saying 6 hours is the magic number; in fact, I’m pretty sure there IS no magic number is more the point.
A lot of doctors suggest waiting the 24 hours obviously OR they’ll tell you to base it off of how unbearable your symptoms are (which I think that’s what this person is implying). So I’d say once your symptoms begin to become so unbearable you can’t take it, it’s most likely safe to take a sub; as long as it’s been at least 6 hours since you’ve last used any kind of opioid/narcotic...
I personally waited 16 hours after taking my last opioid before taking my sub, and I didn’t feel sick at all.
However I can say I’ve watched my ex use H and only 4 hours later took a sub and went through nasty withdrawals for the next hour plus, which is why I say I at least wait 6 hours for sure if you’re gonna take a sub after using but that’s just from my personal experience...
I hope this helps someone!
Agreed. No magic number just wait till you’re sick.
okay i will be honest with you, this has happened to me and i have messed up and done it to soon and its crazy, it feels like cold metal going through all your veins and that it feels like u just jumped in the coldest water in the world, nothing fells real. but the wrost thing is to cop another bag its not going to help at all. i went through 4 bundles in about 40 min. i found that if you ever do have this happen just try to lie down cover up and it will be over with in 45 min and you will feel normal like before you ever used. I hope this is useful because i know when i was sick i wouldnt ever wait 24 hours to get better if i had sub, you can do it when you have the shits about every 10 mins and or when you get that feeling when you are sick and drink anything hot or cold when it goes in your mouth and you feel it move as fast as it can to the toilet. i hate that feeling. I am getting the ants and shaky legs thining about this.
I just wish i had some to try to help me get through it the best they can. other people just dont get us addicts and i dont think either of us would wait that long, be sick for 24 full hours or be sick for maybe an hour the longest.hope it helps
I really strongly suggest you start a thread on this web sight and ask Robert for advice. He can start you on the lowest possible does and that will make it much easier to get off suboxone. It’s a very strong drug and you don’t want to stay on it for to long. It’s also a great tool to succeed in a life without drugs. Just do it right!!! Theirs a lot to learn.
Agreed, u can friend Robert by clicking his profile or avatar and when he friends u back, u can then ask him private questions, check ur profile under ques. and answers and b sure to scroll down past ur ques. and ads 4 his reply if u don't c it at 1rst.
My doctor told me 12 hours after I used tried it twice and went into the worst withdrawal ever in my life. Now I'm scared to try it again. The 2nd time I waited 20 hours same thing. Is there anything I can ask him for that my ease my withdraw while I wait to take my zub. I really wish I could get a doctor who knows what they are talking about. This is my second Doctor the first one told me to take it the next morning. I'm at my wits end. I want to stop using so badly, but I can't seem to get to the point where I can use the mediation. I have another appointment today and really want this to work. Don't they have to take classes to prescribe this medicine, I mean it seams like I found more out on the Internet then I have from my doctors. Help please!!
I have the same problem. I was precribed suboxone and I know it will send me into withdrawal and I have to go to work and at the same time I don't want to use anymore so I'm gonna get through work one more day and wait at least 24 hrs and start taking them. Withdrawl or not I have to start somewhere and I think you should too
Found this on the job today I find one in weird places about every couple months this was in the foundation of a house we're working on in Carson, Shaun is looking out for me.
At least 24 hours, the opiate must be off the receptor sites before you take the suboxone or you will go into what is known as precipitated withdrawals, i.e. really really bad withdrawals. Please google the COWS sheet, clincal opiate withdrawal scale and you should have a score of 26 or greater to take the suboxone. 24 hours or more is what is recommended, if you think you are not hitting at least 26 on this scale, wait until you do. Do not take any benzo tranquilizers, muscle relaxers or drink alcohol on suboxone as it can cause respiratory failure.
Twelve hours
I used like 2 hours ago and I feel sick already when can I tAke my sub I really don't want to make myself sicker
It depends on your metabolism but yes, I would say at least 24 hours.
Take some Imodium AD. That’s what I did. Helps a little.
I’m at 48 hours and I’m staring down my only sub, getting super antsy about it.
So, what I don’t understand is this: Does it not matter how much H I did or for how long? Seems like it would be built up or something...
Related topics
Further information
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.