opiate/pain pill addiction treatment

I've heard there's a couple of Doctors here that have treatment for this. I think they are using a medicine called Suboxen (sp?). Does anyone know anything concerning this? I welcome any opinions and advice on help with this. It's not for me but for a very close family member....HELP PLEASE!!! This a horrible addiction!

Dr. Reddy, Dr. Anderson and Dr. Kahn do the treatment. I looked in up on PubMed (the online database for peer reviewed research) and it seems to be very effective with fewer side effects than the old methadone method.

One thing to keep in mind though... the suboxen approach isn't meant to cure the addiction. It's only the first step in the recovery program. Substance abuse counseling, support groups (AA-type) and a commitment to sobriety are essential for success.

I have multiple family members who struggle with addictions so I understand your desperation. You're in my prayers.

They're so many treatment options available..it just really depends on the person.. family members of mine took suboxen..and then started abusing it also..a lot of people told us not to use it because its substituting one for the other..and the Narcotics Anonymous spokes person said the same..people are buying suboxen off the street just like opiates...but, it make work for your family member..no matter how bad you want them to get better..they have to completely commit..its terrible..my family is still struggling with it..I wish you and your family the best..and if you need the names of facilities in georgia I have those too..if thats an option

Perhaps, if the person really wants help; a natural detox program may help. A juice or water cleanse, infared sauna, yoga; I've heard a lot on the lemonade cleanse for helping with addictions and healing old injuries. Wouldn't hurt to look at the website and read some info; if memory serves, Peter Glickman is responsible for reviving interest in it. Google... I hope your family member beats his/her addiction:)

They are bad if not worse than being on any pill they are. They are just addictive as the next pill. They are also just as hard to come off of just like any other pill or drug. I know from a close family member having to take them. He got to where he wanted more than he was assigned to by the dr., was getting angry with his family member when they wouldn’t give them to him a his rite time, & was lying saying he’d lost one or whatever it took to get an extra one. They did him worse than any pill he was ever on. I think they are more harmful than helpful. They also can shut down your liver just like anything else. So NO I don’t recommend them for ANYONE. If they need help GET THEM HELP NOT some other medication they have to take, to me that’s just giving them the OK it’s fine to take meds. THINK ABOUT IT before you do it. & this is coming from someone who KNOWS!!

I speak from experience that Suboxone is a viable treatment for opiate dependency. I once was addicted to oxycontin and hydrocodone for many years and decided that I didn't want to travel that road any longer so I sought after help. I discovered suboxone by doing a lot of online research and found a local Doctor that would prescribe it.

The thing about being clean is that you have to want it, if you don't, no amount of detox or rehab is going to help you.

What the suboxone does is make you function normally without any of the withdrawl symptoms you get from ceasing to take opiates. They will ask you question about how much opiates you taken and then gauge your dosage from there, slowly weaning you down to nothing.

It is true that their are minor withdrawl symptoms when you stop taking the suboxone, but are a walk in the part compared to stopping cold turkey. The withdrawls were light and manageable.

But what it ultimately comes down to is the willingness to stop. You have to want to be sober for any rehabilitation program to work. Keep that in mind.

Suboxone is what you are looking for. The physician that my family member went to is in Alma. He is an Addiction Specialist with over 40 years of sobriety himself. Dr. Bagley is on 16th Street. Octagon has the right idea. I do know that Dr. Bagley helps people throughout Georgia and Florida (especially if a professionals' license is involved, medical, nursing, or law). He does not have people that TALK about the patients, so your business is YOURS ! He will also help with sleep disturbances using Seroquel in addition to Suboxone. I do hope you find what works best for you. One pill a day makes a WORLD of difference in the life of an addict.

I know someone who needs Dr. Bagley's number.

Thank you all very much! It's definitely something that we have to address immediately and he's ready. He admits he has a problem now after many years. Thanks again everyone!

Octagon wrote:

I speak from experience that Suboxone is a viable treatment for opiate dependency. I once was addicted to oxycontin and hydrocodone for many years and decided that I didn't want to travel that road any longer so I sought after help. I discovered suboxone by doing a lot of online research and found a local Doctor that would prescribe it.
The thing about being clean is that you have to want it, if you don't, no amount of detox or rehab is going to help you.
What the suboxone does is make you function normally without any of the withdrawl symptoms you get from ceasing to take opiates. They will ask you question about how much opiates you taken and then gauge your dosage from there, slowly weaning you down to nothing.
It is true that their are minor withdrawl symptoms when you stop taking the suboxone, but are a walk in the part compared to stopping cold turkey. The withdrawls were light and manageable.
But what it ultimately comes down to is the willingness to stop. You have to want to be sober for any rehabilitation program to work. Keep that in mind.

What Doctor did you use? Congrats on beating your addiction!

TRUE STORY wrote:

They are bad if not worse than being on any pill they are. They are just addictive as the next pill. They are also just as hard to come off of just like any other pill or drug. I know from a close family member having to take them. He got to where he wanted more than he was assigned to by the dr., was getting angry with his family member when they wouldn’t give them to him a his rite time, & was lying saying he’d lost one or whatever it took to get an extra one. They did him worse than any pill he was ever on. I think they are more harmful than helpful. They also can shut down your liver just like anything else. So NO I don’t recommend them for ANYONE. If they need help GET THEM HELP NOT some other medication they have to take, to me that’s just giving them the OK it’s fine to take meds. THINK ABOUT IT before you do it. & this is coming from someone who KNOWS!!

Also from someone who knows and has a background in health research...

These medications aren't meant to be used unless the person is in a recovery program. They are short-term medications and meant to be managed closely by a doctor, preferably one who coordinates with the substance abuse counselor the addicted person is seeing. A person shouldn't be on them long enough to do liver damage.

Suboxone has demonstrated efficacy in multiple clinical trials, and it is well-vetted method of reducing withdrawl symptoms and increasing the likelihood of sobriety.

Again, this should be part of a comprehensive substance abuse treatment program. The addicted person should be tapped into resources, like a counselor or sponsor, to help him deal with drug-seeking behavior and offer support. It will reduce the chance of him abusing the suboxone or continuing the other typical addict behaviors.

As far as the post about natural alternatives goes, there is no peer-reviewed clinical research that demonstrates any "natural" treatment to be effective and many are flatly dangerous. Natural does not mean safe. I strongly disagree with using anything without a doctor's approval and oversight. May "natural" remedies can cause permanent damage or even death if used improperly.

very concerned wrote:

<quoted text>
What Doctor did you use? Congrats on beating your addiction!

I used Dr. Anderson, and thanks! I've been clean for 2 years now!

I go to Alma also. It's not a shameful thing to ask for help. It's out there...go get you some ! The most important thing is to not give up. Suboxone is what gave my life back to me. One pill a day makes my life rewarding.

Step down your dosage. ie... go from one a day to half a day then every other day, etc..( depending on the medication & your Dr's advice) then just quit cold turkey. Hard but doable w/ determination. I'd not try any other meds because odds are you can get hooked on the "replacement" pills. Guess it varies by person. j.m.o. Good luck w/ everything though :)

That is a great suggestion, one of the best I have actually read on here. Hoh.

I have been going through this same ordeal. So many changes still to be made.

As for replacement pills, that is exactly what happened. Kickin all pills and moving on is the best way to cure it all. Change works miracles. You just have to get away from the things that depresses you. Be a runner, if you must.

Asics wrote:

That is a great suggestion, one of the best I have actually read on here. Hoh.
I have been going through this same ordeal. So many changes still to be made.
As for replacement pills, that is exactly what happened. Kickin all pills and moving on is the best way to cure it all. Change works miracles. You just have to get away from the things that depresses you. Be a runner, if you must.

Hey if it takes it? Strap on those Asics and hit the high road. Been there, done that. Sometime it takes a new environement to regroup - new friends etc. to help you reevaluate your situation. when things are better and you're stronger you can always come back, I did :)-- Luved the bigger city but I'm a kuntry gurl @ heart!

My philospy? It is what it is & it was what it was. Enough said. Don't let the coulda's, the woulda's and the shoulda's keep you down - good luck w/ this......:)

lol! I am a country girl at heart too but luckily I can respect the city and country too. There's no plans for staying in the city for this girl... but I will make the most of it!:) Thanks.
I figured you would understand.

And yea, Luckily my shoestrings are double knotted.. ;)

well there you go gurl! Double knots ensure you can haul a$$ and not worry about losing your grip OR you'll have sure traction when climbing that mountain :) Keep going , the view's pretty dang good from up here, I just recently finsished my Mt. Everest climb, lol & it took a while, no lies.

I can only imagine! lmao!
How long did that take ya?