[susan888]

She has an incurable bladder disease...diagnosed at 18. The docs just threw powerful pain meds at her for the past 8 years.

She is not taking them as prescribed any longer....she has a problem. We were hoping that she could get into our county's Suboxone clinic, but because she occasionally takes Ativan for anxiety....she was denied. The addicion docs she has left messages with do not call her back (except for the one that does not take insurance and wants a large sum of money to help her).

I don't think she can kick this on her own....we have already tried me taking her prescription and only giving her so much...that didn't work.

Any suggestions are welcome. We live in Cincinnati, Ohio and there doesn't seem to be any resources here unless you get in trouble with the law.....

Susan, this link is to the Ohio Advocates For Mental Health.http://www.ohioadvocates.org/index_files/Page433.htm

The page has an 800 number to call. My hope is they can direct you to someone that may help your daughter.

I imagine you have already inquired at the Ohio Department of Mental Health. Nonetheless here is the Contact page? http://mentalhealth.ohio.gov/who-we-...ntact-us.shtml

Good luck.

[paddym22]

Susan, Does she have to take the ativan, it sounds like she only occasionaly takes it. I dont really know why they have rejected your daughter as small doses of benzodiazipines can be safely given with suboxone. The suboxone would make an enormous difference to her quality fo life if she would agree to forgo the ativan. Coul her anxiety be related to her pain meds abuse?

Paddy.

[susan888]

Thank you so much TheByzantine! I don't think we have looked at either of those sites..we are pretty much going into this blind. Her pain doctor just told her to wean herself off and has not returned her calls. I will look at those sites tonight.

Paddy....She did tell them that she is not addicted to the Ativan. She can go weeks without taking it and told them that. She told them that she would not take the Ativan any longer...she begged them to let her into the Suboxone program...said she would do whatever she had to. I guess because the are a government funded institution, the have very strict rules and a long, long list of people that want help.

She still hasn't had a call back from any of the docs she left messages with (and now there a several more). It's just so frustrating.

Your daughter is in my thoughts.

[maryjain lockhart]

I know2ppl who are currently in Suboxone treatment but they are addicted2it&they are taking other pills with it. Suboxone can cause drug interactions&from what my clinicians have told me most clinics won't take u if ur taking other meds&it really only is a short term thing. Long term suboxone use can cause addiction to it. U can look into methadone clinics, but its hard2find a good one. Methadone can be used4pain also, but because its a long acting drug it doesn't need2b taken as much. U should try2look into methadone clinics. Its a good choice4someone dependent on opiates because its used long term&most clinics use liquid which is easier2use2prescribe amounts not found in pill form. I got very lucky here&found an awesome place that helps ppl get over their opiate addiction with counseling, therapy, treatment plans, plans on what2do if u tink ur gonna relapse, tons of info about groups2go2&other resources. Methadone clinics are regulated by the DEA&only certain MDs can prescribe it. I have been in therapy for over4yrs&have not had any problems with becoming addicted2it or anything like that. Actually, the opposite is happening&I'm starting2taper down&I'm feeling more confident than ever that I will be all right when I get off completely.
Look up suboxone&methadone on Wikipedia. They've got helpful info there&u can also search both online&find a plethora of great info&resources2help make this decision as easy as possible. Good luck2u&keep us updated. There a re lots of great ppl on here willing2share stories&opinions.