[Wannabe counselor]

Hi! My husband is addicted to opiate pain medication. Although he has been opiate clean for 8 years, he still takes Suboxone. He only takes a quarter of a pill a day, but swears without it he goes into withdrawls. I do not see how that small of a dose keeps him out of withdrawls after 8 years. I don't want to tell him it's psychological, because I do not know this for a fact. I do not have a pain pill addiction. His problem is, is that he is tired of even depending on the Suboxone and wants to get off of it too, but is terrified. Does anyone have any experience detoxing off of Suboxone and can provide any sound advice?

[bluekoi]

Wannabe counselor, Your husband should discuss with his doctor how to safely taper off Suboxone.

[Perna]

Subutex (buprenorphine hydrochloride) and Suboxone tablets (buprenorphine hydrochloride and naloxone hydrochloride)

I guess I would reassure him he cannot know how it will go unless he gives it a try? I would also point out that since he is using such a small amount, that cannot be "holding back" a very bad withdrawal?

[notz]

Can he step down by cutting the pill in half?

[Perna]

Originally Posted by notz

Can he step down by cutting the pill in half?

He already quarters it! It has to be mostly psychological, fear of being afraid/out of control.

[(JD)]

I think he sounds like he's managing his pain quite well.

He has real chronic pain and what? you want him to survive without any pain medication?

No addict cuts a pill in half or quarters, they take all of it and more than needed and run out ahead of time and moan for additional.

Please know that there's a big difference between NEEDING pain medicine and being addicted. Don't feel bad, many regular MDs don't understand it either.

AND yes, that small amount may be all that's needed for now to supplement the natural pain killer the body normally makes.

I have been proven to NOT be addicted; I sometimes forget to take my medicine and only realize as the pain builds beyond pale... I also cut my pills in half and quarters (the half life of the pain pills often don't meet with the pain life...if I took my pain medicine the way normal MDs give it, I'd go one hour in good shape and then suffer immensely the other 5 hours waiting for the next dose. THIS IS NOT pain management. )

If what you state are the true conditions, you have nothing to worry about and should compliment him on managing his pain so well! As I tried to say, there's a big difference between addiction and NEEDING medicine to curb unbearable pain. Pain patients rarely become addicted to their medication...strange phenomena but true. But fear and anxiety of increased pain and suffering can add to our "need" for that medication. And if it's chronic pain...(just like with MDs concerns over pain med addiction by TERMINAL patients )...what difference does it make if he's managing the pain and able to have some quality of life also?

[waggiedog]

Hi there WC. I am taking subutex at the moment and have been for 2 months. I take this med as part of my re~hab because I was addicted to codeine, which is derived from opium. I've done this re~hab before three years ago. It was my choice as to when I come off the subutex, and I did eventually. I honestly think your husband is not physically addicted to Subutex (it's the same med as your husband has) but he is psychologically dependant. I too have this exact problem when I'm down to the final stages and it's literally cutting the med in quarters!! Quite honestly it really doesn't matter that he's still taking such a tiny amount, it's too small to worry about. It's surely better than having him relapse, if that's a possible outcome. Hope that may help a little. HUGS. XXXXXXXXXXX

[Altered Moment]

I believe JD is right that it has been shown that if an opiate is going to alleviate real pain the less likely the chance for addiction. And also true that an addict would take more and then some more even when not needed for pain. For the high. Doesn't sound like getting high at a quarter dose. It may just be psychological fear but I wouldn't worry to much. Psychosomatic anxiety and withdrawal can be tough too.

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