AboutCharles I. Expertise There is no one cause for addiction and it must be approached from a biopsychosocial perspective. I can offer answers to questions concerning substance abuse (alcohol and drugs) and related topics such as depression and anxiety. I will not answer questions concerning medical opinion or diagnosis.
Experience I currently work as a substance abuse counselor and I have extensive experience from counseling in an outpatient setting as well as counseling in an opiate maintenance therapy (methadone) center. In addition, I am a recovering addict with over 15 years of recovery and personal experience.
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Arts in Applied Sociology. Working toward my Masters in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling.
Awards and Honors Life time member of the United Chapters of Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society.
Past/Present Clients I have experience in working with the homeless, domestic violence victims, sexual abuse victims and the public in general.
Question i am about to go through prescribed withdrawals after being on bupremorphine for approx 2 yrs and am about to drop off my last dose. It is extremley scary cause i only lasted 8 hrs of withdrawals whilst on heroin. i have a very supportive boyfriend but he doesn't know the best way to support me through this time. I'm a bit clueless as i have only ever dealt with withdrawals for a short period of time. Can you offer any advice for my boyfriend and I?
Answer Hi Pen, thanks for your question. The withdrawals you experience from buprinorphine should not be as severe as heroin or methadone. You are going to possibly feel like you have the flu for the next few days (i say few because I really couldn't tell you the exact number...everyone is different). You may experience achiness, nausea, diarrhea, trouble sleeping, sweating. You are probably not going to feel like going anywhere. I would handle it like you have the flu by drinking lots of fluids, try eating some easy foods like soup to keep your strength up and take a good multi-vitamin. None of this will stop any of the withdrawal you may experience but it will help your body to stay in the best shape possible while detoxing from the drug.
Finally all I can tell you is to hang in there and everyday you should feel a little better...don't give in to the withdrawal and cravings, if you do it will set the whole process back even further. The best thing your boyfriend can do is just be there for you and provide love and support. It is important that you talk to him and let him know how you are feeling.
After you start feeling better I would highly recommend that you seek some sort of counseling or at least attend some sort of support group like NA to help keep you on the path of recovery.
I'm cheering for you and hope that you hang in there and get to the other side.
Good Luck,
Charles
