Expert: Caroline West - 9/13/2010

Question
So pretty much I have been addicted to oxy's for about i'd
say about a year and a half. I started off just snorting
them, smaller amounts to usually shared with a friend like a
40 mg, then it got worse. A lot worse, real fast. It got to
a 60 mg to myself everyday it only took about a month maybe
a month and a half to get there. But then snorting it wasn't
even enough, then was introduced to free basing it (smoking
it off of a piece of foil). Then it got to smoking an 80 mg
a day. I lost my job lost my car because i couldn't pay my
insurance. I'm only twenty so the job I had wasn't the shit
or anything. But i'm letting my parents down and need to get
my life back on the right path. I've tried quitting before.
never get passed the first couple days. I'm on day two right
now and it's getting tough. I've been thinking about trying
subboxin or something like that but not sure if it'll help
or making things worse so hopefully you experts can help..
help a brother out! :)  

Answer
Hi Anthony. I am experiencing problems with my Laptop and it is causing me to not be able to get the answers to questions out,so I really do apologize for the later than I would have liked reply,and now that it's ok,I can help you out.

Ok,this is quite an easy one to deal with. Firstly,I am sorry that you lost your job over this,but that's what it comes to in the end,you lose everything,but there's hope if you go and get the help.

I think,100%,that a Suboxone script for you is the best,by far,idea. Not only will it 'hold' you (meaning it will stop the withdrawals),but it can maintain you for a bit and when you feel able enough,it can be gradually reduced.

It is very,very hard to stop using alone,and a bit of medical intervention usually takes off the burden of going it alone.

That's my advice,which is what you have been thinking anyway. Just to elaborate on the Suboxone. It has an ingredient in it which is an 'Opiate Blocker'. This,should you feel the urge to use some Oxy,will make sure that Oxy will not have any effect on you. So it would be pointless trying to use,say if you had a bad day,as the Oxy will have no effect. This is an added bonus to taking Suboxone. Also,you can maintain on a dose for a month or two,or however long you like,until you get out of the 'habit' of taking Oxy. Then,when the cravings have gone,you can start to reduce the Sub slowly,with guidance and at a comfortable rate.

Go for it,it's the best way forward! I wish you luck with this and just to add,when you have been on a maintenance amount for a while and the Oxy cravings have subsided,you can then think about getting another job and getting your life back on track. Again.it's the best move forward. Caroline