In the last post we discussed some of the misconceptions about tapering off opioids. Today we will discuss a couple basic principles, and then describe the approach I recommend for my patients tapering off buprenorphine. Opioids act at receptors that normally bind endorphins, which are released by neurons in response to a range of stimuli … [Read more…]
A forum reader wrote about concerns over a partner on buprenorphine. Her concerns pointed out a common misperception about the goals of treatment of opioid use disorder using buprenorphine, or using methadone for that matter. Her question, amended for privacy: I married the love of my life. He is still he love of my life … [Read more…]
First Published 7/23/2013 I hear from the anti-buprenorphine people now and then, less than I used to. I also hear from fans of this blog’s early days, when I routinely lost my temper in response to those people. Their general line was that things on heroin weren’t all that bad, but now, on buprenorphine, things are … [Read more…]
I received a question from a reader about withdrawal symptoms from stopping buprenorphine. My answer has relevance to opioid withdrawal in general, and to a common misconception about the duration of withdrawal symptoms. The message: Basically I quit Suboxone about 18 days ago. When I decided to quit I was taking about 8 to 12mgs per day. I … [Read more…]
I often receive e-mails asking for advice on tapering Suboxone, or asking how long Suboxone withdrawal should last. People who read my blog know my approach to stopping Suboxone; I see it as an exercise in futility even in the rare cases where the person is successful, because of a relapse rate that verges on … [Read more…]
Many of you are familiar with my e-book, ‘User’s Guide to Suboxone,’ that has been available for sale on the web. The copy that is sold through that site is ‘print-protected’ and copy protected; a password is required to open the document and it cannot be printed– at least not without a bit of digital … [Read more…]
A new feature on SuboxForum.com is the ‘Q and A,’ where I select a question to answer in detail. I will post my answer here as well. I won’t post the original question, but it is embedded in my response so I think everyone will figure it out! There are really a number of questions … [Read more…]
I am placing a new link in the Blogroll to a site that discusses tapering Suboxone. I want to be clear that in my opinion, an opiate addict’s safest place is on Suboxone. Many opiate addicts also find that on Suboxone they experience less mood variability, less irritability, and less anxiety; I wonder if those … [Read more…]