Methadone Heroin

Question by Johnny NoOne: I have been taking 16-20mgs of suboxone for almost 2 months, cant afford the script want to use H. How long?
I have been on Suboxone now as prescribed for just under two months but cant afford the script and want to go back to H until I can step off of that. Obviously I don’t want to kick the Subs cold turkey so I have to go back to the H.. How long do I have to wait (with a pretty fast metabolism) before I can feel the affects of the H or another opiate?? I am an IV user and was planning on using about 36 hours from my last dose~

Best answer:

Answer by Detective John Kimble
Not a good idea, bud. Personally, I think u are just looking for an excuse to go back on the H again. Be strong!

Answer by Mathieu
What about talking to your doctor about using methadone instead of Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone)? Methadone is dirt cheap and in many cases people who use high doses of IV opioids like Heroin respond better to methadone.

You could also talk to your doctor and see if there are any programmes to help cover the cost of the Suboxone.

Another option (however it is probably not realistic with the amount of Suboxone you take) is to use ancillary medications (without any opioid including Suboxone or methadone) to help reduce the symptoms of withdrawal. Examples include-

For anxiety, agitation, hypertension, nausea, abdominal pain, muscle aches/pains
Valium (diazepam) 5-10 mg every 4-6 hrs, maximum 40 mg/day
Ativan (lorazepam) 1-3 mg every 4-6 hours as needed, maximum 10 mg/day

For anxiety
Lyrica (pregabalin) 50 mg every 8 hours as needed

For diarrhoea
Imodium (loperamide) 4 mg initially, followed by 2 mg after each loose bowel motion as needed, maximum 16 mg/day

For nausea/vomiting, cramping/abdominal pain, anxiety, and in some cases insomnia
Phenergan (promethazine) 12.5 to 25 mg every 4-6 hours as needed
Atarax, Vistaril (hydroxyzine) 25-100 mg every 4-6 hours as needed, maximum 400 mg/day

For pain, muscle aches
Advil, Motrin (ibuprofen) 400-800 mg every 4-6 hours as needed, maximum 3200 mg/day
Tylenol (acetaminophen) 1,000 mg every 4-6 hours as needed, maximum 4,000 mg/day

For nausea/vomiting, cramping/abdominal pain, and (not for Bentyl)muscle aches and pains, excessive sweating, and anxiety
Bentyl (dicyclomine) : 20-40 mg four times as needed
Donnatal (belladonna alkaloids/phenobarbital) 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours as needed, maximum 8 tablets/day

For overall reduction in withdrawal symptoms including anxiety, restlessness/agitation, insomnia, tachycardia, hypertension, andm uscle aches and pains.
Catapres (clonidine) 0.1-0.2 mg every 4-6 hours as needed, maximum 0.8 mg/day

For insomnia
Ambien (zolpidem) 10 mg at night as needed
Lunesta (eszopiclone) 3 mg at night as needed
Restoril (temazepam) 15-30 mg at night as needed
Desyrel (trazodone) 50-150 mg at night as needed

For anxiety, restlessness/agitation, insomnia, and nausea/vomiting
Thorazine, Largactil (chlorpromazine) 10-25 mg every 4-6 hours as needed
Stelazine (trifluoperazine) 1-2 mg every 12 hours as needed

For anxiety, restlessness/agitation, and insomnia
Seroquel (quetiapine) 25-50 mg every 6-8 hours as needed (100 mg at night as needed)
Zyprexa (olanzapine) 5-10 mg daily as needed

Buprenorphine, the opioid in Suboxone, has a half-life of 20-44 hours so it will last a long time. I can’t and won’t advocate or recommend you return to using Heroin or any other opioids (especially IV use) but I will tell you that you probably need to wait more than 36 hours. 72 hours could potentially be long enough but longer may be needed. Also (and I am only telling you this so that you can do things more safely) if you do start using opioids illegally/improperly don’t start with IV use. If you inject a drug like Heroin and the Suboxone is still exerting an effect it will precipitate a very severe withdrawal. If you took Heroin orally you will have fewer risks. And when it comes to drugs don’t assume you have a fast metabolism- it may be that you do but it is not something you can easily tell (even if you think you can).

Lastly your question asks “how long do I have to wait (with a pretty fast metabolism) before I can feel the affects of the H or another opiate?” From that it sounds like you want to go back to Heroin to get high and your concern is mostly about getting high rather than trying to just prevent withdrawal symptoms and try to stop opioids.

In any case talk to your doctor see what can be done to keep you off Heroin or other opioids. Make sure your doctor knows about your financial issues and the fact you are wanting to start using Heroin again.

More Methadone Opiates Information…