How to Taper Off Suboxone in 16 Weeks
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- You can check out my book here: amzn.to/2RvWmNV
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"Started from the bottom, now we're here"
---Drake
Look, I get it.
You've got your life on track. Your relationships are improving. You're holding down a job. You feel better.
You're no longer trying to figure out how to get 10-20 pain pills to take today.
You're in a treatment program and it's working.
And now you feel ready to stop your Suboxone or buprenorphine. But how?
The last thing you want to do is go through withdrawals or God forbid.....relapse.
I've written a 16 week template to taper from the highest dose (24MG=3 TABS or FILMS) down to ZERO. Obviously, if you are on a lower dose, then you can jump right in wherever you are at and it won't take you a full 16 weeks.
Now just to be clear: This is not medical advice. This is a conversation. It's something you can discuss with your doctor and see if it's right for you.
No one wants to be on medicine forever. But sometimes it's hard to see an end point.
When things feel overwhelming...break them down to the basics. Keep it simple.
How to Taper Off Suboxone in 16 Weeks
Week 1: 24mg a day (3 tabs or films)
Week 2: 24 mg one day, 20 mg the next. Alternate the two doses. (20mg = 2 1/2 films)
Week 3: 20 mg a day
Week 4 16 mg a day (2 tabs)
Week 5: Alternate 16 mg and 12 mg. (12mg= 1 1/2 films or tabs)
Week 6: 12 mg a day
Week 7: Alternate 12mg and 8mg
Week 8: 8 mg a day
Week 9: Alternate 8mg and 4 mg
Week 10: 4 mg a day
Week 11: Alternate 4mg and 2mg
Week 12: 2mg a day
Week 13: Alternate 2mg and 1mg
Week: 14: 1mg a day
Week 15: 1mg every other day
Week 16: 1mg every 3 days
If my math is right, this will take approx #128 of the 8mg strips or tablets of Suboxone or Subutex. If your first prescription is for #90 then all you will need for your next rx is #38.
This is a template.
You stay on the week you're on until you're ready to come down. The main thing is...don't go backwards.
If you have to stay on week 8 for a full month, then do that. If you have to stay on it for a full year, then that's okay.
I have patients that do great. Then they get down to 1mg a day and just can't seem to take the next step. But I know that with time, they will.
Don't worry about what other people are doing. It's easy for some and difficult for others.
You be you.
Stay healthy.
Stay clean.
Stay alive!
p.s.
I wrote a book of devotions, but it's not a normal book of devotions.
It's not theology. It won't cure a disease or get you into heaven. I'm not a theologian, preacher, teacher, or any one else with qualifications to write such a thing.
The book isn't for baptists, methodists, catholics, calvinists, dunkers, or sprinklers.
It's for misfits, pill heads, lawyers, prostitutes, junkies, manic depressives, shut-ins, zealots, anarchists, tax-collectors, thieves, and insomniacs.
In other words, it's not for those that have it all figured out.
It's for the rest of us.
The ones looking and searching.
The ones that know HOPE is the most dangerous idea of all.
You can pick up a copy at Amazon: amzn.to/2LDusxs
My website: www.doctorchris...
MUSIC: The Strike by Brakhage
I've been on Suboxone for six years, and I've talked to my doctor many times about tapering down, never having started however. What I like most about this video is that the plan is actually outlined in detail so that I know exactly what each "week's" dose will be. Now I'm not so afraid to go for it. Thanks, Doc!
Joseph Usher Glad it helped. Make sure to check some of my other videos about tapering when h dos gets low and using the alternating dose approach. And of course always talk to your doctor before making changes ✌🏻
Yo I’ve been going through this struggle for many years too! I’ve been on suboxone for 2 years straight recently and I was at the highest dose back than now I am at 6mg I’m finally more determined than ever after losing my daughter this past may. I have been tapering 2 msg every 3 weeks! Good luck
@@canadiangirlchelsea6503 I hope you’re doing well. How’s tapering going for you?
The doctors don’t want you to taper down. They are the new drug dealers.
He knows and cares. I have been dealing with sub doctors for 7 years, now. They are, typically, drug dealers, or pharmaceutical reps. U can clearly see that this guy knows and cares.
We got this
Good plan I'm starting today. Tired of taking 1 step forward & 2 steps back. Been on Suboxone for 13 years next month. Started at 24mg & still on 16. Cost me $560 a month. Thanks Doc for the advice, I just hope I can find the willpower to do this.
Good Luck! Just remember this is a starting point. You may have to adjust as you go. Don't let frustration slow you down. The important part is staying clean and following your purpose in life.
How are you doing?
Michael Longo how are you doing?
I don't know you but I believe in you!! So many people share your story & have successfully gotten off.
I am in the midst of tappering, I expect to feel uncomfortable & have felt that way but it's OK.. it's going too be OK! Thousands of pll have got off so I know you & I can!!
God bless
Michael I also want to chime in with the above post. You can totally do this, the money alone will help encourage you to taper. I have tapered to 1-2mg a day, that is like nothing I may as well jump off right. not so easy bc now after 10 years my mind is not the same. I was able to taper down by watching all of the inspiring videos and posts from Ryann and others. They give little tips on how to do it. Taper, Taper slow. Sometimes the way i look at it is do i really want to be doing this and spending this money a year from now. Not really! Good luck and prayers to you and all of us who are struggling to get off of Suboxone!
Michael Longo That's a RIP OFF
Everyone’s different
But regardless the best point I’ve heard is in this video, if u hit a wall don’t go backwards
Just stay at that lower dose. As long as u don’t go backwards your on the right path
suboxone is absolute hell to come off. more doctors need to tell people what they're getting into before beginning a maintenance program. sounds like you are one of the few doctors that know a lot about suboxone. we need more doc's like you.
I wouldn't have taken it had I known what I was in for.
Not at all as bad as you make it sound… believe me, I know from experience… I guess everyone is different…🤷🏽♂️
@@wade836 I can only speak for myself and like I said. Coming off subs was absolute hell. So glad that chapter of my life is long gone.
@@michaelspoto8720 me too, but getting off was so easy I thought it was a joke.. This was almost 10 years ago & I only took them for about a year & quit cold turkey at 4mg. I remember telling my wife I couldn’t believe how easy it was. I slept every single night. it felt like the flu for about 2 weeks & than I was fine… I actually went to work every day…
@@michaelspoto8720why was it hell did you taper too fast?? How are you feeling today and how long has it been since your last dose?
Im day 23 off suboxone. it's been really tough. i still deal with mild achy legs throughout the day but the depression, irritability, and guilt is the worst. i jumped off at .25mgs per day after being on subs for almost 4 years. i started on 8 mg and tapered down. i can't believe how hard it is even after getting so low.
Michael Spoto Sounds like you might be moving into more of a Post acute withdrawal syndrome. Although it is possible for acute withdrawal to last a few weeks. Have you talked to your doc? Might be some things that could help. Sorry I can’t give any specific recommendations.
Ugh I’m so scared I’m doing this now after 3 years 😢
@@buddylicious23 you can do it, if i can then anyone can. have faith in yourself
@@michaelspoto8720how old did it last? I’m trying to taper now. I dropped from 16 mg to 4 mg in 2 n a half weeks. Idk if I should go to a rehab or just do it on the street. Idk what to do but if u know please tell me I’m getting off now
How are you feeling now? How long did it take for you to feel back to your normal self? I been on suns for 3 weeks and I’m already wanting to taper but my Dr wants me on them for a month or 2 before we start a taper I just don’t want to be on them for years or decades. Hope I hear from you
In the process of a month long taper, I’ve tapered from 8mg a day for 10 years down to under 2mg a day. It was actually pretty easy. I did this within 30 days. I started by cutting my nightly quarter in half, then maybe 5 days later I cut my midday quarter in half, then I cut my 1/2 in the morning into a 3rd, then into a quarter, then I stretched my half a quarter midday towards an in between midday and night. If I feel a little extra bad by bedtime I eat the tiniest piece, but I’m Down to 2mg suddenly and it has gotten a bit harder but it’s manageable. I’ve lately been feeling a bit restless at night so I think I’m gonna hold it to 1mg in the morning and 1mg at night for a week and try to cut another 0.5mg or so by next week. Just stay busy. I’ve got friends who have successfully done it, I’m expecting a 90-120 day recovery timetable. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
So did you finally get off the subs? How did you do it at 2mg and how did you feel after you jumped if you did? I been on subs for 3 weeks and I’m already getting ready to start a taper after my Dr says I’m good after being on them for a month or 2 i Hope all is well.
I was on suboxone for 5 years and came off of them rapidly and it was hell. I stayed off the medication for 2 years but I still never felt any better. I am now in a great clinic now on subutex and on a tapering plan but this time I'm goin to drug addicts anonymous and AA meetings and it is helping so much. My next step is to start my steps to living again. Thank you for your videos.
This is the best advice I have been given in the 14 years I have been taking subs... I'm down to one a day & trying my hardest to get off.. thank you
I really love your videos they are the best. I’m going between 1mg-0.5mg a day I’m doing my taper doses every 5-7 days been on it for 15yrs but mostly was taking 8mg a day through the years
I currently I’m going on an investigative report where I’m probably gonna go to jail so I have two weeks before my first court date so I would like to get off of it totally by then so I don’t have to be chemically dependent on nothing whatsoever so I’m gonna try myself, so wish me luck everybody and let me know your comments I would love to hear
How'd that work out for you?
Also, I wanna say that if you're thinking of starting Suboxone look at your addiction to opiates first and if it's not hard to quit after say like getting through withdrawal of 4 days with short acting opiates then by all means don't start Suboxone! It's more addictive in my opinion then the Vicodin or oxy. I kinda wish I'd just powered through the week of hell and got off oxycontin that way with maybe a week's Suboxone to help at low dose but I stayed on high dose subs 13 years now and I'm physically dependant AF. Obviously. I felt so miserable that full month off subs when I tried quiting because I wasn't given a proper weaning plan. My doctor just said yeah it's been long enough see ya!😤 That put me at high risk to relapse. I made it without touching any opiate drugs but I did have at least a week I took 60mg loperamide daily and it cut my withdrawal in half. Got rid of the sleepless nights of kicking my legs and mental torment. Suicide seems like a good plan to someone feeling like that. Feels like someone else that hates you has highjacked your brain and is on a vengeance to methodically destroy you and make you suffer all the way. My main point is if you just got a little Vicodin habit of say like 10-20 mg daily..DONT START SUBOXONE! It's far harder to quit then a small time Vic habit. I see people going to treatment for minor pill habits and leaving with a bigger addiction to opiates via Suboxone. Not against subs ok I'm just warning you it's no easy feat to quit them after years on them. Tapering is key.
Jake Sutherland I would agree that not everyone on opiates needs Suboxone. And it’s also important to remember that Suboxone is used for more than just managing withdrawal. Treating addiction is complicated. Thanks for the comment!!
@@dr.chrispark right! Good point! Im not knocking Suboxone at all. It possibly saved my life. I was using around 180mg of oxycontin daily and didn't shoot it but was snorting most of them plus chewing them up. Tried Heroin but preferred oxy honestly it was just way too expensive at that level of habit. I'm better off taking daily SUBOXONE. I feel sober and I'm not suffering through all the tragic typical addict things. Can work an recaptured my life in ways. Still a work in progress but yeah I prefer this life even if I gotta take a medication daily or every other day. Not sure why but as I go on and I'm on buprenorphine longer I'm getting to where I can do ok just taking around 10mg every other day. I gotta drink a Epsom salt solution daily or can't go #2 but with a healthy diet and Epsom salt I'm fine.
@@jakesutherland6822 If i ben using subs for a week and half 8mg will it be bad getting off it or since I haven’t ben on it long it shouldnt be a problem ? Plz some one respond
I did this for 5 months and came down from 1 subi strip to pretty much nothing. I mean one last me almost 2-3 weeks. I haven’t been on subs for almost 3 months now and I feel great! The weed dispensary also plays a huge part of that of my recovery. I haven’t been this happy in 11 years. I am truly blessed. I also did this on my own with no doctor. They kept trying to get me to go up on my dose when I didn’t need it. So I just got enough subs and never went back. I wish I seen this video because it would of helped me a lot. The shit ruin my sex 😂 but ever since I came off I’m good now lol I hope everyone the best. I know if my crazy ass got sober and got off I know anyone can.
Tristen Lam Thanks for sharing your story! Great job 🤙
This doctor definitely knows what he’s talking about. In my opinion it’s the only to get off fast and right. This doctor actually cares! I appreciate all your videos. It inspires me to keep on going and I don’t you get enough credit. You need a podcast! Theses videos you make save lives doctor! We love and appreciate everything you done for us.
Tristen Lam Thanks 🤙
Glad you are doing good bro. How was your symptoms when you completely came off? I have high demanding job and I'm wondering if it's going to fuck my brain up.
Why does it seem like this medicine and it's use got completely f'd up perhaps by doc's who need a longterm paycheck? It almost seems this is meant for a fast taper due to the long half life and just keeping people on long term is money grabbing. .. went from 24mg to 8mg (so far) in a week. Why should I stay on this for so long if I wasnt an "addict" for nearly as long as they want to keep me on the strips?
I been using the tapering method and 100% is legit it's working dr. Thank you 🙏 I appreciate your videos and wisdom
Glad to hear. Thanks 🤙🏼
I just got my last script, I am prescribed 2 1/2 (20mg) a day and was able to get down to 1 8mgs sub a day myself. I now have 70 films and hoping I can do this! My husband lost his job and we will have no insurance so it’s forced but definitely looking forward to it, it’s definitely time to get off these subs! Wish me luck!
Thank you I’ve been in for 7 years I am over it
I am doing this, myself. I am 20 days in, and down to a half of a pill, from 2½. This is rough. Im doing it at home, though.
Thanks for the tips and encouragement. It really means a lot.
He is extremely right, I was doing pills for about 4 years still kept my job no one knew. The habit became so expensive I decided to stop and they put me on suboxone. I used that for the last 4 years of my life. Within that 4 years I was on 12mg, then dropped to 8, then 4, then 1.75 still feeling good. I decided enough of this as it’s expensive so I did a half strip on Monday of this month and prepared. It is complete hell, withdrawals hit about 2 days after as the half life is crazy. It killed my appetite, felt like my skin was being microwaved or I was freezing with pin pricks all over my skin, 0 energy, no appetite so you can get energy, diarrhea, impossible to sleep, and stomach cramps. This lasted a good 4/5 days and intensified again 6/8. After a couple times of thinking to just go in my garage and start my car to end it I started reading and seeing people’s stories which helps, it’s so hard not knowing a timeline. I called my dr, every pharmacist within 20 miles and they didn’t know shit. My dr called me in clonidine which didn’t help With a thing but taking what energy I had left and killing it off.
Days 9/12 I started getting back a bit of mental focus, symptoms definitely still there but not as harsh, still impossible to sleep or even stay still.
Days 13/16 Started do try and keep busy a bit as energy is back, few symptoms left but they would intensify at night making it hard to focus or sleep.
Days 17/24 - Now. My body temp is still not right I’m always cold and I just don’t feel myself. My skin isn’t on fire, just my hands now which I will take over all that other hell. The withdrawal feeling still comes back at night and it’s frustrating I can’t sleep. Not sure how much longer I can do this.
I would never rec anyone ever take suboxone, it’s terrible stopping more then any type of pill. Some things that helped me Gatorade, electric blanket, and really hot showers make you feel normal for bout 10 mins. Hope this helped someone.
Been Through It Thanks for sharing. I still think suboxone is helpful and saves many people’s lives. But yes, it’s difficult to stop
Thanks for replying doc! Do you think this timeline is normal? Day 30 now, seems to hit at night more where I can’t stay still, Extremely hard to sleep, runny nose, sometimes that burning feeling with my skin, and sneezing.
Alternating between your stable dose & a lower dose for a few days really makes the taper manageable & mostly painless. I think that it is easier if you reduce in smaller increments once you reach 2 mg. So the first week you alternate between 2 mg and 1.5 mg, then the next week do 1.5 mg and 1 mg. It’s mostly mental, but if it it helps why not give it a try? The nice things about the strips is you can use scissors to easily cut a strip down into .25 mg increments. I’m not sure if all strips are the same size, but I know the 2, 4, and 8 mg strips are. Switching to 4 mg strips would make the cutting process easier, and it could help mentally too because you are taking a larger piece.
Just remember to taper smart! Stop if you’re ready, but don’t rush the process if you’re not. Being ready to taper means you have done a lot of work with your doctor/therapists. And don’t be afraid to ask for help! Not everyone has a support system within their families or communities, but there is always people online ready & willing to help!
Yes!!!
Ya but sadly no ones gets the stripes anymore just pills so it makes it nearly impossible to make accurate cuts from a 8mg pill into 1mg pieces without the little pieces crumbling up. It’s actually REALLY flustering cuz I know stripes u can make accurate small pieces but all I have are 8mg pills now and it’s beyond flustering cuz the smallest accurate pieces u can cut are 2mg pieces.... if u try and cut the 2mg into 1mg it’ll just crumble every time...
Yes I agree. The 2mg strips would be ideal for tapering but not always possible.
Super Dooper the channel Suboxone Talkzone made a video or blog post about this. It’s a controversial suggestion because it has heavy drug use connotations, but he said that you can crush it up and measure it out. It wouldn’t be easy to store either, you’d probably have to fold it up in paper until you had to take it. It might be too triggering for some people, but I tried it when I tapered off in 2009 with success.
You still dissolve it under your tongue like normal, but it goes a lot quicker. He said that you’ll be able to spread the crushed tablet over more surface area so you won’t lose any efficacy when it dissolves faster.
It was a viable solution for me, but only you know if it’s viable for you. If it sounds too triggering or habitual & you think it’ll spark a fire in you for that you’ve been trying to extinguish, please do not try it.
I just jumped from the 8 mg strip...one a day...been on for 7 years to the 4 mg strip 5 days ago...the 4 mg strip is huge and dissolves super fast...I've been in withdrawal for five days now..but its been manageable...still working long days outside...sleeping has been rough...and my head hurts...can't think straight at times...but I'm done...not going backwards...I wish I knew what I know now 7 years ago and I would have been off it in a week...fuck big pharma...although it has changed my life...but lets be honest we are trading one thing for another...if u don't do it right..
Ive been on the Suboxone for like 8 years now. And I've cut myself down to I can make a 8mg pill last me almost a week. And I snort it. For me I realized I need to make a plan and workout and do something with my time. And I believe I could come off it
Best advice on the taper method. It boils down to self will through and through!
Yeah I find everyone has their own timeline but most folks eventually come to the point that they KNOW they CAN do it. Then it's just a matter of setting up a taper schedule and following it. I've found there's no one way that has to be followed. Thanks for the comment!
3 years at a pill mill has turned me into an addict. I went there for what I believed was help. I meet face to face (and now sometimes talk to a doctor via computer in the office) monthly. I have tapered on my own to 2 mgs this week (from 32 mgs 3 years ago) They still give me 8 mgs daily. I cut them and have felt nothing other than my 4mg jump to 2 mgs. I asked why they can not or will not treat my anxiety and sleep issues as I detox. There answer is simple we are no ones PC, we treat chronic pain and addiction. Sigh....I dont go to a PC due to the triggers to manipulate doctors into giving me what I want. I have real documented long term chronic health issues and easily could be on opiates for life. BUT I am so tired of being in this fog. What happens when I quit? Does it truly cause mental health issues? What should I look for down the road? Because it has a long half life will it be present for days?weeks?months? THANK YOU for the FREE advice on this video. It shows your intentions are to heal not harm.
Andreea Escobedo if you tapers slow enough your brain should be able to heal. Yes it has a long half life which is why at the low end I recommend getting down to around 0.5mg q 3 days or so and staying with that until you feel normal. That’s what I recommend for most of my patients. Your case might be different. I definitely recommend you find someone to help with anxiety/sleep/etc. some have recommended CBD oil. Some folks take melatonin. And some people need prescription strength and/or counseling. I’d try and stay away from Kratom. Good luck and I hope you can find a doctor that can treat it all. Let me know how it goes. Never give up🤘🏽
Get you some cbd thc oil, helps with body temp and muscle aches, take one long walk a day and smoke a joint if you have too, make some mugwort tea and skullcap tea for sleeping along with melatonin and some more indica type weed for bed, I’m currently on .5 mg and about to just send it and quit for good! Love and peace brother you got this
I want out to it's a nightmare
Paul Richardson me too bro
Mee too sick of doctor and pharmacey routine it's time to man up stop all drugs
Im sick of it too yall my dr just agreed start my taper schedule hope its like this. Was 16 mg for 5.5 years now down to 8 mg daily and i have very important reasons quit subs due to extreme anxiety paranoia paired with wanting be clean of all narcotics. Legal ones included.prayers to all fellow sufferers suboxone in longterm becomes more burden than miracle. Only longterm users will understand.
Yes! I do!
I got off it guys
Makes sense and proper weaning is SO IMPORTANT! I tried just stopping cold turkey jumping off 24mg daily to nothing and I lasted a month before I realized I wasn't feeling any better at all. I wanna try a proper weaning plan and this sounds like a smart plan and I've been taking one or another opiate almost daily for over 30 years straight. Not sure if I'm even capable of living decently without some form of opiate. Suboxone is very physically addictive when taken long term. It's helpful in maintaining a sober lifestyle etc etc but it isn't easy to get off.
I was on 16mlg for four years. I tried to taper but was physically and psychologically addicted. I called every reputable rehab in the country, Betty Ford, Cross Roads. No one would take me as they all told me, “you can’t go cold turkey.” I found one rehab in California and I went cold turkey, 8 mlg to zero. After 11 days in this rehab, I was rushed to a hospital because my blood pressure was through the roof. The hospital gave me Zanex and got me 100% off in the next 6 days. So 17 days, no Subs. I came home and felt so awful, extreme headache, I mean a headache that one can’t imagine. I was basically brain-dead. I lay on the couch shivering with major withdrawals and four hours of sleep per night for another 21 days. So no Subs 44 days Sub free. I had zero cravings but the withdrawals were so bad, 44 DAYS LATER, I went to two different Suboxone Drs and they both told me, “you can’t stop this medication cold turkey.” I would of never gone back on Subs but I had literally laid on the couch brain-dead at home for 21 days. I had lost twenty pounds and my blood pressure was 90 over 60. I felt barley alive and literally thought I was going to die. So I went back on 8mlgs. That was a year ago. Now I’m down to 4mlg. I believe the bottom line is everyone is different. I am a very strong person but it was just too much, no sleep, full blown continuous withdrawals for over a month. Perhaps this is why Invidor was fined 1.4 Billion dollars for misleading physicians and the public. Im self employed so my insurance doesn’t cover the Dr or the Subs. I spent $800 a month for years. Originally I was prescribed pain killers for a surgery. I so wish I just went to a 30 or 60 day rehab back in 2014! I know Suboxone saves lives. But for me, it’s been a living nightmare. Not trying to scare anyone or be a woosy. This is just my story. I sure with my Sub Dr told me what I was taking the first time I met him. I had no clue what I was getting into. Working on tapering everyday....
@@dalzy1969
How are you doing now? Did you ever manage to get off?
It's called Sublocade. Easy as that. After 4 or 5 months or even less you're off for life. Forevermore. Full recovery is possible sublocade is a miracle drug.
8:40
>you need to do what you need to do to *survive* and you need to do what you need to do for your family, you need to get yourself right
Ohhhh I really, really like this guy
Wow to start off at 24mg is crazy, I think 8 is bad I can’t imagine 24 or 16 .
The major problem i found is i get stuck to two mg.. so once you get to that much smaller doses just take it for a week so that your body can adapt and once you get down to 1 mg carry on with it for 4 to 5 days and after that just get a bit brave grab some motivation and positivity and just stop taking it you will have a little bit of problem but that wont last for a day or two max.. i pray for anybody out there who is trying to get off of this forever amen.
Unless it's an emergency and you need to come off it maybe b/c your getting locked up soon or something, the proper taper is as follows (Once a Month for each taper):
16 to 12mg immediately
12 to 10
10 to 8
8 to 6
6 to 4
4 to 3
3 to 2
2 to 1.5
1.5 to 1
1 to 0.75
0.75 to 0.5
0.5 to 0.25
0.25 to 0.125
Jump
Btw, great video I know this is a template just in case scenario.
@@psychedelicartistry Yeah I agree linear works. I typically use an alternating dose method as I’ve found adherence is better. But I’m all for what ever works for each patient 👍
Also, if you ever come off it for at least 2-3 weeks, and want to go back on it, go back on it at 2mg. No higher your tolerance will be low enough to be able to tolerate this low dose. This way, you'll be able to easily taper back down to zero if you decide to again. Don't taper or get off it b/c some jerk in NA told you to. Those ppl are the worst when it comes to suboxone. But ya I've made that mistake got off for a month then went back on at 16/day, bad idea.
@@psychedelicartistry 💯🤙🏼
Such a strange thing that this channel is not getting more views and up votes. I seriously think this guy is one of the most truthful addiction specialist out there and I wish more people could find his videos. Anyways, thanks so much for the videos! I have been on suboxone for 10 plus years and have cut myself down to 1mg from 8 in the last 2. I am very self aware addict and I just love this channel for its clear, hard hits of truth. If you are struggling and want some real talk on how to get clean, listen to this man and listen well.
A good friend of mine and my husband's committed suicide while withdrawing off this drug. Me and my husband would buy them from the couple, and of course I'm not trying to scare anyone but this crap kills people. Our friend's suicide has opened our eyes wide and we are determined to get off this disgusting crap. To commit suicide is way over the line of course he had problems then just Subutex, but I actually think it pushed him over the edge the withdrawals did to do what he did. I sit back and try to think of one person that I know that has been on opiates for years and is actually improving and doing much better in their life, and I can't name one person. I can name four people though that have committed suicide that I've been on opiates. When this crap starts to become your soul, you just got to fight to get it back. I am so terrified but I know it's either me and my family or this damn pill, and this pill can go f*** itself.
Ninnjette Depression And Addiction is a deadly combo. If there’s one thing I try to stress above all else.....THERE IS HOPE ✌🏽
@@dr.chrispark A-men Doc. It's hard to find hope sometimes, but suicide isn't something you come back from.
I started in a clinical trial for pain patients and after a little more then a year on 16mg I tapered off however, wow did I go slow! the first bit was 16mg to 12mg and so on but once down to 8mg, I went mad slow like 8mg to about 7mg and so on. It was easier because it was a tablet back then. At the end I was doing mere "crumbs" and by the time I stopped-it was very mild. Really only some insomnia and very mild anxiety or more like "nervousness" but it went away in a couple of days. I stayed off for a year but knew one day I might go back due to severe chronic pain. I did go back and it works well for the pain-Glad I was able to get off of it in case I ever need to but since it works well I doubt it.
I have been on a quarter of the 8mg pill for one week so I’m going to try it like Dr Park said too I hate this having control over me I’m so pleased to know there is a way out
I cold turkey off 28mg of suboxone and was it one hell of a ride. Was on pills for over a year, went to a doc that told me I was going to have to be on suboxone for the rest of my life. Was on suboxone for 4 years. All I was doing was sleeping... So i quit using Lucamyra or whatever it is called. I did not like that drug. Was on it for the first week and blood pressure was SUPER LOW, couldn't even stand up without feeling like I was going to pass out. After that, I went into full withdrawals for about 30 days. I'm now 3+ months clean and feel better than ever. The best tip I could give is too just to stay busy.
I can’t take it anymore I’ve been on this medicine for 13 years I want off! I’ve tried numerous times to come off and I need to figure this out !! I have a family and I can’t bare this any longer being on pills
me to Kristen, me 10 yrs
Donna Vaughn I always feel so alone but I’m not apparently
You need to taper down to .25 mg before jumping off, trust me. Getting to 1mg a day is actually easier than you'd think due to the ceiling effect of subs. Really anything over 8mg a day is a waste of medicine, and unless you're just coming off heroin or another short acting opiate you shouldn't even need more than 2mg a day. In my experience, the "fun" doesn't really start until you get to 1mg a day and from there you need another 60 days to taper to .25mg every third day.
Thanks my doctors don’t discuss a tapering off with me, so this is a great plan for me to try I really appreciate it 🙌🏼💯
Same
Vanessa Jordan have you tried to taper? I’m curious how this is working for others. Thanks!
@vanessa Jordan. If the doctors give you a taper option right away eventually they will have no patients. It’s all about $. Sad
So how did it go? Because tapering in 16 weeks in a bad plan.
@@Aprilann871 probably for most. But it's just one option and maybe for someone who has to or wants off now. But I agree. Some will need a year or more. That's fine. As long as someone sticks to the plan and is honest to themselves. Was on 16mg in December. Now im at 6mg. That's fast for me but I know the lower I get the harder it will be and the slower I will go. I have already noticed things I've so badly missed. Sex drive is better. Bathroom troubles aren't as bad. Those simple joys of life are badly missed by patients.
Been on Suboxone for 8 years & @ 2 strips a day for long time & has always been covered by insurance & never paid more than $20 for 60 strips but my work changed insurance and I went to get refill today & they said my new insurance anthem does not cover it & I need $450 for it!!!! So I had to buy 14 strips for $104. 🤦♂️. Scared. I am going to try this as I cannot afford it now & don’t have a choice. Suboxone has changed my quality of life by 1000 percent. Great video, thanks for the help Dr
DOC PARK. Got it, thanks a bunch
I had to go cold turkey and just fight the devil ive tried tapering and i atleast will eat one threw out the day usually i can make it 3 days before my brain starts the want so here we go wish me luck
Did you get completely off? I’m on day 3 right now 😪
I try to stay busy !!!! I quarter my strip up in 4 quarters sometimes skip a day atleast im off the norcals !!!! Its been a rough road !!! Boardium is the enemy stay busy 2 showers a day have a friend that gives you will power stay away from the negative ones !!!!
Gabapentin is literally a miracle for sub withdrawals, take it between your taper , it helped me a lot, it helps with restlessness, when I kick sub I can’t sit for more then a second, I’m running all over the place :/ it sucks
If you are not on suboxone you can't possibly understand how horrendously difficult it is to get off it. I am on 8 mg for 20 years.
Tapering must be done extremely slow. After 10 months tapering I was in agony everyday and eventually returned back to a full strip. I'd love to quit fully but I realised it was impossible. Everyone is different. I wish there was a way for me to do it but I've learned to live with it.
Just do a 1/4 milligram a month it will take you a couple of years to get off them but you have almost zero withdrawal symptoms.
Thank you so much. I've never heard a taper explained so simple. Now I feel more confident I can start this and eventually come off. So very helpful and much appreciated.👍
Desiree Messer Good luck 🤙
Being 5 weeks off the subs, the bit I find strange is, I had a very successful & comfortable taper over 2 years from 20mg, to 0.5 , when I made the jump, I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I’ve been shocked at how difficult it’s been ,I’m still not well enough to go back to work.
@ Rachael Slocombe
Not willing to go back to 0.5 or the least amount ? Crazy as it sounds, as sick as I was - after not using a couple of days, I used. After that, I was clean. I didn't get sick from not using after that. I think it's THE strangest thing but that's how my body works.
Every body is different so whether that works for others I don't know.
Maybe try taking the smallest amount and see what happens. You may not have to use again.
Good luck, really wanting you to feel better and not uncomfortable!
🌹✝️🌹
Did you ever feel better after the jump? I heard of people going as low as .20-.10mg and then jumping I heard even jumps at .50 are hard for people
I got down to 4 milligrams and I was fearful of how to lower it from there, but now that you've suggested a way that seems possible..... I'm going to try your way.
Thanx Doc
Thanks dr chris park ima bring this up to my therapist.
THANK U!!!! IVE SEARCHED FOREVER TO FIND THIS INFORMATION!!!!
This truly makes sense in terms of maintaining the levels so as not to have to go backwards.
It’s a pretty good taper plan. However, I feel like it would be a bit smoother if you were to do 0.5 mg reductions when you get down to 2 mg (ie from 2 mg to 1.5... from 1 to 0.5 mg). Honestly, when I quit, I went from 8 mg to 0.25 mg by going down by 0.5 mg increments, mainly. These smaller reductions could be felt, but it was manageable.
That's a good way to do it as well. Thanks for sharing!
DOC PARK for sure. Thanks for the video, Doc.
Some bodies feel the slightest drop. It's a drag. The best way is a 30, 60 or 90 day detox. Not maintenance.
I can't get mine til tomorrow and I haven't had none today my main issues are I yawn or stretch n get blackouts I'm lacked of energy and anxiety/rage goes up I'm trying to taper off but when u can't get ur meds til next day it fux it up cuz Insurance only does 28 day supplies here and the pharmacy follows a thirty day schedule....
Ok so I just started taking 0.5 mg today down from 1mg I’m not having no issues yet but I’m waiting for it to hit me I been lowering my dose every 5-7 days
Great plan! I am asking my doctor if we can start this next month when I got in. Right now I am taking subutex (white pills) a half 3 times a day when last time I weaned all the way down I got to a quarter a day until I had nothing left, went two weeks going through the worst withdrawals of my life and got back into another program. I’ve never done drugs in my life but my body got hooked on opioids due to myself (of course) and my doctor after have several massive surgeries.
Back to my question: I keep seeing that cutting all sugars out is super important-even natural sugar (fruits). Basically veggies is the best thing and coconut water (yuk). And I also heard prescription grade magnesium is good for restless legs. Question to you Doc: what (if any) do you recommend for the RLS and insomnia after you’ve weaned yourself off? I refuse to take any anti-anxiety medication or antidepressant medication. I’m not interested in either.
Thanks in advance for any answers or ideas you may have.
Please note: I have Graves’ disease in which I’ve been told (by several doctors) that my withdrawals can (and were) much more severe because of my thyroid disorder!
Get a very high-quality magnesium product and make sure to exercise, stretch, hot baths, and yoga! Also take care of tour micro-biom take a good probiotic and take a medical grade prebiotic!
Followed this taper exactly and went from 16 mg to 4 mg in 6 weeks with no withdrawals, for anyone who is looking to get off of Suboxone this is the way to do it.
Thanks for the feedback!
That’s the easiest part. Wait till you get to
Shit really, well I hope it is bearable because I am in construction so I need to be able to perform physically, and I feel I am going pretty dam slow but pain is progress.
All I can say is thank God for suboxone......6 years on it which I was only hooked on pills....lots of pills.
Now time to quit...my doctor gave me the same taper method I just haven't started it yet and I'm glad other doctors use it.
Angelo G. Wayyyyy too long on it man..Wayyyyy too long..Your Dr shouldn't have kept u on it for more than 5-6 Months..Your body and brain doesn't Need 16 Mgs or more to start with.U need to get off this shit..If u have been on it for Years that means your Idiot of a Dr didn't Taper u down or u just kept taking the same dose..
If u had tapered u would have been off within 6 months To A year MAX..
Danny I didn’t realize your a trained doctor ? You seem to know everything
Do u practice medicine or just think u know everything?
Angelo
Don’t listen to people like Danny
Angelo G. , who cares what anyone's says, you did what you had to do, good luck,
suboxone is worse than pills withdrawls are worse and last years! you cant taper off subs nobody can or ever has dont work!
Tapered down to 2mg sometimes less a day. Im going for it and setting up a plan. Its over for me. Im done with this shit. Simply fear has kept me at this same mg for a while now. Thank u Doc for helping all of us who need it.
Triple S I'm in the same spot! 2mg a day, often I take a little under that. My anxiety and fear has kept me at this step but I'm getting tired of this whole process and am pushing myself to taper lower starting now. So over it.
Christine Galusky Hey good luck!! Good to know when ur not alone. Shit suck but were stronger than this shit!
@@sunnys3325 I'm right there with you man. I'm on 1mg a day. Use to go as high as 4. I wanted to get down to a quarter mg either every day or every other day. Thing that gets me is by the second day I usually get a little depressed and some minor withdrawal. Wonder if it would be same jumping off at .25mg a day instead of .25mg every other day.
@@boosters23 that post was a year ago. Now I'm on 1 mg a day also sometimes less. Takes a while to taper properly. U r going to feel some WD symptoms here and there when u go that low. Its expected. I just push through thos days I take less. We are going to feel bad when doing this but it's all for the sake of not being in agony when finally jumping. I'm hoping I can get down to .25 a day. I hate Subs and how they have made me numb inside and out
@@sunnys3325 yeah I agree. I feel this brain fog since I've been on them. It's almost like I'm just a vision in a body. Feels like my brain is completely numb all the time. Tend to forget a lot of things to. Hope the best for you bud. I know it's a hard road for sure trying to get off. I've been thinking of jumping off with kratom and then when I feel decent enough jump off the kratom after.
I just want you to know this is very helpful. I'm on suboxone for the 3rd time in my life. In all honesty I'm craving life without this drug. This time I do have a medical provider that's working with me on it. Several years ago, I was taken off by a provider who did not have a understanding of this medicine. Basically her tapper, ( After taking her 2 week course) was a nose dive off of 12 MG. a day. If it were not for my faith, & wonderful husband, I probably would have blown my brains out. I believe this is a good medication if handled properly & tappering is done properly.
Thank you for this. I appreciate the heart behind it. I can tell you are a caring doctor.
You can even do less than 1 mg a day at the very end I took like literally a quarter of a mg a day last time. It worked really good.
Yes I agree. This taper plan was just an example. The lower and slower you go....probably the better.
Same . On day 8 . Wish I could say I feel good but . Considering I’m coming off a 20 year on heroin and methadone and Suboxone self tape it with no insurance and I’m on day so ..... compared to the gear and meth this is mild just . Uncomfortable . Trying to stay out of my head . This is not helping
100 percent, there are people who take 1 16th of a mg even lower in some cases.
Thats brilliant advice currentlyon 12mg a day im gonna stick to this plan greetings from Ireland ❤
I'm REALLY wanting to get off this medicine so bad.. especially since I've been diagnosed with Acute Opioid Hypersensitivity. I'ts ROUGH. I hurt just 4-6 hours after my last dose while still taking the Suboxone.. I'm down to .75mg but the pain is just everlasting regardless 😢. Any pointers for someone in my position?
I took 24mg Suboxone films for a little over 2 years and tried to quit when my insurance quit paying for it(the films are $800 for 90) and when I quit i wouldn't eat or sleep for a week or more for 3 months the pain and stress was so bad. Also my heart's enlarged and my epileptic seizures increased amongst other medical problems,before I got on I got on suboxone I was taking major doses of other opiods for pain around 15 years,when I decided I was just gonna die in agony I got back on methadone for pain management ($30 for 90) and told my doctor I couldn't take any other opioid because of my history,now I'm stabelized and living like a normal person.Sometimes if your already unhealty abstenance can be what kills you not the drug itself.
Yes. Most folks don't realize that with addiction.... you're between a rock and a hard place. Survival and stability is key.
I understand the 1 mg everyday, then EOD, then E3D is to not get complicated with titration smaller and smaller dosages, but to minimize discomfort, as the dosages get lower you actually need to go to BID (twice daily) dosing and then TID (thrice daily dosing). You see this with methadone, which granted has a little shorter of a half life, but as you get the dosage further under 1 mg you are just skirting above the surface of the water, and twice and then thrice daily dosing as you go under .5 mg will allow you to taper much lower daily with very little discomfort.
At the moment, I take four 10 ml syringes and dilute 4 mg subutex in 40 ml of water, making each 10 ml syringe equal to 1 mg. And I take 3 ml morning, 1-2 when I get home, and 3 before bed, so .8 mg or less. I was on and have been on 2-3 mg per day for ten years. I feel great on .8 mg and I've tapered down to a 3rd of my dosage doing this method in under 2 weeks. I plan on doing the same thing but with 2 mg pills next and each syringe being .5 mg as I continue to taper and my tolerance drops as I do so. I always use the syringes to take the medicine rectally.. which does have a bioavailability of 55% rather than 30% sublingually, but I find that to be a more surefire way of guaranteeing the medicine is consistently, efficiently, and quickly absorbed. I plan to taper to at least .2 daily before attempting a jump.
Remember guys, the lower you taper your dosage to, the shorter your length of withdrawal, the shorter the period it will take for the medicine to leave your body completely.
Why would you not taper as low as possible as long as you are able to do so with an insignificant level of suffering?
It would SUCK if I tried to dose 1 mg and then skip the next day. I have a fast metabolism and would be feeling crap that whole day and sleeping garbage the night of the day that I took none. Whereas with split dosing 2 to 3 times per day you can lower the dosage and skirt above the surface above the line of significant withdrawal rather than getting above the surface on one daily dosage and then somewhat drowning the next day, then feeling good, then feeling garbage. That instability and suffering is needless when you could rather titrate your dosages in water, or slice strips very small and not suffer at all, and get to a tiny dosage.
I hope I have made myself clear, and I also want to make clear that I am NOT disagreeing with the Doctor. The method and taper he recommended is GREAT for certain people. I personally know people (my dad) who don't want things complicated, and have slower metabolisms/larger bodies that allow the medicine to last the day without any without significant withdrawal. Like he says there is no cookie cutter program. I am just presenting what I have found to work great for me in terms of tapering to very low dosages now and in the past.
Luv that he looks at every patient as an individual n sometimes a program leaves ppl behind. It is very much a disease that should be tooken as seriously as cancer or any disease that will take ur life. I want to be his patient. If U have this disease I suggest U find this Dr. True humanity. That is what is lost in our nation.
Thanks for the kind comment! Rock on brother
Thank You Doc. I been on Suboxone for already 11 years, I tried to stop cold turkey before and I lasted 10 days and I didnt feel better. So my doctor feed me the story of some people withdrawal symptoms never leave. All these years I felt I was one of them people that withdraw will never go . I been living with the fear of the withdrawal all these years that I basically take the Suboxone just to not feel sick. I'm so rdy to stop. It's affecting my health, now I'm starting to go through days I get horrible panic/anxiety attacks on a frequent basis. Even if I tell myself is a panic attack not to worry, It still overtakes me. When I get these anxiety / panic attacks , I seen my blood pressure reach 199 levels, it's really affecting me. Even though it's a panic attack, my blood pressure rising up to higher levels even with blood pressure meds, it's not good for your arteries. I'm currently at 1 1/2 stripes per day, sometimes I take only 1 per day. I'm going to start your tapper plan today, and im starting it at 1 1/12. I wish I had a doctor who gave me this type of plan, or at least some encouragement by telling me that there's a way to get off of this. I'm glad your video popped on my youtube home screen. Thanks so much!
IQ Logic Good luck! And just remember that the “weeks” are blocks of time. You might stay on one “week” for 3 months before the next step. That’s ok. Slow and steady. Thanks for the support 🤙
Suboxone gives u panic attacks to? I thought it was just me
Hi 👋 everyone, I’ve been trying to get off suboxone on my own. I was on 2 strips a day and went down to a half of strip a day where I ran into problems. I feel I was making any excuse to take a piece. If my man was in a bad mood 😒 I’m taking a piece, if I’m having a bad day I take a piece but that got me back on two again. So now I’m on 1.5 for a week or so and taking my time. I’ve been a drug addict since I was 11. I got into hard core drugs at 18. I was tired 😓 of being tired 😴 same lifestyle everyday, it was like I was living in déjà vu. I’ve been clean off of drugs for five years because of soboxone which I can’t complain. I’m ready to move forward. Thank you 🙏 Dr Mark for this inspirational video. I kinda New this was the best route for me because I went right back up to my two strips a day. I well let everyone know when I’m on one ☝️ strip a day. ❤️ Stay blessed everyone and keep moving forward. If you can’t move forward or relapse, come back on suboxone it’s better than getting high. 🙏
I tell my patients, low and slow. Stay happy, healthy, and clean. Work on relationships. Do the things that are most important and slowly taper when ready. Thanks for the comment!
Subutex is the main drug for me. Never tried heroin, oxycontin, Percocets, none of that crap.. Subutex can be just as bad as any opiate drug out there in my opinion. of course it's so much better than using a needle I'm sure, but I have seen Subutex kill people destroy families and I'm getting off this shit before it destroys mine.
I'm in 1 8mg i cut it down to 10 pieces, thank you for the information keep up the good work.
Thanks and good luck!
1967 kID how did it work out. 1/10th per day?
I've been on 16mg for 8 years now and my Dr. quit his practice so I've got a month supply to quit on hopefully I can get through this.
Did u
@@Xxrocknrollgod yes I've been off for 4 months the only lingering effect is RLS at night, it's not as bad as I've seen everyone talking about. Just tapper to the smallest sliver, that little sliver is enough to have gotten most people off drugs in the first place!
@@mulespur4806 congratulations
im already down to 2mg a day from 8mg a day in 2 weeks, im about to go to 1 then 1 every other day. i think the final jump will be the hardest but im determined! its easier than you think if you do it right ppl!
might wanna goto .5mg and then alternate days or delay ur daily dose. I'm at .5mg getn ready for .4mg. goodluck.
4 months is crazy..idk it tookt that long😮
Thanks for the info Doc . My sub Dr died 2 yrs ago , and I go to same office but never ever see a Dr .. one who prescribes my meds I never even met ! She is never their , just the receptionist, handing out Rx .. I should probably change drs correct ? I don't have any dr to help , I don't even see how what my drs office does is legal .. I've never gotten an exam , nothing .. they send people in and out like a drug dealer ever since the head Dr died and he was a good man ..
Yes, I think you should find another doctor. There are good docs out there. And these pill mill clinics are doing more harm to folks trying to get help.
Reservation Dept yes get a new dr the longer the office keeps writting scripts with out seeing patients the dea and cops will eventally catch wind of this and 1 of 2 things may happen the office gets shut down or the pharmacies will start refusing to fill for the drs in the office. 1 way to know if its a good dr is if they drug test you and or offer you support like group meetings or counselling.
Wow that’s sounds literally illegal
Tried cold turkey at 24 mg. Lasted 8 days and hell broke loose. I went back but to only 2 mg. Going to try to taper. I do not recommend a 24 mg cold turkey. At first I was fine for the first few days and thought I have this down. But then it crept up at my weakest point. I now am watching different RUclips videos to get some advice and really enjoy what this Dr has to say about this taper template.
I am afraid I will b on replacement medications for the rest of my life, & attempt to wrap my head around it. My doctor tells me not to dwell on it, but it is possible i would need at least "maintenance level" doses....altho I'm not sure what that would b. Ive been battling opioid addiction since i was 12yrs, using a needle by 15yrs, & was on methadone from the ages 18-23. As soon as I got off methadone I relapsed & ended up in a detox unit a month later. This was when I was first introduced to suboxone. I was successful on it for about 7yrs....completed 6yrs of college & was doing well. Then I got pregnant & had my son, but went into postpartum depression & started using crack/cocaine (my mom had my son as I wasnt in a good place). This led to me being taken off suboxone due to failed urine screens & I went into a pretty deep relapse until I was 32-33yrs old using crack & heroin pretty badly (this relapse lasted about 5yrs) . I then faced legal consequences which forced me to make some decisions, so I went into a detox program, then residential treatment, then a couple IOP programs. I was put back on suboxone in detox & ive been back on it since Nov 2015. Ive successfully found a job, had another child, & still doing well....but with the help of suboxone/subutex. I am now 35yrs, have a 1yr old daughter, & have found stability, but trying to get past the idea i may need replacement meds indefinitely. Ive never completely gotten thru a detox since I started using at age 12-13ish.....what are your thoughts in a situation like this, is it ok to indefinitely b on replacement medications?
You are not alone. Many patients do need indefinite (maybe lifetime) treatment. Some will disagree with me but it's true. The thing is, don't put yourself in a box and don't let your identity be wrapped into if you take medication or not. Just keep doing what's right for you and your family and the rest will fall into place. It sounds like you're in a good place right now. Great job!
Sophia...you've had a hard life....you should be proud of yourself ....because...YOU'VE COME A LONG WAY.. STAY STRONG AND...DO What you have to do...NOT to....go back out THERE..!!
Kratom
Anyone ever experience panic attacks from Suboxone? My brain gets so foggy then my anxiety gets crazy
Yes
Omg I'm on 1mg 24 is insane
They need to make 1mg,1/2mg,1/4mg tablets and films to help people that want to taper off without having to break pills into crumbs.
Ronald Clayton I agree
LOL I remember the pills and you're right breaking them into small pieces just ends up being crumbs and then you get pissed off and don't know how much to takes you end up taking whatever crumbs is left even if it's more than you were supposed to luckily I have the strips but those two can be a little bit difficult when you get down to a small amount but not as bad as the pill crumbs
If anyone else reads this and you’re struggling with this problem, a water taper is a great way to get exact doses with small amounts. Measure out 4ml of water into a small 10ml plastic squeeze bottle, then use tape or a sharpie to mark the level of the liquid. Dump the water out, then put an 8mg tablet into the bottle where the water just was. Add in a few drops of high proof alcohol or propylene glycol (to keep it sterile), then fill it up the rest of the way to that line you measured with water. The measurement is to make sure you end up with 4ml of liquid in total after the volume displacement caused by the tablet.
The tablets going to take several hours to dissolve all the way, so you’ll have to do this well in advance. Once the tablet is completely dissolved, you’ll want to shake it like crazy for a solid 30 seconds, and you’ll have to shake it before every single dose moving forward. You can now use a 1ml metered syringe to measure your doses every morning. Half of a milliliter = 1mg of Suboxone. I like this ratio because a metered syringe should be measured by tenths of a milliliter so you can get VERY precise but you can use whatever measurement you want.
cut the films. scissors are cheap and 1, 8 mg strip equals 8, 1 mg doses or 16 .5mg doses
Thank you so much I’ve been on subutex for almost 3 years and my doctor does not want me off and my addiction was only 1 year of Perks I wish I would have just went threw the withdrawals from the opiates bc subs are way harder in my opinion my doctor will not and refuses to let me taper off and get off same with anyone in the office and I’m tired of this life im 90 lbs can’t gain weight it’s been 4 years all together and I’m done I pray this works thank you so much I’m starting today ! For me and my kids to have. Better life im tired of depending on this medication and being scared I will be sick and not being able to go far every 3 weeks going in to pee in a cup I’m READY ! I pray this works !
Been on soboxne for 5yrs.Started cutting done to half of a quarter a day almost over it.
Good job!
Glenda Kimbler please share with us how you doing with 1.5 ? I’m at 1 and sometimes weak up at night with stomach cramps. It’s been only 10 days on 1 mg and I know everyone is different so I need more time to stabilize. What is scare is my sub doc is against this and I’m not even sure if he will prescribe me more subs if I won’t stop completely while I have supplies. I have about 2 months of subs supplies left. I hope it will be enough
I can totally see this being a successful way to taper down. When he said some people taper very quickly and get off of it and end up having to take it again. I am one of those people lol. I did that 2 times and then went back each time. After the last time I got very discouraged because I knew no other way of doing it because my doctors way of doing it was torture. But I am going to try this. I truly feel this will work! Thanks ❤️
Never give up hope!
Dr. Chris Park thanks for the reply. And I most certainly am not!
I just began tapering down this week and I am doing it the way you suggested to.I have total faith that this will work. Thanks you so much!
I got naltrexone pills 50mg prescribed for 2 weeks. And only used it for one week after that I was feeling new and finally happy. No withdraws what so ever.and yes I had really bad withdraws. Really bad anxiety so much pain and suicidal thoughts. I was going crazy but I’m glad I’m sober now 🙂👌🏼
Thank you for the info! I was wondering what the reasoning is behind alternating each week? thank you!
There are 2 main reasons for this approach. One is psychological. Many people will feel uncomfortable going from 2 strips a day to 1 1/2 strips. But if they only have to take it one day and then it's back to 2 strips the next day, it seems to ease their mind when coming down. The other main reason is to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Now obviously, you could just wean down from 2 strips to 1 3/4 strips to 1 1/2 strips etc, but I have found that alternating the dose just seems to work better. But everyone is different so I like to adjust the treatment plan on a patient specific basis. Which is why I recommend everyone discuss the plan with their doctor before just jumping in. Thanks for the question, hope this helped.
DOC PARK thank you for the help!! I wish you were my doctor
I have went from8mg down to 4mg stayed at 4mg for a while now I down to 2mg for about 8 days ish and today was first day at 1.75.... is this a horrible way to taper every 8 ish days??
Great job on all your 5 stars on your book!! Definitely buying it. ❤️
Just found this and I’ll be asking my doc ab this my next appointment. Thanks doc.
It does the same thing to me too. I don’t get it but it does.
If i ben using subs for a week and half 8mg will it be bad getting off it or since I haven’t ben on it long it shouldnt be a problem ? Plz some one respond
This is pretty fast at the lower doses. Once got down to 8mg I started dropping 1mg every two weeks, and that has worked out great. When I was on anything above 8mg I was able to drop 2mg every couple weeks. Once I got down to 4mg then I started cutting a half mg every two weeks. When you get down to the lower doses each cut you make is a greater percentage of your total dose.
Yes. I agree. I have some follow up videos that discuss this. Also, this was meant as a template to be adjusted depending on the patient's situation. Not meant to be followed "by the book"
Me and my wife have been on suboxone for years, and it saved our life. We are one of those who were literally raised by the streets, and were at rock bottom with drugs, violence, and everything what comes with that. Suboxone allowed us to have normal life, and now at the age of 31 we are finally settled down, and have very happy life, and family, and we have everything I could ever want. Not shooting for the stars, but VERY happy with this little good we have. We have a good home, and food, everything like that.. Suboxone allowed us to get off the drugs, and also to grow up psychologically. We snort our Bupre because we do not have any doctors, and Suboxone pills cost 20 euros each here. About 4mg per day snorted is probably about one 8mg or more pill a day under the tongue. Now that our life is settled down, and everything is O.K and happy, and on strong foundation, we have a plan to also drop our dose down. Our plan is to drop the dose by one milligram per 1 milligram per 2 weeks, and when we are down to 1-2 milligrams, we together decide to drop it when it is time. There is no such thing as going backwards for us. Exactly like you said, we are going to stay on that current dose, until its time again to drop more. But I dont think that will be any problem because we have psychologically grown already out from that lifestyle, and life, and are ready in our own heads to do this, and move on with building our life. And we want kids, and that will come AFTER the bupre... I have seen too much babies taken away from their junkie mothers, and those babies were twitching and shaking at the hospitals from the withdrawals.. So yeah I ran into this video while looking for stuff about this subject in the internet.
Thank you for sharing this. It's important for people to see that their lives can change. Even if it's not exactly where you want it. It's all about the direction you're heading. Much love and Good luck!
Yes exactly. Its all about you mostly grwing out of that lifestyle in your own head. Bupre helped us to maintain normal life, without having to deal with all that street aspects, and to build normal life. Bupre is not the same as amphetamines or other drugs. You can function very normally with buprenorphine without going wrong in your head. When Bupre treatment is done right, it can save peoples lives. Even if you dont have prescription for it. It all about you, and how you do it. We dont have prescription either but we just got a steady supply from a close friend, and did the treatment ourselves, and it saved our lives. I highly recommend Bupre for people who are in bottom enough to try something like that. All you people wondering howw Bupre helps with that... Well it kinda allows you to maintain normal life, so you can build your normal life together. You really can maintain your Bupre even if you take it only once a day. It is very strong chemical, BUT still it gives more benefits than cons, when you do it right. It only gives you a way to build your mental state, and your real life together. Also Bupre as an opioid often brightens peoples minds, so it CAN give some boost to your days, but if you take it because of that, you should already think about your reasons of taking it.
He's wrong. When you get down to 1mg a day, you have to slow way down and take that for a while before you cut that down. The more you take per day, the easier it is to cut down. The lower you go, the slower you go. I'm on 1mg a day and I've been on that for 6 months and within 12-24 hours, I'm slipping into withdrawals. I skip a day here and there, but not much. I won't take more than a milligram a day but I'm not gonna push it, especially if it's a stressful time.
Jaired Singleton That is true. This is explained in more detail on other videos. A week of time is a block of time. You stay on that block until ready to take the next step.
Jaired: I don’t understand why anyone would need to stay 1 mg for 6 months, if your goal is to get off subs completely. Unless you jumped from 16 mgs to 2-that would take longer to adjust, but not 6 months! At 1 mg for 6 months you should now be able to go down to 3/4 mg for 7-14 days, then 1/2 mg for the same, and so on. You can skip days if you want, if it gets too hard to incrementally and steadily go down. I wouldn’t jump off completely until you get below .025 mgs or even lower, and that would actually be a good time to skip days. You’ll find that even a tiny sliver of a 2 mg strip will keep the worst withdrawal symptoms at bay. Print out a blank calendar and map it out! You don’t need to stay at any 1 dose for months, unless you want to for other reasons, such as not being mentally ready to quit. Good luck!
Well thank god that here in Lebanon we don't have more than 2mg pills. Which in extreme cases you can take 6 or 8 mg max and i think the doctor will not subscribe it to you thinking you will sell it illegally for cash (if you are really want the therapy)... a great idea dr which i will consider so I'm grateful for finding this video and may god bless you for it .... im currently taking 3mg a day which is possible to taper down to 2 or 1mg if i done it ... last time I took 1mg each 2 days i was smoking weed which is illegal here even for medical use and that being said I've stopped the weed for court issues and not getting in the police hands again (I've been convicted 3 times for having htc in my urine and last time was in 2016 ... I've been in problem with the court from 2010 when i was just 17 years old and here if you go for a htc use you will be treated as a murder and your carrier will be destroyed for the rest of life... back in 2010 i got out and till 2014 that the first court has begun, in the same year they have put a black mark on my statement which is bad for applying for job since the first they ask for... the mark take between 5 to 7 years to be gone ... imagine you have to work low payment or not working at all until this mark is gone ... what about 3 times convicted? It will take arround 15 years to be gone that if the court has been started the same year and finished the same year ... every case is different... it is very easy to say it is better to steal here than getting convicted for htc use since it will be the same results at the end ... it is HELL here for someone that made a mistake in his life if you don't have any high position someone in the government to help you avoid it and even so no one will help the hashish person as the society will look at you as an addicted...society will judge you here no matter what you have done and willing to do... and this was the reason why i got to the pills containing codeine in the first place and it lead to using buprenorphine and my life it is much better if i didn't have any court issues )
That being said, i need to take this taper method cz i know I'm ready for it in many ways ... it is legal here to take it from a rehab center and you will get a card so you don't get in problems but if you don't take them from a rehab center you wi be convicted for selling or buying drugs ...
Dr. Please do you have any recommendation what should a person do on a daily basis so he can follow up this taper method? Do i have to avoid spare time so i don't think about it? I did stop htc use and that what got me back from 1mg each 2 days to 3mg each day ... i cannot use cannabis anymore and i need some advice on some recommendation that should be taken into consideration to be well protected from even getting anxiety from this taper method...
Thank you a lot
24mg to 0mg in 16 weeks seem extremely quick and borderline dangerous. This amount of time will obviously help with the physical withdrawal symptoms, but the real issue with relapse occurs weeks or even months after being off of everything. 16 weeks isn't long enough to properly adjust the mindset from "addict" to sober. Why the rush, Doc? I'm curious as to how many of your patients found long-term success with this method.
Have you actually watched my videos? This comment makes me think you haven't
Well, I watched this one. Have you experienced attempting to taper off of 24mg of suboxone in 16 weeks? This video makes me think you haven't.
I treat many people. In different stages of addiction, recovery, etc. 16wks is somewhat tongue in cheek as explained in the video. You stay on the "week" you are at until you are ready to reduce further. One week could actually take 3 months. This is not a blanket therapy as no 2 people are the same nor should they be treated the same. Suboxone is not detox. And detox is not recovery. And there are some patients that never need to taper but will be better served by continuing maintenance therapy. That being said, some people want an approach to tapering that is adaptable/flexible. Thanks for the comment.
Yeah the one week = 3 months makes much more sense. The first physician I went to for suboxone treatment gave me eight 8mg pills and the door hit me on the ass as I walked out, so to speak. This physician only accepted cash, no insurance. I was given no real game plan, no blueprint for recovery, no phone number, nothing. I was told that 64mg was enough to get me through the withdrawal symptoms and I'd be fine. I apologize if my comment came off as aggressive, but when I see a licensed MD posting a video with a misleading title that would lead someone struggling with addiction believe that a catastrophic issue can be solved in 4 months, big red flags pop up.
No worries. (I have a lot of people comment and criticize without watching or reading, which is why I made the original comment. I have even had criticisms that the plan is too long hahaha). Sorry you had a difficult time when you started treatment. It is a serious frustration when looking for help and those that are supposed to help end up being worse than useless. I'm glad we had this conversation. I think we have similar philosophies. I have a lot of patients that come to see me that have been on and off Suboxone and want off as quick as possible (not always the best idea). Often in a month. I use this plan as one of my templates. (It is not the end all be all. And nothing is perfect) My patients can use it to adapt, depending on their goal, progress, etc. Like Bruce Lee said "Be like water".
I know this video is old but atleast this fox dont sugar coat it and say suboxone is not addictive he should be everyone doctor
Thank you so much sir ❤️ you have NO IDEA how much this has helped me. I have officially come down from 3 subs (24mg) to freakin’ .5 a sub (4mg). This Friday I go down to 2mgs! I’m not gonna lie I’m kind of scared because I heard the last few mgs are the hardest to let go of but I’m going to keep at it. And for anyone that cares, I’ll update when I’m off 100%
For anyone just now seeing this…this plan will change your life, IF your ready to truly give it a try ❤️ good luck and God bless anyone trying and everyone watching ❤️
Thanks for the feedback and kind words! Good luck with the next stage. God bless 🤘🏼
Hey ive been on sub for a month and started take a whole strip now i started taking halfs so when should i taper again in a week a. Month or days when
Ima say this right now. Subs saved my life and subs ruined my life. First two years were great. Then next three years were hell. Trying to ween down in first two years was cake compared to now. In the beginning I could even go a few days without. Now I can’t even make it twenty four hours without chills and rapid heart beat and anxiety from hell. Stomach cramps, body aches. I’m finally below two mg again but stuck at1.5. I have supplements, vitamin c, lyrica and neurontin, CBD oil and some others to try and use when I stop. I also have Ativan. Which most advise against but I need it bad.
Good luck. Most of my patients try to get down to 1mg to 0.5mg every 3 days before jumping off
This what i did, this medicine works better theless you take. Might have 2 days of being a little sleepy then you level out. Im down to .5 twice a day. Im having trouble now. Cant really get much lower but im right there. I just need to go to once a day at night. Its just ive buit this great life over the last five years. Went to school, learned a trade making 6 figures a year. I cant believe addiction has reared its ugy head. Its the final battle. I need to man up, move on and live life free from the cuffs. It takes time, dont be ashamed, work on living a normal life and when the time comes work on it. Everyo e is in such a hurry to get off but if it makes you live like a normal person just take it until your ready
Southtacomamook 🔥💯🤙
Increased anxiety is a big part of suboxone withdrawal and if you already suffer from anxiety it will be debilitating. Good luck getting benzos to help you along because you are an addict. When you get below 2 mg you shouldn't cut your dose more than a half of a mg. Because lower than 2 mg you will feel the withdrawal now because the amount of medication on your receptors drops dramatically at doses below 2 mg. I am currently tapering from 2 mg to 1.5 mg and I am feeling withdrawal. Cutting from 8 to 4 mg was much easier. It's important to know that you should make your drops smaller once you go under 2 mg.
Completely agree 👍
24 mg to 0 mg in 16 weeks seems like a recipe for a relapse.
I agree that You shouldn’t be tapering if that’s a problem. It’s explained in the video, each “week”’is a block of time. Not specifically a 7 day period
If you’re not ready to be clean, you’ll relapse. You should only taper off subs when you’re ready to get clean.
Its been 7 years for me... currently taking 2mg. Tapered on my own
u still on 2mgs?
I’ been struggling with suboxone and methadone addiction for 10 years! I was the first person in Thunder Bay Ontario to switch from methadone to suboxone ever!! I was the lab rat! I ended up going through precipitated withdrawal for 3 days it was bad my dad had to hide the knives. What the nurses didn’t know was that when ur on methadone u gotta wait 3 days without methadone before taking any suboxone! This was 9 years ago 😮
Yep, methadone is a tough transition due to how long it stays in your body. Glad you made it through.
Wish doctors knew more about getting off this stuff, so much more they could be doing to help us. So many supplements help, kratom, immoduim etc.
Yeah, I personally take them both in a Blate Pape
Instead of going say "Week 1: 2 strips, Week 2: 2 & 1.5, then Week 3: 1.5". Could you go "Week 1: 2 strips, Week 2: 1.75, then Week 3: 1.5"? Just curious to see if you didn't have to do any alternates in a single week. THANK YOU!
Yes, I think that would be a good approach
@@dr.chrispark Thank you.
Dr. Chris Park
I'm a Chronic Pain patient and I took Oxycontin and Fentanyl for 25 years. I'm scared of the FDA shutting down My Pain Doc and My ins co kept telling My doctor how much I should be on. Anyway, I went through the Withdrawal process in October for 36 hours and went into the Doctor's office and was put on 8 mg Suboxone. Amazed how fast it worked! On 8 mg. 2 x daily for 30 days, 4 mg 30 days, 2 mg 30 days and I jumped off. I thought LDN would work for the Pain but I'm in Withdrawal and I feel like I'm dying! It's day 4 and I can't do this! I want to be Me again but having 3 Autoimmune Diseases, I can't take the pain plus the anxiety! What are your thoughts about LDN right away? Have I possibly put myself into precipitated Withdrawal? I also have Melanoma and need surgery but how can I take the surgery without any pain meds? I hope you answer this.
There should be a lot more doctors like you thank you