Questions re: Suboxone & Abusing Other Drugs

[CajunGrl]

My b/f is on Suboxone and has been for 14 months. Before going on Sub, he abused Oxy, snorting same. He is getting the Sub through a recovery center and attenRAB groups sometimes. His doctor is very lenient with him due to his job, age (43) and the fact that he seems to be doing well.

My suspicions are usually right and I am suspecting he has learned of a new way to abuse the Sub and/or able to mix other drugs while taking the Sub. I am suspicious because he is needing more money (which I hold) than normal, Sub is not lasting for the whole month as it should, and unusual and/or cell phone nurabers I am not familiar with are becoming more apparent.

I really try to help him and have been to Alanon meetings myself. I try to make him suffer his own consequences, but I usually try to obtain all the proof I need before confronting him. My next step will be to contact the doctor treating him at this time, tell him my suspicions and ask for him to perform a drug test. I will even go so far as turning in this cell phone nuraber and/or person who I know is selling these drugs which also puts my b/f at risk of even getting arrested himself for buying.

My questions are: (1) How can opiates be abused while on Sub? (2) Does Sub really block the affects of opiates (spec. snorting) or is it just heroin being injected? (3) Is there anything I can specifically look for as indications (i.e. used to be able to tell by pin-point pupils, but now he can be avoiding me for a couple of hours in order for me not to be able to tell)? (4) I'm also becoming suspicious about crack and/or meth or something being smoked - what are those side effects and can this be done while on sub?

Thanks for any and all help. All addicts know how to lie and deceive the true people trying to help them and I really am looking for ways to truly help him before he enRAB up dead.

 

[kellibear]

yes, it is possible to abuse opiates and other drugs on sub but it makes it more dangerous. especially with opiates. it depenRAB on the dose he's on--sub blocks all the receptors at 12--16mg (some say 8mg) so if his dose is lower, he can take opiates but it will take huge doses to over-ride the sub, making an OD very possible. fentanyl is the only opiate that can work while someone is on sub but again, it takes a bigger dose. mixing benzos with sub has been fatal for a few people but they were doing the drugs IV. i don't know much about crack/meth/coke but he would get high off them because they do not work thru the opiate receptors. his behavior is suspicious and i think you are right. he shouldn't be running out of sub early and if can't explain where the extra money is going, well, it's probably drugs. most sub dr.s do random urine tests--does his?? if you call the dr. and he cuts him off, then he'll have to go thru some nasty w/d's. i really can't advise you--ask him if he is willing to take a drug test--you can buy them now in just about any pharmacy. don't give him any extra money either. and good luck!

 

[halfwaythere99]

probably selling the subs and taking dope instead, or abusing other drugs. almost anything other than opiates work when taking subs. you should not snitch on your man though if you don't want to be with an addict leave him. he will only get better if HE wants to, there is really nothing you can do other than be supportive and positive when he is being good. being snoopy and acting like a mom won't help him at all, it will only make him want to do it more. i know this because i am an addict and have dated many addicts. my boyfriend is an addict and i am clean and taking subs. i don't ride him on his addiction at all because i overstand it so much. i know what he is going thru and i don't get on his case because he won't quit. he will do it when he is ready..then again he is not deceptive and does not lie to me or hide things sooo..anyway good luck but that is really it, you have to let him do what he neeRAB to do. he will get tired of it soon enough or if not he will lose you.