Bill

I took ‘be a lamp unto your own feet’ wholeheartedly, reduced my regular meeting attendance from one a week to (over a period of one year) one a month…

I’ve been recovered for several years now, and attend one meeting a year to receive my anniversary chip, and kindly endure their well meaning inquisition…

Buprenorphine is a synthetic opiate use in detox and maintenance therapy. It is an addictive drug, the same as the other opioid drugs, is eminently abusable, and will simply take you back to square one. A. You’ll be addicted to it in about two days. B. You’ll have to detox from it, assuming that it doesn’t lead you back to other drugs. C. You’ll have to go through PAWS all over again. This is true for Subutex, Suboxone, and any other variants.

If you’re depressed, an antidepressant is a good idea. If you simply want help with the PAWS symptoms, and depression isn’t one of them, then it isn’t indicated. You have access to experts through the school, or at least access to information about who to see. Find a physician who specializes in treating recovering addicts, and let him or her advise you. You also need to attend regular support group meetings, get 30 minutes of mild aerobic exercise every other day (or at least 3 days a week), watch your diet, and do the other things outlined in the PAWS article. Those things will go far to reduce your cravings. Don’t go looking for drugs to solve your problems. It didn’t work before, so why should it work now?

Bill

Quick question: I am currently looking into antidepressants to help with Paws. The past few weeks I’ve been getting some terrible cravings and the withdrawal symptoms are getting worse. I found a drug called Buprenorphine. Its an opioid used to reduce or stop withdrawals from opiates. Its been seven months since I quit and I was wondering if taking this drug would make my problem even worse, since it is an opiate. I also plan to see a psychiatrist who specializes with drug abuse. I want to start a mild antidepressant like zoloft. What do you think about taking buprenorphine? would it help or only make things worse?

David

Keep in mind that effective aerobic exercise raises your heart rate to 50% above normal (minimum), and keeps it there for at least 20 minutes. That’s roughly 120 b.p.m. for most folks. You have to work to achieve that. Golf and casual cycling don’t get it.

The tests at most rehabs don’t include fasting blood sugar or glucose tolerance tests, because the metabolism of most patients is messed up to the point that they are relatively useless. Most tests aren’t accurate until after about three months of abstinence.

I applaud your efforts. Keep on keepin’ on!

Bill

Thank you for your prompt response. I have had blood tests (and scans) taken as part of my alcohol rehab and I’m sure my GP said that there was no sign of diabetis but will double check. I haven’t mentioned the itching to my GP yet. I have a little permament liver scarring but have been told it will not get worse as long as I remain abstemious.

Regarding the itching, it is on my legs (calfs and shins) and seems worse at nights. It also occurs on my back just below my shoulder blade. I guess I am a bit overweight but probably not more than 20lbs. My diet is much better than when I was drinking, I try to eat regularly and mostly healthily, although maybe a bit too much. I can do aerobic exercise. I play golf twice weekly (walk round the course – no buggy) as well as regular cycling (by necessity having currently lost my license!). The foot pain occurs after about 30 mins solid walking – it’s relatively ok on the stop-start of a golf course and ok on the bike. I cannot jog/run though because of the pain which I used to do fairly regularly.

What you have suggested certainly makes sense and I will follow up with my GP.

Thanks again,

Eric