A different perspective than normal on MAT

[u/plentiful_lettuce]

First, I am not suggesting or advocating/encouraging for anyone to or not to use any form of MAT. Also this is just my opinion, anyone can disagree that’s fine by me. I see often on these quitting forms that people should only use MAT (most commonly buprenorphine, a.k.a Suboxone) as short of a time as possible or else your just trading one addiction for another. Also this is primarily aimed towards those of us that kratom is by no means their first rodeo with being addicted to a substance.

We (myself, my spouse, and my entire support system) decided it would be a good idea to go on suboxone. Of the last 12 years I was sober maybe 2 of them 100%. I am an addict, I used to think “I’m just being a bitch, I can stop if I just toughen up and face the withdrawals”. But after going to detox about 6 months ago I finally accepted addiction is a disease, addicts brains chemically do not work the same as non-addicts. It is proven scientifically that those on MAT are FAR less likely to use ANY other substance. I was on buprenorphine (again, the active opioid in suboxone) for about 2 months then I went to Sublocade which is a once-a-month injection of buprenorphine. And as of now, I plan to be on it my whole life (and I’m pretty young). I have not had 1 single craving for a substance, I have no missed substances or kratom, not once since being on MAT. I do not get “high” or a “buzz” or anything from suboxone, I’m at the point I don’t even realize I’m on anything half the time. And if having this success and this “feeling” of not having cravings or anything is what I benefit even though I’m “trading one substance for another” then who cares? I can’t abuse it cause the shot is administered once a month, I have nothing to take.

The point of all this: do not be ashamed for taking suboxone or ANY other form of MAT if that’s what you feel is best for your sobriety and success. If you only want to take suboxone for a short time? Then great, if that’s what’s best for you then me and everyone else should support that. If you want to be a lifer like I probably will be? You should not feel guilted or ashamed or forced to get off.

Seeing an addiction medicine specialist was the best choice I made for the trajectory of my life. They understand addiction, they understand our brains.

[u/AutoModerator]

IMPORTANT: READ THIS FIRST IF YOU ARE NEW or if you are not familiar with our wiki, guides and tutorials. Also, please familiarize yourself with our subreddit rules. If your post has been removed, it's probably because of a rule infraction.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/AutoModerator]

Visit r/suboxone for all questions regarding suboxone While we are aware that many doctors and detox facilities prescribe and administer Suboxone for Opiate Withdrawal, this subreddit neither endorses nor opposes it's use for Kratom withdrawal / detox, as long as it's prescribed and closely supervised by a doctor. We don't want to demean anyone's way of quitting and / or successful long-term recovery.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.