Do you feel that taking suboxene is clean or not?? Curios.
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F what other people people when it comes to you feel. There are a lot of different routes to sobriety if it's a means to an end that works for you who is somebody else to judge it. I was on methadone for two and a half years and felt like it was delaying with the inevitable because I didn't have to feel discomfort I know it is different. Me personally I don't want to be on MAT for the rest of my life or more than a year, in hindsight. I would recommend if that's the route that's going to work for you just use it to develop good habits in your day to day and get off of it so you're brain can start to heal as far as paws. Just my opinions and I'm not a doctor. Good luck. Also go to meeting and get a sponsor. If this was for you that is...
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My journey into recovery has been a bit bumpy.. like most.
The issue is I had stage 2 rectal cancer. Removed now but I have many health issues on top of that and have severe chronic pain. However, going back on opioids can not and will not be an option. I started on the suboxene for pain and it truly has decreased things. It doesn’t take it away but it helps. I do meetings, sponsored and IOP 3 days a week.
The major issue I have is the major issue of judgment from my NA a community. I am told to just to keep it to myself which really bothers me. I have worked so hard to work an honest program and if I can’t be honest with my na peers I feel like it’s wrong and I am a fraud. I am really, really struggling with this! Any thoughts!?? Plz?
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I second what Adam says. We all have our own paths to recovery. Whatever you need to do to get and stay sober is what you need to do. If you want to reevaluate later down the road then that’s your prerogative, but ultimately your sobriety is your sobriety. Don’t let anyone tell you different. We all have different experience and current lifestyles.
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Personally, I don't think being on the clinic is clean or sober or whatever but it IS a pathway. I was for a couple years after getting off heroin in 2006 and I wouldn't have called myself "clean" then. But it doesn't matter what anyone really thinks. Do what works for you and take care of yourself.
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Absolutely. Your trying to get better and not do the alternative
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I needed medication for the 1st year of sobriety. I still consider the day I stopped doing the drinking and drugging that was killing me my sobriety date. I want to say that I’m grateful I received the treatment I needed in the early stages of sobriety. I was able to also quit tobacco and coffee/energy drinks. I believe if you are working an honest program of recovery then it shouldn’t matter what prescribed meds you take. Some of us may need meds for the rest of our lives. It’s all about honesty. Stay true to yourself the rest will follow.
I’ll pray that you may only need to be on this medication for a short time…
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Recovery shows up different for everyone and I’m a believer in MAT it’s a personal choice and I’ve seen it help many people. I think it’s wrong for others to judge a persons path to recovery. It’s been a stepping stone for many and keeps you out of the dope house and into counseling, accountability and around others who want recovery. It can get someone back on their feet. I personally don’t care what path someone chooses. Abstinence programs, harm reduction programs etc. is a personal decision and instead of beating each other up over our own views/beliefs we should support each other’s rights to choose what helps them. Education on the brain, learning about an agonist medication and why it can helps is important to understanding one another who may choose that path. Of course we all know that it has been abused on the streets to avoid withdrawals but if you’re actually working your MAT program, you’re not using it that way.
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Oh my god well said!
Yes, 100%. Haters gonna hate. You do YOU!
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Absolutely.
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Using MAT is perfectly fine if that’s what you need. I used to be a licensed addictions therapist and I worked at an opiate clinic where we used MAT, along with individual therapy and IOP. You are considered sober even if you are using MAT to manage symptoms and pain. It’s managed by a doctor at a proper dosage. It’s way different than you drinking heavily or abusing a substance from the street, or even a prescribed opiate. Don’t let anybody tell you otherwise!
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Thank you Daniel! I have been an avid meeting maker until I had it go on MAT for pain management after. A cancer diagnosis. I was told I wasn’t clean so I quit NA meetings.
I chose it over pain killers and was told it works at 30% on the opioid receptors. I had major surgery and am having another this Thursday. I hope so much that after this one I can come off the meds but until then it is better than me snorting oxy and chewing my fentanyl patches. I have to have a
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It’s not how we recover or how fast we recover… it’s that we decided to recover period. Baby steps👶🏻
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With working a program of rigorous honesty, can you honestly say you're only taking these things as prescribed and only as needed? Intention is crucial here. With that being said, are you confident in your actions? Is your relationship with your higher power solid? If yes, you're not in any wrong here. I personally abstain completely from all drugs and alcohol, but I also don't have a medical reason for taking anything either. I'd say don't allow others to make you second guess your actions, that's between you and God.
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The only requirement for membership(NA) is the DESIRE to stop using
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This is a wonderful recovery platform! All we have to give each other is our experience, strength and hope, and I have read a lot of that tonight and it’s so refreshing! I have had major surgery under a lung transplant and with that came some strong pain medication. For me, I just followed the suggestion of the program, not so much what worked for any one individual. I read “Illness in Recovery” on a regular basis before and after my surgery, I told all my doctors I was a recovering addict/alcoholic, including the Anesthesiologist, and I only took my medications as prescribed. One of our saying’s is “Keep it Simple”
Last, people, addicts can be very cruel, insensitive and ignorant but under no circumstances ever let anyone run you out of a meeting or recovery program!!!
and ignorant
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I think your taking suboxone is just fine. Your taking it for a reason , basically medical... your not taking subs to get high. They're 2 entirely different things. A lot of people gotta take some kind of meds/narcotics in this world so they can live a normal life. Your good 
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Michael, thank you for saying that! Believe it or not, of you couldn’t tell.. I am one of those that needs an ok from people. My sponsor is fully aware of my situation and completely understands and oks it. I’m finally coming to terms with it. The truth is that it’s saving me from chronic pain that was depressing me and making me severely depressed.. if you know what I mean. My quality of life was limited to laying in a bed with a remote in my hand and that was that. Today I can go to meetings and share my story if recovery and be honest about what’s what now. I’m more comfortable with it.
However, sometimes it nice to hear. “Your good”
Thank you
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I’m currently in MAT myself but I do it in a way where I know I won’t be tempted to abuse it -sublocade shot-. I only intend to stay on it a year but it has kept me from abusing other opiates and has kept my drinking to a minimum or not at all. There is a definite difference between “medicated” and “high” for myself anyway. As someone else pointed out, the 3rd tradition is what’s important to remember! Do you!
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