I need some advice please!

I have a question that i would like to get advice about. I take subutex everyday to help subside my cravings for heroin and opiates. Can I consider myself as being clean even though im prescribed subutex? I think that Im staying clean because im not using opiates or any other drugs. I know that this subject is controversial because people have different opinions. Im just asking for some advice about this topic.
Thanks guys!

My husband is on suboxone and considers himself clean because it was what the rehab doc gave him. They have him on it for maintenance and pain relief. Apparently the doc says that unless he has the nerves in his back killed he will always be on it because they can't put him back on regular opiates.

Most jobs don't include Buprenorphine in their screens so for all intents and purposes of getting a job you would be clean. So I guess it mainly depends on how you feel about it.

For the first time I ran into someone else here that's on it. I'm on Suboxone and I admit I started taking it recreationally. It gave me energy at first and I quickly became addicted. Now, it does absolutely nothing for me but if I don't take it I get withdrawal and boy is it nasty. The half life of sub is very long and the withdrawal can last a few wks! Since I started taking it to get a little buzz, and I'm physically dependent on it, I don't look at it as being clean. However it's better than heroine. As far as being better than opiates... Giving that the withdrawal is said to be worst, I've read others say that they rather of got off the opiates cold turkey to begin with. That's just my take on it though so take it with a grain of salt!

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I was on suboxone for a year. It was with a good doctor and I followed the program to a t. I never got high off suboxone at all. So yes, I would say that you're clean.

Personally Id consider it as receiving treatment. I wouldnt claim a certain status to define this issue.

A prescription by a doctor makes you clean... congratulations on your hard work and accomplishments! tc

I took methadone before I was clean, and didn't TRULY consider myself clean until I was off heroin and methadone.

In my opinion, it depends on how you are taking your detox meds. For instance, if you take them as prescribed and do not use any other substances, I think that you are definitely "clean". The reason that I feel this way, is because I was on subutex for two years. I was technically "clean" off of oxy, but I abused my subs and still drank, did klonopin, etc. I got off of everything 7 months ago.

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Of course you're clean, even if you get drug tested, because you have a prescription from a doctor. I think a big part of it is, do you think you're clean? for example, do you get high from your medication? (most people with a history of opioid abuse cant feel high from buprenorphine, I know I cant) if you take medication that makes you feel high, but don't tell your doc that (so they can lower your dose) then, maybe there's room to debate how clean you are. but here's a thing to consider; if an alcoholic gets "clean", doesn't use other drugs, cleans up their act and all that, if they have a drink at their daughters wedding, are they now unclean? I don't like the idea NA had about being clean, like there's no difference between these two scenarios: 1-I am homeless, have track marks on my arm and am in withdrawal. I have let everyone I know down, even the dealers and its a miracle I don't have endocarditis or have overdosed. I would steal a dying persons pain medicine. scenario no 2- I have a job, people have forgiven me, I try to help people, I am not a menace to my community, I drink occasionally, use legal drugs like pot regularly but not daily. I haven't used opioids in over 2 years, my cravings are almost nonexistent, and when I was Rxed an opioid, it was aversive, it made me sick and irritable. I think I'm well ask my NA sponser, and he will tell you that I am just as sick in both scenarios, just in better times in no 2. I disagree. so who cares if you're clean. are you well? do you feel in control of your life? If you had those cravings, those constant 'I wanna scream, I'd do anything for a #$%ing pill!' cravings that opioid addiction causes, are they better? gone? Because if suboxone takes those cravings away, I think its okay that you will be physically dependent on it. Its not the same as having to get up and doing whatever it takes to get that same relief, plus the high, the lie the street drugs give you. That's what addiction is, and people that don't understand what that means to have an addiction will not understand the treatment, so don't worry so much about what they think.

I say you are clean. You are taking that medication to treat your opiate addiction under the supervision of a doctor.