Bup/Sub pros and cons & testosterone/hormone levels

Pros
-Decreased/masked symptoms of panic disorder, ADHD and PTSD
-increased confidence by decreasing anxiety/noise sensitivity/racing mind/etc.
-Much better communication skills; romantic and professionally
-No pain, numbed emotionally
-Increased strength and stamina
-Decreased sexual inhibitions/increased stamina

Cons
-Decreased symptoms lead to true issues never being addressed
-Increased confidence became hubris
-Better communication became arrogance
-Lack of pain resulted in being unaware of limits and injuries
-Increased strength and stamina encouraged foolish behavior resulting in injuries
-Decreased impulse control, risky sexual behavior, decrease in empathy
-400% decrease in total testosterone and Free sex hormone
-Decreased emotional control, moody, paranoid; basically *****y - likely testosterone decrease

Verdict on Suboxone:
Did I need it? No, I started back in 2006 when they were prescribing 32mg for housewives taking 6 Vicodin a day. I fell into it partly because of miscommunication and naivety when I told my GP I had taken some old Vicodin a few times for a panic attack and it helped. Doctors today would never have put me in a Suboxone program. I thought I was going to overdose the first night. It was the first time I felt a real opioid high.

I tried to stop so many times, but would go back for fear I’d start underperforming at work. Eventually, I quit my job, broke up with my girlfriend; and focused solely on getting healthy. By this point, definite had the mindset of an addict; all the shame, etc. Still, I refused to believe that I had no power. And the more I started trusting my gut again, the stronger I got.

My testosterone is back up to normal levels, I’m healthy again...and my biggest concern is not being able to last indefinitely in bed anymore. Could be a lot worse

Not really sure why I am posting this. Probably because I am feeling feelings for the first time in 8 years and it’s awesome and scary at the same time. And the testosterone thing has been mentioned on a lot of forums. Mine bounced back to normal/just above normal in about 6 months. (May have been faster, tests were that far apart)

It’s not an endorsement or disclaimer about Suboxone. You have to do what’s right for you. Just don’t let anyone tell you that you have no power, don’t let them make you proclaim your shame everyday, or get stuck in that daily rut where you may be clean but still defined by addiction. Put your mistakes behind you and leave them there.

Glad to hear things are mostly going well for you! I can relate all too well the scary/awesome feeling of actually experiencing emotions again. It is definitively a ride, but one that has nothing but benefits to it!