Using Suboxone or Methadone? Learn the Warning Signs of Relapse!

By John Lee

Do you use Suboxone or methadone? Are you on the brink of relapse?

Read the following warning signs of opiate relapse to find out.

The following warning signs come from a National Institutes of Health (NIH) publication for therapists working with patients on methadone or Suboxone.

6 Warning Signs of Relapse for Methadone or Suboxone Patients

1. You don’t believe relapse could happen to you (relapse can happen to anyone).

2. You believe that you can use opiates recreationally, now that you are “back in control.”

3. You are starting to remember the euphoria and good times associated with drug use while forgetting about what made you stop using.

4. The cravings you are feeling make you think that your medication isn’t working and that you’ll never avoid relapse for long.

5. You are testing your recovery by intentionally exposing yourself to risky situations.

6. You think you are cured after only a short period (a few months) of methadone or Suboxone treatment.

Don’t fall into the overconfidence trap! Know that your recovery will take time and that you can expect to feel tested every now and again. Also know that you are not cured after a few months and that if you test yourself enough, you’ll eventually fail. When it comes to addiction, the price of failure is steep.

Be smart and keep the gains you’ve made, and if you’re really feeling discouraged by drug cravings, talk to your doctor about a dose adjustment.