NHS Opiate substitution

[Gai73]

hi has anyone in the uk went through the nhs for ost? if so what are the criteria for outpatient? i have had a few meetings and they are looking to place me in a facility. this is not feasible as i have too much to do and couldnt go away that long. i understand people mostly do it as outpatient, why would they want me to be admitted? i can only do this as an outpatient. is it likley they will deny me as outpatient? ive been to two meetings so far, and nithing has been done ie pee test or mouth swab. if anyone from the uk in particular has been rhrough this id really appreciate any input or help. have another meeting tomorrow.

 

[theview]

I got offered a 6 months rehab programme but it was not for me ..But it did make me realize i was not as bad as first thought .I was told after the addiction team do a home detox :/ ?..

 

[Gai73]

thank for the reply mr or mrs view do you mean the home detox is done after a period of being the inpatient? or an alternative to the inpatient? everywhere i read its all about people who do it outside hospital "in the community" exclusivley. never is it being admitted and monitored 24/7. ideally i just want the program where i do it at home. even if it means going to a pharmacy ever day to get daily dose and getting looked at funny. i just cant go into a facility in the middle of no where being bored ro death and away from family. plus i couldnt explain my absence to people asking my whereabouts.

 

[Conceited]

Was it for cod3ine?  Mabe they want to put you in a residential rehab for a few weeks, so you get the support to go cold Turkey. Rather then putting you on a maintenance script, which could make things worse.

 Normally the process goes like this. You first make contact by phone or vist center to make an appointment. Then you go in to fll out form where they ask you what you take, do you iv are you suicidal etc. Then you get a medical at a later date for the piss test. After that you get put on a script a week later,  or go to rehab.   

 

[theview]

the way it went for me was different , but like i say Scotland is different ..I went to go on a Script after a few apps of them fucking me around and then refusing it as i was on benzos (they new this) i left services ..I was then passed on to a independent drugs place where do rehab referrals it was a 6 month course i went and seen the place but it just was not for me ..These guys had been dragged up in a rough estate in Glasgow..Had nothing in life no meaning

Rehab had made them robot type ..They all spoke the same , they all answered the same ..Was weird but eye opening .   

 

[blissopifree 2]

I go weekly to the chemist for my meds and am on a reducing at home structure.I have also been at a residential re-hab and lasted 2 weeks of a 1yr stay,I left a job to go in and found 90% of people to be court referals or homeless people.They made us clean the residence,wash everyone's clothes and cook all of which I can do!.I just felt I had nothing in common with these people although I know I could have hit rock bottom quite easily!. I do regret not staying longer as I never got to the bottom of my need to use my drug of choice as far as im conserned I just like it there were no problems at home ect during my adolescents?.All the councilors seemed to think there must be a deeper reason for me using but I honestly only think I used it cause I liked it simple (nothing more nothing  less??). ...

Peace 

Bliss......

 

[jammass]

I go weekly to the chemist for my meds and am on a reducing at home structure.I have also been at a residential re-hab and lasted 2 weeks of a 1yr stay,I left a job to go in and found 90% of people to be court referals or homeless people.They made us clean the residence,wash everyone's clothes and cook all of which I can do!.I just felt I had nothing in common with these people although I know I could have hit rock bottom quite easily!. I do regret not staying longer as I never got to the bottom of my need to use my drug of choice as far as im conserned I just like it there were no problems at home ect during my adolescents?.All the councilors seemed to think there must be a deeper reason for me using but I honestly only think I used it cause I liked it simple (nothing more nothing  less??). ...

Peace 

Bliss......

Lol was this alien world rehab year long placement anywhere near or in Ox***d. Did you have to go for a day placement before you went in if so I know exactly which one and sounds very familiar I did 11 months in there and left did you see people on what they call "contract" in overalls basically was in the L** Community!!

 

[jammass]

Also if you want a community stabilisation program now you have to get a referral to your local drug worker which with budget cuts by our know it all government is rubbish.  No more maintenance scripts.  Years ago you went in patient for three weeks got 80mg if Valium a day reduced down over two weeks with lofexadine on top and five days of Nitrazepam 10mg at night but only after 3 days of being in there and you could pick which days you wanted them. By the time the three weeks was up you where lucky if you slept a full night on a plastic mattress and pillow which helped loads with the sweating.

If you did it in the community you got 20mg of Valium for 9 days with lofexadine also zombie time and double vision like mad also got Nitrazepam 10mg at night for nine days but they gave you a sheet to tell you how to reduce the drugs over the nine days.

Now it is all subutex reduction with lofexadine if you feel really bad erm.... I think I do no more maintenance scripts government wants to get drug use and deaths down and this is their answer. However, your drug worker will change every 6 months when they have finished training or volunteering or Meth reduction no bennies any more as NICE wants scripts for benzodiazepines reducing so docs are all ssri or antipsychotic or anti epilepsy drugs madness and don't think we realised how good we had it in 90s early 00s.

My advice get som Vit V and Nit****pam but use it sparingly because if you ate 100mg you will still feel s**t but worse cause you will get bad side effects from benzodiazepines. Do the 10mg four times a day for first week if you can get some lofexadine or clonidine use it be be very careful it can send your blood pressure through your boots especially when used with VitV use the VitN at night but stick to 10mg cause if you ain't gonna sleep you ain't gonna sleep take plenty of hot baths even in middle of night if you can't sleep after week one start to reduce the VitV by 5mg a day pick your times when you do this reduce your dose day one when you feel better like the mid day one first afternoon one next etc keep the morning and night time till last to reduce also reduce the Nit like after week one one night take 1&1/2 tabs etc and reduce the lofexadine if not your blood pressure will shoot up also get some loperamide or Imodium because you will get diarrhoea believe me but don't overdo them either take as told on PIL you can buy them over counter in pharmacy but always keep in mind the drugs are not to party on they are to give you some structure and a little relief because you will feel like your dying but you will not you have to be strong and talk to someone you trust about how you feel if you got a good friend to help you through it is a massive help and try and get s sleep routine in place go to bed even if you can't sleep same time every night get up same time every morning if you lay in bed all day you will fail I can assure you because you just rock and roll around it all day with the quilt wrapping round you and you begin to hate your bed lol it's a nightmare but if you can do it laugh sometimes get some box sets and be sensible best way honest.

Being married to methadone is hell and withdrawals are months not weeks if you do it the way I said one night you will sleep all night then wake up and think I feel wicked but when you detoxes that's when the hard work starts trust me it's not getting clean it's staying clean go gym, eat well, socialise with none drug users go cinema, a nice meal and guess what you will have money in your pocket.

Hope you do it and honest when I did it that way and put my mind to it thinking why should I give dealers money I felt good but do not use again or it will get worse every time then married to meth and benzodiazepines not nice life trust me you will wake up at 40 if you make it and wonder where it went and what's next?

Good luck bro and hope you succeed!!!

 

[blissopifree 2]

@jammass Hi it wasn't in the same area as you mentioned or even the same country it was in scot.Even though it was the same structure and most probably the exact same residential programme,a UK wide venture set up by (experts) and the government.I did have a local cpn (key worker) help get me a place there so that's the same aswell.Your right about the (green handcuffs) a marriage with the done is not a good one but nessesary if your life is so consumed by opiates that it's just caotic.Done certainly helps to get some structure to life and to settle your lifestyle, but it certainly is a costly relationship as it's a nightmare to get off the done!.The quicker you get down and off is the best way but it rarely turns out that way.I know loads of people on sripts for over ten yrs and I can't see them ever coming off of them,some have never even reduced the amount they're on!.If you can do your turkey off (street opies) rather than go on the (green handcuffs) it's much easier and MUCH quicker but for some not possible?.

Good luck to anyone fighting addictions to opiates or any meds try and try is the only advice I can give as you will get there even if it takes more than one or two attempts.

Peace 

Bliss.....