Suboxone Patients In West Virginia Suffering
August 31st marked the last day that suboxone tablets could legally be dispensed in West Virginia. West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin passed a bill that discontinued the suboxone tablets in the state of West Virginia. Despite doctor's warnings, Tomblin acted on the bill and signed it into effect. Only weeks later, suboxone patients in West Virginia are suffering.
Suboxone has been out since 2002 and it is a drug that helps addicts recover from prescription abuse. Suboxone was always dispensed as a tablet until a few years ago when sub-lingual film became available. This gave suboxone patients a choice as some patients preferred the tablets while other preferred the suboxone strips. However, on September 1st, Governor Earl Ray Tomblin took the tablets away from West Virginia patients and now West Virginia doctors are only allowed to dispense the suboxone film.
Just a few weeks into September, suboxone patients are struggling with the switch. Patients are suffering from bad stomach pains, detox, and even chest pain with the sub-lingual film. Many suboxone patients that were taking the tablets are complaining that the film's affects don't last long as the tablets did. Sadly, others have began using prescription drugs again for the first time in years.
I talked to a patient that has been in treatment since 2009. After 3 years sober, he began abusing Oxycontin again. This is what he stated. "It is not right. I haven't took any drugs for the last three years. I have tried the suboxone strips and they hurt my stomach. When I took the suboxone tablets, I didn't think about using drugs. With the strips, drugs are all I think about. I have two children and I have came along way. I am scared that I will be in the same position as I was three years ago. It is already beginning. I am so scared."
This man wasn't the only suboxone patient that is struggling since the change. Many patients are struggling and fear that they will return to their former behavior, one without care. Too many patients agree that the two drugs are different, yet, the company is sure that they are the same. Patients want Governor Tomblin to rethink this new law that was signed. One patient tells us why.
"Governor Tomblin signed this bill because he thought that it would decrease the abuse. That is a valid thought, but the strips are abused the same, possible more. The strips are being abused just as much as the tablets were, possibly more. You can't stop abuse all around. The strips will go around just like the tablets. I hate seeing it because they have completely changed their lives. Now, many of them are abusing pills and even harder drugs. They feel that nobody cares about them and due to this law, they're probably right."
I never heard of any issues of suboxone patients going back to drugs. Since the law was passed, it seems apparent that there is a big difference how the drug reacts to the brain. I fear that these patients will turn back to drug addiction and this will cause more issues for the state of West Virginia. This law wasn't thought through and these patients have came too far to throw caution to the wind. Since the strips are abused just as much, why take the tablets away. It may be possible that the strips are the real problem.
We urge you to leave comments and explain your reactions to the suboxone tablet and suboxone film. Have you tried both of them? Did you feel different? How are you doing now on the suboxone film? Are you having any stomach pains or other medical issues since changing to the suboxone film?
Governor Tomblin, we suggest that you reconsider this law. If patients are having side effects to the film, they no longer have a choice. If they can't take the film, what can they take? These patients have made a positive change and many are scared that they will return to their former life. Many have already due to the side effects from the suboxone film. They are being pushed away by the state of West Virginia. These patients have suffered enough. They are trying to make positive change in their life. Many of them have. Drug addiction is a disease. Would you take away drugs that a cancer patient needed?
