My boyfriend is struggling with opiate addiction. He was taking 1/4 of an 8 mg subutex (2mg) every 36 hours when I got involved with the process. We started increasing the time between doses by 4 hours every 4 doses. From what I have read tonight, it seems that this may have been too fast (i was totally inexperienced with it and concerned for his life, so I did my best). Nonetheless, he got up to 60 hours between doses, and then he expressed to me that he wanted to stay at 60 hours for a while. I have never had even the slightest problem with pills, so I was completely unsure of how this process was supposed to go. I was totally against the idea of stopping where we were when we had made so much progress. We had a big fight about it, and he has stopped taking them altogether. This was his own choice, but I know that he did it because of my concern. He hasn't taken anything in 6 days now, and his symptoms are getting very bad. I need to know, from someone who has been in a very similar situation (mine or his), who can tell me if I need to encourage him to go back to the subutex, or try to do without it, or if there is another option that is less severe. He says that the lowest mg he can get is 8, and it is almost impossible to break it into smaller pieces than quarters. I've taken this drug once, and that was enough to let me know that I don't want him to take it any longer than he has to. I know that my opinions have more influence on him than anything else, but I don't understand the sickness or the drug, so I have nothing to act on other than my emotions. I would greatly appreciate any advice from someone who knows more about it than me.
Thank you.