Aa
Want off Methadone
After 4yrs of heroin addiction and several felonies later I was given an ultimatum, get on methadone or go to prison again(for my latest possession charge). I been on methadone now 15mths at 95mg. Im doing really well, up to 4take homes a week. I only relapsed 2x back in the beginning of treatment. At first I thought that I was just going do this until I got off probation and go back to the H but now that Ive been clean so long I dont want that life anymore. AND I want off this too. I just want to taper off and be done with everything. But I see people who try to kick methadone come into the clinic looking like death, way worse than I looked from a heroin withdrawal. I dont care how long the taper takes, thats not my concern. I just dont want to be even slightly sick by no means. Would going down 3mg a week be okay? Or is that too much too? I have been keeping about 3-4 mg of my take homes so that when I do taper I will know I have this and not freak out. Hopefully I will never use it but its a psycological thing for me. I was also thinking about getting blind dosed during my taper too so I dont focus on how much Im taking. Any body went thru this before?? I could use some advice.
Wow all your feedback was so helpful. I feel ya'll on everything you said. Thanks so much.
I to relocated (fr Ohio to KY) in hopes of kicking my H habit April of 06. But I just ended up commuting >>6hrs<< roundtrip for 1 bag.( I intended on gettin more but gas would eat up the money. I was doin this daily for the first couple months of moving here. Thats when finally June 1st 06 I was up there tryin to score and I was so sick that I was oblivious to the fact that vice had me under surveilence. 7 vice members followed me for 3hrs(the dope boys seen me bein followed but instead of tellin me they acted like thay didnt know me, thats why I was rollin around the ghetto for 3hrs cuz nobody would serve me) to bust me with a dime!!! You know, all the other times I did deserve prison or what eva, but I couldnt imagine goin to prison over $9 worth of dope. SO after I bonded out I immediately contacted a lawer who said Get into methadone treatment now if you want even a chance of stayin out. (When I was sentenced I got that chance on probation my PO ordered me to remain on the clinic. If I have a dirty UA or miss group at the clinic they automatically are required to contact my PO)
If I knew 15mths ago, what I know now, I would of told that judge to gas up the van cuz Im rollin out to the penn.I'd be getting out rite now and be free from it all.
Ive never been so fat in my life, my teeth hurt,I eat ice cream for breakfast lunch and dinner,I chain smoke like crazy and I didnt smoke until I moved here, I dont even think about sex anymore, Im so depressed because this isnt who I am! Ive isolated myself from my family and friends, I never was like this on H. I dont want to live like this. I already missed so much being locked up and running the streets. I dont want to burden my family with my s*** anymore so they dont even know of the clinic or that I have HepC.
So I guess when I see my counselor Friday Im goin to tell her that Im ready to begin the taper process. Im going go down 2mg a week until I reach 20, then Im going to swith to suboxone (Ive heard they offer that at the clinic too) I also take clonodine for my high blood preasure. I recently winged myself off serequel but I kept some for when I have those sleepless nights. My only positive attempts of kickin has been in jail, cuz in there I know I cant get anything so I accept it and its not that bad. I really wish I wouldnt of gotten to such high dose but at the begining I was just wantin more more more. Now Im goin pay for it.
So Im goin down 2mg a week until 20mg at which then I will switch to suboxone. I will take clonodine as prescribed and when my WDs are to bad to sleep take my serequel. OH and Im getting blind dosed so I dont focus on how much Im takin.
I have a friend back home that told me he just started taking sub and he said if I were take 1 rite now bein on 95mg of methadone, that it would throw me immediately into hellish withdrals and I would have to prolly go to ER. Why is that though??
Thank You everybody for your suport. I feel better knowing theres people who "know" what Im going thru.
I to relocated (fr Ohio to KY) in hopes of kicking my H habit April of 06. But I just ended up commuting >>6hrs<< roundtrip for 1 bag.( I intended on gettin more but gas would eat up the money. I was doin this daily for the first couple months of moving here. Thats when finally June 1st 06 I was up there tryin to score and I was so sick that I was oblivious to the fact that vice had me under surveilence. 7 vice members followed me for 3hrs(the dope boys seen me bein followed but instead of tellin me they acted like thay didnt know me, thats why I was rollin around the ghetto for 3hrs cuz nobody would serve me) to bust me with a dime!!! You know, all the other times I did deserve prison or what eva, but I couldnt imagine goin to prison over $9 worth of dope. SO after I bonded out I immediately contacted a lawer who said Get into methadone treatment now if you want even a chance of stayin out. (When I was sentenced I got that chance on probation my PO ordered me to remain on the clinic. If I have a dirty UA or miss group at the clinic they automatically are required to contact my PO)
If I knew 15mths ago, what I know now, I would of told that judge to gas up the van cuz Im rollin out to the penn.I'd be getting out rite now and be free from it all.
Ive never been so fat in my life, my teeth hurt,I eat ice cream for breakfast lunch and dinner,I chain smoke like crazy and I didnt smoke until I moved here, I dont even think about sex anymore, Im so depressed because this isnt who I am! Ive isolated myself from my family and friends, I never was like this on H. I dont want to live like this. I already missed so much being locked up and running the streets. I dont want to burden my family with my s*** anymore so they dont even know of the clinic or that I have HepC.
So I guess when I see my counselor Friday Im goin to tell her that Im ready to begin the taper process. Im going go down 2mg a week until I reach 20, then Im going to swith to suboxone (Ive heard they offer that at the clinic too) I also take clonodine for my high blood preasure. I recently winged myself off serequel but I kept some for when I have those sleepless nights. My only positive attempts of kickin has been in jail, cuz in there I know I cant get anything so I accept it and its not that bad. I really wish I wouldnt of gotten to such high dose but at the begining I was just wantin more more more. Now Im goin pay for it.
So Im goin down 2mg a week until 20mg at which then I will switch to suboxone. I will take clonodine as prescribed and when my WDs are to bad to sleep take my serequel. OH and Im getting blind dosed so I dont focus on how much Im takin.
I have a friend back home that told me he just started taking sub and he said if I were take 1 rite now bein on 95mg of methadone, that it would throw me immediately into hellish withdrals and I would have to prolly go to ER. Why is that though??
Thank You everybody for your suport. I feel better knowing theres people who "know" what Im going thru.
as well as you I'm tired of being on methadone also. but don't get me wronge, for me it was a life saver. I was able to learn how to live again and show up for my life. Which I was having problems staying clean so I'm very greatful for it.
I would say talk to the doctors at the clinic. I know as addicts we want something to hold us over incase of withdraws but I would say don't mess with your dose. Take all that is prescribed because it will catch up to you in the long run. Easier said then done, I know.
good luck to you, keep us posted
I would say talk to the doctors at the clinic. I know as addicts we want something to hold us over incase of withdraws but I would say don't mess with your dose. Take all that is prescribed because it will catch up to you in the long run. Easier said then done, I know.
good luck to you, keep us posted
In order to make the switch you would have to taper down to 20mgs of methodone a day for a few weeks.. i don't know if you have enough time to taper down to 20mgs and get on and then off Sub/buprenorphine. You may just wanna wean your methodone down to zero.. and in 6 weeks that also could be tough..
I used Sub to get off hydrocodone.. I used it for 10 days.. got on detoxed and then tapered off... never looked back.. methodone being a longer acting med its hard to make the switch.. many go through preciptated withdrawls if they arent' on a low enough dose of methodone or if they take the Sub too soon.. With methodone you would have to wait 3-4 days after your last dose of methodone to start taking sub. docs ask that you be in moderate withdrawls at least prior to starting.
Hope this helped I know it wasn't very positive but with this particular topic there are a lot of negatives.
I used Sub to get off hydrocodone.. I used it for 10 days.. got on detoxed and then tapered off... never looked back.. methodone being a longer acting med its hard to make the switch.. many go through preciptated withdrawls if they arent' on a low enough dose of methodone or if they take the Sub too soon.. With methodone you would have to wait 3-4 days after your last dose of methodone to start taking sub. docs ask that you be in moderate withdrawls at least prior to starting.
Hope this helped I know it wasn't very positive but with this particular topic there are a lot of negatives.
i tapered and totally quit methadone and xanax and norco in 14 days. the wd symptoms lasted another 2 weeks or so but to a lesser degree. you can do it. get a dr. to help you or tru the suboxone way where you taper off of it in a couple of weeks or so. there is another lady in here who knows a lot about the suboxone way. her name is Ffladdict. if you can't find her in here, go to the other addiction forum. she will be in one of the two.
Lucy
Lucy
Hello everyone, I have been on methadone now for nearly 4 years (4 years Nov,3) at 70mg per day. I got busted in May for growing med cannabis, in a state where med cannabis is illegal so im looking at 6 months in County Jail. The thing about this county jail is I will not recieve my done. I think these non-compassionate assholes do this as extra punishent. I know its crazy but I have checked and they do not give inmates methadone. I have to start my time Oct, 15, so that gives me about 6 weeks to do my best and detox. I would rather do it now in my own bed than on concrete in jail. I have been doing research on Buprenephrine (hopefully I spelled that right) And I was wondering if anyone has went the Bupren. route for treatment. I would like to know if its possible to do it in 6 weeks. I am scared shitless of the road ahead, But I figure I need to just nut up and do it. I would like to hear others coments. Thanks everyone for listening.
That is 8* mgm. By straight, I mean in my own head, i'm okay with it. Not in a AA way. They say one pill is a relapse, They are pretty straight forward with thier steps and traditions. Went to NA for six years and worked a perfectly, honest program. Eventually quit meetings, and relapsed. Altho
I don't go to meetings at present, I am okay with how I am feeling, and I know there is one across
the highway if I feel the need every night of the week.
I don't go to meetings at present, I am okay with how I am feeling, and I know there is one across
the highway if I feel the need every night of the week.
from what i read on here, if you aren't on it to long and you taper it's not too bad. and don't feel guilty for getting help. i would have if i had had the money to and had known then what i know now.
Lucy
Lucy
Does the Suboxone I take have the stigma that Methadone has? Am I going to have a hard time getting off it? I feel guilty for just feeling good when I hear of everyone struggling. I take *mgm under my tounge everyday like a vitamin, and in my head, I'm straight. I quit weed and everything. I don't want to burst my own bubble, but am I in for a rude awakining when its time to get off the shyt?
Yes i just re posted an old post from a few months ago on the other forum.. Its called Detox nutrition and the dangers of methodone... it has alot of good info on ways to get off..from a doc who has treated hundreds of people on methodone..
hello, first of all congrats for staying clean almost a year now or maybe a year. I'm on methadone maintance also. I've been on for six years and clean for five on methadone. I know there are a lot of drugs you can do on maintance so I just wanted to say way to go.
I'm working on a taper now myself. I'm comming down 2mill a week from 95mill to now 37 mill. So far I'm feeling well. I'm getting a few symtoms but nothing back breaking.. I would say to take your time tapering. Don't get to excited to get off and speed the taper.
gotta go, take care
I'll post again later
I'm working on a taper now myself. I'm comming down 2mill a week from 95mill to now 37 mill. So far I'm feeling well. I'm getting a few symtoms but nothing back breaking.. I would say to take your time tapering. Don't get to excited to get off and speed the taper.
gotta go, take care
I'll post again later
WOW. Your story is so touching. Familiar too.
I have been posting quite a bit on this site for the last few days and it seems everytime I read a new post, I can identify more and more. i am starting to sound like a thousand year old lady with my stories. But this one brought back so much for me, I had to post.
Although heroin and methadone are not part of my problem today, they were, more than once in my life.
I began shooting heroin when I was sixteen. I shot for just about a year and then I met someone who helped me to get on methadone and I kicked. It didn't seem as hard that time because I was young, and in better health, and I think because I didn't shoot that long. It was almost 40 years ago, and my memory is not so good these days, but I do remember that kicking the meth was hard. Harder than the h at that time.
Some ten years or so later I began shooting H again. This time it was worse. It consumed me and took me down hard. I ran the streets for years. That stuff took everything from me. It took my family, my friends, my career, and nearly my life. I went to two rehabs and used as soon as I came out. I just couldn't stop. After my third arrest I was court ordered to enter a methadone program again. You know the story: then I couldn't get off the methadone. I guess there not much talk of tapering in those days, at least not that I remember. I tried on my own to quit meth and it was so d*** hard. I gave up and I was back on the streets. One more arrest and the last one sent me back into rehab (or face jail).
I did 60 some odd days in rehab, and this time it worked for me. I relocated to another state and in two weeks it will have been 18 years since I shot h.
You think I would have got it after that, but an accident 9 years ago led me to an addiction to pain meds. It was amazing after all those years just how much I could tolerate, and so quick. I was right back in no time flat.
Last week I started a Suboxone program to get off the pain meds. My doc informed me I would be on Sub for a year. No way! I have already begun weaning off of these and don't plan to be on them more than a few weeks. I am praying that I can do it.
The bottom line is that I am sick and tired of being sick and tired, as they say. All I am doing now, and have done in the past, is replace one drug with another. At this stage in my life that is not good enough.
I think it is wonderful that you want off of the meth. That's a huge step. I think your tapering off idea is a great plan. My suggestion is to talk to the folks at the meth clinic and talk to a medical doctor. You have been on meth some time now and your "tapering off" should proably be supervised.
Again Tay, thank you for your post. I hope something I said may help you.
Keep posting and let people know how you are doing. If I can ever help, I am here ( a lot).
Take care of yourself. My prayers are with you.
I have been posting quite a bit on this site for the last few days and it seems everytime I read a new post, I can identify more and more. i am starting to sound like a thousand year old lady with my stories. But this one brought back so much for me, I had to post.
Although heroin and methadone are not part of my problem today, they were, more than once in my life.
I began shooting heroin when I was sixteen. I shot for just about a year and then I met someone who helped me to get on methadone and I kicked. It didn't seem as hard that time because I was young, and in better health, and I think because I didn't shoot that long. It was almost 40 years ago, and my memory is not so good these days, but I do remember that kicking the meth was hard. Harder than the h at that time.
Some ten years or so later I began shooting H again. This time it was worse. It consumed me and took me down hard. I ran the streets for years. That stuff took everything from me. It took my family, my friends, my career, and nearly my life. I went to two rehabs and used as soon as I came out. I just couldn't stop. After my third arrest I was court ordered to enter a methadone program again. You know the story: then I couldn't get off the methadone. I guess there not much talk of tapering in those days, at least not that I remember. I tried on my own to quit meth and it was so d*** hard. I gave up and I was back on the streets. One more arrest and the last one sent me back into rehab (or face jail).
I did 60 some odd days in rehab, and this time it worked for me. I relocated to another state and in two weeks it will have been 18 years since I shot h.
You think I would have got it after that, but an accident 9 years ago led me to an addiction to pain meds. It was amazing after all those years just how much I could tolerate, and so quick. I was right back in no time flat.
Last week I started a Suboxone program to get off the pain meds. My doc informed me I would be on Sub for a year. No way! I have already begun weaning off of these and don't plan to be on them more than a few weeks. I am praying that I can do it.
The bottom line is that I am sick and tired of being sick and tired, as they say. All I am doing now, and have done in the past, is replace one drug with another. At this stage in my life that is not good enough.
I think it is wonderful that you want off of the meth. That's a huge step. I think your tapering off idea is a great plan. My suggestion is to talk to the folks at the meth clinic and talk to a medical doctor. You have been on meth some time now and your "tapering off" should proably be supervised.
Again Tay, thank you for your post. I hope something I said may help you.
Keep posting and let people know how you are doing. If I can ever help, I am here ( a lot).
Take care of yourself. My prayers are with you.
there is a great post with alot of information on the other addiction forum here...you might want to look and read. it is posted by Fladdict.
if you don't know where it is...scroll to the top of this page. look under the two pictures of the doctors. under the heading of medical communities, you will see addiction...click on it and it will take you to the other site.
hope the post helps you.
kim
if you don't know where it is...scroll to the top of this page. look under the two pictures of the doctors. under the heading of medical communities, you will see addiction...click on it and it will take you to the other site.
hope the post helps you.
kim
i am going to try to get some sleep, but i will be back on in a few hours. this time the sleeplessness is menopause, LOL. i will be glad to help you in any way i can.
Lucy
Lucy
I have kicked methadone. clean from it for 2 1/2 months now. it was the hardest thing i've ever done, but well worth it. it had turned me into a zombie, rotted my teeth, stolen my memory, and nearly cost me my life. not to mention the 35 lbs i gained. there is no way to do it painlessly, sorry to say. you should get a doctors help. some people have good luck using a suboxone clinic. you have to start the suboxone within 12 to 15 hours after stopping the methadone, so make sure ou can get into one first, and don't stay on it for long, as it is addictive too. the reason methadone is so hard to kick is the long half-life it has. traces of it stay in your system for months. most will be gone after a week of totally being off, but the cravings go on for awhile after that. try to get a couple of weeks off when you get tapered to the point you are really feeling it. and like i said, try to find an understanding dr. who is willing to work with you. good luck. hope i haven't scared you off, cause it truly is worth getting your life back.
Lucy
Lucy
Taytay
I have heard from my friends who went the methadone route that meth wds are very hard to kick but not impossible.
I have a childhood friend who's sister I used to shoot dope with. This girl is on methadone maintenace since like, 1983. Still doing it today Her sister died when she and I were in our twenties and Im godmom to her son who is doing 25 to life on a 3 strikes deal. All he did was burglary, didnt even have a weapon but it was his third strike. Now, I play "daughter" to her grieving mom who has one daughter burried and her other on methadone AND probably other drugs.
I DONT BLAME YOU FOR WANTING OUT OF THAT LIFE! It is not pretty. Congrats on wanting to change that.
Taper and get off. I dont know how much at a time but tell whoever you get it from that you want OFF.
There is so much more to life than obessesing on our addiction. An entire world awaits us.
Parks, fairs, plays, movies, museums, concerts,..................etc. Lets get free and take it.
It is so worth going through some pain and emotional ups and downs for.
Welcome to our forum and hang tight, you are on the right track.
I have heard from my friends who went the methadone route that meth wds are very hard to kick but not impossible.
I have a childhood friend who's sister I used to shoot dope with. This girl is on methadone maintenace since like, 1983. Still doing it today Her sister died when she and I were in our twenties and Im godmom to her son who is doing 25 to life on a 3 strikes deal. All he did was burglary, didnt even have a weapon but it was his third strike. Now, I play "daughter" to her grieving mom who has one daughter burried and her other on methadone AND probably other drugs.
I DONT BLAME YOU FOR WANTING OUT OF THAT LIFE! It is not pretty. Congrats on wanting to change that.
Taper and get off. I dont know how much at a time but tell whoever you get it from that you want OFF.
There is so much more to life than obessesing on our addiction. An entire world awaits us.
Parks, fairs, plays, movies, museums, concerts,..................etc. Lets get free and take it.
It is so worth going through some pain and emotional ups and downs for.
Welcome to our forum and hang tight, you are on the right track.
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