???? about methadone

I'm curious as to why doctors/clinics use methadone to get people off of oxy (or whatever) if it's just as addictive and harder to detox than the oxy?  I've got a brother-in-law I'm concerned about....now that I've gone to hell and back....  I can understand using it for herion, but percs?  Thanks.

[avisg]

Thats a very good question , i  dont think it should be used , we have had people come in saying they were going on methadone for as little as 10 to 12 pill a day hydro problems it breaks my heart people really dont realize what they are getting them self into ,then they end up stuck on meth for years and years and go threw hell to get off the methadone

[usarmymedic1]

I did the methadone route to get off lorcets but it was only for an 8 day tapper which really help out alot for me any way but you are right going on methadone mantinance is not a good idea. I was on 80-100mg of hydro's aday that is what I was perscribed for 4 1/2 years so you can look at it in 2 ways mantince and tapper I started out at 30mg of meth and droped to 5mg in 8 days then stopped. my w/d were mild to some that I see on here.

chris

[Flutterby111]

thank you for your responses....the 8 day taper seems appropriate...the maintenance seems just as bad if not worse than the pills....it's a shame.  My brother in law's father is on the same program and asked to taper off of the methodone and the clinic counselor told him it was a bad idea----hmmmm.....now that's pretty $ad isn't it?

[wait2long]

methadone is just an awful drug...its like adding fuel to the fire...i dont get it either...nevermind the fact that we are addicts and most have gotten this way because of the control issue we had with our drug od choice to begin with...but they are expected to control themselves with methadone???  it just doesnt work...its awful...
heroin, is a whole other issue...agreed to a point, but i have heard H. addicts say they would rather go cold turkey off heroin 5 times before detoxing off methadone once...that in itself says a lot!

[usarmymedic1]

Yeah that is the thing about me I went to the VA hospital detox center so no money changes hand they only have the patients best intrested at hand cause they get paid the same no matter what the Dr.'s do. That is why I like the military medical system and the VA. it helps that the Dr.'s don't have $$$$ in there eyes when they see a new Patient.. That is the way it should be though but medicine has become buissness and not patient related health care.

[avisg]

also very important methadone should NOT be used to detox on you own it needs to be done by a doctor or a detox facilty ........

There were 3800 related deaths related to methadone for the year 2007, up from 389 for the year 2006...and a lot of them just took 1 pill, first time users...dead!!

[Flutterby111]

Do you think there is anything I can do or say at this point to my bro-in-law to try to help him?  We're not close....he know I was going through withdrawls a few weeks ago and offered to give me vicoden to help me taper...I declined.  I just went balls to the wall through hell and back...also.  If he's on methodone, would he get high on vics?  Family is saying they think he's taking them again.  Or what if he skipped the methodone 1 day, would vics help him that day?

[Flutterby111]

I know, I read your post about that....that's insane!  I'm so scared of pills now!  

[avisg]

hubby is in the ARMY so i know  all about  the military medical systems ,i am sure you will agree  needs an overhaul ....i am gald you came out ok on the other side

[avisg]

has he ever thought about sub .........I dont know if you skip the methadone what will happen if you take other things .does he want to stay on the methadone?

[Flutterby111]

Yes, I"m pretty sure he wants to stay on the methodone.  He just keeps on going to the clinic.  I'll check with my sister....

[worried878]

From what I understand as my son used to work in a methadone clinic....it was a way to get addicts off the streets buying drugs...this way it was controlled and methadone has a long half life so the person can come each day to get their dose...after a certain amount of time you can come once a week and get your weeks worth if you were a good rehabber....in other words...clean drug test for a while as they make them take them frequently and if you take benzos or anything else it will show and u r in trouble...can get kicked out....Methadone was the thing to do before sub it sounds like....so people could work and function without drugging illegally   I am not sure but do wonder..Is Sub easier to WD from than methadone?

[Flutterby111]

THat's what I'm trying to find out....maybe this effort is all for not...but whatever,,,I'm on here anyways, so what the hay?!?! LOL

[wait2long]

nothing is worse to withdraw from then methadone...NOTHING!!
sub is easier IF done properly and as low and as slow as you can go...
i have read a lot of success stories with it elsewhere...

[Flutterby111]

I will definatly take your advice and when the time is right, I'll approach him....it'll be tough, since we rarely have opportunity, but my neice, nephew, and sister in law's lives wil lbe greatly impacted either way!  Thank you....I've already looked up some local doctors who administer Sub.

[wait2long]

well good luck hun...let me know if you need anything...

[mr.lucky66]

I've seen people who were on vics or percs end up on methadone on very high doses. I don't like this because they are way more addicted than before and in the presense of a criminal element (that I was a part of), that is at most all clinics. "Methadone, there's no future in it".  all the best

[wait2long]

i couldnt agree with you more....
are you off methadone now?

[mr.lucky66]

No I've been of dope and done for over 5 years and am so glad. "Methadone, there's no future in it". all the best

[addictedme]

The last time I was useing heroin I"d pick my connection up everyday and get him to the meth clinic by noon then we"d go look for heroin. The differance between me and him then was I was getting sick the longer it took to cop,,he wasnt and 8 yrs later hes still useing heroin after his morning dose ,,I"m clean now after ct and a daily program of change

[wait2long]

congratulations to you!!!  that is a HUGE accomplishment!!!
i am happy for you both.... :)
you have a lot to be proud of...it must have been hard for you both, but you overcame it and are on the other side now... awesome job!!!

[addictedme]

I was just thinkin,,I never sat in a dope house or even shot dope with a friend and was told "awesome job",,you should be proud,,one of the big positives of being a RECOVERYING addict is hearing (reading) comments like yours,,Thank you

[mr.lucky66]

Thanks, I thought I'd be a methadonian for life and was on it (off and on it), for 25 years on many clinics. It is good to be free of it and now ciggs too. "Methadone, there's no future in it. all the best

[wait2long]

ANYTIME!!!
you damn well deserve the recognition for job well done...

[Flutterby111]

NO doubt!  Very nice job!  Quitting drugs is so hard....until you've had to do it, you just don't understand.....