How to keep Methadone maintenance private

[BobMarley714]

     Hello, I want to know how I can keep my maintenance private.  A little background-I have been clean for 13 years thanks to Methadone maintenance.  I have Tourrettes' syndrome, and the unbelievable thing about this drug is that it is the ONLY thing that has ever worked to keep this condition under control.  I used to have extremely bad tics and made strange noises, said srange words repetitively,sniffled uncontrollably,and contrary to popular belief, never shouted out a curseword.  when I was about 24 I got into a waverunner accident, broke my ankle and tore some tendons in my thigh/hip, was given Percocet. a month later I got into a car accident and pulled out the ankle again and broke my foot. again given an opiate, this time Vicodin, meanwhile I had chronic bronchitis,and was given cough syrup with Codeine. I heard that these could be addictive, but I felt no withdrawal and assumed that I wasn't at risk, or that I had a strong willpower thing or whatever, but one day I couldn't get out of bed, and the rest is history as any addict knows. after trying to get clean a thousand times- always cold turkey, and hearing all the horror stories about methadone maintenance, and seeing the clinic for myself in Philly,in a very bad neighborhood, I swore I'd never go into a program like that. anyway I moved to a nicer neighborhood in a different rural state, and saw the local clinic, a very nice doctor's office,in a great neighborhood, I surrendered and went in.  This decision saved my life, not a doubt in my mind about that.  an unexpected bonus is that after 30 years of the twitching, noises, strange body movements and everything else that goes with tourrettes- the embarrassment and harassment that any Tourrettes sufferer knows all too well, the very first day in treatment within the hour I was first given a dose of Methadone,a weight wasd lifted off of my body and mind and all the symptoms I had for as long as I can remember just stopped. Period.  Stopped.  I couldn't believe it, but it WAS true.  I had planned to just taper off the Methadone as quickly as was (safely and uncomfortably) possible.  The relief I have from the Tourrette's symptoms far oughtweigh the inconvenience of having to go to the clinic several days a week, and is keeping me on it to this day.  This was not a problem with my family,all knew I was better and it kept me clean.  Last September I met a new, fantastic woman, My Fiancee', who understands completely,and I am so grateful for that, but her family,(who are the only ones we really see since I am 300 miles away from what was my home DOES NOT.  My problem is that her aunt stays at our house several times a week, as she babysits for us.  I am running out of excuses why I have to go out early in the morning so much, and I wonder, and hope that someone with a similar problem can help.  What do you say you do?  You, by law, do not have to disclose this information to ANYBODY, not even your doctor, if you do not want to, but in reality this is not practical, if you want to keep the peace, and good standing in your family, job and life.  I rarely lie, and I do not want to tell a falsehood if I can explain it another way. but I do not mind leaving out part of the story, as they say what they don't know won't hurt them, well I do not want to hurt ANYBODY, especially not the woman I love and her-(our) son.  If anyone out there has any suggestions at all, or advice or help of any kind, this would be appreciated more than you could possibly know, and if I can return the favor or pay it forward, I will.  Thanks for reading this far anyway, and to all those suffering addicts-and Tourrettes' sufferers, DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE.  Try it for yourself. believe me I SWORE I'd never use Methadone, and it almost killed me-and treatment is a million times better than the alternative-Dead, sick, or jail.  if you think it cant happen to you-as I did- give it some time and look around you. This can happen to anyone-even if you are extremely careful. Good luck to everyone, and believe me if I can do it-so can you.  Again thanks for any help you may give, and I look forward to hearing from anyone at all.  Peace, it is out there.
                                                                                                                                      BobMarley,
                                                                                                                                      not my real name.

[gnarly_1]

hi there are doctors that will dispence methadone without having to go to te clinics to getit ....its 2013 hit the iternent and imean hit it dont stop till you find one to treat you your  worth it and loose all the shame of dosing aat a clinic imin a hospitall right now i willright yuo more when i get home good luck and god bless..Gnarly

[atthebeach]

hey bob marley,
it is possible to get take homes?
go the days the aunt isn't there?
do you leave and then come home?

[vicki595]

Oh!  BobMarley isn't your real name??  haha

You really don't have to tell the aunt anything. It's your house and your private business. But...you sound like a sensitive guy so just do what you feel comfortable with. Has she asked where you're going everyday?  Or do you feel you "owe" an explanation?

I know people judge BUT, on the other hand, that's on THEM! You know what YOU'RE all about and you need to feel confident. Maybe you're judging yourself too harshly and you think others will?  

This is a dilemma...and it's hard to suggest what you should do because no one knows the dynamics of this family. What does your fiancé suggest?

For me, I don't care who knows what about me. I don't care if I'm judged. I'm very comfortable now with my life and I accept the shortcomings of those who may judge me...

I guess you just need to do what the situation calls for and stay strong about your life choice.  I'll tell you though, I think it's great that methodone helps the Tourette symptoms; they ARE hell and you've got nothing to feel ashamed about, if that's the case.

Good luck to you!