Long term methadone reduction

[BigBootJack]

Hello, I've been reading some of the posts here and there are some great ideas. I found this place while looking into Methadone withdrawal.

I have been on meth for 11 years through long term drug addiction. I have tried to get off this stuff no less than eight times. I haven't used illicit drugs in five years and so started a reduction of methadone two and a half years ago. I went from 60 of the liquid too 55 and in that fashion all the way down to 15. I did this every month. Then I started doing 2 ml drops monthly to lessen withdrawal.

I still felt like **** every time, but just tried to get on with my life. I wish all those years ago I had not went too the meth clinic and just coped with the Heroin because in my opinion meth was so much worse. But, that wasn't to be. I ended up on a eleven year nightmare with this stuff, once even ending in my stay in a mental institution.

Now though, I am nearly off it. I had to admit to myself that this was a long term thing. I always tried various methods of getting of it. In my book it was an injustice that I was on it, I didn't want to hear of long term solutions. I just wanted my life back, and quickly. But, I tried cold turkey and everything else until I came to see I wasn't getting anyplace. I take my hat off to those that have done it this way, but it isn't for most. Take it slow and steady, easy does it and you'll get there. Don't worry about what others are doing, just concentrate on yourself.  

On Monday I go on to 4 of the liquid. I still have hard days, but it doesn't last long now. I look forward now and don't worry about what others think I should be doing, I'm the one who has to live it 24 hours per day. Those doctors and counselors can go home and forget about it. I am the one who has to sit at three in the morning wondering what I will do to get through the night.

There is life after methadone. It just seems so big at times and you feel so small. Or, maybe thats just me being paranoid.

[jaymi78]

i completly agree with ben 24 i have been on methadone for 3 years this time and have tried many times to ask for help from varius drugs teams, most of whom dont want to help you get off and make things as difficult as possible for those of us who have had enough of being on it. i have got to the point where my whole life is methadone, im back on daily supervised pick up again despite proving i have not been using for three years, providing clean samples and attending all my appointments, i want my life back. i have decided this time if i am not helped with my reduction i will do myself, im lucky my pharmasist has agreed that each day i go in i cqn leave a bit in the bottle to wean myself off it. i know what my body is capable of and resent being treated the qway i am by so called care workers. my partner knows nothing about methadone and has to watch what i gpo through not knowing what to do and with some doctors giving out wrong information he doesnt know who is telling him the truth when it comes to the stuff, being an ex "addict" my word doesnt count fpor miuch unfortunatly, the other night i had thrown up my methadone in the morning and come the evening i was suffering, he wanted to call the doctor out as he didnt know how to help me but i kn ew this wouldnt do much as doctors dont want to give you more than paracetomol! we phoned at 11pm and the doctor didnt come till 4am by which time i had thrown myself round the room, kicked off and gone through most of the worst of it while my poor partner sat there not knowing what was happening to me. i started on 10ml in prison and was put up more and more over ther year, my highest was 100ml! i have now got myself down to 55ml and  am trying to reduce 10ml every week or two weeks. i am so sick of waking up in the morning needed the sh*t stuff and not wanting to do anything till ive had it, i cant go away for weekends, dont want t5o book holiday in case the worst ha[ppened and i lost my meth or was sick etc and be miles away from home. i have asked to go to rehab to put and end to my battle with drugs but its almost impossible to get in. it seems the more you try to help yourself you arer left out of services. all i want is help no wonder peoople give up and relapse, i am so frustrated i want to give up at times!!

[ben24]

i have been on state controlled methadone e.g 60 ml 1mg/1ml sugar free mixture for about 5 years now and i am tottally fed up with it , its almost if my local drug services dont want me to come off the drug.  i asked for a methadone detox in our local detoxification centre, namely BAYTREES which is located in Portsmouth, Hampshire, my local drug agency is Kingsway House which is also in the same locality, anyhow when i asked for the chance to do a 4 week detox i was refused help by the main Dr who sits on the pannel who decide which treatment people need.  Anyway this Dr , Dr T . Bradbier DECLINED my chances of going in to do a detox and basically said for long term users the chance of success was very slim.  WELL EXCUSE ME DR BRADBIER AND BAYTREES I DO HAVE A LIFE AND HAVE AMBITIONS AND WOULD LIKE TO GET OF THIS GREEN CRAP AND GET BACK TO WORK!!!  AND HAVE HOLIDAYS WITHOUT TRYING TO ARRANGE  A HOLIDAY 10 WEEKS IN ADVANCE AND THEN CHECK WITH THE COUNTRYS EMBASSY IF I CAN TAKE THE DRUG INTO THE COUNTRY.  basically i might as well be in prison , i have to goto the same chemist 6 times a week to pick up my methadone and work my whole life around the methadone.  surely wouldnt it be in the publics interest to get me off this stuff and back into full time employment so i can be a productive a useful citizen, notwithstanding have a decent standard of living.
the service in portsmouth is discusting i am so ashamed off the services offered to poeple who actually want to get clean.
thanks for reading
ben. s

[BigBootJack]

Thanks you so much for you're Kind words. Penelope14, j34 and Becky102. I also extend my best wishes to you all. This sites awesome, I know I am not alone now.

Today went down to the methadone clinic and went on my 4 ml. I am a little scared as this thing has been a part of my daily life for so long. I am very happy though that it's almost over and would never go back the way.

Becky102, I also have experienced the brain fog. I also know it gets better. Tell your husband that my thoughts and emotions evened out eventually, as will his. All the best to him.

I think I'll go do some work in the garden to take my mind off the new dose. I probably won't notice it for a few days yet though. I'll definitely be checking back now and then to see how you're all doing.

[Becky102]

That's a big accomplishment to have come as far as you have.  You're almost there!  My husband has been on methadone even longer than you have and is trying to taper.  He's gone from 130 mgs to 75mgs per day over a period of maybe 6 months.  We expect it to take a long time to get off and to get harder as the dose gets lower.  
He's having a lot of trouble sleeping already and he seems to be experiencing a kind of "brain fog" where he has trouble getting out a thought.  He has trouble thinking of the word he wants and I'm always finishing his sentences for him.  I'm wondering if you or anyone else experienced this while doing your taper or if it's unrelated.
From what I've read you can expect to feel terrible for the first 3 weeks after your final dose and then gradually get better.  Take a look at the Thomas Recipe and the Amino Acid Protocol which you can find on this website under most viewed health pages (on the right side of the page).  
My advice is to keep reading this forum because there's a lot of good advice and support here.  Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!  

[j34]

I can undetstand about feeling so small. It's a big world out there! I am so happy that you are on the foruum.No it isnt' you being paranoid.The range of emotions I am going through is just amazing.It's like going to the PNE and hitting the rollercoaster everytime!. All the best ...j

[Penelope14]

I can relate to what your saying, & understand what you mean about doing things your way & on your terms. I also did a slow detox off methadone, I tapered off of 90mgs then jumped off at 2mgs, this took me almost one year, I was on it for 5 years & just felt that I didnt want to live the rest of my life on methadone, as many people do. I must say that the first 3 weeks were the worst, after that it got better. It has now been 5 months since my last dose of methadone & I couldnt be happier with my accomplishment of getting off of methadone & staying off of it & not returning to using other opiates. I wish you the best!  Your almost their!!! Penelope