I am Trying to get OFF METHADONE...BUT????

[Michi11]

I have been on Methadone for almost 4yrs.Now.I was addicted to Herion/coke.I was speedballing it and I just got sick of it,so got on Methadone.
Well,I have been clean off street drugs now for 2years,(I had a baby) so that was my REASON to become CLEAN,And Is my REASON for STAYING CLEAN.
One thing.....I am NOT REALLY "CLEAN" I still am on methadone,and I need it to Move on each day,plus I have so many OTHER PAINS IN MY BODY,from a car accident I had years ago,so I have all these EXCUSES to STAY ON...But I REALLY NEED TO GET OFF BUT JUST AM SCARED,I GUESS!PLEEASE ANYONE ...CAN YOU HELP ME WITH ANY ADVICE YOU MAY  have...thanks alot....

[theeagle]

I am thinking that you are going to a clinic for the methadone. Many clinics will "blind dose" you so that you dont even know what dose you are on. The dose is tapered and before long you can be finished. This has always appealed to me since it bypasses the anxieties involved with dropping the dose at your request.

Otherwise you wish to drop approximately 10% per week. Dont get in too large of a hurry. You didnt get there overnight and you wont resolve this overnight. I cold turkeyed my dose ....but I am still not sure if that was wise. It got the job done....but it took a while and it was misery while doing it. Stay strong and focused....you can do this..and good luck to you - - -

[tbirds]

Dont worry about getting of the methadone right now, And yes you are CLEAN you are still early in sobriety. Just think of Methadone as a anti-depresent that your Dr gives you to get thru your day,same as a anti-dep. Your doing so good keep it up and kick some freaken ***. Im a PA who works a lot with Methadone clients. Plus im on it myself. anything I can do to help just ask.

[tbirds]

Do you use a clinic and how often do you have to go?

[BobbyM]

I came here to post this same question wow...there is was first.  I feel with all my heart for you.  Its insidious and the hardest drug around to get off of.

I have been on Methadone pills for 11 years, I am down to 2 a day, and have a horrid doctor who could care less after moving to a new county.  That and the getting off are about to do me in.  I need help.

Since I am on the tablets 10mg. can someone please suggest a way to do this.  You cannot crush them as when you do something happens to the half life and by morning your sick as a dog.  I mixed them in water or juice but it just does not work.  And the waffers are no longer legal in California and they were great to detox on.  

I kicked opiates herion and dilaudid many many times and in 5 days or less you see a light at the end of the tunnel.  I am soooo afraid.  

I am writing this for my wife and myself.  
I am 70 she is 56.

We also cannot go into detox as Medicare only pays for a week and it ain't going to happen in a week.

Want our life back.  I am thinking of cold turkey is there anything to help take the edge offf I can talk to our doctor about, he may be receptive to this as he is trying to get rid of all his pain med patients what a guy....gets them hooked and now kicked to the curb.

Thank you very very much

[Michi11]

Yes,I have been going to a clinic now for over 3 yrs. I go 3x weely,and getting take homes on the other 4days,(DUE TO CLEAN TIME)
sO YOU THINK MAYBE ITS BEST TO sTAY ON UNTIL i AM AT LEAST SETTLED IN MY LIFE?  I AM SCARED IN A WAY OF THE W/D I WILL HAVE BUT WHEN THE TIME COMES I WILL DO MY BEST TO OVERCOME THAT FEAR AND JUST GET IT OVER.
I THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.I JUST FOUND THIS SITE AND LOVE IT,SO MANY TOPICS AND ITS GREAT....Y=THANKS ALOT!

[Tink1224]

Dont worry about getting of the methadone right now, And yes you are CLEAN you are still early in sobriety. Just think of Methadone as a anti-depresent that your Dr gives you to get thru your day,same as a anti-dep.
_________________________________________________________________________
Being on Methadone for 4 years is no being clean and sober.  I have been in recovery noiw for 29 years and have worked with many recovering Methadone addicts.  Not only have their health gone down the tubes from this drug, they have become totally dependent on it.  To think of it as a anti-depressant is one I have not heard yet and I have to say and do so respectfully I am shocked.

Other than to get off of heroin with a detox plan and even then since getting off opiates takes such a short time, methadone has been one of the biggest opportunists source of making money and downfall for many addicts ever.

Methodone gets you high period.  Its addicting period.  And its the hardest drug matched with Benzodiapines ever to get off of.  There is no reason to go on Methadone but they have conned even our government into believing so.  Now after many decades of people being on this insidious drug, we are seeing first hand what it is and what it really does.  There are hundreds of sites and forums with people begging for help to get off.  And the horror stories of health issues.
There is big money in Methadone Clinics.

They even have brochures that out right lie about side affects like if it causes bone loss, weight gain, high blood pressure, and if its addicting.  All true and more.

I have counseled , alcoholics, meth users, heroin addicts and nothing comes close to methadone in how hard it is to get off.

All I can say to those asking to get off is keep asking and get off.  For those at clinics they have a advanage as they can slowly reduce you and the last few weeks you will be on just juice and wll never know it.   For those on pills.  There are other non addicting drugs that can aide in the withdrawl symtoms.  Ask you doctor I do not give that advice as we are all different.

Good intentions do not equate to Clean and Sober.  Clean and Sober means you are not taking any mind altering substance.  Sobreity cannot be understood or achieved while your brain is still affected by mood altering drugs.  It sometimes takes months up to a year to be able to think clearly and comprehend the difference in life without the affects of these addicting drugs. It takes as long to stop craving them, and if your still taking them that craving is there regardless your best intentions.   Total abstinence a daily support system, willingness, and work = Clean and Sober.

You deserve it and its free...  Millions of addicts have made with, its not easy but then if it were as addicts we would wreck it anyway.   Its time to put the chemistry sets away for us addicts.  There is no quick fix, or magic cure.   But more drugs is not the answer.
I wanted to be clean and sober so bad I could taste it.  But without help I fell into the hands of people that were never addicts handing out advice and more drugs.  I am no longer alone and life is good.

[steveo30]

maybe you should read his post again,he wants off of meth,why would you say not to worry about the meth right now and you claim to be a p.a.. and by the way he is not clean right now,staying out of trouble maybe but not clean.  steveo

[Tink1224]

sO YOU THINK MAYBE ITS BEST TO sTAY ON UNTIL i AM AT LEAST SETTLED IN MY LIFE?  I AM SCARED IN A WAY OF THE W/D I WILL HAVE BUT WHEN THE TIME COMES I WILL DO MY BEST

NO why on earth would you stay on Methadone.  You say your going to meetings.  I do not understand.  The whole purpose of meetings are the willingness not to use any drugs, alcohol being a drug included.  Do you have a sponsor?  

I will not even work the steps with someone until they are clean and sober.  Its a contridiction totally.

I know that there are Methadone Anonymous meetings that have sprung up.  None of course are officially linked to Alcoholics Anonymous, as they do not conform to the Traditions and Concepts of Official 12 Step meetings.  And I also know that they will fight you tooth and nail if you say they are not clean and sober.  As a member of a 12 Step program I do not fight with anyone as we are not here to promote or adverstise we are a program of attraction, and we also have our bi-laws which I try hard to uphold.  I have a 12 step forum and even though the only requirement is a desire to stop using drugs, we do not condone or celebrate clean and sober time with people still using Methadone.  As addicts we know a little about something.  And what works for us may not work for you, but I want to make it clear that, there is no 12 steps for people still using.  Methadone Anonymous is not affiliated with A.A. or any official 12 step program of recovery.

[Tink1224]

Sorry the above post was for you.

4 Years in a program is a long time not to be clean and sober.  What kind of program ae you in if I may ask.  

[handofdoom66]

isnt smoking a drug, na Hippocrates,  the purpose of meth is not to do illegal drugs and stay the **** out of prison, granted its a hard drug to get off but if you want off it you get off it i was on 120mg for 3ys now im down to 1 1/2mgs and doing fine theirs nothing in the world that will make me go back to H. my advise is if you  could afford the monthly MMP do a slow taper listen to your body dont set dates to be done with the clinic either i have set dates and never meet them just had to up my dose cause i went down too fast which set me back even longer, it is do able, GOOD LUCK.

[mtgoat911]

i walked away from the clinic in 04, i was on 240mg a day
i was not clean, and was unable to truely care for my kids, infact i lost custody because of methadone,
the debate of na and clean time, is not important to me
i am only intersested in what you want to do about your problem
i have kicked methadone in jail (yes jail, an brain on opiates is a brain on opiates)
i kicked in a hospital, in my house, hell, i was on and off of it for years
enough about me
so what is it that you want?
here are some options
find a sitter go into residential treatment
use your take homes to detox
walk away, the easiest way to stop doing something is to stop doing it
send me an email if you need help with a taper plan
home tapers take alot of willingness!!

[BobbyM]

Sorry wrong.  Your doing drugs and going to jail has nothing to do with drugs.  That is your choice.  The biggest cop out in the world and used by people who do not want to get responsible and/or off drugs.  If you sober up a horse thief you get a sober horsethief.
You still want to feel the affects more than not. Comparing nicotine with Methadone is totally ridiculous in this situation.  Calling someone a hypocrite that has stopped using hard drugs is just plain ignorant.  Poor addicts have to kill and rob.  Please!!

And for the person who said walk away om 240 mg a day... yeah right.  They do not give out that amount anywhere.  And telling someone to walk away is just as ignorant as the person trying to compare nicotine with Methadone.  Hey sex is addicting maybe we should all keep doing Methadone and other drugs since we still f....ck.

Always some idiot coming in when people are trying to ask for help.

[Tink1224]

240 mg of Methadone? The State has to be brought in for any dose over 100mg.  70 to 80 mg will block almost any heroin use.  Bogus information can be deadly.  

NA AA Rehabs, church no one has a monopoly on getting clean and sober... the point is that these people are asking how to get off not stay on, therefore wanting to be drug free.  And like I saId when you talk about methadone in the negative it brings out those who will fight you...point proven.  Getting medical advise online is also not advisable.

I know however once clean and sober my life only changed once I changed.  Until then I always went back.  Drugs are only a symptom of underlying problems, No one has to stay high to stop doing illegal activity that is nonsense.  If you want to quit you will, and if you want to change you will.  We are survivors although when I was on Methadone I whinned like a baby saying I could not function without it, and once a addict always a addict. My methadone was free, and condoned...what better for a addict.  I shot cocaine for the 3 years I was on Methadone and never got kicked off..so was everyone I hung with, we even sold our Methadone and got caught but they kept us.  Big Money..and that is the bottom line.

[kim715]

Only want to address you saying that you don't believe anyone can be on 240 mgs of methadone.I was on methadone for almost 2 years,I'm coming up on 1 year clean in 2 weeks.I went to a clinic and there absolutely were people there that were on 240mgs.The highest amount I ever saw some one take at the clinic I went to was 255 mgs.
Mtgoat911 helps a lot of people here,especially those coming off of methadone.She walked away from the CLINIC at 240 mgs,BUT she didn't walk away from methadone that easily at that dose.She nearly lost her life.She wasn't suggesting that anyone walk away from that high of a dose.If you notice she offered to help with a taper plan.
I'm not real sure where you're anger is coming from my friend.Both of the people you addressed in your comment were trying to show support,letting the original poster know that they did it or are doing it so the original poster can do it too.
Theres a ton of help and support here.I hope you stick around and keep reading and posting.All the best to you.......Peace...Kim

[steveo30]

yes mtgoat has helped many people on this forum with meth and like kim said she offered a taper plan to michi.i think if anyone is an idiot it's you

[Tink1224]

Is Kim a a doctor?  What is the name of the clinic that people are on 200 and more of Methadone?  This only shows how these clinics are keeping people hooked.  240 mgs of Methadone is equivalent to 25 bags of heroin.  And the half lifes are 10 times higher than Heroin.  I have worked with heroin addicts that were hooked for 20 or more years and not one ever needed more than 100 mgs.  To raise someone above that is insanity,

And I surely would not take advice from someone calling someone names that claims to be clean and sober.  These clinics need to be investigated.  Very sad.

[kim715]

Not real sure what your problem is,did I say I was a doctor??????  I said I was on methadone for almost 2 years and I have personally witnessed someone being given 255 mgs of methadone.I also knew very little people that dosed at the clinic I went to that were on less then 100 mgs.Are YOU a doctor?????
People come here for help and to help others by sharing their personal experiences.Addiction is insanity at times and the clinics do want to keep the people hooked,IT'S ALMOST ALWAYS ABOUT THE MONEY with these clinics.
And by the way just who are you to question anyones clean time??????

[dominosarah]

  I dont know where you get off coming across like you do but maybe try some compassion........and anger management.  You sound very angry about something and you say you counsel addicts??            sara