How long does it take for me to get addicted to Methadone? I have a reason for this question...

[wayway1414]

Ok, so i am wondering how long it takes in order for my body to become dependent on methadon? Like, how long does someboy "typically" have to take it in order for them to go through withdrawls when quitting?
I am contemplating on taking Methadone for just a few days to help me get off of Prescription pills. I take quite a bit of them...........like 15-20 Norco's 10/325 a day. This has just got to stop, but I know that i will never succeed past the first 8-10 days without some help! I am just wondering if i was to take Methadone about everyother day for the 1st 10 days or so, then do you think my withdrawls will be worse due to the Methadone? Do you think that my body will be dependent on it by then? Even if i only take it every other day, which would=about 5 days worth? I would do it that way because i know that Methadone stays in the system way longer than the typical Norco/pain pill.

I hope i am able to get some help with this. Again, the main question i am asking is "Do you think that i will be dependent on the Methadone after the 10 days are up?"

[gnarly_1]

Hi  and welcome to the forum.....I would go to your clinic and get a taper plan   it is harder in the lower doses and if you go by 5s your going to feel like you got hit by a truck from 20 down it is going to take some time  this is a war one by the tortus not the hare  just take your time and do it right......................Gnarly.................

[razz1973]

Slowly decrease.  Anything faster would surely knock you off your horse.. Will power plays no part in this...you need commitment and you also need to find a way to relieve yourself when the storm comes. You can't just sit there and hope to get past it with that "will power" of ours.. Hot showeres really help when you are at your worse

[crazyworld_cr]

Ive been taking 25mg daily for 5 weeks, and will keep for 2 months more, but maybe every 2 days. How should be my plan for withdrawal? Im planning on passing from 25 to 20 in 1 week, from 20 to 15 in another week, and so on until 5, then 2.5 for a week, then 2.5 every other day... for a week then stop... help pls?

[PurrfectlyKrazy]

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[tman2]

wayway
I at one time was taking 140mgs of Methadone a day, and got put in jail for child support. It took me a month before I could function, and another 8 months before I felt anywhere near normal. That was in 2003 and I've been clean ever since. That was one hard nut to crack. I had kicked heroin 10 or more times prior to that. I have on a few occasions took methadone for 5 days and just walked away from a heroin addiction. I was real tired for a couple of weeks, but not sick. Pills on the other hand I think have a longer half life, so I think it takes about a week to get through the bad part; although, with morphine sulfate as the exception it was just like kicking heroin to me. You can kick drugs and stay clean if you really want it. For me I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I used a NA and AA after I got out of jail, and I have been clean 13 years now. Feels good not being sick when I wake up. My sister called me and asked me to send some info on how her friend could get off Norco. Heck, I didn't realize it was the same thing as Vicodin, so I'm gathering info to email her. If you're going to take methadone to kick your habit don't take it more than 5 days, and go to some meetings after those 5 days to help you stay on track. Tell them you need help, and you would be surprised at what lengths they will go to help you. Good luck wayway hope it works for you...

[tman2]

wayway
I at one time was taking 140mgs of Methadone a day, and got put in jail for child support. It took me a month before I could function, and another 8 months before I felt anywhere near normal. That was in 2003 and I've been clean ever since. That was one hard nut to crack. I had kicked heroin 10 or more times prior to that. I have on a few occasions took methadone for 5 days and just walked away from a heroin addiction. I was real tired for a couple of weeks, but not sick. Pills on the other hand I think have a longer half life, so I think it takes about a week to get through the bad part; although, with morphine sulfate as the exception it was just like kicking heroin to me. You can kick drugs and stay clean if you really want it. For me I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I used a NA and AA after I got out of jail, and I have been clean 13 years now. Feels good not being sick when I wake up. My sister called me and asked me to send some info on how her friend could get off Norco. Heck, I didn't realize it was the same thing as Vicodin, so I'm gathering info to email her. If you're going to take methadone to kick your habit don't take it more than 5 days, and go to some meetings after those 5 days to help you stay on track. Tell them you need help, and you would be surprised at what lengths they will go to help you. Good luck wayway hope it works for you...

[Paisan777]

Your not taking that much ...if I were you I would  just go through it for a week and it will be over ... Methadone for only taking 20 hydros a day is overkill and methadone is horrible to get off of ... I was taking 50-60 ...30 mg Oxys a day and even I'm mad I went to methadone because I'm stuck ... I wish I just bit the bullet cause it's almost impossible to quit the methadone   Please do more research cause I wish someone talked me out if it

[buddycrunch]

It was my understanding that addiction already exists.  Methadone is twice the strength, so if used to 5 pills at a time.................. plus longer half life could lead to an OD.

I took a person to an ER in january that switched from oxy's to methadone.  It scares me.

this could easily get out of control

[snowflake24]

No. You cannot get addicted to methadone in ten days......but all you are doing is dragging out the withdrawals, because when your done taking the methadone,,, i guarantee you will be sick. I titrated down to 10mgs and im still not eating or sleeping barely....three weeks later. It is the one of the hardest opiates to break free from. I highly do NOT recommend it. You need to start a tapering plan or quit cold turkey, thats just my opinion. Good luck.

[vicki595]

Nabes- it's not a good idea to put yourself on methadone. It will only postpone the wd's that you will eventually have...and I'm sure you don't want that.
There's no easy way around this, you just need to go through it. We'll be here...

[buddycrunch]

some suppliers can be pushy relatives or friends.  The more you try to quit, the more they give out free ones.

[buddycrunch]

i'm not sure where the methadone is coming from, know its potenial for addiction, I didn't like the sound of an addicted person managing methadone,  

What didn't "look good" was the potenial of more addition.  Sure that taper plan may work, but is very tough to stick with on your own.

[ImDONENoMore]

Definitely NOT hopeless.. you can do this you just need to have a good plan in place for the withdrawal and for your aftercare.  But there is always HOPE if you want to change.

[vicki595]

What isn't looking good, buddycrunch??

Nabes, this isn't hopeless so please don't think you're stuck!  Start your own thread by clicking on "post a question"...

Well try to help...

[buddycrunch]

IMO, not looking good

[Nabes]

I'm gonna take your advise Tess that sounds like a good way to do it. It just ***** because Im a full time student also and the energy thing contributes to my everyday life and I use to use to keep me going but I gotta get through this

[ImDONENoMore]

Hi nabes and welcome.

I think we need more info, and it would be good if you could post your own question and start a new thread.  The older threads tend to get overlooked here.

Have you tried quitting before?

[Nabes]

I'm going through this right now..I feel trapped about 20 hydros a Day 5 at a time. It's a disease and it ruined my life. I'm trying to figure out the easiest way to get out of this and I was thinking the same thing to take methadone every other day so I can at least go through life and not be laying in my bed flopping like a fish.

[tess38]

Take the methadone for 5 or 6 days and then stop you wontget addicted that fast if you do its mental.   It willhelp you through your wd just take one good dose and taper down with it every day till day five sure you wont have a bunch of energy bit it will comeback in time good luck

[avisg]

nobody goes into it thinking they are going to get addicted and seen as you have an addiction problem you would be surprised how fast it can happen. I would talk to your doctor about coladine it will help with alot of you wd and it is not addicting.

[wayway1414]

Well, I know that methadone can be very addictive! I have no desire to abuse it and i know i wouldn't even go there with it. I also know that i am going to have to go through some kind of withdrawls... but the first 8-10 for me are to much and i know that i won't make it if i don't have any help. I just want to get through the part where i am completely unable to sleep.

[Cupp78]

Be very careful with methadone.  I was one of those who said, hey I'll just use it to get off of OC.  Well, 2 months later I had a pretty bad methadone habit.  I could't have a bottle of pills sitting there and not take enough to get high.  That's just me though.  It does work for some, but I would let someone else keep it for your and dispense the minimum amount you need to get by.  

However, don't think that taking it for a while will eliminate the w/ds and general feeling bad when you stop the MD.  You are still going to have it when you stop taking the methadone.  The bottom line is, you are giving your body something from the outside that it doesn't make on its own.  Your body doesn't really care what it is...it just knows its getting it and it wants more of it to keep feeling the same.  Whne you stop it is going to tell you it wants more and you are going to have to fight with yourself to beat that little demon inside.  Not trying to scare you, just prepare you.  It may suck for a while, but it will be worth it in the end.

[avisg]

I think you would just end up delaying your wds and most likely have them after you stop the methadone which in turn might make it worse. you are taking between 100 and 150 mg a day honestly it wont be a fun week but wd are over in about a week I would just try to push threw it not add on to it.

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

It may be dose dependent ......... how much of a methadone dose are you contemplating?

[denbrin]

i am new on this site and have been reading for hours...great information...read everything you can about methadone...I have seen nothing good written about it due to the amount of time it stays in your system and WDs.  I would not fool with it at all if I were you.  someone here can help if you read enough, this site it great.  GL