Methadone, I want off!!

I have been using methadone twice as long as I was on heroin, (it will be two years in October). The stories I have heard about detoxing are rather discouraging. However,I cannot allow myself to become a "Lifer" Does anyone have any advice on how to approach getting off? My current dose is about 65 MG daily, in liquid form. I am feeling alot of pressure from my friends to stop; there is a great deal of social stigma attached to "the clinic". On the other hand my counselers keep telling me to take it slow. sometimes I wonder if they just want to keep taking my money; like a government sanctioned pusher. I am, frankly, very frightened and do not know what to do.

[fishman59]

Hey Tex3----your hotmail account is full,please empty some messages so I can send you one!!     Joe

[Lucy and Ricky]

I have heard that alot of methadone clinics encourage a "maintenance program" instead of a steady decrease until you are off methadone completly. Do your counselers flat out refuse to taper you down?I also know someone who was on methadone for 3 years and just 2 months ago finally got completly off. Are you on a reduction plan? He was, but it was such a gradual process that it took a while. Maybe that is what they are doing to you.

[alexandra_r]

I was on methadone maintenence for about a year over ten years ago.  The kick from methadone was nastier than any kick I ever did off of heroin (including 1 stint in a jail!).  Acute withdrawal was at least 2 weeks, where (sorry don't want to gross you out but) I was losing fluids from both ends simultaneously, stomach cramps, nausea, chills, sweats, shaking, general skin-crawling, heebie-jeebies, insomnia.  It was the usual opiate withdrawal symptoms only they lasted so long it was just relentless.  I would lie down in a dark closet for hours because it was the most soothing place for me.  After about 2 - 3 weeks, the acute symptoms subsided somewhat, but I still felt tired and listless, generally achy, and JUST NOT THAT GREAT--this lasted for at least 2 months.  I didn't start feeling really normal for 6 months and had lingering insomnia problems for a long, long time.  In fact, I still have insomnia issues that I blame on my long-term addiction to heroin and methadone.  However, I have never regretted for a minute getting off of methadone maintenance.  It used to depress me so badly, having to go to stand in line for "juice" every morning.  I used to call it the "dawn of the dead."  For me, the only way I quit heroin and methadone was to move to a remote area of the country for about a year, where I had no access to drugs or my old lifestyle.  It worked and today, life is pretty good--I went back to school, now have a great relationship and a good job.  Quitting methadone was the hardest thing I have ever done--but I am SOOOOOOOO glad I did!  Good luck with it--I'll send a couple up for you!

[sailinfla]

your family members need to read more about methadone and hopefully it will change their minds. However, while mine did lighten up some they never got to the point of total acceptance

[mrmichael67]

Koala, you were taking meds as prescribed for pain.  You didn't abuse them ONE BIT, as far as you tell me.  Did you family expect that you should be in pain and just tough it out?  And, you are making an honest effort to get off them.  They can't look down on you for that.  If they do, that should be their problem.  And, you might want to find a pain support forum and ask that question there.

As far as the counselors wanting to do it slow, that is the way it is done.  You go too fast and that needle will be right back in your arm.  They are not trying to get your money.  The counselors make a salary, not commision.

[Bodymechanic]

I remember being on methadone.  It was like being in a chemical prison.  Everyday revolved around getting that cup. Having to give a urine sample at random was humiliating. Yes, and there was the stigma attached to being on methadone.  I was on for 4 years at 90 mg a day.  I finally detoxed in 2 weeks.  The withdrawals are long and can be intense.  I felt bad for more than 2 months.  

At the time rapid detox was not available.  If I was going to do it again I would use rapid detox or switch to bup and detox from there.  If neither is an option, you will just have to stay the course. Always remind yourself that the withdrawals are only temporary. You will never have to go through that again.  I have been off methadone for 20 years.  Even though I have had relapes with other drugs I never messed with methadone again.

You may also be correct in suspecting that you are being strung along on that program to make money off of you.  For a business it is almost the perfect situation.  Your patients comply or you cut off their medication to which they are heavily addicted.  There are some things about the world that just plain suck.

Bottom line, don't listen to the nay sayers.  If I did it so can you.


Good luck



Bodymechanic

[koalabear]

I would like everyone's opinion with regard to alienation by family members.  My family has basically disowned me until I am completely off all meds.  Does this make sense?
I would love to her your version.  

Thank you in advnce!

Koala

[mrmichael67]

You are most likely tolerant to the methadone.  How long have you been on it?  Did it make you "fuzzy" or tired when you first started it?  If it works good for your pain, then you seem to be on the right dose.  Have you tried to get by on a little less?  There isn't any magic number for how much of anything one should be on.  Everyone is different.  Some people can get by on as little as 20mg.  A lot can't.  It will take some time to get off of it.  It would be a very slow taper.  But, it can be done.

[lilangel]

can someone tell me what the difference is between pills meth, wafers, or the drink is??i am on pills 20 mgs 3 times a day for chronic pain, and man i scared to death about stoppping someday the stories ive been reading..is one stronger then the other?? and if so which one?? all i can say is that this meth has been a god send for me, i have had chronic pain for years and vicodin es and  other meds just werent cutting it so the meth i am very happy with,, and it lookds like ill need it for a long time, does anyone know the long term side effects.. your answers are greatly appreciated,, thanks agin, lilangel aka crystal

[lilangel]

can someone tell me what the difference is between pills meth, wafers, or the drink is??i am on pills 20 mgs 3 times a day for chronic pain, and man i scared to death about stoppping someday the stories ive been reading..is one stronger then the other?? and if so which one?? all i can say is that this meth has been a god send for me, i have had chronic pain for years and vicodin es and  other meds just werent cutting it so the meth i am very happy with,, and it lookds like ill need it for a long time, does anyone know the long term side effects.. your answers are greatly appreciated,, thanks agin, lilangel aka crystal

[mrmichael67]

Technically, they are all supposed to be the same.  I have heard that a lot of people at clinics do not like the methadose brand.  Other than that, it just goes by the milligrams whether it is stronger or not.  As far as the pills go, I have had the methadose, dolophine, and the methadone generic by Roxane Labs, which also makes dolophine.  I noticed a little difference between the methadose and the others.  I noticed they weren't quite as strong or sedating.  The difference was slight, and not enough to really affect things.

[ethelmay]

sorry to hear of the non-support for your treatment.  I have been the only one in  our family encouraging our daughter to stay with what was working.  Parents need to education themselves on addiction and treatments.  I have a short fuse for those who say if you want to you can just quit.   Let's face it we are all addicted to something.   One of my best-friends has a shopping addiction.   She spends more at the local Goodwill, Mission Store, BigLots in one week then most addicts.  It is all in the way we look at addiction.  Education is key and trust me when I tell you I have learned more in the past three years than I have ever wanted to know.   I can only again encourage you to do what YOU believe is working for you.  Remember it only works if you work it, whether it be addictions or life.

[lilangel]

thanks for your reply mike, in your oppinion do you think im on too much methadone 20 mgs every 6 hours?? and do you think if someday i have to stop will it be real hard to do??im happy with it as far as my pain being pretty much gone, i did notice i dont get a high from it at all, why is that?? i thought meth was pretty strong stuff and ive heard some people do get a buzz from it, is it because i have chronic pain ?? i do still have alittle itching from it still but nothing to stop it for, but alos severe constapation lol.. i cant win,, well talk to ya soon hun,, take care,, lilangel

[lilangel]

can someone tell me what the difference is between pills meth, wafers, or the drink is??i am on pills 20 mgs 3 times a day for chronic pain, and man i scared to death about stoppping someday the stories ive been reading..is one stronger then the other?? and if so which one?? all i can say is that this meth has been a god send for me, i have had chronic pain for years and vicodin es and  other meds just werent cutting it so the meth i am very happy with,, and it lookds like ill need it for a long time, does anyone know the long term side effects.. your answers are greatly appreciated,, thanks agin, lilangel aka crystal

[lilangel]

hi mike, i have only been on the meth for about almost 2 months maybe less.. and no it dosent make me fuzzy,,and i dont get a high feeling from it at all!why is that?? is it because i am in true pain?? i dont know how i can be tolerent on it already from only being on it less then 2 months,, but who knows,,are you also on meth?? i have the methadose, and the methadone pills,, i think the methadone ones dolophine are better.. well thanks as always for responding your a great friend,,,,, lilangel... by the way where are u from,  lol. crystal