Methadone detox

I was on 88 mgs of methadone at a local clinic. I got discharged b/c of a relapse. Within a week they decreased me to 20mgs. Should I transfer to another clinic? Or should I go to a detox since Im on 20mgs right now. Been on methadone for 9 years. I guess I'm just scared of what is to come? I hear so many things about methadone withdrawal. As of right now I feel no energy and a very small amount of aches. Do I detox or transfer? How long is the worst of withdrawal for methadone?

[atthebeach]

hello and welcome. when was your last dose of 88mgs? with that severe of a drop and the amount of time you have been on  i am sorry to say you are going to be very sick for awhile, weeks and weeks. how long have you been at 20mg?

[She1004]

was on 88-120 over the last few years. been on 20 for 2 days...im supposed to transfer to another clinic Thursday. so 20mg til then, then increase as needed. but should i just go to inpatient and detox being that Im at 20?

[She1004]

88mgs over about a week ago

[atthebeach]

the withdrawals havent really started yet, it takes 3-5 days, because of the half life. you said you were discharged because of a relapse. have you been going to a counselor or to support groups?
if you want to be clean, i would recommend the detox and inpatient if you can go. the detox at the hospital is usually only 3-5 days to help stabilize your blood pressure and your initial withdrawal symptoms. if you come home after stopping so abruptly from 88 to 20 then nothing within a week you will be sick. if you can go to inpatient that will be much better for you. you will still be sick from the detox but you will be in counseling and will learn coping skills and hopefully get to the bottom of your addiction.
if you go to another clinic and then continue to increase again you will be back in the same boat.

[She1004]

Spent 30 days in rehab for cocaine in spring.....had 4 mos clean Oct 5 then used on the 6 ..:( ....clinic is kicking me out for the relapse. I see where/why I relapsed I think. Stopped going to meetings....was attending IOP, had one more day to go, then used & got kicked out. Im trying to bounce back from this cocaine relapse (had 4 mos clean) and this whole methadone withdrawal/getting kicked out of the clinic is just compounding everything. I learned coping skills, how to deal with cravings,etc......looking back, stopping my meetings and boredom was what led me to relapse. So, what the hell do I do? Just feel so overwhelmed, and extremely disgusted that I relapsed. Had a great support group.just not sure......i feel like i should transfer to clinic and bounce back from this relapse with meetings and IOP. what do you think?

[atthebeach]

if you can get back into the IOP that would be great. the support is so essential, there is accountibility. recovery is a marathon not a sprint, it is a long and winding road, you have to continue to work your recovery on a daily basis.  where you tapering the methadone? you were on 120 to 88mg or do you go up and down?

[atthebeach]

try not to beat yourself up and get further frustrated and overwhelmed. get yourself to a meeting and continue with them. do you go to one on one counseling? have you tried seeing an adddiction specialist?

[She1004]

My thoughts were to transfer to another clinic(can start thursday) and find another IOP to go through. Im staying at my parents, and this last relapse really devasted them. they are totally pushing me to go inpatient,but Im not sure what I should do. I never seen an addiction specialist,have medicare and medicaid, not sure if it would cover that or not? or even if this small town offers that. Do i go to inpatient all over again for this relapse????

[She1004]

Nothing less of inpatient seems to satisfy my family. I dont know, going to discuss what Im going to do in a few. I just feel so lost. Like damn, I threw away 4 mos and the consequences of this relapse are horrible(getting kicked out of the clinic, completely losing all trust I rebuilt) then having to go through methadone w/d on top of all this !!! ugh.......just feel lost.....

[atthebeach]

it is always recommended to go to an inpatient program if possible. it is okay to have to go back. where you in a 28 day before?
if you think you can go to IOP and meetings and that will be enough. you have to decide and really think about what would be best for you.

[She1004]

I feel like IOP and self-support groups would def help me bounce back from this relapse. Inpatient? I know it wouldn't hurt, but how necessary is it. I've learned the coping skills, I think I just need to have some discussion on where I went wrong. This whole thing just feels like a mess, this new clinic I'm transferrring to is like 50 minutes away, I have to drive there everyday. This whole getting kicked out of the clinic is just adding to hardness of bouncing back from this relapse. This def feels like a bottom for me. I cried for days, now im kinda just ready to move forward.

[Psychobillyqueen]

Welcome. It's hard to believe they dropped your dose that low? They shouldn't do that. I was up to 90mgs for four years. I'm 12 days off. I tapered and they would only let me taper only 10mgs a week. They would not allow anymore then that. So I think seeing another doctor would be a good idea? But if you feel fine on twenty don't go back up! It's so much work to get off methadone!

[atthebeach]

Well the is one good thing if you def. Feel like this is the bottom for you. Start to look for anotherIOP get to meetings please call medicare/aid and ask for one on one counseling. You had 4 months clean. That is great. You were doing it. You had a little setback.it happens.refocus. pick youraself back up and forge forward. Please read the health pages on the bottom of this page. There is the thomas recipe and amino acid protocol.lots of vitamins and supplements to help rebuilt your body. If you can stay at 20mg for awhile that would be great.please try not to go to high again if you need to increase hopefully your goal is to get off the methadone for good. You can have a clean annd sober life. Please keep posting and let us know how you feel we will encourage you and answer your questions the best we know how.
You were working your recovery.get back to work.
I am praying for you and sending hugs
Debbie

[She1004]

Thank you for responding to my post. I appreciate your time and feedback.

[She1004]

Thank you for your response.

[ready2bfree49]

Are you still on here??? just read all of these and i'm wondering how you're doing alot of time has passed since this post....i hope you are well. i am in the same boat now as you were then....if you're still on here please let me know:)

[dac70]

Hey there and welcome. First things first...breathe! Big deep breathes. Calm down. O don't know anything about methodone w/d or heroin. Hydrocodone is my beast. But I do know that it is possible. You must want to get clean or u wouldn't have found us...
U are at the right place for support and no judgement. Just keep posting and stay close. We r all here for u. Hang in there!