Methadone taper?

Hi all~Been looking at the site all night and you all know soo much more about this than me. Let me tell you all a little of my story. I am a 34yr. old wife and mother. Back in 2007 I injured my back. That is what led me into the world of pain pills. To make a long,painful story short~I totally developed a hardcore habit. In the end I was taking 20 vicodin a day! Had totaled 2 cars,got arrested and almost lost my family. By the time I got to the methadone clinic I had moderate liver damage. While I am grateful for the methadone~it has become as they say "liquid handcuffs"~I'm paying $300.00 monthly for it, not to mention the gas I use driving there every single day. My question is~Is there any way that 6 months is long enough to be on it? I noticed alot of people on here were talking about taper programs? Could I be ready? I started at 30mgs. and am now on 50mgs.~what I've heard is that that's a relatively low dose, so it should be easy to come off. Just looking for some suggestion's about tapering~I am so scared about withdrawals.How bad are they during tapering? Thanks in advance everyone ;)

[Bubulous]

Hi and welcome to the forum,

I have no experience with methadone but will make this current to get more visibility.

By the by your profile says you are a male.

[vicki595]

Hi-  It's not a crazy,high dose but it's high enough!  We can't suggest any taper plans on the forum...for your own protection.  I can tell you that many folks have successfully tapered off Methadone. The secret is slowly cutting back small amounts over a  period of time. Ask at the clinic and tell them you want to stop pretty soon.

Only you know if you're ready!  You have to want to be clean more than anything else because it will become your new job!

Gnarly1 has a lot of experience with Methadone and he'll see this and post to you. In the meantime, welcome to the forum. You are among friends...

[gnarly_1]

HI WElcome to the forum.......you have don well with your intake keeping your dose low and you haven't been on it that long both factors will make it ezer to get off.....methadone is never ez to get off your coming off under the best of circumstance but its still ruff cominig off the main thing here is did you change anything will on it ??/ wile your on it the idea is to use some form of aftercare to build up your foundation so you dont go back to using once you stop   methadone takes away the desire for the pills when its gone those desires will return this is ok if your prepared for that to happen you need to learn now how to deal with the cravings figure out what things trigger you and as addicts we need to change the very way we think and reason to overcome our illness if you have done these things then your ready to come off if not it would be a good time to join a group like N/A or A/A or any of the other support groups out there a tharipist  or drug conslor will help you should have a free on at the clinic but you need to start working with him/her every day for a wile and work on your foundation when your ready to stand on both feet you can begin to taper off......its a slow process but eventually you will get low enough to jump off recovery vary's we can get into that when your farther along this is a good decision your making you wont regret it good luck and God bless.......Gnarly  

[MaiLove]

Thank you everyone~haven't done NA yet,but have done MA at the clinic. If I'm being honest,the main reason I'm thinking of coming off of it is financial :( I feel awesome on it~I feel like I felt before I ever messed w/ pills. Have spoke w/ my counselor about how I'm feeling~in her opinion I'm not ready. She say's I need atleast a year~I'm starting to think that they at the clinic don't ever want us to come off because of the $ they make off us~something like a 260% profit!! Anyway~thank you fr welcoming me to your community :)

[Bubulous]

You are likely correct about the clinic.  You are also correct about the feeling the medicine of course it makes you feel good.  Nobody becomes dependant on substances because it makes them feel bad.  Please take into consideration some of the other stories on here and prepare to take charge of your life.  Don't let the clinic or addiction run your life....Good Luck

[mookie377]

Hi my name is john from Toronto,I am on methadone also At 16mgs.I also walked the path as a result of a percocet pain problem.Onething you stated that youhave to go each day,well most people who give-clean urine-tests receive after a few weeks 7-methadone carries to take home and use as prescribed,one each day!!.,also methadone is covered by insurance and goverment assisstance for those in need.I went-off at a few different times and as a result of pain and addiction,went back on.In closing Methadone is not evil,its a medication,if you took insulin,you wouldnt try to taper-off.I know how you feel.people try to convince us its better to be drug free,but do they have a pain issue,did they just use for the HIGH.!!!!! goodluck