Methadone works, with the right mind set. PLEASE READ!

Hi everyone. I am a recovering addict that is currently on Methadone, and probably will be for a very long time. My drug of choice was Oxycontin, Dilaudid, and Morphine. I would get Vicodin, etc. if it was all I could find. There are a lot of unfair stigmas attached to MMT (methadone maintenence therapy), especially when it comes to people that are addicted to prescription pain killers. Most seem to think that MMT might be ok only for those who are hooked on heroin or pure opium, but not for pill poppers. That's definitley NOT the case. In fact, the opposite is true. Opiates that are developed by scientists and doctors are designed to be more effective on the brains opioid receptors. They really are streamlined much better than heroin to hit those pleasure centers in your brain. Killing the pain, but getting you high in the process. Ask any junkie that knows and they will tell you; Dilaudid is a much better high than Heroin, plus you have the benefit of knowing exactly what's in it. Therefore pain pill-poppers (or shooters) actually need MMT just as bad if not worse than heroin addicts. And I'm sure you know that after you use long enough, your brain stops making it's own endorphins. That's where withdrawals come from. How long you have used decides how long it takes for your brain to start making its own endorphins adequately. I used for so long (12 years) that it may never come back fully. Methadone is unique in the fact that while it is an opiate, it doesn't attach to all the receptors and leaves some free room for your brain to try and heal itself, if at all possible. That's why people who are on MMT for at least 2 years have a greater chance of staying sober, should they decide to detox off of methadone. Abstinence-based rehabs DO NOT work for most opiate addicts. (That's the truth, and don't let anyone tell you different. I've tried them all.) Sure, after a couple of weeks the main withdrawals go away but you just don't feel normal. Because your brain is legitimately damaged, and not making endorphins correctly you will be depressed, lethargic, every little ache and pain will hurt a thousand times more than it should, and I personally got suicidal thoughts sometimes. I stayed clean for 9 months and just couldn't take it anymore. I went right back to using, and at larger doses than before. If you are addicted to opiates, and are on this website in search of suggestions, MMT combined with NA or AA is the only route that I would trust. Especially if you've been using for a long time (2 years or more). If you are a family member or friend of an opiate addict, please do not pass judgement on MMT. It has been around for fifty years, and has proven to be the absolute most successful way to treat opiate addiction. EVEN IF SOMEONE HAS BEEN ABUSING METHADONE AS A RECREATIONAL DRUG, it still works. And this comes from a dyed-in-the-wool addict, with 12 years using under his belt. Many times I truly wanted to stop, and tried with all my will. I didn't take the other rehabs lightly. I worked them. But as hard as I tried, I just kept going back. This is the first time in over a decade that I actually have my life together. I'm holding a good job, and about to move on to a better one. I am married to a wonderul woman, and I play bass guitar in my church. MMT was truly God's answer to my prayers.

Thank you for your time,
KLM_81

P.S. I know I'm always talking about MMT on here, but God has put in on my heart to make my testimony heard here. Especially to the friends and family members of addicts who come to this site in search of an answer. I feel a duty to dispell all the stigmas attached to Methadone. Yall just let me know if I'm getting on your nerves and I'll stop. Peace.

[gizzy32]

It`s great to hear a success story about methadone and congrats on getting your life back together. Obviously you worked the program and not looking for an easy way out, so kudos to you. I do not know much about sub or methadone, but i do believe if it used with a recovery plan, then it can do wonders, but not an easy way out. Keep up the good work.

[KLM_81]

Thanks a lot! I agree that it's not a magic bullet, like any form of recovery you get out of it what you put into it. I had some success with suboxone. But not having to go everyday, and not having a counselor to talk to caused me some problems. Thanks for the kind words.

[steveo30]

methadone may have worked for you but please dont be advertising this drug that is the most addicting and the hardest to withdrawal from.i will say it again methadone is the most addictive drug invented in the 20th century,and should not be used for hydrocodone withdrawal.EVER.

[steveo30]

WHY  THEN DID THEY INVENT SUBOXONE,BECAUSE THEY FINALLY FIGURED OUT THAT METH IS MORE ADDICTIVE THAN ALL THE OPIATES PUT TOGETHER,AND STILL SUBOXONE IS THE LESSER OF THE 2 EVILS.I'M NOT SAYING THAT FOR SOME IT PROBABLY SAVED THEIR LIVES ,BUT IT SHOULD BE A LAST RESORT

[kim715]

Is this your first time taking methadone? Have you ever taken it in the past and detoxed from it?

[kim715]

I asked those questions above because I strongly disagree with some of the things that you said,and the way you said them.You said 'pain pill poppers[and shooter]Need MMT just as bad,if not worse then heroin addicts'     I think the word Need there is a bit too much.We all NEED to get clean,but we don't NEED to jump on another drug in order to do so.
You also stated that abstinence based rehabs do not work for most opiate addicts.After a couple of weeks the w/ds go away but you still don't feel normal.This goes back to why I asked you if you have ever detoxed from methadone before,I did,after being on it for almost 2 years and it took MONTHS after the w/ds went away to feel 'normal'.I'm 11 months free of it ,I have been totally clean for the last 11 months,but my energy and my sleep patterns are still messed up.
I agree with Steve,methadone might very well be the answer for some,BUT it should be a LAST RESORT.
As far as the w/ds from methadone go.I would rather detox off of vicodin 5 times then methadone once.For me methadone detox was the hardest,most uncomfortable,longest period of discomfort in my life,both physically and mentally.

[steveo30]

i went to rehab for 10 days and had to leave because i could not sit still,i was detoxing from methadone,xanax and alcohol,i left on my own and stayed off everything for 3 months except for the xanax.i think thats what made me leave,i've been on it for 13 years and they try and taper me with valium over a 5 day period.i dont think so.anyways i was still going through withdrawals from the meth for the next 3 months.i seemed to never get better,it's a long drawn out process that just wants to keep hold.i would rather cut my right arm off than go through that again,and i still wasen't successful with all opiates.my problem now is the lortab,etc.

[KLM_81]

This in response to people comlaining about my post:
I have taken Methadone before on the street. There were several months when I was using that it's all I could find. Not my drug of choice.  Also I was taking 6 times more than if I was in a program. The dose I am on currently under a docs care dose not give me a buzz at all. I tried to kick it on my own then. Yes the wd's are way worse than Lortab, or oxycodone. That's why when somone wishes to detox off of it at a LEGITAMATE clinic, they do a very slow taper off of it. I have seen several people at my clinic do this with great success and little discomfort. And sorry, but its a fact: Opiate addicts who undergo MMT for at least two years, and then detox the RIGHT way are 90% less likely to relapse. Those that go through an Abstinence based program have only a 10% chance of living the remainder of their lives sober. Look it up. I would'nt dream of giving out false information. And yes, I have tried suboxone. And to answer your question......Suboxone was devoloped to give addicts the option of going to a private doc, instead of a clinic. And that's the only reason. The problems with Sub are that you don't have to go everyday, so your progress is not monitored correctly. Some docs don't even bother to give their patients drug tests when they come in for their appointment! You also usually will not have the type of counseling that's needed to regain life skills and stay sober after you taper off. And this next one may suprise you. A PATIENT IS EVERY BIT AS PHYSICALLY DEPENDENT ON SUBOXONE AS SOMEONE ON METHADONE. Believe me, I've experienced it. The wd's for me, even on a slow taper off sub, were actually WORSE than wd's from methadone. And because of all this, I really do believe that MMT should be considered as a first option right along side of everything else. Provided that someone plans on following the guidelines correctly. If someone goes into ANY kind of treatment with ulterior motives, the treament will not work. But to think that MMT should be a last resort, when all statistics and science proves that it works better than anything else, is borderlining on ignorance. That was not meant as a put-down, it just sounds like most people are not looking at the factual info on MMT. And while I agree that it is not right for 100% of opiate addicts, I do think it should be considered by all, and not unfairly judged because it didn't work for you or someone you know. Heck, we all know people who have been in and out of rehab centers several times withoutsucess. Yet no one would ever discourage an addict from trying that route just because it didn't work for them. If that way had worked for me, I would be on here today singing it's praises instead of MMT. But it didn't. None the less, if someone disagrees with me and wants to check themselves into long term rehab I would wish them the best of luck, and tell them not to half a** it. To try hard at it. I hope this has cleared up any questions yall may have had concerning why I feel the way I do. I "advertise" for MMT because it was the ONLY thing that worked for me. And it was my last resort. But I now know that if I had tried it in the first place, I could have saved myself any my family years of pain and anguish. If my posts are offending people, I apologize. And if yall want me to stop, I will. But nothing will change my opinon of MMT, and the fact that I think it should be a one of the first things an addict tries. Provided they are serious. If they aren't serious, then nothing will work. And you at least should be able to agree with that. Respectfully yours, KLM_81

[steveo30]

never stop saying what you believe in,and again if it works for you go with it.it's a touchy subject as most of us no.anyways i cant believe that there''s a 90% success rate after being in a meth. maintenence program but i do believe that only about 10% make it successfully after leaving  a rehab facility and thats because most of us dont follow up with aftercare.how you can sit there and say that the mmt program should be a first resort, thats is insane.where are you getting your info. from a gumball machine.i really wish you would stop with your  borderline ignorance

[Holliee]

YOU TELL IT GIRL AND I AGREE W/YOU I WAS AN OC USER FOR 5 YRS AND WHEN I SAY USER I MEAN IT. I WAS AT POINT DEATH NOW I WILL SAY THAT I HAVE NEVER USED NEEDLE BUT SNORTING IS JUST BAD ALSO MY NOSE ON LEFT SIDE HAS NO CARTAGE AND IT'S A MESS AND I HAVE NOT SNORTED IN 9 MONTHS AND STILL NOT HEALED AT FIRST I HAD SNORT TYLONE JUST HELP ON BURNING WHEN I GOT ON METHADONE I HAVE BEEN ON IT FOR 9 MONTHS AND IT'S SAVED ME I ALSO DO GROUPS AND HAVE GOTTEN TAKE HOMES. I TO WILL BE ON METHADONE FOR SOMETIME TO COME BUT THATS OK FOR NOW IT HELPS MORE WAYS THAN ONE ....I ADDED U AS FRIEND NICE TO TALK TO OTHER MMT USERS ....

[KLM_81]

What I said wasn't meant to be offensive, I apologize. When I first started researching MMT, I myself was "ignorant" to the facts. Not knowing something means that you're ignorant to it. That was in no way a stab at you, friend. Promise. And the quickest answer to your question about my info would be for you watch HBO's 14-part documentary simply titled "Addiction". It discusses all of this. Can't remember off the top of my head where else for you to look, but if I do remember where else it is you'll be the first to know.

And thanks for the props Holliee!

[kim715]

I think if it's working for you then thats great.Perhaps you are going to a clinic that actually does care about you,most don't,they are in it for the money.As far as where I get my facts,I stick to personal experience of myself and those around me that have been down the methadone road.
The bottom line is if it is working for you thats wonderful.Everyones recovery is their own.
I still STRONGLY believe,no matter where it's written or what documentary it's on,that methadone should be the VERY LAST RESORT.Before anyone turns to ANY other drug to get off a drug they need to have at least attempted to give getting clean a few good shots without the use of anything else.
I wasn't complaining about your post KLM,I was just disagreeing with some of the things you said.We all have the right here to speak freely especially about things that we are so passionate about.I talk to people daily here and in person who are struggling to get off methadone.People who have done a slow taper over a year,down to nothing and who are suffering through terrible w/ds.I'm a big supporter of aftercare.I strongly suggest that to anyone I speak too and most do seek it.Unfortunately it has been my experience  that the majority of the people I talk to either return to the clinic or go back to using their original doc.
I really do wish you all the best.We will have to respectfully agree to disagree about MMT.......Peace...Kim