My dilemma with methadone

Hello,
I just joined the forum and have a problem that hopefully someone can help me with. I am an alcoholic and have not drank in about 3 years. The reason I have not drank, believe it or not is because I took methadone instead. Yes methadone kept me from drinking. I have never been a person to take pills and did not realize that methadone was such a serious drug. I thought that it was great, it kept me from drinking every single day. When I drank, I yelled at my wife and kids and made a a$$ of myself. But by taking this pill I could function normally, go to work and not have the cravings to have a drink. I have been taking it for the 3 years just about everyday (I aint getting it from the doctor) no more than 40 mg a day, usually just 30 mg. I am contimplating on whether or not I should go to a doctor to get suboxone to help get me off of this or try by myself (I have read the horror stories) I prefer the doctor. Do any of you even think a doctor would help me? Any help or info is greatly appreciated.

[chefronbt]

Defeinitly go see a Dr as any withdrawal especially something like methadone for the length of time you have been on it can be uncomfortable and dangerous.  Switching to sub might not do any good as they are both basically doing the same things, though I think sub is a bit safer then the methadone and possibly a bit more effective, but with the subs come their own set of problems.  I think in order to switch to sub you need to wait something like 2 or 3 days because of methadones long half life in the body and you definitly don't want to spur on any "precipitated withdrawal" as I have heard that is true hell to experience.
  Take care.

-Ron

[worried878]

it would be beneficial to stop the methadone under a dr's care if u can..there r those here who have done it alone..very do-able....and it can be done..and 40 mgs is a low dose in the methadone world...but for the length of time u have been on it may make it tougher..and who knows til u try
at that dose of methadone i do not think i wouold choose sub..unless i just had no other chopice..sub in reality is stronger than methadone...some say wds r not as intense..other beg to disagree...if used short term u may be able to curb ur wd with the sub..long term, sub can be just another addiction..less than 21 days of sub is not considered addicting..but there r those who would beg to differ on that as well
alcohol affects many of the same receptors that narcotics do..so it is not really surprising that the methadone has helped..and in reality methadone is a long acting narcotic that has been given a bad rap cos here in the us it is used as an addiction drug..but also for pain...sub is also an addiction drug..but not approved for pain here...so it will possibly have a bad wrap eventually as more and more are addicted to it and it is not the wonder drug it was marketed to be..it is a maintenance narcotic just like methadone//but a partial agonist instead of a full agonist like sub

everyone is different and u gotta do what is right for u..u r very fortunate to have kept ur dose of methadone so low over htese yrs...many would not have....make a plan and keep posting..losts of support here

[worried878]

coorection...sub is a partial agonist and methadone, as well as oxy, hydro and more, are full agonists

[turnman]

Thanks so much chef and worried for your quick replies. I thought I was actually doing something that was ok by taking this pill and not drinking but little did I know probably got into something that is going to be hard to kick. I am making an appointment with a doctor today so we will see in time what they do and suggest for me. I know too well of the wd of methadone (my wife has been through them twice) and the hell it brings. I wish I would have known before it was too late but nothing I can do now but move forward. Please pray for me because I know without a doubt that prayers can kick anything!

[turnman]

I forgot to mention I really dont want to quit ct or without help being I am the only one working and supporting my family. I can not afford to be off for days or weeks and that is the reason I am trying to make it as unsevere as possible.

[worried878]

completely understand..and i know how hard it is to work when u feel like dirt..lack on nrg etc...everyone is different and u gotta do what is right for u...and sounds like u know what u need to do..so go with it and best of luck//and all the prayers in the world//to go with u every step of the way  (: