Quit opiates with methadone

[mbradyc]

I spent months reading all the threads about quitting opioids. Daily I would come to this site looking for hope and advise. I had been taking norco and oxy for 2 years and was very scared. Like everyone else each time I tried to quit the withdrawals were unbareable. Everyone said not to use Methadone and how the addiction is far stronger and harder to quit. I had tried everything short of paying a bundle to go into detox. I was scared of detox because the addiction was a secret I kept from everyone and i had got all the pills illegally. One day i read an old post from a guy who had a different outlook on Methadone. Now im sure there were more but this was the only one I saw, I attribute that post to helping save my life. First I want to say that im no doctor, everybody IS different and I offer this post because the information may help someone as it helped me. The object is not to become addicted to the Methadone under any circumstances. I took my last dose of oxy at 3pm on one day and 1 Methadone at 9 am the next day. I took 1 Done every 4 hours until I felt OK. For me it took 3 done and I felt fine for 24 hours, not GOOD but fine. I took these 3 done for 4 days and then QUIT. For about 3-4 days I had mild cold like symptoms that gradually weakened. I could'nt believe how much easier it was to quit this way for me. It has been 3 months since ive taken any pill of any kind and i feel great! Alot of it is in your head and you do have to truly want to quit.  

[lurker]

Congratulations on your 3 months clean.  that is really fantastic.  You are so correct.  You can use one drug to get off of another only if you don't use the one you got off with as a replacement for the one you were abusing.  Everyone is different and there is no right or wrong way to get clean and sober if you end up clean and sober.  You did and your story is great.  You were touched by a story and someone will hopefully be touched by yours.  Be proud of yourself - you've earned it.  There are a lot of folks here with strong antimethadone feelings - they may post back at you that you are wrong.  I'm telling you that did what was right for you and that is what matters.  Great work - keep on fighting the good fight.  Remember that getting off is easy but staying off and avoiding temptation is where the real hard work comes in and I hope you have a plan to stay clean and sober.  God Bless.

[mbradyc]

p.s You can overdose on methadone it happens all the time.

[carr]

i hate the mental aspect more so than the physical....when it was physical i could justify using...now what would be my excuse?? congrats on the 90 days i am close to u at 79 days...take care...xxxx

[Savas]

Yes, methadone can be used like ONE time this way. It's chancy, but the odds are good it will work, the problem is you can't get a detox to do it anymore. So...if you got them on your own...congrat's on making a move that worked. :)

most detox's will lie to you, tell you you need months of tapering. The reality is it's just their clever way of getting you hooked on methadone.

I hope you never go back, because there will come a point where this method will no longer work!

[mbradyc]

Thanx Lurker and god bless you too. Congrats Carr Good to hear from another person at my stage of the game. Savas, yes it is a one time thing, I forgot to state that I had never used done before and that may have been a factor. Its true the clinics for some reason have a vested interest in making it a long term thing. This method is  very chancy  you have to be on just enough and for just long enough or it could be a worse situation. Thanx for making that clearer. Also I think its important that only a person who has developed high tolerance to pain meds even try it. Methadone wont get you mentally high like other opiates but its extremely powerfull.

[grievingwidow]

I just don't see how it is possible to use methadone while withdrawing from opiates, as it is also an opiate, correct?  I have taken methadone and percocet for many years, before that it was methadone and oxycontin, and before that just hydrocodone.  If only I could go back to the hydrocodone days.  The few times I went into withdrawal while on hydrocodone did not even compare to the agony I suffered after beginning the stronger narcotics.  Anyways, it seems like you would just go into withdrawal all over again after quitting the methadone, course I suppose in a way you just tapered off it like you could have done anyway just taking oxycontin.  I am not arguing with you, it obviously worked for you, I just never have understood how it was possible.

So happy things have turned out well for you.

Love, Cindy

[natalile]

Thank you for letting people no that methadone can be used without getting addicted to it. & it can actualy help your current addiction. & congrat's on been clean for so long. Did you ever post while you where reading? nat x

[Joanne19792001]

I think that in some situations but not all that methadone DOES help. I was on heroin for 9years.I am diabetic and when using heroin my diabetes wasn't exactly a priority to me. I ended up with liver abcess (abscess) due to a mixture of not controlling diabetes and also through injecting, i also had septicemia and DVT and very nearly died, even after this i carried on using. MEthadone saved my life when i did come off heroin because i couldn't of got off heroin without it. The methadone and the fact that i wanted to stop both helped. I was on 140mls at highest dose, i am on 65mls now. I know that it is going to be hard struggle to come off it but at least i am not living the lifestyle that i did when using heroin which was killing me. I do agree that it is one of hardest things to come off and highly addictive and also as you said people do die from methadone overdoses. Most methadone overdoses are when it is not used in correct way eg not prscribed or has been used with other drugs unsupervised. Methadone is not the answer for all but it does work for some.

[grievingwidow]

I agree that Methadone was totally the lesser of two evils in your case.  I would definitely rather be on Methadone than doing heroin, risking a jail sentence and possibly death.  I am glad that you are doing better and even if you had to be on Methadone for the rest of your life - I would think it would still be better than the alternative.  I have always been on 30 mg a day myself but of course, I am basically taking it for opiate maintenance, it does not help my pain at all like it does some.  I was concerned after finding out that Anna Nicole died from Methadone overdose but my doc said what I was taking would be considered a snack compared to the dose she was on, so yes Methadone can be safe is taken as directed.  At least you and I have a healthy fear of it and know our limits.  Good luck with your continued recovery - glad you are here with us.

Love, Cindy

[mestiza]

I am so glad you posted this, i have read some people posts where they are really suffering, but they can get their hands on methadone.  I tried to tell them the methadone would help, but boy, did i get shot down.  As long as you dont use it over 3 days you will be fine, and of course you have got to be careful, especially if you have never used it.  thank you so much!  It's good that people get to hear the pros and cons and make an educated decision.

[Penelope14]

        You are such a inspiration, I just love it when I hear people who have success in methadone situations, I am currently doing a taper off methadone, very slowly, Im in no rush, I,ve gone from 90 to 34 and I have never felt better, my drug of choice was oxicotin, and I tried everything on the planet to get off this drug with no success, so methadone was what I thought the only way, and looking back I think I made the wrong choice, but it is what it is, and in a matter of a few months hopefully I will be methadone free! But what I wanted to say to you is regarding the mental issue that some people go thru, Ive seen people at the clinic who are at 100 mgs and try to taper to 90 and claim they cant, they say they feel like ****, now I find this really hard to believe, as I have gone from 90 to 34 with no problems, and it was people like this who really put this image in my head that once on methadone you cant get off, so that is why I was on it for 3 years, then I started hearing success stories about people who like you have done it, some struggled others skated thru it, but the ones who Ive seen make it, were the ones who, had jobs, who were determined, who took it very slow, and had a plan of action after the methadone. Sorry for going on and on, it kinda feels good for me to vent and release my opinion, Anyway Congrats! Penelope

[johnnykelly]

You have demonstrated how to use methadone in a safe and responsible manner.Originally back in the 1950s patients put on only a 28-day taper program for the physical detox from Heroin,as that was the primary drug of choice then.You have succeeded in conquiring the physical symtomology of physical detox,that an excellent result.The staying clean part of our recovery is in my opinion is to live happy,joyous ands free.That where N>A. addiction counciling and sharing our experience,strength and hope come in to play.Your post was a positive, intellectual and responsible approach to physical withdrawals. All the best John

[Savas]

Well, it is a differently designed drug. They've all got some differences, but methadone is very different (can't speak for suboxone, may be as well).

The problem is methadone is being misused for reasons of personal gain by the MMT related industries and gov. organizations. It's being used for personal gain, and to control drug addicts while earning a profit off their pain and suffering.

I also recall that the first time I was given it, it was just for a few days. I remember being surprisingly not too sick after stopping (for oxy, at the time).

Then the clinics told me that if I took it for three months, the mild secondary withdrawal symptoms I was having wouldn't be an issue. After three months, I'd be healthy, fit and fine.
I foolishly believed them. Three months later, I came off and went through serious withdrawal.

Methadone is a tool like anything else. But you have to be aware it isn't being used properly, or with your best interests at heart. So...it's best avoided. I'd suggest to someone trying to get off heroin or pills who've NEVER taken methadone to go to a clinic, take three days of methadone, and walk away, don't go back. It's about the only way to do it this way without getting it on the street,
(which we call buying "Colored water" here).
But...be aware it doesn't always work.

Johnny Kelly...that sounds familiar. Are you connected with AT Watchdog by chance?

[johnnykelly]

Hey Bro,what is At Watchdog. Get back to me.Moreover you provide some excellent advice on recovery. Cheers John

[wait2long]

congratulations to you!!!  proof that it can be done with methadone if done properly and you did it!!!  thanks for the post!!!

Savas- as usual you are correct. in EVERYTHING you say!!..your just too damn smart...talk later!  

[Savas]

Heh heh...if i'm so smart why can't I get my DVD/VCR timer to work?!?!
h
AT Watchdog is a site that is pro-methadone and advocates for methadone users rights. They support the philosophy that life long medically prescribed methadone use is acceptable, perhaps necessary for drug addicts. They take the concept of addiction as disease a step further, saying it's an incurable disease, leaving permanent damage, and thus an addict needs treatment (methadone) for the rest of his life.

Despite the philosophy, they do good work in supporting addict's right. The site Moderator is John Kelly, which is why I was wondering if you were he.

[mbradyc]

Im really glad that so far my post has been taken as it was intended. I really thought I would be ostricized by people who thought I was trying to get others to trade one addiction for the other. I realize it may not work for everyone but if only one person makes it this way ive returned a favor. For people with  long term pain problems it may be much harder because they will always need something to ease it. I was one of these idiots who just started taking them for a very minor short term pain problem. I could have easily suffered through a couple of weeks and saved 2 years of crippeling depression and countless dollars. Vikes, Oxy, whatever was always readily available in my area. Before I knew it I was pretty hopelessly dependant. It was a suffacating fealing for me. Im not sure why the done worked because as said its also an opioid. Since I never actually became addicted to the done it just helped through the hardest few days of oxy/hydro withdrawal. Somehow. Good luck to all and god bless!

[loriegurl]

thanks for the info....i have been waiting on someone to come on here and talk about this.. I have 23 methadone 10's in a cabinet here, but was hesitant to use them. i wont to get off hydro habit/nightmare and bought these dones about 6 weeks ago to "detox" with. I am still waiting for the perfect time to start, always an excuse.......

[mbradyc]

Good luck! Let me know how it works. Start with 1 wait about 4 hours see how you feel. Then 1 more if needed which you probably will. I think the general concensus is that the worst of the Hydro WD's last about 5 days. That sounds about right, like I said I took the Done for 4 days. To be honest the 5th day and my first day with nothing didnt feel too good. It certainly was bareable though. 6th day was  pretty mild wds and just got better each day after. Again Good luck and keep us posted!

[loriegurl]

thank you soo very much. i think i am gonna start on dones monday...i have enuff lorcets fot tomorrow only. BUT they are everywhere...always available and them something comes up at work, (long days, a job that HAS to be finished), an excuse I know. But I have to be on top of my game at work. And I have a hectic job dealing with the public...a GOOD job and I cant go in and not be "normal" or  under the weather. I work long hectic days when I am there and this coming week-the 1st of the month is always a rush at my job-government job. I am just sooo desperate to get clean and be back to the old me. A good mom, attentive. My son deserves his mom to be there, straight and coherent. I have been in a fog for over 2 years. Please keep in touch with me and walk me thru this. I appreciate it more than u know. I think this post was for me,lol. I am scared of the dones and have NO worries that I will get hooked on them...i dont like the way they make me feel. I ONLY want the relief of wd's and then be finished with them. I have NO WAY to get anymore anyway.
again.... a HUGE thanks to you for this post. any additional help/advice from u would be GREATLY appreciated. just private message me or post here. i will be watching. One question...the last time I detoxed ct, I couldnt sleep. does the dones help with the insomnia?

lori

[mbradyc]

Yes, the Done did help with sleeping at night. For me it was even better than the Oxy because once you take the right amount it lasts for 24 hours. When I was taking the Hydro/Oxy I was always trying to fight against raising the amount I would take in a day. In the beginning I only took them during the day and found it easy to make it till morning. Of course gradually I would wake up feeling worse and worse. Finally I was waking up feeling like hell and sleeping less comfortably. It wasnt too long till I started setting my clock an hour early to take a dose so I could wake up semi motivated. After the first day of Done when I figured out how much I would need per day, I just took 3 when I woke up. I felt normal all day and all night after that. I read your profile and noticed that you are taking a few more pills than I was when I quit. I was tappering down at the time and had gotten to 2 80mg Oxy per day and 1 or 2 hydro. However I had been at your dosage many times. Not sure but it may take 1 or 2 more done a day for you to get the same result. Just take it slow give each one time to kick in. I understand about the job thing, I worked ten hour days throughout the process. The first day of Done while you are trying to find the right dose may be a bit harder. I suggest that day be your day off of work. I should say that I was absolutely determined to make it work. I knew I only had one shot, that if I failed I wouldnt have the same confidence or momentum. I really hope you make it! I will keep in touch! At 3 months clean in no way do I feel out of the woods. We all need  support at every stage of this. Keep posting because in here are people who can relate to you and truly want to help. ..Matt

[natalile]

Hi i made out the methadone was kinda ok.. Before. & it can be like peple have said in previous post's. I have been a herion addict for 13 year's. Have been addicted to methadone for 6 year's. The w/d's are really bad. I mean bad !. Lke it's been said you have to use it from a short time. For a long time i just used it as a way of not been ill when i couldn't score. It's only now that i use ut properly & have started to taper myself. Be very carful how you use this med if you are going to. It's highly addictive & phisical w/d can out last eny drug i've been addicted to in the past & belive there's been a few. I'am now 40 day's clean today ( with 2 laspe's ). But back on the right track now
take care & let use no what you do. nat x

[loriegurl]

thank you thank you. I am off monday and I think I will just go ahead and get started on this in the am. I am so ready to get clean. I have enough of my DOC to finish up the day(I cant flush!! got tooooo much money in them). I am just so full of guilt and shame about all this. I dont THINK my child knows anything, but he deserves so much more than I give him. All I want for Christmas is to be clean and start saving my $$$$$.