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Addicted to Methadone

Been taking Methadone for 15 years currently on 150 mg per day and I am getting tolerant and do not want to go higher dose. I cant get off of it without getting very sick. I'm trapped and scared. I wish i had never started
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1684282 tn?1614701284
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Methadone is one the most difficult opiates (along with Suboxone) to taper and  quit on one's own.  Even though it was meant to be used as a treatment for addiction, it instead became a substitution drug, or what is now popularly called OMT or opiate maintenance therapy among addiction  professionals. I see it as a total capitulation of addiction specialists.
But you do not have to give up. There is a way to get off these long lasting opiates and to beat the addiction.  It is difficult to quit on your own, but with commitment and dedication it is possible. I have dealt with hundreds of addicts who have all told me horror stories of doing it by themselves.  I would only guess that if are successful in doing it at home you don't end up in my clinic.
Just in case you are curious, it takes us three to four days to detox a patient and get him/her back home drug free and feeling well on Naltrexone therapy (no opiates). We have successfully detoxed people from as much as 600 mg a day use and safely started them on naltrexone long term.   You should see their testimonials!
If you still want to try it on your own, it is not impossible, but not easy.
Tapering down slowly is the best way, but you may still experience withdrawals. Tapering means gradually increasing time periods between doses and also decreasing the dose itself in a consistent manner.
See if your doctor can write you a prescription for some Requip for restlessness, Neurontin for anxiety and malaise, some Flexeril or Soma for a few weeks for muscle spasms and maybe some Seroquel low dose, for sleep. and Clonidine for the creepy-crawly feeling and control of blood pressure variations. It will make your withdrawals easier.  Valerian and Magnesium is sometimes helpful remedies over the counter.
The residual symptoms of insomnia and depression can last another few months. Thus, it is not easy, but it gets better and better over time and you can look forward to a drug free healthy energetic you in the future. When you take opiates for a long time like you have, your body's physiology has been altered. Your central nervous system has created a multitude of opioid receptors that all are screaming for endorphins (opiates) to fill them, but your body has now forgotten how to make them by itself.  It will take time - two to four weeks at least, for your receptors to down-regulate (for the brain begin to heal) and to start making its own endorphins. Brain heals pretty slowly, so it may take you as long as a couple of months to get rid of feelings of sluggishness, restlessness and depression. The best thing you can do is take good care of yourself, eat healthy food, stay hydrated, keep active and busy. Stay away from sugar, soda, and simple carbs. Do not consume caffeine at least 6 hours prior to bedtime.
Take a look at my blogs about options for detox and recovery. You may also take a look at my clinic website where I also have my blogs and a lot of other info about drug addiction and recovery. Look especially into the blog and the info on Naltrexone therapy after getting clean. It really improves your chances of staying clean for good by cutting down your physical cravings. Look into my clinic website as well. All this can be done by clicking on my name in blue. Good luck and feel good.
Helpful - 2
Avatar universal
Just reading all your comment ..im started at the maintenance program about 7 yrs ago the highest I went to was 60mls I statred coming down of the methadone im currently on 7mls just nervous getting down any lower incase I get bad withdrawal
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Methadone is a potent opiate, but it is seriously useful in the management of opiate abuse. However, as it’s an opiate, it’s as easy to abuse it as it is to use it properly
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Great advice I myself am on 110ml and am doin it the same way u advised n it's working its time n patients along with persistence n determination that beats it but most helpful with a good prescriber willing to meet ur needs at ur pace good luck .
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was at 100 mg for ten years. Then, beginning four years ago, I tapered at a rate of 5 mg per three months. I came down 5 mg and held for three months at a time. Over four years I got down to 30 mg. by holding at your lowered level you feel no WD.  Once at 30, I requested my clinic to taper 1 mg per week so I could be off in 30 weeks. It worked. No WD whatsoever. But I took a lot of vitamins daily and went to the gym for one hour daily. The only hard part was when. I went from 5 mg to 2 mg, three weeks of extreme sluggishness.. But no insomnia, or other WD.
Two factors that helped me: patience and a clinic that can give you 1 mg decreases. It takes a very long time to come off methadone but if you are patient, you can do it with no WD.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm sorry to say this but if you don't get professional help and try to detox off of an addiction this strong you have a very high chance if killing yourself or hospitalizing yourself from withdrawl.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I know how you feel , I am on methadone 55 Mls and have been for 17 years.  I have tried several times to come off in rehab and onmy own but once I reach 20 ml I can't get past that.  I feel for you, is there any chance you could try a reduction at your own pace? 150 Mls is quite a lot, have you tried to take less somedays? I too wish I had never taken it , was it for opiate addiction treatment you were prescribed it ? You might want to tell your doctor how you feel although you may have already done this, it is not easy but I am determined to be methadone free in the future .  
Helpful - 0

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