Any advice to help me come off of methadone?

[Sun_Shine_On_Me]

I have been addicted to painkillers for over 12 years and started going to the methadone clinic 4 years ago in hopes of kicking my addiction. I had the best intentions when I started going, but shortly after realized that I was probably worse off than before. Although I haven't relapsed or taken any pain killers besides methadone in the 4 years I've been going, I am now extremely addicted to methadone. I am so tired of depending on it to live my life day to day and so tired of spending $105 a week on it. I got up to 120mg maintained that dose for about 2 years. Over the past 2 years I started coming down about every few months to 80mg. I haven't come down since about 5 months ago until today. Today I went down to 70mg and would really like to keep coming down every week. I am absolutely TERRIFIED of the withdrawals and could use anyone's advice or tips on the best way for me to come down. Thank you in advance!

[Smooches24]

See my other post about my methadone taper - really fast, 2.5mg every 3 days. Kratom is what helped me. Not done yet - down to 7.5 mg; 7/11 is my "lucky day" at 0mg - but this has been EASY compared to coming off cold turkey. I was terrified to even start a taper, and read about kratom and witnessed a friend c/t with kratom - it's been a lifesaver for me. Been through c/t methadone withdrawal twice at about 40-50mg/day, and this is NOTHING compared to those experiences. I'm taking low doses of plain old powdered Bali leaf, just when the symptoms hit bad, and keeping in mind that kratom can be habit forming too. I'm using this for a purpose - to get my life back - and I couldn't be happier. Combine it with the nutrition and supplements of the Thomas recipe, plus sunshine and exercise (especially when you don't feel like it) and it seriously has been easy. I want to shout it from the rooftops - this stuff has worked a miracle for me.

[Sun_Shine_On_Me]

Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences, advice, and most of all your support. Thank God for this website and community. I found it yesterday and have read a lot of everyone's posts and profiles and realized most importantly that I am not alone. I haven't come up with a solid after care plan yet. Does anyone have any suggestions on a good after care plan? I DO NOT want to relapse, I can't do this to myself again, not to mention put my loved ones through it again.

[gnarly_1]

HI......first off I agree with atthebeach droping by 10 is a little to much you need to go slower or your going to really feel it in 3 days ....now some get lucky in the hier doses and can taper fast but there few and far between I went from 150 to 1 in 8 1/2 mo and that was 1/2 the time the clinic wanted me to take this is a race won by the tortus not the hare slow and steady wins the race if not your in and out of withdrawals sometimes you dont notice a thing other times you feel like you got hit by a truck it verys from dose to dose you will find some troublesome others a breeze but again to do it right it slow and steady and at that your withdrawal will be ruff in the end minle lasted a good 7 days then the post withdrawals hit
no sleep and an energy crash thats diblatating it takes around 90 days to start to feel better coming off this stuff your first moth is the ruffest the second moth you just want it to be over with but it just hangs in there by 90 days you start to come out of it try not to geet discouraged I dont candy coat it it is what it is and for most its exactly like that no 2 withdrawals are the same but I have helped a lot of people break free from this stuff you do get better slowly so there is progress its just not as fast as you would like keep posting to keep us up to date good luck and God bless.....Gnarly  

[Stevo977]

Good post! Most of us feel trapped on maintenance drugs and are afraid to commit to breaking the addiction cycle. It takes a tremendous commitment and the end result is the sense of accomplishment that no one other than those that have experienced it can understand. To me, it was the biggest obstacle to overcome. When the withdrawals were over and I finally got back to normal, I felt better than I have ever felt in my life.

To those struggling, life without being a slave to a drug is a freedom only us former addicts will understand and life is much better without being in a fog all the time. This is coming from a guy who lived and breathed getting high as much as possible.

I want everyone to understand that anything can be overcome. It is a hard road, but the benefits of being clean and not a slave to a drug is the best feeling and you will notice more things in life that you used to ignore and will make you feel like any other obstacle in life is trivial.

[atthebeach]

hi and welcome.i am so happy for you that you want to reclaim your life and break those chains that have you bound to the meth. yes truth be know methadone is a very long and hard withdrawal. my husband has been clean now for 16 months after a 10 yr. love affair with meth. he was up to 100mg and tapered down to 20mg over a 9 month period. he went cold turkey at 20mg. he was very, very sick for months. dont want to discourage you from getting clean,but want to let you know what you are in store for. tapering under 20mg is sooooooo sloooow and very hard to do.that is why he jumped at 20. felt like he was run over by a truck, hit a brick wall, severe stomach issues, no sleep.very,very foggy,no energy, but he didnt die. he prayed,prayed,prayed. started to move, exercise a little at a time, eat healthy, and by the grace and mercy of the LORD he is clean,healthy,strong,free of the clinic,not chained to the bottle anymore,
you dropped 10mg today that is alot at once. i would go much slower. have you started any counseling,therapy,aa/na,support groups,church. aftercare to prepare you for your recovery so you can be a recovering addict and not an active one.
please keep us posted on your progress. we are here to encourage you
GOD bless you
debbie

[reallyneedhelp76]

Hey i agree with stevo.  Withdraw is withdraw is withdraw.  BUT with a slow taper AND pure determination you'll beat this.  I can't beleive that medical professionals think that swapping one addicition for another is good for.  I'm sorry to hear that your in this spot, but your mind is your most powerful tool, use it and you'll succeed!  

[Stevo977]

You can take every amino acid and follow the thomas recipe, but Methadone will be a pain to kick no matter what. Wean down as far as you can, but still expect a month or more if withdrawals. Most people convince themselves that they are getting their life back in order by taking Methadone or Suboxone, but the fact is, it just pro longs the misery. The Thomas Recipe doesn't work. Staying hydrated and exercising regularly will help much more than taking more pills to overcome a pill addiction. You are not going to die from it, but you will be miserable for awhile. Medications are the problem and not the solution.

Definately taper as low as possible before quitting. Withdrawals will still be severe nevertheless. Commit yourself to a plan of action and stick to it no matter how bad you feel. The act of taking medications to get off medications is insane and will prolong the idea that you need a pill to get off a pill. Water, exercise, and sheer determination go much further than taking a pill to make you feel better. That's what initiated the addiction in the first place. The quicker you stop relying on medications for relief, the better off you will be. The Thomas Recipe is a waste of money. Use what you have available in your house that is free, exercise, and stay hydrated. Don't waste your money on crap that doesn't work.

[LeaAnn807]

Hey, if you will go to the Health Pages on the top right of this page and read the amino acid protocol and thomas recipe, they have good info.  You need to taper as low as possible before you stop though!  I do know that for SURE!!!