Decided on Methadone but worry if I am making the right decision

[ilvmakindolls]

So much controversy on the use of Methadone to get off opiates.  After trying to quit cold turkey several times over the past year, I now know I need something to help.  I made some phone calls early this week and was told by a Clinic that Methadone is one of the safest ways to get off Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Oxycotin....etc.  I have an appointment for first thing tomorrow morning.  I want off these pills.  One way or another, I just know that my time has come to get off them.  Two years ago, if a beer was offered to me, I would politely turn it down....but for the past couple months, I am drinking almost a twelve pack a day just to help me get through the day without using as much drugs.  I don't do anything except pain pills.  No herion, crack, cocaine...things like that.  I don't even smoke dope!  I used to always pride myself on the fact that I was the only child in my family that wasn't addicted to some kind of drug.  Well, I have kept the fact hidded from all my loved ones that I have a serious problem with the meds.  I run out of my script early every month so have to resort to buying them off the street.  The last month, it seems my whole thought process has also changed.  It used to be I would wake up in the morning, and after taking my first pain pill, I would start my daily routine of cleaning house, doing laundry...things like that.......now I wake up and start pestering those I know who sell pills to see what I can get.  I feel so lost and confused and just want my life back.  I know that this addiction is ruining not only my life but my familys life as well.  Taking money we dont have out of the bank putting us in the negative just to hook up......but then the next day am back on the hunt sitting here thinking of things I can take to the pawn shop for more money.  This is NOT me.  I tried the weaning program without success....I tried cold turkey without success....so Methadone or Suboxone seems to be the only way out for me......but I know they are both addicting as well.  I just wonder if anyone has had success on either of these medications.  I have a ton a questions I plan to ask tomorrow but I really don't think the Doctors truely understand what this addiction is like.  IT runs your life!  My niece, who is also addicted, says she wants off them too but is reluctant to seek help so I know she isn't quite ready.  Any input on these medications would be wonderful.  Thanks everyone!!!

[jerry4664]

I'm just another guy just like you with a pill problem the top of this thread was pure dessperation its your mind wanting drugs period you cna QUIT this man just stop i did it took two failed attepts but I found out the CT , vitamins,gatorade, water , showers and last but not least you have to come clean to your loved ones and friends I know that sounds corny but it was the missing puzzle piece in all my failures take my advice but with any road you choose you can always come here and I will support you...... I heard a song on XM yesterday and one of the verses was " dont measure me by how many times I've won but the rather the size of the rivers I've crossed" it fits me with my attemts to quit all that was bad in my life....

[jewlz2626]

YES! Please listen to Gnarly!! I got on methadone almost 10 years ago to be clean of pills/heroin, and I kicked myself in the A$$ daily for not taking care of this a looooong time ago BEFORE getting on methadone! The main decision I would have made was to say clear of methadone!!! It has been the devil running my life and is the hardest thing to get off of, I know b/c here I am 10 years later making steps to get clean. PLEASE do what you can to stay away from the methadone, it's a really rough road the withdrawls are worse, and longer, and you will be trading one addiction for another which is much harder to come off of! Best to you!!

[gnarly_1]

HI..... what to do what to do......well I have seen your nic on this board a few times b/4 and this is something that normally only gets worst with time and after reading your post I can sense the desperation of your situation  with that said let me go on the record for saying I dont believe in sub or methadone except for the worst case senerios ....if your eating 25 pills a day then you need a maintenance drug if your slaming a needle in your arm the same but if it is less then that there is a good possibility your going from the frying pan into the fire
I know both of these drugs save lives in those situations but if your simply looking for an ezer way to come off narcotics your looking in the wrong place the withdrawals from methadone are harder and wayyyyyy wayyyyy wayyyyy longer then the pills so your going to be back tracking,,,,I was on methadone for 6 1/2 yrs took it for pain management originally wound up at a clinic after a fall out with the doctor .....the clinics are all about the money they will tell you to keep pushing you dose up to ....'''get comfortable''  all the time sinking the hook into you deeper ......unless you want to be on this stuff the rest of your life I would steer clear of the clinic ....when I finely did decide to take my life back my use had grown from 30 mg to 150mg a day ....I was told it would take about 2 yrs to come off using something called a medically supervised withdrawal ....God that sound so friendly and clinical they never tell you its going to take you that long to detox when they put you on it .....I played the game for a wile ...had a nurse friend help me and managed to get off the stuff in 8 1/2 mo going in and out of withdrawals along the way at times I felt I would never get off the stuff it was far worst then any pill detox I had been threw over the 10yrs I was on the pills.....when your finely threw you not you stay sick for a long time I was dope sick for the whole first month layed in limbo the second month it was around 90 days that I started to feel a bit better .....still had a ways to go but at lest there was hope today I tell everybody this story thats thinking of walking into a clinic if I had to do it again I would run the other way think long and hard b/4 you do this to yourself right now worst case your going to be sick for a week and be over it in a month that 1/3 of the time you will be miserable with methadone ...I have help a lot of people detox off this stuff for most this is a typical withdrawal so unless your killing yourself dont do it.....im sure some people with sub experience will share there storys with you on that ive never been on sub but I have read a lot of horror storys on this forum of people coming off that also it might just be better if you get prepared get everything ready and pull the plug on the pills in the end you will be miles a head of using methadone or sub....good luck with what ever you decide just dont let them put a wolf in a lambs body and paint a rosy picture for you but in the end only you can decide what is best for you good luck and God bless.......Gnarly  

[overeasy]

I second both IBKleens advice and Jays-  I personally would not want to go through the methadone withdrawals since they last soooo long but its your choice and we will support you in whatever you chose.

On a side note-  I CT off 75 mgs Fentanyl last year + percs- made it 11 days and went into my doctor and got on oxys and percs.  I just couldn't take it any longer.  The full 11 days were like day 3 of coming off the oxys and percs. Seriously, It was BAD.  And methadone is stronger (am I right?) I believe, than the Fentanyl, so please think about it.

[jay863]

Its ok you gotta do what you gotta do,also the methadone will get you off the pills and how many you takeing a day but they might make you sick at first and just remember in order to get it you have to attend meetings and that will be good only 1 time a week.If they find anything in your pee you will be cut off .I know your really trying and keep doing good you made the right choice if you cant get off yet Im on a taper now like only 1 a day for ultram insted of takeing 8 a day soo were not perfect yet but will be soon will get thought it together im here 4 you
                                Jay

[IBKleen]

Let me first start by saying I know how hard it is to get off of opiates. It took me years of failed attempts. That being said, I honestly hope you will reconsider Methadone as a maintenance choice. Please do not lose sight of the fact that the clinics are profit making, government regulated organizations and they ARE there to make money. The problem is that they will not do a short-term detox, if that is what you are thinking, and the longer you are on it---the worse the withdrawal will be. It will make opiate withdrawal look like a day at the beach.

I don't advocate maintenance drugs at all for many reasons but if you decide this is the way to go, please research Suboxone as well. While it is also addictive and carries it's own set of problems, it may be the lesser of two evils and if nothing else, is easier on your body.

I hope you will stick around and listen to the members who can share their experiences. I wish you the best.