Detoxing off methadone and switch to Suboxone. How long do you have to stay on sub b4 starting detox from that?

[quadracersteve]

    I'm getting pretty close to the 30mg mark on Methadone and want to jump to Suboxone, then finish my detox on that. I do not want to do any sort of maintanence on sub, just finish my detox. Has anyone done this, and if so, how long did you have to stay on Sub, before starting the detox off of that? If I stay on methadone, @ this dose it's gonna be another year on this crap if I don't want to kill myself with the w/drawals of detoxing too fast. Plus, I hate the drive EVERY day. If you're on ANY psych meds at my clinic, prescribed or not, you don't get takehomes, and I'm tired of driving in the snow every winter.
    I'd like to do something like the 21 day detox. Maybe even drag it out to a month on the low doses. Sounds a lot better than another year, (that would make it 10yrs if I stay). I understand the most important thing is to walk off on a very low dose, (1/4mg).
    I'd also like to hear peoples experiences of doing this, like, what dose did you start at when switching from methadone to sub? I know everyones different, but if I could get some #'s, I'd have a general idea of what it's gonna cost me. I know the dr's initial fee plus the by-weekly fee to see him, but I don't know how much the med will cost until I get an idea of my daily dose.
    Thanks, in advance.

[GreenButterfly906]

We cant rely give you a time frame as each person is different; however, I just switched over and it will be 2 weeks tomorrow. I find pro's and con's, but personally, Suboxone has been better for ME! We are here to support you, and it is nice to see that we can support each other with this transition! All you can do in life is try! Good luck and God bless! Keep in touch!

[weaver71]

I only know one person who did rapid detox from methadone and has not relapsed. He started NA meetings and found a counselor before he went in. He felt awesome for one day after he left the detox center, the second day the mental/emotional part hit hard. He almost relapsed, but he went to a meeting everyday and counseling once a week. That is what really made it work. Great points above, what kind of plan do you have for after detox or while on subs, or whatever detox plan you chose?

[nursegirl6572]

Hello there!

Besides the methadone, and maybe the sub in your future, what "work" have you done on your recovery?  Do you have an aftercare plan in place?  Do you attend meetings or go to an addiction counselor?  Anything like that?  Do you have a good support system?  Have you eliminated all of your sources?

As for the rapid detox, nothing is a miracle cure.  For one, the cost is ridiculous, and if you do your homework, you can read that while it may have helped speed up the detox process, many people relapsed, because again, there was no comprehensive recovery plan in place.  Plus, there have been complications with rapid detox as well.  There are many stories of people who still had to go through withdrawals, even after the rapid detox.  Also, some pretty powerful drugs are used also.  There are some pretty big risks with that.  While I support any plan for recovery, that's not one I would ever recommend to people.  The other issue is, even though it stinks, the detox and w/d process are an important part of recovery for an addict.  

Just want to be sure that no one thinks that as long as you can afford it, it will fix all of your problems.  The truth is, while most addicts worry the most about GETTING clean, it's the STAYING clean that is the REAL struggle, and something that has to be worked on.

Good luck to you!

[gnarly_1]

HI rrd does not work well with methadone it has a long 1/2 life as well as lingering symptoms that can last for months dont buy into the lye sub has worked for a lot of our members but is also tuff to detox off of there is no get out of jail free card her if you do the sub keep your dose low and get off it quicky that has worked for most with a succesful detox dont give up ther is hope after methadone I was stuck on the stuff almost 7 yrs and just tapered off it took a good 90 days to fell well again do what you think is best we will suport your decision good luck and God bless............Gnarly

[wannakicket]

  I am so sorry to know that so many of us are in trouble with these dreadful drugs. i was on Norco for 10 years. I took six 10 mg per day& i was loosing everything including my mind. So goofy, I didn't fit in anywhere anymore. i did this because I had very bad emdometreos. I became a addicted & mean.
I wanted badly to be normal again & someone told me about Methadone & how successful it was for getting off Norco, that it was. Today I am addicted to Methadone it ***** i started on 44 mg per day and now down to 20 mg per day. This has been going on for nearly 3 years. I despise going to the clinic with all the toothless addicts that really don't want to get off this **** at all. Most of them are there to get the drug when they cannot find it on the street. It's just so ghetto, I want to be done. I am now learning about Sub & that sounds more humane & socially acceptable. My therapist feels that I am ready to make the switch. So I am jumping on the train I just hope that it works for me.
Their is also a treatment for those of you that can afford it, where you go into the hospital & detox through anesthetics. You are put to sleep until the methedone is completely out of your system, it takes 2 hrs, & shots to make you comfortable for 6 more days. It's cost is between 8 & 9 thousand $. They just might take insurance, I am told that the overall withdrawl is a minor ful for a day or two. Sounds to good to be true Right? it works. Google ( Rapid Drug Detox ) also known as RDD. I only wish that I could afford this, I am told that you are treated very well & checked on hourly. I don't see why they wouldn't take insurance, they make plenty of $ & it is cheaper that a funeral. For those of you that are going in that direction, please tell us about your experience. Good luck & God Bless you All. Wannakicket
I can provide you with their number #1-800-225-1020.

[weaver71]

I'm a little biased with the methadone. People who are on it seem to love it, Suboxone is the same way. I you have failed at rehab and can't seem to kick it any other way, suboxone is an option, but I would bet 3 days on subs would just give you a long enough break to be able to get high on the H again. If you can find a complete suboxone program, I mean counseling, meetings, drug tests, and a complete program of recovery. That may be a good choice, but a 3 day detox is not enough. This is only my opinion, but you need a program that will change every part of your world and how you view it. Methadone doesn't give the rush, but the post rush high is the same as Herion and that's why so many addicts love it. Start your own thread by clicking Post a Question, more people will reach out to you. Make this the last attempt. Get a plan.