First day of Methadone Intake in the morning, SCARED and curious

[EmeraldEyesNJ]

Hi everyone.. I am honestly hoping that someone would read this and reply. So here goes, I am going to begin Methadone Detox/Treatment tomorrow morning for intake. I was told this is a counseling session, bloodwork, etc. i have no idea what to expect, so if anyone who has been though this before could help me easy my fears I would appreciate it more than you could know. Are they going to begin me on treatment tomorrow? Or am I going to have to wait until who knows and go into withdrawl and stuff...

[brighterfuture701]

I have to agree that each person responds differently. I was just recently discharged from a inpatient chemical dependency at a hospital. The hospital detoxed me with subuxone and it worked great but they discharged with no further help. I was listed as a high risk so no outpatient program would except me and with my job and child I could not do the MICD program. I really wanted to do the outpatient for help but the hospital counselor would only contact 1 place and was told they denied me and being high risk no place will take me. I left the hospital still having withdrawal symptoms and huge cravings for opiods, oxy, vicodin, percs, ect.... I spent the weekend searching for subuxone clinics for help and found 1 that called me back right away, scheduled me in the very next day and close to home. After meeting with the intake person they felt methadone would be better suited for me since I suffer with chronic pain. They explained with chronic pain subuxone will not help with the pain part and I run a high risk of relapsing, methadone will help with the pain and the cravings once my dose is found. My insurance covers it and with the pain controlled and cravings I can begin to get my life back. The daily visits suck but there is the possibility of going on a monthly script in the future. I am currently looking at being on methadone for a very long period of time, however I can ask to be tapered off at any time and yes it is a very slow taper but I feel that is best, it allows time for my mind to adjust and get used to the fact I am tapering off. I have found in the past a fast taper just caused me to relapse and the mental part of my addiction just wasn't ready. There is also the option of switching to subuxone (yes there is a waiting period and I'm sure other steps to take) but if I no longer need methadone for pain maintenance I can switch to subuxone for awhile and taper off that way. The most important thing for people to remember and think about is you have to do what is best for you not what others think, you have to be comfortable with your decision. Just because 1 person didn't like methadone or had trouble coming off it doesn't mean it will happen to you. Find a clinic you are comfortable with, a doctor you trust and go for it. I just started this program today but I went from feeling hopeless and depressed yesterday to feeling good about tomorrow. I hate the day to day visits but I want my life back and will do what I need to do to get that. Inpatient CD has not helped me in the past, this is my next option and have high hopes. My clinic is helpful, clean and from what I can tell they want to help me get my life back and willing to work with me any way they can. Even telling me that relapsing on the program is not the end of the world and will not cause me to get kicked out. Be honest with them, tell them what you did and move on.

[Joycemac]

You may not have helped the original posters but I'm sure others read your comment and got something from it.

[buzzandwoody]

J

[red2423]

Good advice and so true................

[slowpoke1967]

its so stupid of me to try and help others that have had there posts up for years ,,what was i thinking ,,i never botherd to look at the dates when i started writeing people ,,by now these people are the ones wishing they chose another route,,best wishes to any that read this

[slowpoke1967]

the dose your on as far as an addiction in my opinion does not warrant going on a terrible drug like methadone,,believe me im not knocking you in the slightest to each there owne,and this may be a terrible addiction for you but do me a favour even though you probably already made up your mind ,,please please talk to (gnarly_1) before starting in on methadone,i am only asking you to do this to save you from a world of hurt,,,there are other ways and as bad as i was i wish i chose one of those other ways,,i read the books on methadone and read all i could about the help it can give ,,but i never read about the bad it does,,please take my advise and get ahold of him he is great and knows more about this drug than most and can help you ,,,this all comes from the love i have for addicts because im one and there are so many