How to taper off methadone

[chaley616]

This week my husband admitted to me that he has a serious problem with methadone.  He said he is taking 30 pills a day?  How many milligrams would that be?  I have no clue about this drug.  I need help understanding so I can help him quit this drug.  

[wifeofstinky76]

Sweetheart, I know an awful lot about this subject- unfortunately.  It is correct that it is most definitely 300mgs. per day.  It sounds to me that he probably has his own doctor who may be prescribing him somewhere in the range of 120-200 mgs. dependent upon his pain/addiction issues.  As for the rest of his stash- he's probably buying or trading them from someone in lieu of another drug- most likely Xanax.  It's a cocktail most people on methadone enjoy.  Most reputable MD's do not prescribe such high doses. It's one's medical history which will effect what dose he is put on.  Also, regular urine screens are typically part of the regimen/contract.  Please do not ask him to quit abruptly.  At a dose like that- it will take a VERY LONG time to taper down and feel like a normal human being again.  Some people never get to that point because the withdrawal is so incredibly severe.  They end up on a "maintenance dose" for the remander of their lives.  Sincerely, wifeofstinky76

[gnarly_1]

HI .....you need first to find out where he is getting them to get 30 off the street would be expensive my advise is get checked into a clinc be honest with them and tell them you want off they can do a slow taper this in nothing you do overnight it will take seveal months from 300 mg it is doable but there will be withdrawals along the way first off get to walmart and pick up there 3 in 1 vitamin calcium/magnesium/ zinc start by taking 4 in the morning and 4 with dinner this will cut way down on the withdrawals you feel keep posting for support I help most of the methadionans off this stuff if you want message me we can talk good luck and God bless.......Gnarly

[eagle101]

Thats most likely a 300mg dose - high, but not unheard of with methadone. I ct'd a dose of over 100mg.....and it was pure heck! Textbooks say to taper to around 1mg before jumping....many say that the difference between 1mg and 5mg is negligible. The wd is a long and drawn out affair - may take several weeks - with the most acute phase lasting several days up to a week or so - and lingering issues for several more weeks. Push fluids and vitamins (check out the amino acid protocol for one help - just toss it into your aearch engine or look to the lowwer right hand side of the screen - in the box at right along with the Thomas Recipe and all....) get some of the Ensure type drinks - appetite will be an issue for awhile - Walgreens has a store brand that is good. Gnarly will probably be around to give you some more hints before long....and Good Luck - Just Never Stop Quiting!!

[vicki595]

Hi there-   That's a lot of Methadone!  At 10mg a tablet, that's 300mg. Ask him again...and find out where he gets it...

Generally, Methaone is tapered down to a "jumping off" dose. That is, low enough to stop taking it without severe withdrawals. There WILL be withdrawals though.

Educate yourself on the numerous symptoms of withdrawal. We can usually come up with a remedy that helps. Just know that tapering is a long process and there really needs to be some addiction support at the same time.

Thirty pills a day just sounds off to me. Has he been taking it forever?