Is low dose methadone good to taper off high doses of Hydrocodone?

Question

I had read alot on this site where people use different kinds of ways to detox from opiates. I was wondering if It would be ok to take 1mg/2mg of methadone every 12 hrs instead of trying to do the taper from the hydros. I am talking 4days max for the methadone then be done. Just wondering as I hate the hydro taper. Ty all for the help <3 Laura

lilly1307 · Accepted Answer

I totally understand how you felt.  I just joined the community as well and one of my questions was answered with people saying "You don't want to get clean, you are just worried about getting caught!"  I was shocked.  I obviously want to get clean and sober or i wouldn't be on this site, i would be getting high.  Though some responses were rude, I will say that most of the responses were loving and encouraging which was exactly what I needed.  I want to be free of the opiates as well.  Hopefully we can encourage and motivate one another as we are both tapering.  God bless.

Recovering84 · Answer

I know this is an old post but just wanted to put my 2 cents in just incase they or someone else watching this was having problems still

Recovering84 · Answer

I was abusing hydros for about 6 years snorting 20 or so a day doctor prescribed me 180 norco 10's a month and they would be gone in week or so and I'd spend rest of the month till next script buying pills and looking and then spend some of that time withdrawling and it was horrid,  then my doctor switched me to oxycontin 80 mg 3 times a day and 4 30mg roxicodone a day for "breakthrough pain" and was even worse was on those for 5 years or so doing the same thing as the hydros, and i legitimately needed them for my back injuries but i couldn't take just what i needed, because of my depression and social anxiety i over used them cause i didnt get the screwed up drooling high alot of people get from opiates....they made me feel normal and hyper and able to deal with the public, but i finally took a look at my life and the endless cycle i was doing every month for years and decided wasn't worth it, i started therapy and started going to methadone clinic....i got to 140mg of methadone and only went for about 4 months total and i didnt crave pills didnt get a high from the methadone, no withdrawls, nothing, and i tapered down pretty quickly off the methadone and quit the clinic and i had no side effects or withdrawls, now it is gonna vary from person to person but i hear more good stories then the very few horror stories as that one guy said he had up above, so it's a choice you have to make, I'm clean for the first time in 15 years and it's thanks to methadone and to my will, you have to want to quit...but if you're not doing as much pills as i was then you definately don't want to get to as high of a dose of methadone as i was on, most clinics start you out on 30mg that's the minimum around here, and hell if you don't take much then that 30mg might be all you need and go for about a month or so then taper down and quit when you feel comfortable, like i said it's all in the person everyone is different, I'm just telling my success story, cause i was also using coke meth and alot of other things for years before my wreck and got on the pain pills, so methadone really does help if done and used right. It's up to you. don't let a few horror stories scare you off from maybe a chance to get clean if you can't do it on your own.......keep your head up
~Charlie

Missshawn · Answer

Hi,I'm 2 weeks clean from hydro.. Do scare yourself into taking the meth.. If you taper down to a low dose,u should be fine..well uncomfortable for a few days,but it's manageable

surgsick · Answer

Ty for your response and advice. I really do  thank everyone that has had best intentions and posted to help me. At that time I was clean off everything yes. I had said that "If" i couldnt handle it then I would take a 1/2 mg or so of methadone to help. at that low of a dosage it wouldnt be addictive or "mess" me up like a high or anything. My update, is that at about hr 38 I did take 1 mg methadone, ( Not from a methadone clinic or from "the streets" I had some left from my last cancer treatment and I used a pill splitter to split up. I used it because I didnt feel the opiate effects and it is longer lasting to get me over the hurdle. That was the only time I took it and have had nothing since. :) I am doing well and starting to get more energy and some sleep. I know my post might have been a little confusing and I am sorry for misunderstandings. I found out tomorrow if the new mass found on xray last week is the stupid cancer back so please just keep me and it all in your prayers if you would. Again Ty all and Merry Christmas. <3 L

Teresa1717 · Answer

Hi there! So Im confused, you said you are clean off everything for 26 hours but your taking methadone for cravings? Im not sure how that work since Methaodne is an opiate. Are you on a Methadone program or did you buy methadone off the streets? Too many people try to take a stronger opiate to get clean off pills and in many cases thats a horrible idea. they will just end up getting hooked on the methadone especially when taking incorrectly like "just for cravings"  Things like Mathadone and Subs need to be taken under the care of a Dr and done properly and done with a taper schedule put in place by the Physician. IMO you should not be taking the Methadone for "cravings" and if you want to get off opiates you should just jump and do it.

best of luck

NeedingHope4Me · Answer

Oh and you can always private message me if you want anytime I always check in off and on through the day in case..<3

NeedingHope4Me · Answer

Hi Laura..First of all Congrats on taking the first step..I know the w/ds are scary and no fun,but the other side is soo worth it ;) I am day 27 clean after many years and wow..soo amazing..

I also wanted to say that you really should re post here :Addiction: Substance Abuse Community  because you will get sooooo much more support..we don't typically see this I am grateful I did though :) Feel free to re post please so you can get more help and talk to everyone while you go through this rough time..Keep up the good work!!

surgsick · Answer

Well I am on hr 26 of nothing. I might take 1/2 mg methadone for craving purposes but so far I am doing well. I was only gonna do the very low dose methadone for 4days max but I am thinking on just 2dys maybe. I am playing it by ear. If I feel good enough in 24hrs than I want take it at all. I will do this for sure. Unlike most of the people out there I was medically hyjacked by an unhealthy 110yr man LOL Well I killed him 8wks ago (my  last surgery) and now I want my 37yr old female back. She is coming out to btw. Have a good night lilly and let me know if u need anything. SERIOUSLY! <3 Laura And thank you for having understanding and not jumping on someone unstable with no help just opinions like some were. If they would have said dont do A because of xyz that would have been a different story. I am thinking of u and u got this girl :)

surgsick · Answer

Oh and I cant add to save my life !!! NOT 240mg its 140 mgs at max lol it is 1-2 ev 3-4 as needed and those are 10/500 :/ sorry emotional again!! This blows!!! Just saying. :) I am gonna go get in shower and thank u again :) L

surgsick · Answer

Oh Lilly i think u have saved my "screw it all" mentallity. Sorry but I was ready to say screw it last nite and do this all after new years. BUT I just took my ambien and went to bed. Unfortunately I only get like 2-3 hrs of sleep but that is better than nothing right?  Well I was taking about 240 mg hydro per day and am down to well i think today is my 10mg 3xs a day drop. I was taking them because of back issues and cancer twice. Unfortunately they found a new mass last mon but I am not jumping the gun or giving up. I just want to be where if I need it fine if not nothing. My last surgery which was major back surgery was 8wks ago. Physio starts today. I am mostly out of pain so now want the dependency to be done. Anyway thankyou so much for the reply. I was a little down yesterday becuse i was asking questions and some people was acting like I was this strung out addict that was making excuses or "knew" what I was doing with the detox and taper! I was asking because I didnt know. I am EXTREMELY sensitive and an emotional wreck and that was the last thing I needed. One said why dont I just jump of a cliff or something like that... Oh well, I guess some need tough love or whatever you want to call that but I was just asking questions. I am new and just am ready to live opiate free, hopefully forever but if the cancer is back, I want to be free till surgery or whatever ya know. Blah Blah Blah lol Anyway thank you! <3 L

lilly1307 · Answer

In my opinion you should stay away from the methadone.  I was on percocet in the beginning of my addiction (now i am on fentanyl), and I switched to methadone to avoid the crappy withdrawals.  I wish that I never did that and just dealt with the withdrawals of the percocet because methadone withdrawal is no joke.  You know your situatino better than I do though and I am sure you will make a wise decision.  Good for you for tapering down.  I am tapering as well.  Slow and steady wins the race.  How much hydro do you take daily?  I hope everything goes well and good luck.