Methadone detox

[Dryan8313]

I've been on methadone, 105mg per day, for almost 8 years. The clinic I go to is awful. It's absolutely JUST a business, with no help or support. I only go in twice a month, which is the highest "level" one can be on there. I asked about starting to taper down in my dose and they told me that if I wana do that, I need to start coming every single day and I lose my take home privileges. Wtf? Isn't that "suppose" to be the whole idea of the methadone program? To eventually taper off? Anyway... So I've decided to try and taper down on my own. I took 105mg yesterday, and decided to drop myself to 65mg today. So far, I'm fine and I think I will be for the next 7 days that I plan to stay on 65mg. I will then continue to go down; much slower once I get to 40mg.
My question... Is there anyone out there who has tried the rapid detox either under anesthesia, or another type of rapid detox (the coleman institute), where they don't put you under, but it still involves the naltrexone implant? I'm thinking about trying this once I get down to a lower dose but I've read so many mixed reviews about someone who knew someone, etc. Is there anyone who has personal experience with rapid detox from methadone who can shed some light on this procedure for me? It's really expensive so I need to be sure it's worth the money before I do something like this. To me, " worth the money" would be a detox that would be tolerable, and that wouldn't last for months! I know it's not gonna be "pain free" like the detox facilities describe. My biggest fear would be for me not to be able to tolerate the pain afterwards, and go back on methadone or something like it.
Also, I think that It would greatly benefit me to attend NA meetings, and to maybe find a sponsor in my area. Is it considered "wrong" in a sense to attend NA meetings while still on methadone? Do you think people would object to me being there while still "technically" using?
Sorry this post/question is so long... I've had NO ONE to talk to about this except my mother and my husband, both of which try to be supportive, but don't have a clue what this is like never using before themselves.
Any and All advice, support, and comments are welcomed!!
Thanks for listening!!

[BarbRTR]

I think regardless of what med we have been on, it's taking a toll, even while on it.
A muti vitamin wouldn't hurt, nor the protein shakes like Muscle Milk, they are so good for you.
Although a lot is my underlying illness, I am 5'10" and a little over a hundred pounds. day 35 here, ( I think)  I have gained five previous pounds!
I didn't eat well on pills, and doubt a lot absorbed.
Take care!

[VICourageous]

Hi weaver and I always agree. I was on methedone for 12yrs I was playing around and would go way up from the scrip I got. I had enough and my Dr. and I cut 60mgs right down to 30mgs I was just fine I felt NO w/ds from that,  but when we finally got to 15mgs thats when I started snorting adderrral with it. It made the pills strech out and took a benso at night. NOT A GOOD MIX to be on or come off of. Anywaqy I called one of those places to be knocked out and the guy said he could not do the methedone and told me to talk to dr and get on fent patch. My dr said no way. So I went cold and it was very long and hard but REWARDING. From my experience of studying this now it would be better to do a SLOW taper this mean not on shot one time a day but spread the mgs out during the day. I go to AA/Na and on this site the SUPPORT is a new world a new life. God Bless you for taking the first step good luck its your recovery in however you do it.
vvicidaho
PS I get liguid vit/min from a natual source and more the magz, D and ca.
l from plant helps sleep. I HIGHLY recomend vit/min and more if you need to know I can share.
also I went back to 30mgs and thats when i went c/t

[Dryan8313]

Wow, what a GREAT thing to wake up and see that people took the time to give me some great advice and support! It's sooo appreciated! Thank you all!
So far this morning I'm feeling ok. I'd love to hear more about the different types of vitamins I should be taking, etc since I know nothing about that sort of thing.
Yesterday I started taking a woman's one a day, vitamin C, and B-12. Is there anything else I should add? Or should I not be taking what I am?
Thanks again!! Very excited to have an outlet where I can talk to people who have some experience with this.
I've thought about switching methadone clinics. Will look into that today and see if there are anymore in my area.
I also made an appointment with my family physician for next Thursday to see what she thinks about rapid detox.
Thanks again... Look forward to hearing more!!

[weaver71]

I did a rapid detox using subutex(buprenorphine) only because I had tried to taper and never seemed to make it. I would never suggest doing what I did but it was the only thing that worked for me. The subs gave me a mental break and a moment of clarity, but I was in full blown withdrawal for 3 months and another 3 months of PAWS. Never tried the Weissman method or naltrexone, but I've heard mixed reviews. Methadone is it's own animal, the way it stores in fat and bone. It seems to take a long time to flush it out, not sure if the rapid flush would clean out more than just the blood. I personally don't think it would work for the long withdrawal that methadone has. If you can keep tapering down to 0mg, that's the least painful I've seen. I do know a person who tapered down to 20 mg and switched to 2mg of subs for 3 months and tapered of the subs with relatively little withdrawal, compared to cold turkey methadone. Definitely hit NA, the only requirement for NA membership is the "desire" to stop using. You will totally welcome there. You may want to slow that taper down now, like drop every 2 wks. One of the reasons I kept failing was being in a hurry. Had a tapered slower, I would have been done by the time I went through 2 1/2 years of relapses. Congrats on getting your life back, I know exactly why you want off the methadone. Keep posting with questions and support.

[BarbRTR]

Hi and welcome! I have no experience with either, but don't want you to think you're being ignored!

It's late, but there are several members on here with methadone experience, and I know they will answer you when they see this.

That truly stinks about your clinic. Maybe that's normal, I don't know, but I can see why you would want to try at home!

Please keep checking for a response tomorrow morning. Congrats on your decision to quit. This forum is great for support!

[gettingoff]

Hi There,

You might re-post as this was kind of far down the forum. I have not tried to get off of methadone but you should def go to NA. Everyone is welcome and it would give you more personalized support you need if you want to start tapering off the stuff.

Stay as positive as you can, try to make a concrete plan and stick to it! You can do it and we are all here to support you.

I am 23 days off of my meds (norco + soma) and everyone here has been really friendly, supportive and lots of good advice too. It was hell (not going to lie to you)  but I am overjoyed to be finally feeling like myself again...not having to worry about when I could take my next dose, carrying pills, wondering if I was going to make it, falling asleep at weird times etc etc.

Know you are not alone. Keep on posting : )