Methadone detox

[Stefanie81]

I have recently started going to the methadone clinic... It has been right about a month or so I'd say, maybe a little longer. I, basically, lost my funding and am going to have to quit going. But I'm super scared about the withdraw because I have heard horrible things about methadone. So, here's the deal... Like I said, I've only been on it for about a month. I had been clean off heroin for about a week before I went to the clinic. I was up to 50mgs, but as of last week, I am down to 40. I felt absolutely no effect from lowering the dose 10mgs. I really am just wondering what to expect, and if it's going to be as bad as everyone has claimed it to be... Thanks for any help you can give me.

[weaver71]

It sounds like you have a good plan in place. It would be better to fast taper, but you haven't formed a severe addiction to the methadone yet. That stuff builds up in your fat and bone marrow over the years, so the longer one uses it, the longer it takes for it to leave the body. Try to relax and not anticipate what will happen. Surrender to the process and it will pass faster than it feels. Even my months of detox seems like a short time after years have past, and you won't be battling anything like that. Stick close to your support for a long while. Really find the real reasons you use these drugs. I found I used drugs for lots of reasons, though it started with pain, that was one of the smaller reasons I actually used by the end. Hang in there and keep us posted.

[VICourageous]

Hi! I have to Ditto the Above. I too was prescribe this Med for Pain after the other opiates for many, many Years. Got down to 30mg and jumped off with 2 other meds back in 2012. YOU will be fine..Just make sure you drinks lots of fluids and take some good Vit/Min and Eat very Healthy. If you build your system up it will help to detox them poisons out. The Mental might come in Waves, but that is normal when we remove any Substances. Make sure you have Support for this Addiction.
Bless

[gnarly_1]

Hi you should be alright  you haven't been on it long just do a quick taper and you will feel the withdrawal  probably wont sleep for a wile the withdrawal last about 10days to 2 weeks with the achy bones lack of energy and depression  again you haven't been on it that long so it  will be mild compared to many years on it  keep posting for support..........Gnarly

[Stefanie81]

Thanks so much... I really feel better now about having to get off of it. I had been trying to taper, hence why I was dropped from 50 to 40 last week, when the money ran out without any warning. I seen people get on methadone for heroin addiction and it always looked to me like they were just trading one thing for something else, ya know? So, I knew when I got on it, I only wanted to be on it short term and didn't want to go above a certain mg even if I was still uncomfortable. The place I'm at took me up really slowly too. And, like I said, when they dropped me the ten mgs last week I didn't feel any kind of sickness so I'm hoping it's because I haven't been on this crap for very long. And I definitely know what sickness to look for/expect. I've kicked monster heroin habits! Putting more than a gram a day into my arm.... I have been an addict for a very long time unfortunately and so I have a sponsor, a home group through NA and a bunch of different meetings to go to. Thanks for responding... I really appreciate it!!

[Prettyinpain]

I definitely think the odds are with you on this one. Actually, I think LAOs like sub and methadone would work best as a very short term solution. Like weaver, I can only guess here, but I truly think you're in a lot better place than those of us that have been on this junk for years. Perhaps, as cheesy as it sounds, this might have been a blessing in disguise. Don't psyche yourself out from bad stories like mine; everyone has a different taper/detox experience, and with only a month under your belt, I think you have a lot working for you. Please keep us updated and I wish you all the very best!

[weaver71]

After a month, you will not have near the experience a long term user will have. You can forget the horror stories like mine. If I were to guess, which is all I can do, I would say the detox will be longer and far less severe than H, which you know that feeling. I think physically it won't be too bad. My question is, what kind of aftercare did you set up in your month on dones? The mental part is actually harder and way more tricky to wait through. It takes work to heal the addict brain after the body calms down. I highly suggest meetings, counseling, church or something to keep your recovery accountable and in the front of your mind.