Methadone detox

[Ryan TC]

I have been taking methadone for over a year.  I was buying off of the street for about 7-8 months until I felt like I was pretty addicted (definitely psychologically).  I was spending way too much money and withdrawing half of the time, so I went to the clinic.  I have been going to the clinic for about 5 1/2 months and desperately want to get off of methadone.  I was taken to 110mg and have been coming down 1mg a day for the past 35 days.  Now I'm at 75mg. I can definitely feel the difference, but am not yet withdrawing.  I was addicted to opiates (heroin, oxycontin, etc.) and was able to kick that.  I really feel for the first time since I started to use opiates, that I am mentally ready to stop.  I am just wondering how bad this is going to be and if anyone had any helpful advice to detox from methadone.  I am going to continue to go down 1mg a day until I get to 30mg and then I am going to switch to Suboxone (Buprenorphine).  All the while I will be exercising. I haven't been taking methadone for too terribly long and hope that I will be OK.  Please, any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Ryan

[Greatgreebo]

this post is around 9 months old....ryan isn't here anymore and won't read your post. It's a good response though. Keep up the good advice

greebs

[skyscreamer]

Ryan ,this is a huge mountain to topple. iwas on it 2 yrs for pain the va gave it to me  i trusted them and didnt no how bad this stuff was. brother i made it. if you want to save yourself maby myself and a bioligst friend on this site can lead you through. google methadone it is a killer drug. extended use will kill you this is the most powerful man made opiat it can hand on for 8 weeks of withdrawl.i owe my life to this site .i can take the journey with you .im a christian and i love people.if you want us to help we need to know all the meds your on and howmuch and howoften you dose also how long have you been on mdone and your agewe can do this my brother be careful .let me knowand we will take this by the balls. god bless you
buddy

[Ryan TC]

Thank-you sosad5306!  I have read about the methadone WD and am only planning on using the Suboxone for 4 weeks at the most.  I just want this to be as painless as possible.  I'm sure that this will be difficult.  2 Years ago I got clean from straight opiates like heroin, etc.  I was at the height of my game.  I was working out constantly, gained about 30 pounds worth of muscle and just felt great.  Now I am in this situation.  I just want to get back to a regular workout program and also evaluate why I choose to self medicate with opiates.  Do you have a suggestion for an antidepressant?  I don't have much experience with them.  I plan on being off of Methadone within a month and should probably start taking the antidepressants now.  
Thank-you,
Ryan

[sosad5306]

Methadone detox is difficult in terms of the withdrawals.  Methadone is long acting and so the w/d's wont even peak for a week.  With other opiates, the w/d is over in 4-7 days.  With methadone, it is over in several weeks.  Most importantly, don't put too much emphasis on the physical side as the mental is usually more difficult.  I would recommend starting an antidepressant that is appropriate given you unique situation.  Keep tapering slowly and in the meantime, research via the internet and docs if you have access.  Also, suboxone is more or less, a step down from methadone as it is an antagonist/agonist.  Research suboxone/subutex too.  Keep posting here and don't get discouraged by lack of replys.  Unfortunately there has been some grade school drama here that has taken over the forum.  Good luck!