Methadone for 15 years and Why a Clinic would leave it up to the Addict?

[angie]

I have someone very dear to me that has been on Methadone for 15 years to keep clean from heroin. My thoughts is that it just helped prolong her situation and helping her not reach a bottom. There are even some states that will give it to her free. Florida however does not give it free. It is pretty costly. Yes, I have read all about how it keeps them off the streets. They do not offer any real counseling or really try to help her get off this stuff. Why would a methadone clinic keep someone on the program for so long? I know several people within the program that has been on it for 10+ years. Why would a program leave it up to a drug addict to reduce their dose or get off the program? There was another question posted about Hepatitis C and the effects of Methadone. I would like to just say that the medication that could help the Hepatitis C is blocked due to the use of Methadone. Only quoting the Doctors. Yes, I probably sound Angry. 90% of the time I am not. I attend Alanon and with the help of a greater power than my self I keep the focus on me, Take it One day at a time, Letting go and Letting God.

Thank you for listening to my questions and my thoughts.

[Gina]

I must say " Congratulations" if you feel comfortable at 45mgs. Everybodys tolerance is different and although I never took heroin, I was taking 40 pills a day if I had them. Sometimes 30 if I needed to spread them out. Yet, when I started the MMT I stopped at 50mgs, then felt like I needed an increase a few more times over the next 9 days and now I am up to 65mgs which seems to be working. I just wanted it to be less, but was told not to get to "into" the numbers. I wish you luck at this dose since it's less time tapering down. Let me know how you are making out.

[Patrice]

Hi everyone

I have been on methadone since Thursday, and I feel great!!!  I do not crave heroin, and I am seing the doctor on Friday to get on maintenance instead of detox.  I would like to stay at my currant level 40mg.  I will see what he says.  When I was on the bup treatment, all I could think about was heroin, but, now I know, Dan is right!!!  I am not loaded, I just am starting to feel like the old me again!!  Thank you to everyone here, and write me back.  I am hungry for recovery and know I can make it this time!!!!!!  I gotta get back with my sponser and start working the steps again, I did go to a meeting Saturday night, but didnt get to share, because it was a tag meeting.  It was still great being there.  I plan on getting back to my 6 meetings a week, (you know the excuses)  last nite was Superbowl and I had people from NA at my house.  And this is the truth-no lie  I went tonight and the electricity was gone.  So I start tomorrow.

Love to all

Patrice
***@****

[Patrice]

Hi Gina

E mail me, and I will give you detailed experience of my first few days.  I dont want to talk about it on an open forum.  Heres my addy again    ***@****

Hope to talk to you soon

Take care

Patrice

[Gina]

I would love to talk with you via e-mail. This is the first time I am trying the MMT. I have been very honest with my counselor. The first few days while I was on 20mgs until I hit 30mgs I had to take a few of my lortab to stop the withdrawl I was feeling at night time. My husband gave me two so my legs would stop from constant moving. I usually take 4 or 5 at one time but the idea was to stop the shaking not to get high. My husband are as straight as they come and he is having a hard time understanding all of this. I told my counselor about this and he said that he doesn't do a urine screen for the first 4 weeks since he knows people will be taking other stuff to be comfortable in the begining. After that no excuse! I haven't taken anything in weeks. What happens if you do? Do you not feel it because of the methadone blocking it out? See, this would be good news because then I would think what's the sense? Having a dirty urine and getting in trouble for nothing. I am on 60mgs and this is where I will stay. How about you? Write back soon!

[Patrice]

Hi girl,
I am happy me both made the decision to go on methadone.  I dont know if you have ever been on MMT, but it does save a lot of lives.  I still feel a little ukkie, since this is only my 2nd day.  I am at 40mg, and I feel comfortable there over the weekend, I will ask them to keep me on this dose.  I have to be very careful with methadone, I have had very bad reactions to it in the past.  But I think that was due to me taking all sorts of other shiat with it.  Gina, Please dont take any pills, no matter how much you want to!!!  What I am talking about is opiates.  You would have to take a lot to feel the, and then what?  You have defeted the purpose and catch 2 habits.  I was trueful with my doctor and told him that I take 1 sleeping pill a night, my doxipan for depression and xanax for occasional panic attacks.  He told me it was fine, as long as I have proff they are from my doctor, (which I do)  They will work with you, if you are honest with them.  And yes after 90days they will give you take-home (if you give clean tests).  They also will let you go to another clinic if you need to go out of town.  I am glad you are going to 12 step metings!!!!!  I go only to NA because where I live, addicts are not welcome in AA.  Gina, since we are going through the same thing, I would really like to talk to you via E mail.  My addy is ***@****.  If you would like to talk, please just write me.  I live in Fresno, California.  Where do you live?  You have a great weekend, and I hope to talk to you real soon

Your sister in recovery

Patrice

[Patrice]

Hi all

I writting you all, as I promised. I started with my methadone program this morning.  Started at 10:am.  They put me on 30mg today,and will increase me to 40mg tomorrow.  My doctor there also told me, I can stay on a dose comfortable to me after I get through the detox, to help with my CP.  I explained to him that drugs such as vicodin are my triggers for heroin.  He was a very nice man.  And Dan you are right, he said my medication I am taking for sleep and the doxipen are fine, as long as I have a prescription (which I do).  Now I have to get back to my program to get back the wonderful life that I had before this all happened, I am so greatful to all of you for seeing me through this!!!!!  I can now get back to my NA meetings without feeling guilty and dishonest.  I am happy today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love you all and God Bless

PS  will write tomorrow