Methadone

[Ernie_420]

What is the best way to deal with methadone withdrawls?  I go to the clinic but not sure how good it works.  It keeps me off the heroin and oc's but that is it.  I want to be clean of everything

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

PS........many clinics will "blind dose" you.......they will lower your dose gradually without telling you - this eliminates the anxiety that you might feel at your dose being lowered.

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

I cold turkeyed 120mg of methadone. It wasnt any fun and the whole affair lasted months. But the taper alternative could also have lasted many months and the withdrawals toward the end could have been just as bad as my CT........ I know a lot more about meth now.......interested parties should look at Baron Munchausen's posts and journals......the good Baron took many months to taper - - he also got down to 1/4mg doses toward the end. Methadone is a monster that cannot be treated lightly or like other drugs. But it may be used as a tool and several approaches may be utilized toward the end of therapy. But ultimately the person must do the real work ...the drugs only give that person a chance to work.......

[Ernie_420]

I know what you mean when u say u want ur freedom back.  Everyday is a major struggle.  I dont want to quit cold turkey because of the withdrawals.  Thats why I started in the first place on the methadone.

[Ernie_420]

Did you still go through the withdrawals when you tapered off?  The program seems like a way for people to make money.  I need to taper off but I'm scared I'll go back to using other drugs again.  There seems to be no time limit on how long you can take the methadone', but I dont want to be on forever.  It's a struggle everyday to stay clean.  I go to na meetings 3 or 4 times a week but still think about gettin high.  As long as I try and put in the time I think I'll make it

[Ernie_420]

The in patient didn't work cause i didn't want it to work.  I didn't put in the time or effort for it to work.  How did you get in touch with why you were using?  I have no other problems other than I loved to get high on heroin and ocs.  Any help is greatly appreciated

[leelou137]

Hi there :)

Just new here and this is the first time I've kinda reached out to other addicts on the net. I've been on methadone for something like 5 or 6 yrs and have reduced my dose for the first time. I desperately want off this ****, I want my freedom and my mind back. it seems there are simply 2 ways to get off - taper or cold turkey. I guess it's really up to u and your mental state /physical surroundings etc to make the choice , and I am reading alot of evidence to support both paths. It's really very confusing and it's hard to know who to believe and trust.Even tho Ive had a great relationship with my Dr, I've just realized that she's not supportive at all of me coming off,just wants me to keep 'seeing how I go'.Not good enough ,But starting with a new Dr and going through all the history and **** again is not easy.
I know I AM ready to do SOMETHING. So do u try these 'all natural' detox diets ( which probably r better for the body) and maybe spend all your cash at some luxury detox retreat, or to ease our fear of withdrawal do we go the medicated route, with valium and other mind-altering drugs (which r still drugs).
I don't know and I too am scared SH*tless. I have a beautiful 5 yr old boy to care for, I'm on my own. And sadly, after my research on the net today, it has only INCREASED my fear of withdrawal! At least it's comforting to actually see that there are others out there.
Thanks for letting me rant a little.

[worried878]

agree..if u dont do the work..neither maintenence drug wiill help u..not sub or methadone..I have seen people on 300 mgs of methadone..and still functioned like they were on nuttin at all due to tolerence..but 65 mgs is not a super small dose/not humongous either..but not considered a low dose..so dont forget that cos it will be a dose that can cause wds if u r on it for a while..and that is ok if u r ready and have worked thru the issues that cause u to turn to drugs..thing is if that is working for u and the sub did not..then that is where i would stay..for now...but remeber that u gotta do the work..and posting here is a great form of support as well..but real live meetings or counseling is often necessary..and dont shake it off cos it works..be safe and keep usposted..try not to go to high on the methadone if u can keep from it..it will be less to taper from later on

[kim715]

Ernie I'm going to be honest,although I did go the methadone route,I am not a huge fan of methadone.However if the methadone has kept you from using heroin thats a good thing my friend.Methadone is a maintenance drug.It should be used in order to give you a type of 'time out' so that you can get your life back in order.Give you time to change persons,places and things that contributed to your using.Now you need to work on your recovery care.Have a plan in place so that when you are ready to start tapering you have all the help you will need.It's in your best interest not to stay on the methadone too long.I was on it for almost 2 years and after that long it was a real bear to come off of.Pm me if I can help in any way..All the best...Kim

[IBKleen]

Hi and Welcome,

Heroine is my DOC also. So, I have to ask...why do you think in-patient treatment did not work? And Suboxone didn't work either?

I am glad that Methadone is keeping you from Heroin but it will be one h*** of a price to pay.

For me, I needed help with getting clean physically and I really needed help with the mental part of this disease. Until I was able to get in touch with why I was using drugs, I could not stay clean.

Have you done any sort of counseling..meetings?

[Ernie_420]

I want to taper off but I'm scared if I do I'll go back to using.  This is the only thing that has ever worked for me.  I tried suboxone and I've done an in patient rehab.  Nothing worked.  How long were you on the methadone and how high did you go?

[kim715]

Are you thinking about starting to taper soon? Is that why you are concerned with the w/ds? I was on it for almost 2 years.I jumped off at 25 mgs and now have over a year clean.

[Ernie_420]

I have been on for a little over a month.  I am only on 65mg/day.  I don't want to be on it that long but don't know what to do.  I tried the suboxone and it didn't work.  This is the only thing I've had any success with at all

[kim715]

Hi Ernie.Whats your situation? Are you still on methadone,are you tapering? How long were you on it and how much?