Should i get on methadone

Question

I've been battling a heroin addiction for over a year now, and i just cant quit. I spent 2 months in jail for violating my probation by using, and i spent 2 months in rehab. I relapsed after i got out of rehab and my addiction took a turn for the worst. I got sober and stayed clean for almost 3 months, thinking i was done for good and my life had really turned around. I got my friends and family and my life back and things were wonderful, until i got the thought of getting high in my head and it just kept eating away at me until i relapsed. I was on the junk for a solid month and then decided to get sober. I now have 2 weeks and im about to start on methaone tomorrow, but im scared because i know how horrible methadone is. I just cant shake the feeling od wanting to get high, its killing me and im obsessing over it. I've been debating getting on methadone for a few weeks now and done a lot of research and praying and talking with different people and im still not convinced that this is whats best for me.Is methadone a poor choice?

Tom86 · Answer

say no in my opinion  methadone maintaince is for long term opoid addiction management. i once inquired about it and was told that there is no easy taper  2 years every day having to drive somewhere before work every morning and at 10 dollars a dose?   it adds up to a lot.  I agree with the others if you can afford suboxone  they can sometimes taper you back to nothing in a matter of a few months  they are both opiods and u can still abuse them  how high is your useage gotten?  i just went thru rapid detox.  They put you to sleep in a hospital and flush out all of  your opiods and it causes you to have all of your withdrawl while u are unaware  u wake up 8 hours later with no physical withdrawls its like a head start on 3 weeks cold turkey.  i am proof  it works and gives you the upper edge on ur disease   message me for more info   plus the big part is a vivatrol shot opoid blocker that is in ur system for a month to keep u from relapsing.  this is a very invasive procedure.  but with your legal troubles and your history of relaps you may want to concider it.  im in legal trouble also because of my useage and disease.  i decided to do the most invasive thing out there  message me for more info if u want

funkychick · Answer

Hi I to spent 10 years on methdone, and agree, it is an evil drug. I got off it twice, by reducing, then jumping off. I then used subutex and seeming to work for me. You have to make a lot of lifestyle changes. Check out all alternatives, then make an decision. Good luck on the path you choose.

rizboy · Answer

im very suprised to see people dis methodone,when it seems to have gave them a fighting chance to get clean and end the drug fuelled madness.sure try counseling NA/AA or whatever first,but for most people this isnt enough,i think most need a buffer between reality and the DOC,how long do you try these methods before you say enoughs enough?1,5,10 years?im not sure on the answer,all i know is when it comes to heroin especially, you put yourself in a dangerous place,going to score in seedy places,mixing with dangerous people,IV use,not to mention the effects on your family and general well being.
I can only speak from my own experience of being on heroin for 9 years, and i tried everything under the sun to stay clean,my only regret is not going on a subutex maintance program sooner,subs do require a long taper and you do have bumps in the road and yes im still on 0.4mg,but ive been off heroin 2+years, something i could only dream of years ago.
It aint a magic pill but if you have tried every other avenue its worth serious consideration.
take care.chris

gnarly_1 · Answer

first off methadone wont get you high it will just keep the withdrawals off your clwan noe why jump into that frying pan I spewnt 6yr on methadone and 8 1/2 mo getting off it the withdrawal is brutal tray what worked for IBK and many others its a lifestyle change you need to kick it for good good luck and Gos bless.......Gnarly

Teri9498 · Answer

Hi, I agree with IBkleen.....methadone is an awful drug to get off...I took it for over 7yrs and today I'm 12 days methadone free....the withdrawals are NOT fun..to say the least!....I can count on one hand the hrs of sleep I've had in these last 12 days.....Methadone is so hard to get off most people stay on it for life....it is EVIL and been the worst mistake of my life!...sorry, that's just how I feel about methadone........

IBKleen · Answer

Hi & Welcome ---

I can't tell you what to do but I will suggest that you find another option. I think you will very much regret going on a Methadone program. It is very hard to come off of and the withdrawal can last for months. In addition it effects your bones, teeth, brain and liver---just to name a few. 

You are 21 years old and I hate to see you throw your life away. I strongly suggest that you join a support group and hook up with people who are going through what you are and can identify with you and guide you. I also think some form of counseling would help you to get to the core issues that make you use in the first place. If you begin to work on yourself and learn new coping skills, etc. you will not need to run to a drug when things get a little sticky. 

I suggest these things to you because my DOC is Heroin and I spent the better part of 20 years using it. I tried to get and stay clean more times than I can remember and what eventually worked for me was the two things I suggested. You owe it yourself to try something or several things before going on MM.

I am glad you found your way here and hope that you stick around and listen to the good folks who will help you in every way to get you through this.

Best of luck.

rizboy · Answer

Hi not got experience with meth,i used subutex it got me clean over 2 years now,neither drugs are a magic pill but its a hell of a lot better than heroin.

marycarmel · Answer

I can't speak from experience but from research, methadone is a tough choice.  Is it better than heroin?  Seems so.  People can get there life back together ... but then how do you come off?  What about suboxone?  It seems to be the lesser of the two evils.

I wish we could treat addictions differently.  I have no answers but I know putting people in jail isn't the way.  It doesn't work.  Of course, the court system has no reason to want to rehab people.  If we did that, we'd have empty jails.

I hope you get some good advice here.  There are some really smart people that have been down this path ... listen to those who have been there.  Unfortunately, it seems money drives most of America ... why would they want people off methadone or suboxone?

In the end, do whatever is right for you.  Do your homework.  Listen to your heart.