Tapering off xanax for methadone clinic

[Bad_Habit]

I've struggled with methadone and xanax addiction for about 4 years. Most of this has been illegal use, but I am now attending my third methadone clinic. I don't have a prescription for the xanax, so I have to get off it. The clinic reduces my methadone dose 5mgs every 2 weeks if I keep testing dirty for benzos. I was taking 2 bars a day but have tapered down to half a bar the past few days, which is 1 mg. The clinic suggested I ask my primary doctor about prescribing me benzos so I can do a slow taper without it interfering with my urine tests at the clinic. She wouldn't prescribe them to me, instead told me I should go to detox to get off the methadone and xanax. I already went through detox earlier this year in April. I quit the methadone and xanax cold turkey, which put me in the hospital. After about the 5th day without either of the drugs, I passed out at my house. My mom called 911, and she said I was having convulsions when I passed out. I'm sure the convulsions were caused by the xanax withdrawal. I didn't realize how serious the xanax withdrawals could be until after that happened. After I got out of detox I relapsed after a month. I don't want to go to detox because I'd have to go through methadone withdrawals. I had been having heroin cravings, which is why I went back to the methadone clinic about a month ago. I don't feel comfortable getting off the methadone right now. I've been under alot of stress at home and am afraid I'll turn back to the needle if I'm not taking methadone.

I'm feeling okay with the xanax taper I've done, but I was wondering if anyone has any advice on how to get through this last little taper I've got to do and how to deal with any withdrawals? I was at 55 mgs of methadone, but since my last test was dirty for benzos, they lowered it to 50 mgs. I'm expecting my next urine test to be next week, and I'd like to be done with the xanax by then, but I'm not sure if that's too soon to stop taking it, even though it's a low dose. I'm sure my next test will still come up positive for benzos, which means my methadone dose will be lowered to 45 mgs.

Any words of wisdom, advice, encouragement, etc will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Bad_Habit]

I went to an addiction specialist last year and got on Subutex. Again I was testing dirty for xanax and asked if he could prescribe it to me so that I could slowly taper off. Like my primary doctor, he also refused and said I'd have to do inpatient detox for the xanax. My counselor at the clinic referred me to the metro area county health clinic, where I made an appointment with the psychiatrist. I didn't even get past the intake because the lady who was doing that told me the doctor would tell me detox was my only option, so I didn't even get to talk to him. I don't have the money to doctor shop for one who'll prescribe xanax if they're just going to tell me to go to detox. I have tapered off xanax before, and the withdrawals weren't too bad. I don't see any other choice but to self taper. I know it's risky and not what I want to do. When I do stop the xanax, I'm going to keep some on hand in case the withdrawals get too bad.I live in the metro Atlanta area, so if anyone is from around here and knows of a doctor who may be able to help me out with this, feel free to send me a private message. Thanks for your responses!

[weaver71]

Methadone is a longer detox than 2 weeks. Both of those drugs need to be tapered. Maybe try another doctor who is an addiction specialist to get the Xanax and a specific taper plan. Explain your situation with honesty, and I believe some doctor will help you do this right. I'm afraid of what may happen if you get kicked of the methadone at 50mg. It's not dangerous like benzos, but it sure feels like it. I don't want to see you go back to the streets, you have made too much progress.

[Jenelle2020]

Hi there, I sent you a private message, please check your Inbox and respond. thanks

[buddycrunch]

I really think you should do them the other way around.   Xanex WDs can give you brain zaps for months.  the 1mg per day dose would help with the anxiety of getting completely off opiates or synthetic opiates as methadone.

When you get off xanex, you must taper down.   All the way down to ,25 per day for a week or so, then start skipping a day, and so on.  It takes a full month or more to taper off long term use of xanex, but only a week or two to get through most the hell of opiate WDs.

Talk to a doctor!