is a painless Methadone Detox possible? any tips would be appreciated!

[pbandjenny]

Hi everyone, I have only been on methadone maintenance for almost 5 months and I am now taking 105 mg every single morning...I want to detox off of it asap, but my clinic insists that I must stay on it for at least a year, and will not start dosing me down yet. I want to get off asap bc I have heard horror stories about how awful methadone is and how the withdrawls are brutal! Is there anyone that has been in a methadone clinic and was able to get off of it within a few months, or less than a year? If yes, how did it feel slowly tapering down, and was it bearable? How much did you taper off every week and did you feel major withdrawls? Has anyone went from methadone maintenance and got off of the methadone with suboxone within a year or a few months of starting the methadone? What is the most painless way to get off of methadone? I used to do oxys and heroin every day, for six years from the time I was 18 and now, at 24, I have finally been clean for almost 5 months... and I never want to go back. However,I do not want to be addicted to methadone instead and the fact that my clinic wont taper me off is a little scaring me... Please if anyone has successfully gotten off of methadone, especially if you were able to do it within a few months or a year, I would greatly appreciate any tips or advice. again, I haven't been on it longer than 4 and a half months at 105 mg so I am assuming my withdrawls wouldn't be as bad as someone who was on it for, say, 10 years and than tapered off... I would love it if someone who has been on it for less than a year was able to give me their experience of getting off of it. I really hate being dependent on a substance, especially one that doesn't get me any benefits at all! Any advice on the most painless way to get off of methadone would be appreciated.... but I I would really like to hear from people who were able to get off within a year of starting the methadone treatment and how they did it as well as how bad the withdrawls were and how they got through it within a year...Also if anyone took suboxone to get off of methadone, and if so, how much suboxone did you take, how long did you use suboxone, and how difficult was it? I am scared of being addicted to methadone and desperately need some advice and or tips please! Thanks so much for your time and reading this post. God bless.

[pbandjenny]

Thank you so much for your input...its very encouraging to hear from someone like you! So you said your doctor switched you from methadone to hydros to subs? Can you not go from methadone to suboxone? And also, were you in a methadone clinic or a regular doctor? My clinic doesn't offer anything else but methadone...I know they wouldn't give me another opiate like that bc the methadone is supposed to keep me away from hydros, oxys and heroin. I truly think I am ready to get off of it and begin tapering down, but my counselor flat out refused to let me taper right now. its really frustrating and I don't know what to do... I also was thinking about finding a regular doctor to put me on methadone and slowly detox me off maybe if that's possible... I am tired of going in every day and only getting one take home dose per week after being clean and compliant for over 4 months. I want to get off of everything asap and was wondering how bad was the withdrawl going from methadone to suboxone? How long were you on methadone from start to finish? And again, can you not go from methadone to suboxone? is that why you went to the hydros? How long have you been clean since then? Congrats on getting off of all that methadone.....you were on such a high amount and im glad to hear that you were able to get off of it all! I would love to get off of everything and would love to hear more about your experience!

[weaver71]

I think it's awesome you are ready to be clean. Taking that first step of realizing I was not it control took the longest, no doubt. After detoxing from high dose methadone, I realized the rest of the steps to a clean life for the rest of your life. You spent six years hunting and craving, they are right to say you should be working on your emotional strength now. I not think they are right to say a year on another drug is what will cure you. I hate methadone with passion, it cured me alright, like a fat rump roast marinade. In a structure like you are taking it in is better, but I believe methadone shouldn't be a maintenance drug unless taken a lifetime. You are the smart one in this situation, how can you make the system work for you?

Do they offer Suboxone as a choice? You asked about it. I used it 20 days for acute detox from 160mgs methadone. I tapered from 200-250 mgs a day to 160mgs in a month or so. My doctor switched me to Hydros for 4 days and I waited a day and induced subs. It's a bit fuzzy now, I felt far more clear in 1/2 an hour with 8mgs subs. That is the only way I know your doc may be able to switch you to subs. I don't believe that drug should be used for maintenance, it's stronger than methadone and sticks to your brain. I would personally choose subs over methadone, but I am biased from my experience. I obviously would chose a opiate free life first, but that isn't always our choice, a consequence often times.

Court order has you in the system, they say they are trying to help you. You are the only one who can change you. I sense the anxiety you are feeling, the methadone is blocking your feelings. Show that therapist you are ready to taper. Research addiction and tell them how much you know about the brain of an addict and how it changed your behavior. You won't use, because you are not anxious anymore. I have a plan of my own as my recovery strategy. Present your case with a relaxed confidence. I hope the therapy is teaching you something too.

[pbandjenny]

Thanks for your input...so you said over 15 months you came off of the methadone? What was it like for you detoxing off of it? You went cold turkey...so how hard was it for you to do it and how long did you feel bad? I have quit cold turkey a many many times off of oxys and heroin and I always felt like crap for anywhere from 2 weeks to a month. It was awful..thats why this time im am trying methadone....and I really want to just get off of everything after I eventually dose off of it...if and when my clinic will let me. I tried talking to them today about tapering and they said that they wouldn't let me taper yet at this stage in my treatment... they said that methadone is just treating my withdrawls and im supposed to be working on my emotional well being now that im sober and they said im not yet ready to dose down... where do you mean I can get support from online? im completely new to this and any support anywhere would be great...do you have any links to any forums or blogs of other ppl who have been thru opiate addiction? thanks so much for your input; It really means a lot! happy new year and I look forward to hearing back from you.

[pbandjenny]

I was there today, asking them to taper me down, but they said they wouldn't let me do it right now because the medication is only to get me to be stable and they will not allow me to taper yet...they want me to work on "my emotional problems" and they say I am not ready to start tapering yet... They flat out refused .... I do see a counselor there every other week for an hour and she is the one who is refusing to let me taper down, even though I have been in treatment for 4 months already, and completely clean the entire time. They say that the medication is only to get me to be stable, and I am there to work on my emotional issues, and as of right now, I am not ready to taper. It is frustrating bc Im scared of being hooked on methadone now, but they assure me that 4 months is nothing..i need to be on it for a minimum of a year so that I can stay clean... im trying to listen to them bc I need them to write me a glowing letter of recommendation saying that I am abiding by their rules and doing well. I am court ordered to go to a treatment program, hence why I am in methadone maintance... I just really want to get off of everything and its frustrating that they wouldn't let me begin tapering off.

[atthebeach]

You have to insist that you want to start tapering. They can't make you stay on it if you don't want to. They can recommend  not demand.
It is definitely money making venture for them.

Are you also receiving counseling and/ or going to support groups.
You will need support to help prevent relapse.

[VICourageous]

Hi & Welcome..Well this is just my 2 cents worth..About over 15 Months ago I came off Methadone that i was prescribed for over 12 years. I was on the hydo/oxys before that..Plus my substance use off & on for over 40 years..Not bragging (it was dumb) becasue I know now this is why it takes time for the Brain to Balance back from the removal of these Stims.
We can not give out a Taper Plan because we are not Dr nor do we know your Health..OK..BUT I was on a very high dose and got down to 80mg..The after a bit I told the DR only to give me 6-10mgs a day..From there I went from 60mg and cut it right to 30mg..BUT this is when I got real bad..I wanted it to stretch it out so I was snorting it with illegal Adderral for the Big Buzz like my Crank days..I do not have the ADHD so it would wire me up..Then I took a Klons at night or early morning to come down. I went c/t from all 3 at the same time over a 15m ago..I am no young chic so the months went on with different stages of detox..The Head Dr told me that it would take a Year or Two for the Brain to all balance back to the way it is suppose to be firing. ALL these Meds hit different areas of the Brain and Highly mess up the Nervous system. NOW I think the clinic just wants there money..Sorry but that is what I feel every time they have someone go up higher and higher and drag it out.
I would put my foot down and tell them you want to Taper NOW. I can say at each drop you should give your self time to adjust..BUT it does not takes months. The SUBS are just as synthetic as the Methadone and they are the hard ones to get off because they do not like to let go either..MY Opinion is that I would not go on the SUBS..YOU will be way better off just doing a nice and easy taper. If you do the Subs they will just prolong you from coming completely clean and allowing your Brain to heal in a Natural way..BUT I have read many success stories on here about people who went on Subs..Most where not on Methadone..We have a few but most where on either the H or other opiates..I just hate to see people go on the Merry-Go-Round..If and when you get down to almost nothing we sure can help hold you up during the detox. We have many that have used MANY different methods on making the Detox less intense..We use lots of Fluids and Vit/Min Etc., Etc.. So I wish you the Best and get them to do what you want..Other wise go to a DR who will prescribe you some to do a Taper..If you have to taper at home you must give them to some one to hand out to you..This is why most of us just had to go c/t and we are alive today to share our experiences. I wish you the Best and keep checking your Post..The Support on here is so God Send..
Bless