can someone please help

[sassy2bratty]

I have never done drugs in my life. Pot a few times in high school, but that's it. My fiance, however had his last day at the Methadone clinic yesterday. He is so amazing to me, but isn't Superman. He refuses after care saying that it's dumb to put people in a room all together who want the same thing... and all of them know how to get it. He was on a 2 yr program and tapered a mg a day after he was at 80. He had a 12 yr addiction to heroin. He has done every drug known to man & here I am a pot "tryer" & I have no clue how to help him. He can't sleep, moody, lost all of his patience, and just is... different. For almost the past two weeks now. I don't know what to do for him.

[t_nuh_had_nuf]

Ya know, every1 is different- I WAS different on methadone-nothing phased me. Just kinda numbed my feelings. I know i am BETTER off of them.  Your fiance sounds very strong- things will level out and you will be even more proud of him. He should be proud of himself for what he is doing- it is a GREAT thing.
GNARLY has a lot of clean time off methadone. He also has a lot of good advise. I kinda think of him as the methadone Guardian angel. He will be around. Look out for his posts they are very helpful. TEENA

[sassy2bratty]

Thank you both. He really doesn't have any "physical" w/drawl symptoms. Sleeplessness & irritability & such but no sickness. He tapered himself by not taking his take homes... he just dumped them. He seriously wants away from drugs all together. He just hurt his back at work & won't even take the soma they gave him for pain. So... time it is. But I have to wonder... will he be the same person? I mean, does methadone (besides turning you into a zombie) effect ur personality? I ask only because we are engaged to be married & a stipulation of mine was that I won't marry him till he's 100% clean. I will stand by his side forever, but won't say I do till he is clean. I say it like that to him so he won't do it for me. I want him to do it for him. I just can't help with the thoughts he has. This is so hard.

[t_nuh_had_nuf]

many have stopped using methadone w/out any other prescription meds. I am 64 days clean from a 5+ year 100 mg day. Tapered myself very fast. Be patient w/ him and tell him to be patient w/ himself. this does take time. Look at the Thomas recipe (bottom right corner of page) These items will help- time helps the most as well as a positive attitude. Being free from that methadone is the greatest feeling and HE can do it. He could get alot of understanding and support if he could get online and post too! Good luck to you both! TEENA

[jkc65]

hi, i was on 120mgs of methdone for 2yrs,i had to go to countless detox after detox and relapsing on pills and heroin because methadone is long acting..you can be ok for a few days. But to be honest, it was 1 of the hardest withdrawals i had to go through. He has to consider in-patient rehab after a medical detox, they will give him different medications to make it tolerable..not everyone in the room wants the same thing and when your in rehab your in a controlled environment. If he tries to deal with methadone withdrawals on his own, odds are he will start using again or go back to methadone. I consider it evil,its the worst. I was supposed to be on a 6month methdone program and be weened off, every week i went in my counsler said i needed to increase my dose if i refused they kick you off the program with a rapid 5 day detox no matter how much u were on. So i agreed,next thing i knew I was on 120mgs and 2yrs passed. He needs to talk to people in recovery,that have been where hes been and serious about there recovery. Its his disease telling him he doesnt need to be in any type of care. The best option is to go to detox then straight to rehab,the rehab will still medicate him to make him comfortable. Also they are switching alot of people on methadone to suboxone, i dont know how long off methadone or how the change works,but if he out right refuses any treatment, maybe he will consider suboxone,its still any opiate but under a doctors supervision,depending on how bad he is they will treat him for as long as he needs and the slowly to taper him off. And if he listens and does it right IT WORKS, Ive done it, I was waking up sick,taking my suboxone and feeling great in 20mins. then after a month or so I was waking up and then realizing hours had past and i forgot to take my suboxone because I didnt need it. But I hope he will be open to all the options that are out there,because if hes in withdrawal,he might start using, Its agonizing. It took almost 6months for me to feel better. Goodluck