oxycotin detox and methadone maitnance

[hippy]

i have a neice who is 19 and has been hooked on oxycotin
for about 2 years,in the philadelphia area the neww solution
for young people to get off it is methadone maitnance for
a one year program, that cost 100 dollas a week.
with all my experence with drugs , useing them and getting clean
she asked me what i thought,it was drastic but probley safer.
my question is , im i crazy but woulden't a 30 day detox/rehab
be smarter then getting locked into a year long metadone program.i would think as a society we could offer young people
a better solution,my neice has told me she has more then a few
friends who are now involved with the methadone program due
to oxy addiction, all being under 21. due they have shorter
methadone programs, she also said they want cash and you can try to get your ins to reinburse you.
i have no experence with these programs.
any input  would help.
thanks --------------hippy

[pammy0690]

I have to agree with Methman and Thomas.  I think Thomas has had enough experience to give his personal opinion.  Methman has been in recovery for a great number of months after a ten year stint on methadone.   I do not think there is a better person on this forum to discuss Methadone.  Again this is only my two cents worth but I have seen many poeple struggle to get off of methadone and it ain't pretty. But for some CP suffers it is viable option when they are in massive amoutns of pain and need a stable med.  Respectfully, Pamela

[MethMan]

With all due respect, I feel compelled to disagree with parts of your comments regarding methadone.
When in the throws of opiate use, a common sense approach; researching before getting on Methadone simply didn't come to mind with me.  Instead, one usually listens to the good doctor.  After all, we're in his/her office for help and the doc knows best, right?
Methadone may be a good choice for those suffering from chronic pain.  No doubt it's stable characteristics provide a better lifestyle than that of other opiates.
For the remainder of the world, I can (with experience) tell you that methadone is without a doubt, a legal nightmare regardless of whether or not one receives their dose at the top of the hill in their neighborhood or next to the park where the stuff is sold outside the confines of the clinic.
I pray that the new drugs recently available will help those unfortunate souls suffering from CP and allow others a more dignified means of helping themselves through this quagmire called addiction.

[RobynBanks]

Hi Thomas,
I understand your situation 100%, I have self-medicated for most of my life. As long as you can keep it in check (physically, emotionally, financially)...maybe its  a good method of 'damage control'. I hope you find a better way of coping (I hope I do as well) but in the meantime...we all deserve to be as happy as possible. Feel no guilt and keep your eyes open at all times. I really appreciate you honesty, its very refreshing.
Sincerely, Robyn.

[Thomas050]

RobynBanks
Thanks, I appreciate your feedback. The only thing is without them I was having a very difficult time getting thru some days. I saught therapy and was put on several antidepressants, it was all a joke. The pain pills actually really help. Basically I am taking charge of my own mental well being for the moment. Before I had them my depression was so bad I contemplated suicide several times. Since I have them I have not thought about that once. So it is a good thing in my life right now. I understand the addiction factor and I am really glad I found this website, there are so many nice people here, and there is alot of insite from the school of hard knox. That's actually more helpful than the theripists I have been to who got A's in gradschool ;)
I basically need to just bide some time while my emotions heal and I am being very careful with them. I know there will be a time when I won't need them, but right now I do. I haven't had probelms qutiing other addictions (cigarettes, 4 year/ $50k cocain habit).
I do see the bad side of them and how they can cause a problem though. 1) The tollerence factor. I prob don't even need to explain that to ya'll.
And 2) When i stop for a few days my depression is magnified horribly. It's amazing. But  just knowing I can ease it by taking the meds, helps.
I'm being VERY warry.

Kind regards,
Thomas050

[AKA Fool]

I think I'm going to make it.  Of course, am somewhat worried about what happens with no Darvon (which seems to help with the breakthrough pain) and Clonipin (which just makes me feel tired w/o the ability to fall asleep). These will most likely be removed this week.  

But, so far, no more willies to deal with.  Back is still hurting, but I'm managing with a reduced schedule and lots of walking.  I'm starting to feel better about life; not in such a fuzz so to speak.  I went out with some friends that flew in from out of state last night.  At closing time, my buddy made an off-color comment to a girl.  She went off.  My friend walked off.  I was looking around at the night sky...then the girl's boyfriend came up and popped me square in the mouth as .  Mob scene insued. I am truly too old for this **** and have never been the fighting type anyways.

But, you know what?  All I could think was this is still better than days 2-8 of my detox off the methadone.  I'm sitting here with fat lips and a torn gum line actually feeling better than I did last week.  Might actually make it through a full day of work.  This is day 17 for me.  Thank you all for your support...I will return the favor if I can.

Peace

[RobynBanks]

Thomas-please read my post below to you. You cannot advise on something you do not understand. Dabbling in narcotics to get through the 'rough spots' WILL catch up to you. Its the psychological dependance that is holding you and that's the toughest part to break. Since you're not on the fence (not physically dependant and aware of the psychological dependancy). NOW would be a good time to CUT THE CORD. Find another means of coping with the 'downs' of life. Best of luck & be strong.
AKA Fool-You're past the worse part!!!! I applaud you. Keep it up because the detoxing will continue to get easier I SWEAR. Yes it takes a LONG time to get out of your system. The leg aches were the worst lingering symptom for me. Its wears on you because it takes so long but if you do things to speed up the process (excersize & sauna=sweating it out , drinking water ALL day), they will make a difference. Give it another 2 weeks and things will be get easier. I'm routing for you, Robyn.
babyboomer- Go slow slow slow...its the only way to go. A slower detox will make the symptoms less severe and therefore managable. I couldn't tolerate it if I didn't detox slowly- it would push me off the edge and perhaps I would 'slip'. Make it easier on yourself so that you don't panic and end up messing up your taper. I havn't heard of the cysts you mention. Maybe do a search on 'methadone side effects', its possible that it has nothing to do with the meth or are they realted to sweating caused by meth.
All the best Robyn.