getting off methadone

[duro1]

I recently walked off the clinic on 89mgs but I got 7 days worth of suboxone & can get mire if needed by a doctor of course will I be ok

[duro1]

Thank you for your comments I'm gonna ask my doctor for naltrexone but she has already been given me zanax, soma. And flexeril she also offered me oxycontin time released & roxys & I said no for the soboxone now I havnt taking the soboxone at all only the other stuff I mentioned I can't get completely off opiate because of mt lower back pai & 2 pinched nerves anymore advice?

[Julia M Aharonov, DO]

There is really no easy way of detoxing from home. I have dealt with hundreds of addicts who have all told me horror stories of doing it by themselves.  I would only guess that if are successful in doing it at home you don't end up in my clinic.  I do not believe that switching from methadone to Suboxone is an answer.Suboxone is an opiate and is extremely addictive. People find it just as difficult to taper and quit. One of the patients in our clinic, who we had to detox from Suboxone, was so addicted, that no matter how far down she titrated this drug she could not get off. At one point she was literally just licking the 1 mg strip, but she could not give it up. I find that most have the same problem with both of these drugs.
Just in case you are curious, it takes us three to four days to detox a patient and get him/her back home drug free and feeling well on Naltrexone therapy (no opiates).
See if your doctor can write you a prescription for some Requip for restlessness, Neurontin for anxiety and malaise, some Flexeril or Soma for a few weeks for muscle spasms and maybe some Seroquel low dose, for sleep. and Clonidine for the creepy-crawly feeling and control of blood pressure variations. It will make your withdrawals easier.  Valerian and Magnesium is sometimes helpful remedies over the counter.
The residual symptoms of insomnia and depression can last another few months. Thus, it is not easy, but it gets better and better over time and you can look forward to a drug free healthy energetic you in the future. When you take opiates for a long time like you have, your body's physiology has been altered. Your central nervous system has created a multitude of opioid receptors that all are screaming for endorphins (opiates) to fill them, but your body has now forgotten how to make them by itself.  It will take time - two to four weeks at least, for your receptors to down-regulate (for the brain begin to heal) and to start making its own endorphins. Brain heals pretty slowly, so it may take you as long as a couple of months to get rid of feelings of sluggishness, restlessness and depression. The best thing you can do is take good care of yourself, eat healthy food, stay hydrated, keep active and busy. Stay away from sugar, soda, and simple carbs. Do not consume caffeine at least 6 hours prior to bedtime.
Take a look at my blogs about options for detox and recovery. You may also take a look at my clinic website where I also have my blogs and a lot of other info about drug addiction and recovery. Look especially into the blog and the info on Naltrexone therapy after getting clean. It really improves your chances of staying clean for good by cutting down your physical cravings. Look into my clinic website as well. All this can be done by clicking on my name in blue.
There is a injectable form available now that is covered by all major medical insurances called Vivitrol that you would need to get only once monthly to stay clean. Just keep it in mind for the future. As to whether opiates will kill you in the future once you get off of them, no, they will not. However, you will need to be very careful not to get addicted again, since you know that you have that predisposition, which is likely genetic. Good luck to you and my best wishes.

[Angelog]

Wait atleast 3-4 days i waited 3 full days  before i dod the switch from methadone to suboxone it put me into precipitated withdrawl which in english means , withdrawl x 4, educate yourself , i stayed on suboxone for a year after relapse, and it got to the point i wanted to live again, i wanted to feel pain & pleasure i didnt care about the euphoria it was fake, i was numb and tired, it helped me get my **** together which is paying of now since i got LESS stress to deal with,  plus i have no cravings what so ever, not saying it dosent cross my ming but thats " slick " talking.