Detoxing Methadone cold turkey

[Ashleigh77]

My son has been on Methadone for 5 years.  He is taking 45mg a day.  He has been doing really well at the clinic.  He has to serve 20 days in jail starting today for driving on a suspended license.  Since he is going to have to detox cold turkey does anyone have any advice that I can give to him please?  They will not administer methadone in the jail.  What are the chances of him having convultions?  How bad will his detox be?  It is breaking my heart knowing the pain he will encounter and I can't do anything to help him.   He was doing so well the methadone program has saved his life.  How many days will it take before the pain will ease for him?

[kim715]

I have to agree with the other posters,it's going to be rough.I went off of 25 mgs c/t and the worst of the physical w/ds lasted about 2 weeks,getting back to feeling semi normal took about 6 weeks all together.Since he is going to jail his options are probably pretty limited as far as having a doctor prescribe him anything that might help.Make sure that he lets the people at the jail know the situation,perhaps they can do something for me,doesn't hurt to ask.As long as he doesn't have any underlying medical condition that could complicate things,and if he does be certain that the jail is aware of that,he should be fine.It won't be easy,he's going to feel real sick,but it is do able.I will keep him in my prayers.Best of luck.....Peace..Kim

[spacecadette]

Hi,
  his detox won't start for 3 to 5 days.  I'd like to be honest with you and tell you that the withdrawls will be the worst he's ever had.  They are EXTREMELY painful and the most important thing is keeping his blood pressure under control. Is there anyway he can get some clonodine (or high blood pressure meds?)  He will make it through it but it will not be easy.  My heart go's out to you and your son.  I've done it cold turkey myself and it was by choice and definately the hardest thing i've ever done....but it CAN be done. His withdrawls will last anywhere from one month to 2 or 3.  It really depends.  I took methadone for one month at 30 mgs every other day and it took me a month.  But i've also heard stories of people who it took 3 months to withdraw and then another 2 before feeling human again.  I guess it depends on how long someone takes it for.  Keep posting and let us know how he's doing.

[Holliee]

why does he have to go to jail if you don't mind me asking?> Have you talked to anyone at jail about him staying on methadone and that fact that it has helped him sometimes helps to talk to big guy at jail

[Holliee]

I will pray for your son b/c I wouldn't wish that on anyone and you might want to speak w/cheif police and explain his Methadone maintance and maybe he will have a heart and let them dose him daily but if not he will have it hard I am not going to lie to you at all that should at least put him in medical cell. I know this b/c my sis went to jail on methadone and she was on 55mg and she had an awful time but she told them when she went in that she was detoxing and they kept her in medical cell all by herslef and keep an eye on her checking her vitals ever so often. Takes 72 hrs for methadone to fully get out so after 3 days the hard part start b/c methadone has half life it stays in system longer than anything else. She was in there 30 days and after 9 days she felt ok enough to leave medical cell hope this help if you have any more questions message me and God Bless you and your son