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Getting OFF Methadone

I would love to hear from someone who has successfully detoxed from a methadone clinic. I have been on methadone for 5 years and before that I was on opiates for 5 years. I am really tired of the money it costs, the time it takes (I am only required to go to the clinic once a week to pick up because I have successfully gone through all of the phases without failing any drug screenings and completion of all of the other requirements), and the way it makes me feel. I have gained over 100 lbs since starting methadone and I just don't have any will or drive to do anything anymore or even to leave the house and believe me if you knew me you would know that that is just not the true me. So if anyone can give me any advice or point me in the direction where I can find the answers I would truly be greatful. Thanks and Happy Holidays form Alabama!
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942290 tn?1252618549
Its comrads like you,gnarly that helps keep me focused. what you have been doing and your comments here are very inspirational.

your helping alot of people, and as we know there are many more out there.........that are watching  :]


keep kickin that 800 pound gorillas @zz, bro !!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just did it. I went from 80mgs.day to NONE. I used the receipes on this site and tweeked my own. Everyone here is right it will take WEEKS to feel normal. Anti anxiety meds help. You will LOOSE so much weight going cold turkey off of m'done because
you dont feel like eating anything. I was 110lbs when I started detox and I am 95lbs right now. about 2 weeks later. I would ratehr be addicted to H than m'done and will never touch the stuff eva' again. It kille dmy social life and creativity. I did not CARE if I went out or not and I am the most extraverted person ever. When you quit all of a sudden you get these natural rushes/surges of dopamine and seretonin. It's likea ride. But a lot of vitamins have to be ingested as well for your body was destroyed during the m'done intake times. I still have no energy but cant drink energy drinks for my heart is still weak. M'done screwed with my resporatory system as well and now my asthma has GONE AWAY. You can totally get off! It is so possible but you MUST make friends with a doctor who will understand you will need benzos. Any questions please be free to ask!

I know just what you mean about not wanting to leave the house. It comes back,. Your life returns and it is intense and shocking, but pleasant.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
your the man dude ....you have been huge in helping me get free of this stuff
im so happy for you and am glad your starting to see the light again...
im only going on 8 days but its support like yours that has got me this far
I guess I wish it was a quicker process but in the context you put it in
a few mo is a very short time compared to the rest of our lives good luck
dude and congrads on your clean time you have worked hard for it...Gnarly  
Helpful - 0
942290 tn?1252618549
I was a 5 year moderate to heavy pill addict. with last 1 1/2 years on methadone and norcos.  I have gone ct of pills many times, but this last time I was convinced my life was no longer managable and I was close to dying from them.

It was die trying or get free, for me this last time.  I was unaware of a proper methadone tapering, which is the way to go. I went on a quick taper that threw me right into the bowels of major wd's. but through sheer determination I have been %100 clean of all opioids since june 3rd,2009.  I managed to keep working,with excuses like food poisoning or the flu, because I looked flat out fd up and was !!!

it was quite the shocker as we all  know.'done and sub are known for long term wd's, so one must keep in mind its war that just does end in a few weeks.  because I basically went CT, it was very tough for 2 weeks, then got alittle better each week.  it took me abou two months to get to %90 of normal. not going to lie to you about. its best you prepare for whats ahead, then it is understandable and does not effect you mentally as much. one needs to realize secondary wd's are only normal.

but what can we expect? why would we expect our brain to readjust so fast after 5 years of heavy use??  so for a few horible weeks of agony, and a few months of moderate wd's, we can have a opioid free life !!!  its just the price we have to pay for what we have done to our poor brains, thats all there is too it.

and let me tell you, to be free was worth every minute of the agony,now  :]
Helpful - 0
1063524 tn?1258732204
Hi from Alabama also!  I am currently tapering off of methadone.  It is a slow process but I am sticking with the plan which helps keep from relapsing.  I tried cold turkey before but ended up right back at the clinic after sixty days.  I just couldn't take it.  It was the mental part.  I wasn't ready.  Make sure before you detox, you have it set in your mind that you will go through with this no matter what you go through.  That is so important.  It will not be easy, I will not lie.  But it will be worth it.  It's freedom and a new life.  Check out profiles for gnarly_1, whitie and Lisa034.  They have helped me more than you can ever know.  Gnarly_1 just finished tapering and he is keeping us posted.  I'm sure you can find some of his posts on here, I think there is one at the beginning right now.  Sweetie, just hang in there, keep praying about it and do what you think is right for you right now.  If it's not the right time, then it's not.  You will relapse.  Like I said, pray, make a commitment to do it and go for it.  Message me anytime.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
SUBOXEN 1-2 MONTHS AND IT'S OVER!
Helpful - 0
318890 tn?1297965320
Hi hun
Well i've come form 110ml to 40 a day in a few week's which i'm glad about, Bit i'm getting clean form herion. & i guess the methadone is gonna b the same. It's not just gonna be getting clean i have to work at but recovery full stop.
I've been a meth addict for 6 year's & herion addict for 13. I like you only have to pick up once a week as i'ver given them clean sample's for so long :). Thank's for invit.
Are you wanting to go into a dextox/rehab clinic?. What's your dose?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks, I really would like to knoe how you got that far.  I have been taking myself down 10 mgs. some weeks and 5 others.Just kinda going by how I am feeling.
Helpful - 0
357326 tn?1198719771
i had a friend who lived in alabama as well she did it. she went to a treatment center and they helped her. she did great.. i think the name of it was bradford health care.
Helpful - 0
228686 tn?1211554707
Well, I'm not totally off but I'm down to 2.25 milligrams. If you want to know anything about how i got that far, let me know. I do think there's one or two people on here who are actually long term methadone users who got off and stayed clean, but I'm not sure.

G'night for now, y'all!
Helpful - 0
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