Methadone - Good Idea Or Not?

[sinead1]

Hi everyone,

I have been on a suboxone program since March off this year but have failed twice. Screwed up again last month so have been kicked off the program. My drugs worker says that I could go back on suboxone or give methadone a try? Can anyone give me advice on methadone or what I should do? Anything would be appreciated as I really have no idea what to do and I have until tomorrow to give her my answer!!!

Thanks x

[sinead1]

Hey,

Well I was a complete idiot. I took some valium and then spent all the money that I needed for college on heroin. Because I was out of head on valium, I didn't go and pick up my suboxone for a week and a half so they took me off the program. What I mean by 'failed' is that I get drug tested by my drugs counsellor every two weeks and I failed the drug test, that was the first time and the second time was just this time recently. I have been speaking to my drugs counsellor today and she said that she can get me started on suboxone on Tuesday so I've decided to stick with the suboxone - but this is my last attempt - if I fail this time then I will have to try something else.
Gnarly_1 - At the moment I am having to use. I am just using enough 'to make me feel normal' I know that I shouldn't be doing it but I don't have a choice. On Monday is the last day I can use as I start the suboxone program on Tuesday, I am so glad because I hate this life. Hopefully, this time around I can make it work.
x

[feohmoon]

Methadone and suboxone are both opioids used for maintenance drugs.  I am familiar with both and would recommend neither.  Typically people opt for one of these drugs because of the difficulty in getting off their drug of choice, but in the end they usually realize it would have been easier and faster to detox from their drug of choice.
Please give a lot of consideration to this before making any decision about taking methadone or suboxone.  
There are remedies in the health pages that can help alleviate some of the pain associated with withdrawals...and as others have pointed out, aftercare is an essential element to recovery.  Best of luck and continue posting, there are alot of good people here to help you.  This is an excellent outlet for you as well.

[Wolfmedicine]

I don't know your exact situation but Metadone is HIGHLY addictive and extremely difficult to get of of.  It's also a hassle.  You would like have to go to a clinic to get dosed daily for a long period of time.  I would not recommend that course.  I was on it for many years.  If your symtoms are not are not dibilitating now, don't do either Sub or Meth.  Get ramped down with non opiate drugs (Clonidine, muscle relaxers, something for sleep).

[Jaybay]

Can you tell us exactly what happened that you were kicked out of the program, and what you mean by "failed?"  If you mean you tried to jump off the Sub and couldn't handle the withdrawal, that's a totally different animal than relapse.