Methadone detox at home or in patient

[shesagapeach]

I have been on a methadone maintenence program over 7 years now.  During all of this time I believed that I was actually doing something to "Help" myself since i was supposedly in treatment.  I've been at the last clinic for 6 years I've been clean about 3 years from any other illicit drugs and suddenly i wonder why no one has ever approached me about detoxing and moving on to the next phase of my life, because this truly isn't living.  Up until last week I was ok with taking the methadone even despite the jobs ive lost because i can't stay awake or the fact that I fall asleep at the wheel when im driving....now i know that it was only the grace of God that kept me & my children safe all of this time.  Last week something changed.....I don't know what it was, but I felt like I would rather be dead than contiune exsising like this.  I've been on a dose of 90 mg for the past 3 years even though i only take around 40-50mg daily.  Last Thursday was my last dose at 90 mg and i've been taking about 20-30 mg daily since then at the hopes of going into a detox program.  I've also been smoking for the last 6 or so years.  I never thought i would be able to quit smoking, but here i am  now 3 days later with no cigarette. I haven't went that long without 1 other than being inpatient in the hospital.  Even the smell makes me sick now and i wonder how i stomached it for so long.  I have a few options now.  I need help deciding if i should go into inpatient detox or try to detox at home.  I have ga medicaid so that gives me a few options though not many.  I've been praying, meditating, excercising, etc to keep my mind off the withdrawal.  I need some advice from someone knowledgeable in this area.  I just want to feel normal again.....

[hiskidd]

Hey! I don't know about methadone, but it sounds like the people on here want you to keep your doc in the loop. No shame in a taper, especially for someone determined like you. Just keep your eyes on the prize. God bless!

[atthebeach]

yes hun your desire to be clean has to be stronger than your desire to use. but your body will have to detox from the toxins and poisons you put into it and that is a process. the methadone takes longer. so you just stopped from 90mgs? i thought you were taking 20 or 30 mgs. the withdrawals from meth take a few days to start so yea you are feeling it today. maybe you should go back to the clinic and start a taper plan. they usually only drop a few mgs a month. it is long and slow. my husband did 5 or 6 a month he finally wanted off. what symptoms are you having? stomach,rls,aches,?  the LORD is with you.
praying
debbie

[shesagapeach]

Today has been sooo sooooo hard!!!! My 4th consecutive day with no cigarettes or methadone. I'm so disappointed. I really wanted my desire to be free so strong---that it would overcome any obstacles. I finally thought I was done with this poison. How happy you be knowing that this stuff has became the most important aspect in my life

-Even more than myself!!!

[gnarly_1]

HI......IF You want off tell the clinic they will slowly bring you down a little at a time so you dont feel the withdrawals as bad you will still feel them from time to time but its not as bad as just jumping off get down as low as you can 5mg is a good jump point most clinics will let you go all the way to 1 if you like I did that but dont recamend it tapering below that is misrable and just prolongs the agony best to just get it over with as for in pacent im not a big avacte of it
methadone has its own rules its not like a typical opete where in 5 to 7 days your better your sick a good 90 days coming off this stuff and thats doing it right to just go to a detox and tell thenm you want off and jump off at a high dose is foolish even if they offer you sub fgor a week to break your fall your still in for some ruff withdrawals when the sub wheres off
there is just no getting around the fact to do this right its going to take time every body I know that went to a detox center for methadone it turned out to be a disaster so just let the clinic know your ready to come off be ready for this to take several months and b/4 you know it you will be methadone free if you have questions message me I will help you all I can I have helped others with this its not ez but it is so so worth it good luck and God bless.....Gnarly

[atthebeach]

hi and welcome to MH. the methadone programs are a government run program and their only objective is to make money. pure and simple. they tell everyone they will never get off and counseling that is a joke. no it is just changing addictions.that was my little rant.
you saw the light, oh but by the grace and mercy of our LORD. i am so happy for you that you want to reclaim your life.
my husband was on methdaone for 10 yrs.he tapered for 8 months down to 20mg  and was also taking 8mg of xanax  and went cold turkey. he was sick,sick,sick. the LORD brought him through. he has been clean for 17 months. PTL.
how are you feeling? dropping from 90 to 20 -30 ? any withdrawal symtoms?
you atttitude is so important. you are a woman with a plan. the LORD is your portion and your shield.  most of the detox programs are 3-5 days and offer small doses of suboxone.
methadone takes longer to detox from than other drugs. usually a good 90 days.
i would definitely look into some counseling and support groups. check out celebrate recovery, overcomers or salvation army they are church run.
sending hugs and prayers
debbie