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1187051 tn?1264427691

Quitting Methadone Cold Turkey at 1mg

Hi I'm on the methadone program and have been for 3 years I was addicted to heroin so thats why I'm on it k I was at 120mg and currently am working my way to 1mg I'm at 38 now I go down 10% every 2 weeks k heres my question...When I get to 1mg I am gonna quit cold turkey what kind of withdrawl am I going to experience??? k I missed my drink for 2 days before new years a couple years ago and I was at 120mg I Thought i was gonna die the withdrawl was so bad but my clinic closed early and thats why I never got my drink k now I am scared ******** because of what I experienced so I'm really scared to quit cold turkey but I am fed up with the liquid handcuffs. PLEASE if anyone can help me please reply on this I'll check everyday ummm....Thanks to whoever can help me
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Avatar universal
Im currently oon reduction from 55ml im now down to 46ml is it normal to feel aches and pains and really tired all the time if im only just starting to reduce? i was on 65ml and 55ml for 9yrs. Im so scared to get so low that i mess up
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3 Comments
Hi there, hope this helps a little... I came off from 90mg at 1mg every 3 days then when I got to 30mgs I slowed it down more to1mg a week. It took 2years but I experienced no pain or discomfort at all... I'd say if it's hurting, slow down your reduction rate... The part I did find hard was when I was off completely, all my feelings & emotions came back 10fold & I had to deal with ways to cope with that which lead to benzos & eventually after 2years clean I have just ended back up on the methadone. It's saved my life but somehow I feel coming off it this time is going to be alot harder as I'm older now & my body just isn't what it was last time. It really does mess with ya bones huh! So yeah my advice, slow it down..1mg a week.  All the best sending love & light x
Thank you for your advice and hope you are doing well, im 39 yrs old and can confirm lol its harder now im older, as you said our bodys just cant take it like they used too, i give your advice a try. In the UK the weather is really hot so i think that has a lot to do with it in my head wise, if i yarn i think im withdrawing, if i sneeze im withdrawing lol i know im mad. x
Those sneezes tho! Can get a good 5 in a row on a really bad morning... So crazy the tantrums the body has when it doesn't have opiates, then we have the mind stuff in top. The struggle is real. Good luck xx
Avatar universal
This is the thread that comes up googling "methadone 1mg withdrawal". I have posted what I had to say but I don't plan to be a steady contributor on this forum or any other about this kind of stuff.
You and anyone else are all very welcome to quote me on other threads or forums, or anything.
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Avatar universal
Oops meant "few years 'old''l :))
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Avatar universal
Hey cantcomeup,this post is a few years. If you're wanting to help people come off meth Start your own thread. Just go to the top of the page to "post a question" :))
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Avatar universal
Prepare for a longish read, with a happy ending.
OK, here's the story:

I decided I had to quit after some 10 years of high dose methadone and 25 years on and off heroin before that. Mostly heroin alright, but really, anything would do. Except heroin was the most addictive and I got hooked.

Problem was, I liked it. It was the miserable life that comes with it that made me switch to methadone. And then I tried to quit like 1000 times but every time I went back to heroin as soon as I hit the 20mg mark. Then I thought what the hell, it's not even worth trying: I'll stay on methadone for life.

That is easy to do in some European countries: clinics are tax funded and they prefer to spend money to keep you on meth rather than spend a lot more money to charge, try, and imprison you for all the petty crimes that all addicts are bound to commit.

So I got 150 mg and remained there for about 10 years. I was stable and reliable so I got 2-week take homes without problems. Then I figured out that there wasn't really a big difference between 150 and 130, and then 110 or so. I began to stash methathone, just in case.

After a while I had about 1.5 liters of 5mg/ml solution. How many milligrams is that? 1500*5=7500mg. Then something happened. I got a chance to do something I had wanted to do for as long as I could remember: fly airplanes. Small two-seaters allright, but still flying machines, the love of my life.

Didn't take me long to automatically cut down on my medicine: you need a clear head to fly, feeling kind of dizzy 24/7 is not a good thing for a pilot.
Without even noticing, I went down to the critical 20 again.
I quit the clinic and planned to use my stash for the final steps. I managed to get as low as 3mg a few times but I always ended up bumping up to 15 or so and then start over. Meanwhile, the stash was getting smaller and I had no intention to show up at the clinic and get their oh-you-again look.

Then it hit me: it was mostly a mental problem.
2.5mg of 5mg/ml solution is (obviously) half a ml. Feels like nothing.
And then 1/4 of a ml feels like half a nothing.

Here's what I did: I began the last half liter bottle, took out 2ml (10mg) measuring with a syringe, and replaced them with 2ml of water. I did this for several months until the solution was so watered down you could barely tell it from fresh water.

At that point I did the same thing again but with larger measures: about 1/3 of a shot glass. Every now and then I would intentionally neglect to replace the mixture with water, allowing the total volume to decrease.

When I got to the final shotglass worth, it was pretty much fresh water. I took what was left of it and threw the bottle away.
Guess what?
No withdrawal at all.

I learned two things: one is that you need a reason to quit. Doing it only because you're supposed to, that won't work. Or it might work, what do I know. But it never worked for me.
The other thing is the watering-down tapering. Works like a charm.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Your awesome ! I'm down to 7 mg tomorrow  and I did the same as you I got my two weeks worth and eventually stocked up doses and being an addict you eventually know your **** but anyways I've been on methadone 4 years and 7 years of heroin use prior  ...like you said you eventually get sick and tired and you build wisdom so never do ...but like you I have ...I'm cried some nights thinking about withdrawls but  that was when I was coming off benzos to I'm finally off those and at the 7 mg mark for methadone  and it's hard I'll admit but I feel like with all the **** I've been through I can't I won't and I don't want to go back ..the old me would be offered drugs and take them in a heartbeat  at this point I'm at ive been here many times but it's different this time...I'm not running ..my minds set the cuffs are coming off and I do my reduction method similar to yours and it's been pretty painless and I think your right ...mentality and mindset is everything  if you don't have the heart you won't make it...I've cried to many nights,lost to many friends and been in to much trouble lucky enough to get away with no record cause treatment at the pheonix house ...that's what changed my life ...sitting with the homeboys from all backgrounds and learning the realities and struggles of everyone ...knowing even though I have it hard somebody has it a lot harder than me ...I see light this time and I won't let that go ..I'm glad I search and found this tonight ..kinda inspires me to keep the fight going ..you made my doubts go anyway ...thanks brother
Avatar universal
Hi, I saw your post. I'm down to 23 mg and plan on going to 18mg this week. Keep us posted on how you are doing. I have been fine too. Going down 5mg a week - Started at 50mg and hopefully I'll be done in no time. I'm super scared about the withdraws after I get down more. I hope things go good for you too! I also work 40+ hours and I have a 18month old so I have no time to feel not 100%- at all! I am sure you feel the same. Good LUck!!!
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Avatar universal
Hi Gnarly, I am from Gilbert Arizona and wanted to say I really enjoy reading your posts. I was addicted to pills from back pain when I was in my mid 20's. I am 28 now and have been going to the clinic for not quite a year yet. I am down to 20mgs. But, feel totally fine, what do you think would be a good smart down dosage plan that worked for you, that I could try. I have a 40+ hour a week job, and go to school. Hope you can help.
Thanks
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Avatar universal
Hi and welcome to our forum  you posted on a very old post  I recamend going to the top of the screen hit the orange button marked post a question  you will get a lot more responses  .Gnarly
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Avatar universal
i'd like to know how you are feeling now?  I am down to 28mg, and going down a few each week. Let me know how the time since you posted this has been
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Avatar universal
i'd like to know how you are feeling now?  I am down to 28mg, and going down a few each week. Let me know how the time since you posted this has been
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Avatar universal
Hi congrats on your last dose methadone withdrawals do not start for a few days it will last about 10 days to 2 weeks for acute withdrawal its not so much the intensity but the length of time it takes to recover for most sleep is all but impossible and there is a energy crash that can be diblatating it took me a good 3 months to get back in the swing of things just know it is possible to recover keep posting for support
..................................Gnarly............................
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Avatar universal
I been on methadone for 27 months. I was on perks. I started of on 48mg's. & stayed on that mg over a year. I start going down after last summer. First few months I was going down to 5 mg's a month. After That I been going down 2mg's a week. Then on my last week, I was on 1mg. Today is my first day off the methadone. & I feel so good. For now, nothing is bothering me. & I finally feel free.... Wooooo!!!
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Avatar universal
I was at 50 and taperd my self down 10mg every 7 days i and when i was down to 1 mg i quit the only withdraw problem i have is no sleep no leg cramps or sickness i am on day 5 dope free i cannot wait,DO NOT GIVE UP this is a very dangerous drug it interacts with a lot of other drugs and vitamins that can kill you.
Good luck to all of you and do it  
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Avatar universal
I came down from 180 to 6 at the moment taking 5 a week and from 20 take 3 and from 10 2 a week I feel just a little weak in the morning but not a big deal
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Avatar universal
hi i was on methodone for 15 years finally went to 10mls daily over 7 months ive gotton down to 1ml of methodone  ive done it very slowly wen i got to 3mls is wen i started to feel rough each week tomorrow im going to nothing so wish me luck i hope i dont suffer this week by the way ive had sleepness nights for 3 weeks  and extreme weakness
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Avatar universal
HI ....as you taper gets lower you will start to feel the withdrawals you said you only had 6 more weeks to go so you should be fairly low by now just knoe the detoxing from methadone goes well for some but for others it like pulling teeth the withdrawal last about 7 days after you last dose with some symptoms lasting into 2 weeks its the post withdrawals rhat make methadone such a monster to come off of...first you cant sleep this can go on for months then theres the energy crash it in itself can be debilitating and again can go on for months I have been therw this with a lot of people what im describing is fairly typical for a methadone detox it took me 90 days tostart to get well but now 16mo later it is all but a distant memory hang in there your almost threw it but it is anything but painless in the end good luck and God bless....Gnarly  
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Avatar universal
I hope you get this-I'm new to this type of coms. I have been on a methadone program for 3 yrs. I was using dilaudid (8mg) for back pain - injuries from work. I found myself addicted in short order so I had to go thru the same detox program as junkies. I was an executive an tested positive for cocaine so I got grouped with street heroine users and was treated as such-I guess I shouldn't have done that rail. Anyway, to answer your question re:methadone withdrawal/detox, (I stabilized @ 85) you need to be COMPLETELY DRUG FREE to start cutting back your juice. If not, the dope you are taking will mask your bodies natural endorphin receptors thereby fooling the receptors into thinking your body is making natural endorphins - then when the drug (perks, smack, cocaine or what ever[doesn't need to be an opiate base]) wears off you will suffer GREATLY!!! You have to be clean (taking methadone ONLY) and then go down 2.5 mg every two(2) weeks; that's how my Doc did it. I'll be FREE in six(6) more weeks (Mid March 2011). No more methadone!!!

There is an AWESOME clinic in Edmonton Alberta Canada called the "Panorama Clinic" These folks are dedicated to helping people like us. You have to be truely serious to be accepted into their program. If you are a Canadian I think health care will take care of the clinic bills, if you live in Alberta you may get help with the cost of the methadone. You need to prove you are drug free for Min six(6) months before you will get carries. If you screw up a drug test your carries are revoked, PERIOD - then it will take you many months to re-establish carries which could very well mean your job.

I'm rambling now, stay clean and come down slowly and IT WILL BE PAINLESS - it was for me. I wish you well.
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1184700 tn?1266491688
I was also on methadone for two years and I just recently went from 125mg to nothing. The withdraws have been bad but it's not anything a strong willed person can't handle. Anyways since you are on a medically supervised withdraw MSW and are going down 10% you shouldn't get severe withdraws, and to answer your question about liquer. I tried  that and it made me feel like ****, but thats just me.
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1187051 tn?1264427691
k got a question I know im gonna be sick badly for the first few days so is it safe to drink liquor??? like i hate the fact i cant sleep so if i get drunk maybe i can enjoy something during the tough times haha i know it sounds bad but i would really like to know if its safe or not k thanks
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1187051 tn?1264427691
I like how you said god is a big part in ur recovery i found salvation jan 9 2009 and i should prey more often but i am still getting used to talking to myself haha its just kinda weird still im definitely gonna need his help ummm... I have a question the reason im askin is because im not sure if its safe or not k here it is ummm...I know im gonna be sick so i know the first 3 - 4 days are gonna be hell but what if i just get super drunk for those days and hopefully i will be able to sleep more than usual and atleast enjoy my sickness while i got it??? I know it sounds kinda bad but hey if it works im game brutha haha anyways ya thats about it and thanks for the comment ;)
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Avatar universal
hey dude...I was on methadone for 6 1/2yrs started out at a pain management center
and wound up at a methadone clinic...98 days ago I took my last dose I was at 150ml
and tapered down to 1ml b/4 I jumped off it took me 8 1/2 mo to taper down it was a prity ruff road tapering I hit some bumps along the way 60 , 40, 20 was shere hell for me
I tapered myself off once I hit 30 I had 2 week take homes so I got a hold of a syringe
to mesure it with and did a taper of 10% every 72hr I also had a bad experence with withdrawals at 20ml went into full blown withdrawals at a mens retreat ...dident know you could metabolize it by being to active at hi altitudes so I know your fear...if you taper down correctly you shouldn't experence to much discomfort it is impossible
to taper off methadone without discomfort ....you just got to be ok without being ok for a wile...it ant to bad in the higher doses its when you get below 20 that you start to feel each drop...then at 10ml you go 1 ml a week again you will feel it but it is doable...I took it all the way down to 1 ml my phyc dr said I would go into a manic
episode if I dident ...(im bipolar) if I had to do it again I would jump off at 5ml because tapering below that point is miserable and my final withdrawal was no different then tapering below 5ml...at that point you go threw 4 days of withdrawals every time you drop doses so your only prolonging the agony this is why I say jump off at 5ml and get it over with...you withdrawal will be nothing like it was missing a dose at 120
it will be uncomfortable but very doable it last about 5 to 7 days with day 3 and 4 being the worst then it starts to get better...in the end it is so so worth it not to be chained to the liquid handcuffs...good luck and god bless.....Gnarly          
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401095 tn?1351391770
I have taken methadone for pain,,but never addicted to it
There is a great article in the health pages on methadone taper to a crumb, and his experience thru this..it is a truly wonderful series of articles and u should go there and read...the health pages r under DISCUSSION to the right at the top of the screen..The author put alot of time and work into this so peeps like u could learn from it
Congrats on a taper down to 1 mg..that takes strength, lots of it...tapering down to even a crumb of methadone//sub works this way too/can limit wd//some even go to a lil piece every other day at the end..then there comes a time when u can jump off without too much..or without any misery physically...It depends on the person as we r all different...many can not control a taper as u have...I am in awe of what u have done cos not sure i coulda done it..congrats!
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