methadone recovery

[yeti575]

Hi, just signed up so first time here. Hoping I can get some advice. I've just, yesterday, taken my last dose of methadone linctus. Been on heroin and methadone for 20 years, but have been totally stable on meth for 3 now. It's taken the 3 years to get down from 80ml, more through fear than anything else, but I've also been gently pushed by my counsellor. I got right right down to 1ml, which i took for a week. I know 1ml is a ridiculously small amount, but it made a dfference, psychologically. I've now completely stopped and am totally lethargic, no motivation and severely depressed. This was happening even when I was on 5ml and lower. I've got some anti depressants from the doctor, but won't start feeling that for a week or so more.
Basically, from what I have read, it can take 6 or so months to get your motivation and energy back. So my question is, how do you stop your life falling apart in the mean time? I work and am in a band that I love, playing drums is everything to me, but even this is being neglected. What I really don't want to happen is to lose my band and my job and be even more depressed than I am now, if possible.
Are you able to keep up with things whilst doing this or shall I cut my losses and get back to it in 6 or so months?
Any help or input would be extremely appreciated.

[NeverAgain127]

Hello my friend,

I have never taken methadone, but I WAS on oxycodone for 8 years, and I'm 10 months clean now.  Depression is something I have battled all my life.  I've been through so much therapy for it, and the take-away is something I can put in one sentence:  Fake it 'till you make it.     I truly believe that psychology follows physiology.    

For me, I can't wait until my brain feels happy...I have to push myself and ACT like I'm already okay (even though I feel like 100% dog crap.)    It is not easy, in fact, it downright sux at times, but there really isn't any other choice.  

Go through the motions of living, and you will find, at some point, that you say to yourself "hey, this isn't so bad...I feel pretty good."  

I have a friend whose daughter was on methadone for years, and it took her many months to feel normal...but therein lies the rub:  what IS normal?  You're discovering a whole new you:  how are you supposed to live?  That is where Krissi's suggestion of NA is excellent.  I strongly recommend you look into this.  Lots and lots of musicians in recovery there (at least at my meetings there are.)  

[Krissy_123]

I deff try keeping pushing yourself,giving up is the worst the you can do. I KNOW how bad I wanted to give up for the first month or so. Nothing felt like it use,I had no gratification in anything I did. That also made me feel guilt I top of everything else because I have two beautiful kids. It's normal to feel this way,we had a mind altering drug in our system daily for years. It did get better,slowly I started to enjoy things again. It is a process that takes time,we didn't become addicts over night so we can't expect to be cured asap. If you're not already id recommended AA/NA program. I find talking with others helps/helped my depression. Knowing you're not alone can make a world of difference.