need advice if anyone can give me some...

[heidij]

I am on 70 mgs of methadone and I have been on methadone in jan will be 3 yrs. and I am more than ready to get off. whats the best way?!? I have a child and I can't be sick in bed all the time withdrawing b/c I have to work and be a mother to my daughter...I also have been depressed now for a yr and have been diagnosed with PTSD (post tramatic stress disorder). I had a horrible childhood I used to watch my dad beat my mom and worse. My dad passed away from cancer 15 yrs ago when I was 13 yrs old. does anyone know why this would all of a sudden just start to come back on me when it never bothered me before now.

[weaver71]

Hi, welcome to our community. You found a wonderful place full of wonderful people. Methadone is a long acting, full agonist opiate, so the above is correct, it is important to go slow. My tendency was to try and get it over with, that's why I failed so many times.

First off, are you getting your methadone from a clinic or doctor, or off the street? If you have a clinic/doctor, have you talked them about getting off methadone and what did they say? I had a hard time, because I got mine off the street and my dealers definitely didn't want me to cut back. I would tell them not to call me, but when they needed money, they called and the temptation was too much.

Second, do you feel you have formed a good aftercare and support for when you get off the methadone or struggle with your taper? That has been so important in my recovery. Sometimes I don't believe in myself, so I have to live on the faith people have in me.

Third, have you ever tried to taper down in those 3 years? Have you tried to go cold turkey or other ways of getting clean? There is no wrong way to get clean and everyone does it a little different. I believe in doing research, making up a plan, making up your mind, and sticking to it, no matter what happens, other than medical reasons.

Finally, have you been working a 12 step program, going to counseling, attending church, or dealing with the reasons you used in the first place? If we do not deal with those things, then all the reasons to use are still there and it is likely that we get the same results. I was sober for 3 years one time, but had not dealt with they "why" of my addiction. I had to go on another 15 year binge to realize the importance of self-knowledge.

I had a horror movie childhood as well. I look back and think about writing a tragic comedy. I would probably have to publish as fiction, as no publisher would believe half of it. I was thinking Mark Twain style, "This is more of a recollection by the stretch of the imagination." Some of my stories make people laugh, when in reality, it's not funny.

Anyway, after a few years of methadone, it stopped working like it used to. Opiates block our brains from body, mind, and spirit at first. Over time, I felt like a lot of old mental issues, old aches and pains, and spiritual weaknesses where popping up. I'm not sure if that is what is happening for you, but the love I didn't receive as a child, I had to learn to give to myself if I where ever going to continue maturing. Therapists say that drug abuse can slow down or stop the stages of development in people. I feel like that is what happened to me.

Okay, that's enough from me for now. I hope this helps. Keep posting with questions and frustrations, whatever you need to share. I check in to see if you responded to my questions. We will do our best to help. I'm glad you are here and look forward to getting to know you.

[Jenelle2020]

hi Heidi, I am currently on methadone and have been tapering since the summer of 2010, I was put on for excruciating chronic pain and it really helped, but after a few surgeries over the years ( osteonecrosis in my jawbone ) my pain level has dropped to the point where I don't need to be on pain meds full time. I have done TONS of research on methadone and from that I decided that tapering is the best way to go , but it must be done very slowly. I am currently dropping just one mg/week, going any faster just gives me withdrawals. Suboxone is not an option for me, it is my own personal opinion that switching to Suboxone to get off methadone is not a good idea, as most people seem to get addicted to the Suboxone and you still have to suffer withdrawals, once again that is just my own personal opinion. Methadone is a very difficult drug to detox from, because of the long half life of the drug, it just stays in your system for so long. It is great that you have decided to come off this drug, it helped me with my pain but had I known how difficult detox was going to be , I likely would have reconsidered, nobody told me how hard it would be. Gnarly will probably see your post and respond to it, he likes to help the "methadonians" and he is very knowledgeable about it. So whatever you decide to do, I wish you the very best, I am open to talking with you through private PM, if  you choose. All the best........Gayle

[Xenni]

There are differences in opinion, but IMHO, Methadone detox should be done slowly to reduce or eliminate WD symptoms, and to ensure cravings for your DOC are manageable.. I know several people who reduced 1mg per week until 0. The rule of thumb in Methadone reduction is to not reduce more than 10% of your dose at any one time, and to wait 7 to 10 says between dose reductions to let your body 'catch up'. You can take the reduction down to 0, or once you hit 30mgs or so, switch to Suboxone for a quick 2 to 3 week taper. I know several people at my clinic who have come off successfully using these methods. Remember if at any time symptoms are really bothersome, you can move your dose back up a little until you stabilize. Good luck.

And, in response to the person above me, plenty of people are on Methadone for 3 years or more.  Methadone can be used for a 21 to 90 day quick taper for detox, used as a 3 or 5 day detox protocol in an inpatient setting, and or used as a maintenance drug interactions for a year or more., depending on the needs of the individual. For example, based on my own addiction history, my specific needs, and the degree that the benefits of Methadone outweigh the negatives (side effects, etc) for me, I will most likely be on it for the rest of my life.

[conhall]

Hi Heidij and welcome to forum
I am glad you have made to decision to quit I am not familiar with methadone but I do have someone that i feel can help you I have sent a message and i am sure he will post shortly
Good Luck to you and keep posting you will get the support and help you need :)

[Life360_Dave]

Hi Heidi, i know where your coming from as my child was no bed of roses either but if yours is affecting your life you should get some professional help as you need to understand what happened and need to erase the pictures in your mind. As far as your dealing with methodone, from what i understand this is used for withdrawal from other drugs like herion. If this is true i was wondering why you have been taking it for 3 years as some progress to stoping should have been made by now or some cutting down. As far as making this easy to get off with out some major physical effects i have read its not going to be a easy trip. Best to get professional medical help with this as is a powerful drug also.

[SunnysideUP27]

Although I have no experience with methadone. Just want you to know that I will pray for you, and someone will come along shortly with some good insight. Wanting to stop is the first step to success. You are on your way!