Getting off Methadone

[poppy]

I am currently on 65ml a day of oral methadone (having finally decided to switch to oral from injectable amps for a variety of reasons, not least the condition of my veins). Anyway my long term intention is to gradually reduce over a long period of time. If I managed to get down to say 5ml a day (I know there's one hell of a way to go! Like I said these are long term plans) how bad would the withdrawals be when I stopped taking the 5ml. I'd be grateful for anyone's input on this.

[mmnyc9]

There are Programs that do a Blind Detox over a few Months I think this is a very good idea because alot of it is mental. I think 40mgs is where they start to bring you down. Some places bring you down 5mg at a time even when you hit 10mgs. The best way would be 1mg after you reach 10mg. Even if its 1 mg every two weeks. From what i have heard the last 20 or so is the hardest. but again alot of it is mental and everyone is different.

[prettypoppy]

The above poster is correct. Once you get below 20mg it gets harder and if you want to avoid serious w/d symptoms you really need to go very slowly, 1 mg at a time. My husband even went to .5mg before getting off. Some people will get to 1mg and then skip a day in between, then skip 2 days, etc. It really makes a BIG difference to go slowly. You wouldn't think 5mgs of methadone would make such a big difference, but it really does!

Good luck!

[GMorris]

My experience is that it is mostly a mind thing. I had no choice after moving far away from any clinics (not to mention being broke) but to go from 130/day to 30-40/day with almost NO taper in between. I was scoring the pills off the street and they weren't cheap. I think it was only a matter of a few days to drop a whole 100 and I really didn't feel that bad even knowing how much I'd dropped. Since then I've switched to Morphine and I find it much easier to control, but man was I scared to death during those few days of the big drop. I just knew I was going to suffer unmercifully for weeks on end, but no such thing. As for the final 30, I never tried that part, I just went straight to the Morphine so I can't give any input on that. To be honest though, I now think I could do it in a relatively short time if I ever had to again, but one thing I refuse to do is get back on a Methadone program ever again, I don't care HOW bad I'm hurting. Those clinics are bad places in my opinion (and experience)... never again!

[Coddfish]

Several things come into play when you are going through your last several mgs of detox. Try to exercise and get as healthy as possible. The sooner the better. I think methadone masks how crappy we feel after years of eating like shit and laying around all day. If your natural state has become one that feels terrible, than being detoxed into that state is gonna seem pretty awful. You may think it's wds, but it may just be that that's how things are now, especially if you've been on the stuff for like 15 years or something and you were in good shape when you began using. Also, I'd suggest quitting all stimulants if you can. This includes shit in cold medicines, caffine, nicotine (of course, amphetimines and the like), etc. At least try to do this during the few weeks when detoxing is hardest. Sugar too. When I got on a really low dose, I found my heart rate was crazy irratic, but cutting all that crap out helped and made me feel better. There are the herbal supps too. I didn't do that, which may have been why it was so hard for me. Everyone I know who has detoxed off has hit a wall somewhere between 20 and 8 mg. Mine was 13. After that it was tough with every mg decrease. At one point was on 3mg, and could still tell when it kicked in. You wouldn't think that would you? But a normal person would feel it, right? So it obviously has an effect.

[candy]

Coddfish,
Your post was right on as well as the post on Blind detox. I myself have been through a blind detox and going through one now. Unfortunately the first time, I strayed by allowing the wrong people back in my life and not having much self control, but trying it again.
If done by someone who knows what there doing, blind detox can work with little or no symptoms. The first time I went in for my take homes and was told I was done. I was in shock and really could not believe it! I felt nothing in terms of w/d's.

Getting yourself healthy is important as well.

[mmnyc9]

Some great advice here almost makes me want to kick. I think Coddfish hit the nail on the Head. Start getting in shape now. Even if it's just diet and a little Exercise. One thing I know even a small amount of Methadone is a Large Painkiller. All of a sudden after being on Meth for X amount of time then nothing all those little Body aches and pains start to feel like death. I really feel for Chronic Pain sufferers it must be very hard. I have heard of people going back to Dope just to kick Meth I don't think that's a good idea I had a friend who got off of 80mgs with know problem at all. I'm a Pussy if you pinch me I need something but that's just me.

[HiJacked]

so today being march 1st, and I'm currently taking 75mg a day at the clinic...... if my last day I could pay is April 19th, then how many feel that a 1.5mg per day detox would be too uncomfortable???

I know around the lower 30's things can get a little stressful. Also are there any California laws against a doctor prescribing a set amount of valium or xanax or librium or anything to aid in my making it through the day without resorting to street drugs to aleeviate the anxiety caused by methadone withdrawal?

I'm aware how most doctors look at you when you tell them that "I'm withdrawalling off methadone and I need some help with the anxiety"...


Any help?

[Coddfish]

I can't tell about the valiums and such, but I wouldn't got through a detox that fast if I could help it. If you can't pay, you can't pay. But that probably won't be very fun. Not kicking and screaming awful, but not fun. Some people would take a year to get off that much, and I am one of them.

[candy]

Hijacked, have you tried applying for Medi-Cal to help pay for your Methadone.
Once on Medi-Cal, it will cover your Methadone 100%. I know it can be difficult getting on finacial aid, but may be worth a try. Your clinic may not be very helpful in assisting you with aid, but go into any welfare office and fill out the necessary forms.
You may also want to look into disability. Are you under the care of a doctor for any medical problems?

Substance abuse does fall under one of the categories for qualifying problems for disability. Generally, they will look at accompanying medical conditions as well. Such as Hep C, etc.

Just something to think about. Getting on disability can be hard, especially for those who are not working or are not under the care of a doc for medical problems. But, if it is something you want to look into and do have some medical problems, fill out the application, stating your substance abuse issues, depression or whatever ails you. They may deny you, especially if your not under the care of a doc, but once they do deny you, appeal and request a medical evaluation. I believe they need to get you into see a doc. Once there, play it up and see what you can get.

Do you work now?

Just some suggestions. No one should have to be forced to go off of Methadone(unless you really want it) without having some options. With all those who use the system and abuse it, why shouldn't you be able to do the same and have the option to go off your Methadone slowly without the w/d's and suffering.

[poppy]

Thanks to everyone for their input on this subject. I think I'm going to ask about the blind detox thing when I go to the clinic on Monday.
Hijacked I really feel for you, like others have said nobody should be forced into detoxing off meth due to lack of money. I don't have to pay for my meth because I live in the uk and I am currently unemployed meaning I get free prescriptions. This site has opened my eyes as to how easy us junkies in the uk have things compared to junkies in other countries.

[milky_tears]

This is so true poppy, we've got it so easy over here. No worries about medical insurance or any of that crap. If I had to pay for methadone, I think I'd just stick with heroin.

[poppy]

Hi Milky, yep I agree I don't think I'd have any incentive (spelling?) to stop heroin either if I had to pay for my methadone (I struggle enough not using heroin even with my free prescription for meth!!!.) Last time I went to the clinic I was speaking to another guy who works and although he does have to pay for his prescription for meth I think he said it was only the same as the cost of any other prescription, £6 a week or something like that which is affordable. I was totally amazed when I first discovered this site at how differently us addicts are treated in the USA. We've certainly got plenty to count our blessings for. Things could be so much worse.

[HiJacked]

Hijacked, have you tried applying for Medi-Cal to help pay for your Methadone.
Once on Medi-Cal, it will cover your Methadone 100%. I know it can be difficult getting on finacial aid, but may be worth a try. Your clinic may not be very helpful in assisting you with aid, but go into any welfare office and fill out the necessary forms.

You may also want to look into disability. Are you under the care of a doctor for any medical problems?

Do you work now?

Just some suggestions. No one should have to be forced to go off of Methadone(unless you really want it) without having some options. With all those who use the system and abuse it, why shouldn't you be able to do the same and have the option to go off your Methadone slowly without the w/d's and suffering.


Who Can Get Medi-Cal?
People in many different situations qualify for Medi-Cal. They are listed below. If you are not in one of these groups, call your county social service agency to determine if you qualify for a county-operated medical assistance program.
You may automatically be eligible for Medi-Cal if you receive cash assistance under one of the following programs:

SSI/SSP (Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Program)
CalWORKs (California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids). Previously called Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC).
Refugee Assistance
Foster Care or Adoption Assistance Program.Even if you don’t receive cash assistance, you may be eligible for Medi-Cal if you are one of the following:

65 or older
Blind
Disabled
Under 21
Pregnant
Diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer
In a skilled nursing or intermediate care facility.
Refugee status during a limited period of eligibility. Adult refugees may or may not be eligible depending upon how long they have been in the U.S.
Parent or caretaker relative of a child under 21 and
The child’s parent is deceased or doesn’t live with the child, or
The child’s parent is incapacitated, or
The child’s parent who is the primary wage earner is unemployed or underemployed.My fiance gets medi-cal and it pisses me off. All I can get is MIA (medically indigent adult) coverage ,which amounts to next to squat in california.

Thanks for your kind words. I wonder if I made an appointment with a medi-cal social worker , if they have some type of exception for sevearly addicted residents.