Methadone Treatment: Methadone Detox Facts

Question: Anyone know anything about methadone treatment?

(Posted by: Ashley F on 2008-06-08 13:31:09)

Hi.i am just curious of others experiences. My husband and I have been on methadone for a year now. at a local methadone treatment center in our area. We have 3 kids. and our lives have improoved 9483 % since treatment. we been together a total of 5 years and the first 3 were nothing but insance drug abuse.(herione, pills, oxy'... crack cocaine) we said enoughs enough and went into treatment without looking back, even moved to get away from drug dealers to advoid some temptations.My ? is tho, how long do u think I should stay in recovery? Im scared to be there "Forever "...but i dont thikn im ready to come out yet. I still go thru withdrawn some in the A.m. before my dose.It has saved our relationship and family.this clinic. so im glad for that. but can it do more harm then good in the long run? should we get into counceling? any one with any info im all ears! i kno what the ppl say at the clinic, My dr. and nurses and stuff. But i would like real like experiances

Posted by: kphelps2012 on 2008-06-08, 17:06:21

I can give you real experience because I have been in treatment about the same amount of time...well 6mo. longer and was addicted to opiates for 10yrs. They destroyed my life and Methadone saved it. There are a couple of really good resources I can recommend. One is a forum called We Speak Methadone. There are people there with years of experience and there re those new to the program. If you have a question about treatment whether it be federal laws that regulate your clinic or detox methods they can answer it because someone has almost always experienced the same thing. There are even people there currently weaning from their methadone and keeping a journal so you can see what they are going through and decide if it is something you are ready for. The link is... readybb.com/ nama_wespeakmethadone/ Clinics usually will discourage detoxing if you aren't absolutely sure your ready & then you are tapered slowly. Some people try and relapse then decide to become a maintenance patient while others instinctively know if it ain't broke don't fix it and succumb to the fact that like any other disease requiring life-long treatment their addiction will require medication indefinitely to control. I am the latter. I don't need another failure to tell me I am a maintenance candidate. Don't misunderstand I am not saying everyone who tapers will fail but the success rate is <1%. My luck ain;t that good...LOL I have other physical problems that make it more likely I would relapse also. Anyway, I use the analogy of diabetes. Both diabetes and addiction are chronic illnesses. Some can control their diabetes without medication, diet and exercise alone does it, others can use medication for a short time then control it without meds using diet and exercise, while others must stay on medication for life to stay alive . This is the same with addiction. Some can control it without meds, some use meds like methadone or suboxone for a short while then taper and other must take it for life. It just depends. I also run a website and I have a good video about halfway down on the Home page about Methadone. Go to... findingnormal.webs.com/ Good Luck & God Bless

Posted by: miss renee on 2008-06-08, 13:42:10

You still have withdraw and still need treatment! keep up the good work. it is tough but worth it! do as the clinic says.

Posted by: Karas on 2008-06-08, 13:48:03

Ok first off. I'm very proud of you. I've been where you are and it takes a very strong person to get out of the situation. I was addicted to coke, speed, x. Stay in treatment until you don't have withdraws and feel mentally stable. You should get into therapy(they have some thats free) and thinking about putting your kids into it if they are not little children. I went to a rehab/ mental ward after i decided to quit and they diagnosed me with bipolar. It honestly saved my life. Every story is different. What feels right IS right. But stay strong for your kids and good luck!

Posted by: banananose_89117 on 2008-06-08, 13:51:58

Methadone is addicting so you have to slowly reduce its use. There is no need to go thru withdraw. And counseling for another who has abused street or prescription drugs is a must. Recovery is different for each person. Listen to the professional who know where you are in the scheme of recovery, which once you leave the treatment facility goes on for a lifetime of avoiding drug use. If you are smart you will do as they advise because obviously you decision making concerning many areas is not always logical.

Posted by: jamie on 2008-06-08, 15:21:42

You should stay in recovery for a great while longer or you WILL relapse ,no dought. i am glad you got help becuase that shows you want it ,but do not think you can stop being treated and you will be fine drugs are so hard to recover from . stay in treatment and if you could help others with problem and use that as strength to overcome your addiction .and yes i am talking from experiance so please try hard and stay healthy, do it for your 3 kids if not yourself