HI,
I am on a methadone maintenance program which I have now been on for 4 years.
Admittedly I haven't reduced as quickly as I would have liked but I have reduced down to under a quarter of what I started on (18 mls per day now).
Since being on the program, I have completely sorted myself out. I have a full time job, a nice home and a great relationship. I am very happy and feel completely together.
I had a doctor for most of the 4 years who was great and very supportive, always saying I was doing brilliantly and that I should take my time and reduce as quickly or slowly as I want. The doctor has now left the practice and I now have another who is okay but just prints the script out and sends me on my way.
I recently received a letter from the practice saying that I had to attend a counselling session with a drugs counsellor or else my prescription might not be given to me. I had to take an afternoon off work in order to make this appointment.
Nothing was explained before the session and I was really uncomfortable with the counsellor and the questions asked as the problems were so long ago that I didn't really want to bethinking about the first time I used or things that I really don't need to think about anymore. At the end I was told that I had to come back in four weeks and would have to do so every month.
I tried to explain that I can't keep taking time off work and that I didn't really want counselling but to no avail.
I pass my urine tests, work full time, have a flat, am not in rent arrears, am really healthy, I eat well, am not in a DV situation so I don't need any help.
Can I be forced to talk to someone if I don't want or need to? It seems a complete waste of resources which could be better used for someone who does need it.
It is making me feel like I will stop going to collect my script if I am forced to do this. Then where will I be?
Any advice form anyone would be most welcome.
Hi
Sounds like my situation. Please don't listen to horror stories about methadone withdrawal please!!!! If you allow it to affect your own judgement - your least likely to fail withdrawal.
I was on 50ml reduced 5ml monthly. I got to 13ml and did detox by myself. You are very welcome to ask me anything about methadone withdrawal I promise that I will answer honestly any questions you may have. I also felt that its was a bargining tool for counilsor to get you to attend appointments. It sounds as if you have had enough. Methadone withdrawal is uncomfortable but not impossible. You likely to experience, sweating buckets, sickness, diaorrea, sleep problems, restlessness specially in the legs. 'Riding the bike as it said here'. Irritability, sneezings fits, cravings. This will pass. Milk thisle from health shops for liver detoxification.
Please seek your own medical advice.
You will need to plan your detox for best results. Im now three weeks free!! YOU CAN TOO!!
If you have more willpower this will help massively. I can advise you and help you through the process just keep checking in with site. I can walk you through the signs and symptoms what to expect. They do use prescriptions as a way of getting you to attend sessions. This is most likely with keyworker. Not forgetting I got to 13ml and took myself to plan detox. It was the best decision ived made. Personally I used diazepam/valium for the first week, first 3 days are worst but pleased that i'd done 3days!! Then a week. Eating more protien, flushing your body drinking few litres of water. Immodium and pepto for stomach. Exercise 'when u have energy' will help.
Best wishes
Suspect
Sounds like my situation. Please don't listen to horror stories about methadone withdrawal please!!!! If you allow it to affect your own judgement - your least likely to fail withdrawal.
I was on 50ml reduced 5ml monthly. I got to 13ml and did detox by myself. You are very welcome to ask me anything about methadone withdrawal I promise that I will answer honestly any questions you may have. I also felt that its was a bargining tool for counilsor to get you to attend appointments. It sounds as if you have had enough. Methadone withdrawal is uncomfortable but not impossible. You likely to experience, sweating buckets, sickness, diaorrea, sleep problems, restlessness specially in the legs. 'Riding the bike as it said here'. Irritability, sneezings fits, cravings. This will pass. Milk thisle from health shops for liver detoxification.
Please seek your own medical advice.
You will need to plan your detox for best results. Im now three weeks free!! YOU CAN TOO!!
If you have more willpower this will help massively. I can advise you and help you through the process just keep checking in with site. I can walk you through the signs and symptoms what to expect. They do use prescriptions as a way of getting you to attend sessions. This is most likely with keyworker. Not forgetting I got to 13ml and took myself to plan detox. It was the best decision ived made. Personally I used diazepam/valium for the first week, first 3 days are worst but pleased that i'd done 3days!! Then a week. Eating more protien, flushing your body drinking few litres of water. Immodium and pepto for stomach. Exercise 'when u have energy' will help.
Best wishes
Suspect
