Can anyone share their feelings, both good and bad, about methadone. I am so desperate here I cannot give up the vicodin and my doc recommends methadone, and I am seriously considering it. I have been thru inpatient rehab, NA, counseling, tried to quit CT, tried to quit by tapering, but I am so weak and so friggen sick of myself. Does the methadone take away the cravings - I don't understand why a doc would put you on one drug like methadone to get off another. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated :0)
Personally? I quit cold turkey and go to NA/AA. Better than replacing one drug with another. But I truly believe that Suboxone is so much smarter than Methadone. Can you fnd a dr that prescribes Sub? Methadone is ugly...don't go there. If you do the sub, make it short term or you'll be right back where you started.
JMHO but I would not suggest the Methadone. Are you in a position to try C/T?
Suboxone is the second choice.
Do you have anybody who can be with you for 3-5 days. Do you have a doctor you can work with/ There are medsa doctor can prescribe"short Term" to help you.
Maybe someone who has chosen the methadone route can share?
Dale you do not want mess with methadone. JMO
Jeff
Suboxone is the second choice.
Do you have anybody who can be with you for 3-5 days. Do you have a doctor you can work with/ There are medsa doctor can prescribe"short Term" to help you.
Maybe someone who has chosen the methadone route can share?
Dale you do not want mess with methadone. JMO
Jeff
Dawn:
Hey there! I am sorry to hear you are still struggling. Have you heard of suboxone? Now, please understand, I have no experience with either suboxone or methadone...but I certainly have built relationships with people here who have had experience with both...and I can honestly say, I would crawl many miles to try suboxone before I ever took the first methadone.
JW49 is a poster here who was on methadone maintenance for many years...and I believe him when he says it is the worst move he ever made. He detoxed successfully from that with suboxone late last year. You can search for his posts and find his story.
I would never encourage anyone to take methadone. It is like jumping from the pot to the frying pan. That drug, unlike other opiates, stores in your bones. It seems harder to come off of than your drug of choice.
Please do some research on suboxone and see what you think.
I have two close friends from here who have used it successfully. One was on a scheduled taper from the beginning and came off very high dosages of hydrocodone over 6 months.
The other friend was on high dosages of codeine...and used suboxone to successfully detox over 22 days. (Only 22 days). She had tried many times to get clean, no success....but, in both cases...these women worked with addiction specialists...listened to every word they said...did not try to dictate their dosages themselves...and were ready to quit.
I wish you all the luck in the world...and of course, I only offer my opinion, not based on any fact...but I believe that suboxone offers hope for some.
Peace.
Sarah
Hey there! I am sorry to hear you are still struggling. Have you heard of suboxone? Now, please understand, I have no experience with either suboxone or methadone...but I certainly have built relationships with people here who have had experience with both...and I can honestly say, I would crawl many miles to try suboxone before I ever took the first methadone.
JW49 is a poster here who was on methadone maintenance for many years...and I believe him when he says it is the worst move he ever made. He detoxed successfully from that with suboxone late last year. You can search for his posts and find his story.
I would never encourage anyone to take methadone. It is like jumping from the pot to the frying pan. That drug, unlike other opiates, stores in your bones. It seems harder to come off of than your drug of choice.
Please do some research on suboxone and see what you think.
I have two close friends from here who have used it successfully. One was on a scheduled taper from the beginning and came off very high dosages of hydrocodone over 6 months.
The other friend was on high dosages of codeine...and used suboxone to successfully detox over 22 days. (Only 22 days). She had tried many times to get clean, no success....but, in both cases...these women worked with addiction specialists...listened to every word they said...did not try to dictate their dosages themselves...and were ready to quit.
I wish you all the luck in the world...and of course, I only offer my opinion, not based on any fact...but I believe that suboxone offers hope for some.
Peace.
Sarah
Sarah, thank you for sharing. (My little girl's name is Sara - no H, such a pretty name) The consensus I get is that methadone is not the way to go. I think it might be time for me to find a new doctor. I am just so sick and tired of being sick and tired, I have let this addiction put me into a downward spiral and i cannot, no matter how hard I try, I cannot get out...I am not trying to gain any empathy whatsoever, i did this to myself, me, the person who never drank, never drugged, never smoked, was straight as an arrow growing up and now I have become a full blown vicodin addict at the age of 33 (this has been going on for 2 yrs now). How can I end this hell????
dear dale ~
you said:
I have been thru inpatient rehab, NA, counseling, tried to quit CT, tried to quit by tapering, but I am so weak and so friggen sick of myself.
you are not "weak" unless that is what you choose to think. i went through inpatient rehab, NA, AA, counseling, CT, tapered the list goes on ad infinitium and i constructed roadblocks always searching for an easier, softer, way as a remedy to my addiction all the while buying into the premise that i was
"weak", "helpless", and possessed no power to overcome this disease.
when i say i "went through" the above list of options, that's about all i did - went through them, like some slap happy maiden breezing down the highway in a convertible truly believing i had done what was needed to be done to insure recovery. wow was in for a surprise when the brakes were applied.
for starters, may i suggest that you turn off your computer, television set, radio; anything that would distract your attention. go into your bedroom and get down on your knees and in a calm, still, manner ask the God of your understanding that His/Hers/Its will be done and not yours. for the first six months of recovery this was my daily mantra "Thy will be done" and remains so frequently.
if you need help detoxing, there are other medications that doctors can prescribe that do not contain narcotics. detoxing without the aid of narcotics is doable and thousands who have walked before you have proven it.
be still.
be still.
be still.
God in the midst of you is substance. God in the midst of you is love. God in the midst of you is wisdom. let not your thoughts be given to lack, but let wisdom fill them with the substance and faith of God. let not your heart be a center of resentment and fear and doubt. be still and know that at this moment it is the altar of God, of love; love so sure and unfailing, love so irresistible and magnetic that it draws your supply to you from the great store-house of the universe. trust God, use God's wisdom, prove and express God's love.
namaste'
sammy
you said:
I have been thru inpatient rehab, NA, counseling, tried to quit CT, tried to quit by tapering, but I am so weak and so friggen sick of myself.
you are not "weak" unless that is what you choose to think. i went through inpatient rehab, NA, AA, counseling, CT, tapered the list goes on ad infinitium and i constructed roadblocks always searching for an easier, softer, way as a remedy to my addiction all the while buying into the premise that i was
"weak", "helpless", and possessed no power to overcome this disease.
when i say i "went through" the above list of options, that's about all i did - went through them, like some slap happy maiden breezing down the highway in a convertible truly believing i had done what was needed to be done to insure recovery. wow was in for a surprise when the brakes were applied.
for starters, may i suggest that you turn off your computer, television set, radio; anything that would distract your attention. go into your bedroom and get down on your knees and in a calm, still, manner ask the God of your understanding that His/Hers/Its will be done and not yours. for the first six months of recovery this was my daily mantra "Thy will be done" and remains so frequently.
if you need help detoxing, there are other medications that doctors can prescribe that do not contain narcotics. detoxing without the aid of narcotics is doable and thousands who have walked before you have proven it.
be still.
be still.
be still.
God in the midst of you is substance. God in the midst of you is love. God in the midst of you is wisdom. let not your thoughts be given to lack, but let wisdom fill them with the substance and faith of God. let not your heart be a center of resentment and fear and doubt. be still and know that at this moment it is the altar of God, of love; love so sure and unfailing, love so irresistible and magnetic that it draws your supply to you from the great store-house of the universe. trust God, use God's wisdom, prove and express God's love.
namaste'
sammy
| QUOTE |
| I don't understand why a doc would put you on one drug like methadone to get off another. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated :0) |
Good Morning Dale
Doctors are in the business of dispensing drugs.They are not going to waste time trying to find non-pharmacological ways to help you. An Addict seeking help will quickly buy into the notion of taking a drug to get off a drug.It's in all our nature to find the most painless route.I've done it and millions before me and after will do it.The path of least resistance has always been my favorite route.
I had to completely surrender and then open my ears and brain to the things I so easily dismissed as rubbish or "that's for other folks".
I am probably no different than you.I spent many years relapsing and trying to figure out a way to beat this.There is no way to beat it.You could waste your whole life trying.
My suggestion is to go CT at home .Go back to an NA or AA meeting and start trying to listen with a new perspective.Get a sponsor and start working the steps.If you have to plant yourself 24 hrs. in a club to not use for awhile,that's what they are for.You will meet others who are doing the same thing.Play cards,read,talk.It will start getting better. After a few weeks you will be stronger and by then you have a sponsor you can call.After you pick up your 30 day tag,you will realize that there is hope but there are no shortcuts.
Good Luck
Dawn:
You said:.
...and I cannot, no matter how hard I try, I cannot get out...
I haven't read all the posts since mine...so I may be repeating this, but Dawn, you can get out...you just have not found the right way yet. I believe this, it may sound crazy to some, but I honestly believe God has his hand on you right now and you are on your path, whether you see it or not.
Hang in there honey, I am going to read all those other posts, and I will add more here if necessary. I can tell you this Dawn, you have Sammy and Tim posting to you, and those are two of the smartest, most honest people who contribute here. There programs of recovery are solid, and they do not seem to struggle with it at all....Listen to them...take their hand if they are offering.
You said:.
...and I cannot, no matter how hard I try, I cannot get out...
I haven't read all the posts since mine...so I may be repeating this, but Dawn, you can get out...you just have not found the right way yet. I believe this, it may sound crazy to some, but I honestly believe God has his hand on you right now and you are on your path, whether you see it or not.
Hang in there honey, I am going to read all those other posts, and I will add more here if necessary. I can tell you this Dawn, you have Sammy and Tim posting to you, and those are two of the smartest, most honest people who contribute here. There programs of recovery are solid, and they do not seem to struggle with it at all....Listen to them...take their hand if they are offering.
I was just thinking about how difficult this "addiction" thing is. It is so insidious and it can break you. Dawn, I am thinking about your daughter, and I know motherhood is difficult, but how blessed you are to be a mother...and I know that what I am about to say is true, so please consider it:
Your habit is not going to ever get "better", it is only going to get worse. You will need more and more just to maintain...I witnessed this in myself over the four + years that I used. Did you read that post from Addicted2oxy??? Her brother, dead at 39...???
This disease has no stereotypes, does it? I know what you mean about always being the straight one...(I was ALWAYS curly), but I have friends who weren't and they are struggling right now too. You need these years, your 30's...you are going to want to look back at these years and glean some things. You are going to need your 40's too! These are important days in your life. Honor them, gain your clarity...it takes what it takes Dawn...find the right place and work it harder than anything you have ever done.
I am praying for you...and I am here if you need me.
Peace.
Sarah
Your habit is not going to ever get "better", it is only going to get worse. You will need more and more just to maintain...I witnessed this in myself over the four + years that I used. Did you read that post from Addicted2oxy??? Her brother, dead at 39...???
This disease has no stereotypes, does it? I know what you mean about always being the straight one...(I was ALWAYS curly), but I have friends who weren't and they are struggling right now too. You need these years, your 30's...you are going to want to look back at these years and glean some things. You are going to need your 40's too! These are important days in your life. Honor them, gain your clarity...it takes what it takes Dawn...find the right place and work it harder than anything you have ever done.
I am praying for you...and I am here if you need me.
Peace.
Sarah
Dawn,
my name is Brien and i am 25 and was on methadone for over 5 yrs. 28 days ago i came off 130mg of mthdn and xanax. I do know it has worked for some people BUT i went into the nations largest methadone clinic at the same time as 8 other guys in their 20's.One is clean so far, ME ! I am on suboxone. The success rate for people who get off methadone is 6% for the first year after and the odds get worse after the first year. I would never even consider methadone treatment for vicodon. I went for oxycontin/heroin and by the 1st day i was hooked. I went from 30mg to 300mg rediculous but it is so addicting. I was on vic;s, loratab, loracet from 13yr to 17 and oxy and H from 17 to 20yr. I have never epierienced any kind of withdrawl like methadone ever and i was perscribed 8 80mg oxy which i abused (snorting) and detoxed cold turkey at 5 80mg oxy and was not even a quarter as bad as methadone and i did have suboxone. I WOULD NOT RECOMEND ANYONE to take a chance like i did and go onto suboxone on such a huge dose. I just cannot emphasize how much methadone held me back!!!!!!!!! I wrecked 10 cars in this time 6 of which were in the previous 8mths. Please consider what i have been through. I know vic's are hard to kick but methadone only delays the enevitable and is HELL. THIS IS MY EXPIERIENCE, i do not entend to offend anyone.
Good luck
Brien
my name is Brien and i am 25 and was on methadone for over 5 yrs. 28 days ago i came off 130mg of mthdn and xanax. I do know it has worked for some people BUT i went into the nations largest methadone clinic at the same time as 8 other guys in their 20's.One is clean so far, ME ! I am on suboxone. The success rate for people who get off methadone is 6% for the first year after and the odds get worse after the first year. I would never even consider methadone treatment for vicodon. I went for oxycontin/heroin and by the 1st day i was hooked. I went from 30mg to 300mg rediculous but it is so addicting. I was on vic;s, loratab, loracet from 13yr to 17 and oxy and H from 17 to 20yr. I have never epierienced any kind of withdrawl like methadone ever and i was perscribed 8 80mg oxy which i abused (snorting) and detoxed cold turkey at 5 80mg oxy and was not even a quarter as bad as methadone and i did have suboxone. I WOULD NOT RECOMEND ANYONE to take a chance like i did and go onto suboxone on such a huge dose. I just cannot emphasize how much methadone held me back!!!!!!!!! I wrecked 10 cars in this time 6 of which were in the previous 8mths. Please consider what i have been through. I know vic's are hard to kick but methadone only delays the enevitable and is HELL. THIS IS MY EXPIERIENCE, i do not entend to offend anyone.
Good luck
Brien
Morning Lil Miss #8 fan...
Dawn, it was awesome to log on here this morning and read your post. I've missed you and have kept you in my prayers and was waiting for this post and God does answer prayers...I'd like to share some things with you and I understand others have their own opinions but I would like to share what works for me and could for you.....
I can remember words like these and I can remember vividly those feelings and where I was when I finally surrendered...I had CT'd all pills but would get 4 & 5 months of clean time and relapse, and each time I relapsed it was worse, not as much physically but spiritually, absolutely devasting, that black hole where I wasn't living but merely existing, wondering if that's all there was to life and not caring wether I lived or died...I finally got sick & tired enough and surrendered...I couldn't live taking pills and I didn't know how to live life and deal with life without pills so I broke down crying on the way to work (I had about 28 days clean) and I prayed to God, really prayed and asked him to help me. When I got to work, I reached out and asked someone whom I trusted & respected on this board for help...I was done and was willing to do anything not to go back to active addiction. I opened up, admitted I was powerless over the drugs and asked for her to sponsor me and I poured out my feelings, my fears, my desperation and she listened, encouraged, and made suggestions for me to do and follow and she lovingly lead me back into AA. She insisted I get f2f support and I did everything she suggested and today, my life is better than a life I could have ever imagined...I have a big f2f support network and I also have quite a few friends I've met on here whom are part of my recovery support system....
Dawn,
Please read Sammy & Tim's post again and again...If I can do this, it is possible for anyone...let us love you until you can love yourself...I'm here for you anytime, no judgement just compassion and understanding...if you want to talk more off the board, I will give you my phone number & e-mail....
I love you, Dawn...You are in my prayers and will continue to be....
(((hugs))))
Stacey
Dawn, it was awesome to log on here this morning and read your post. I've missed you and have kept you in my prayers and was waiting for this post and God does answer prayers...I'd like to share some things with you and I understand others have their own opinions but I would like to share what works for me and could for you.....
| QUOTE |
| I am just so sick and tired of being sick and tired, I have let this addiction put me into a downward spiral and i cannot, no matter how hard I try, I cannot get out... |
I can remember words like these and I can remember vividly those feelings and where I was when I finally surrendered...I had CT'd all pills but would get 4 & 5 months of clean time and relapse, and each time I relapsed it was worse, not as much physically but spiritually, absolutely devasting, that black hole where I wasn't living but merely existing, wondering if that's all there was to life and not caring wether I lived or died...I finally got sick & tired enough and surrendered...I couldn't live taking pills and I didn't know how to live life and deal with life without pills so I broke down crying on the way to work (I had about 28 days clean) and I prayed to God, really prayed and asked him to help me. When I got to work, I reached out and asked someone whom I trusted & respected on this board for help...I was done and was willing to do anything not to go back to active addiction. I opened up, admitted I was powerless over the drugs and asked for her to sponsor me and I poured out my feelings, my fears, my desperation and she listened, encouraged, and made suggestions for me to do and follow and she lovingly lead me back into AA. She insisted I get f2f support and I did everything she suggested and today, my life is better than a life I could have ever imagined...I have a big f2f support network and I also have quite a few friends I've met on here whom are part of my recovery support system....
Dawn,
Please read Sammy & Tim's post again and again...If I can do this, it is possible for anyone...let us love you until you can love yourself...I'm here for you anytime, no judgement just compassion and understanding...if you want to talk more off the board, I will give you my phone number & e-mail....
I love you, Dawn...You are in my prayers and will continue to be....
(((hugs))))
Stacey
Stacey, Sarah, Tim, Sammy, Brien, thanks to all of you for your advice and kind words, you all touched me heart...I so appreciate it. I am just so lost right now, I feel like a top spinning out of control. I so don't want to do this anymore....
you have the power within, dawn to stop this spinning, swirling into the deeper, darker abyss of active addiction. the question i will ask of you that was asked of me is: "have you had enough?"
hugs ~
sammy
hugs ~
sammy
Dale...
Short-time use of Methadone can be very effective. I took it for a little over six weeks and than quit over four weeks ago. I don't think I could have done it without methadone. I was snorting oxycoctin 80 mg. I was such a frigging mess that I was desperate to get off. I had tried everything in the past as well. I wish you luck, if you go on methadone go on the smallest dose possible. Good luck.
Deirdre
Short-time use of Methadone can be very effective. I took it for a little over six weeks and than quit over four weeks ago. I don't think I could have done it without methadone. I was snorting oxycoctin 80 mg. I was such a frigging mess that I was desperate to get off. I had tried everything in the past as well. I wish you luck, if you go on methadone go on the smallest dose possible. Good luck.
Deirdre
Dawn...
It takes what it takes and when you're ready, I'm here to hold your hand...Please remember you do not have to go through this alone and it will be a couple days of being sick, like a bad flu and mental bullsh*t but once you go through the first few days, everything starts getting a little bit better everyday...
The first step is to go through the wd's and quit taking the pills and that is all you have to focus on right now....baby steps....and I strongly urge you not to go on the methadone, that sh*t is deadly, way deadly.....
Just relax, nobody is going to push you to do anything you're not ready to do...keep reading, keep posting and above all, pray to God to help and he will answer....Again, I'm here for you and thanks for opening up today and sharing, that in itself took a lot of courage and I am so proud of you for reaching out....
(((hugs))))
Stacey
It takes what it takes and when you're ready, I'm here to hold your hand...Please remember you do not have to go through this alone and it will be a couple days of being sick, like a bad flu and mental bullsh*t but once you go through the first few days, everything starts getting a little bit better everyday...
The first step is to go through the wd's and quit taking the pills and that is all you have to focus on right now....baby steps....and I strongly urge you not to go on the methadone, that sh*t is deadly, way deadly.....
Just relax, nobody is going to push you to do anything you're not ready to do...keep reading, keep posting and above all, pray to God to help and he will answer....Again, I'm here for you and thanks for opening up today and sharing, that in itself took a lot of courage and I am so proud of you for reaching out....
(((hugs))))
Stacey
Oh Stacey, you are the sweetest person, I adore you!!! I have more than had enough. The other day I was so desperate that I could not get the Vics and I took 4 Norco and a xanbar, and i was so messed up, I could not even walk down the hallway. I have gone thru some much sh*t with this addiction, I am bouncing checks left and right, I am on the verge of losing my house, and the list goes on and on, common sense says "what the f*ck" but my common sense has long flown the coupe. Thanks again Stacey, you rock!!! (even tho you are a 24 fan!!!! LOL)
this is good to read, dawn, that you have had enough. listen to voice within that is nudging you to these thoughts - that is your HP and it is alive and wanting so much to show you the love you are. now the next questions: to what lengths will you go for your recovery? what is it we can do to help you get the medical help and recovery process started?
hugs and tons of encouragement to you ~
sammy
hugs and tons of encouragement to you ~
sammy
Dawn you wrote:
You know what that makes me think of? Giving birth. In the middle of labor we woman tend to say just that,but in the end,a beautiful baby is born.(even after the excrutiation pain of labor,its a miracle)
Think of conquering this addiction in those terms,in the end,life is so beautiful.so worth it.Whatever way you decide to do it,whatever way works for you,you must do it,to get your life back..
Ive been on sub for over 7 months,its helped me alot.I now have to get off the sub too but....i feel strong enough now to face whatever i need to.I wish you the best of luck,keep posting.~KIM
| QUOTE |
| I so don't want to do this anymore.... |
You know what that makes me think of? Giving birth. In the middle of labor we woman tend to say just that,but in the end,a beautiful baby is born.(even after the excrutiation pain of labor,its a miracle)
Think of conquering this addiction in those terms,in the end,life is so beautiful.so worth it.Whatever way you decide to do it,whatever way works for you,you must do it,to get your life back..
Ive been on sub for over 7 months,its helped me alot.I now have to get off the sub too but....i feel strong enough now to face whatever i need to.I wish you the best of luck,keep posting.~KIM
Dawn,
I think you've gotten some really good advice and have probably made up your mind against methadone but I just wanted to add my thoughts on m-done. I was hooked on lortab and just like you had been through rehab(twice), tried meetings, counseling, etc. I just felt so defeated. My shrink suggested methadone and I entered the methadone clinic. I was on it for almost 3 years and although I am off it now, I've never felt the same since before I was on methadone. I think it really hurt my health. I definitly traded addictions for a much stronger, dangerous drug - methadone. I've been off it since 9-11-05 and in some ways I feel like I am still struggling with long lasting w/d. Please understand that no matter how bad you feel now it will only get worse if you enter the world of methadone. Don't do it. Good luck. I'm sure you will find success through another source of treatment.
Methadone25, congratulations on 28 days of being methadone free. Keep moving forward and life will get better with each passing day!
Shelly
I think you've gotten some really good advice and have probably made up your mind against methadone but I just wanted to add my thoughts on m-done. I was hooked on lortab and just like you had been through rehab(twice), tried meetings, counseling, etc. I just felt so defeated. My shrink suggested methadone and I entered the methadone clinic. I was on it for almost 3 years and although I am off it now, I've never felt the same since before I was on methadone. I think it really hurt my health. I definitly traded addictions for a much stronger, dangerous drug - methadone. I've been off it since 9-11-05 and in some ways I feel like I am still struggling with long lasting w/d. Please understand that no matter how bad you feel now it will only get worse if you enter the world of methadone. Don't do it. Good luck. I'm sure you will find success through another source of treatment.
Methadone25, congratulations on 28 days of being methadone free. Keep moving forward and life will get better with each passing day!
Shelly
thanks shelly. I have seen so many people die due to methadone. It was hell. 5 more yrs i threw away!!
Brien
Brien
