Can someone please provide info on methadone. My son just started after a very long struggle using opiates.There seems to be alot of negative stuff around this and I would like more info! He desperately wants his life back and I pray this helps!
Thank you
My daughter was on methadone for one year. Yes, it helps with not using heroin or pain pills but you really are replacing one drug for another, this one is just legal. Having to drive to the clinic everyday for her dose was a pain and it was costly. She decided to wean off of it and had withdrawal for 3 months, much worse withdrawal she felt than from Heroin or pills. It can save a lot of people's lives but there are downsides to it also. She said she would never go back to it again. She is currently on Vivitrol and this is working well and our insurance covers most of this expensive shot, our insurance didn't cover the methadone at all.
Dear "just a mom":
Methadone can be part of a recovery process - provided there is a process and not just taking methadone.
In my mind there are 2 barriers to recovery: (1) Denial as to the problem, extent of problem, etc, and (2) is a dumb plan. Addicts (and alcholics) always try a thousand combinations of things to "control their addiction".
For the methadone patient, I strongly suggest a daily dose of NAR Anon or AA for at least 90 days every day. Get a sponsor, read the literature, work the steps, perform service work, etc.. This all starts by attending the first meeting and keep coming back. This is the addict's job.
Your job is to take care of yourself, whether the addict is well or not. For you I suggest NAR Anon or Al Anon as a Family Support system. Sometimes methadone clinics offer counseling for addicts as well as family members.
I hope this helps,
Flyboy
Methadone can be part of a recovery process - provided there is a process and not just taking methadone.
In my mind there are 2 barriers to recovery: (1) Denial as to the problem, extent of problem, etc, and (2) is a dumb plan. Addicts (and alcholics) always try a thousand combinations of things to "control their addiction".
For the methadone patient, I strongly suggest a daily dose of NAR Anon or AA for at least 90 days every day. Get a sponsor, read the literature, work the steps, perform service work, etc.. This all starts by attending the first meeting and keep coming back. This is the addict's job.
Your job is to take care of yourself, whether the addict is well or not. For you I suggest NAR Anon or Al Anon as a Family Support system. Sometimes methadone clinics offer counseling for addicts as well as family members.
I hope this helps,
Flyboy
