Methadone treatment

[Hope87]

Hello everyone,

My AB is looking today to get into methadone treatment. He's met the doctor and is getting the blood work done today. He believe he's needs this to stay off other opiates and be able to function without pain from day to day. Can some of you please fill me in on what you know about methadone treatments? Like, is it safe, can it be used long term, is there a good chance of relapsing while on methadone, what happens if you do relaspe while on methadone costs...anything. Any information is greatly appreciated. Thanks and have a good one!

[nohopeindope]

I just wanted to give you a little information in regards to methadone. It is a very old drug and it is very safe, as long as you keep a couple things in mind. The most important thing of all, is not to mix methadone with other drugs. Your AB boyfriend will also want to take it slow while he is working his way up to the correct dosage. I am in North Carolina and my weekly cost is $84.00, that is at a private clinic. The public clinic is much cheaper. But, there is way too much drug dealing and drama there, it is also much harder to obtain take outs. I have been on the clinic for 16 months and I only have to go to the clinic once a week. You have to work for your take outs, with clean drug test, going to group and keeping your account current. You asked what happens if you relapse on methadone. You are placing yourself in grave danger of OD'ing. But, if you are on the correct blocking dose of methadone you can not catch a buzz. The methadone should block the effects of all opiates. I hope this information helps. If you think of a specific question, let me now.

[Hope87]

Hey nohopeindope,

Thanks for getting back to me. I appreciate it He started today and I just talked to him and he's feeling a little crappy and tired. I figure it's gonna take his body a little while to get used to. They are starting him on small doses and bumping him up every couple days. He had to be checked out and a doctor is monitoring him while he begins this so that makes me feel better. But it is good to hear that methadone can block the effects of opiates. I didn't know that. And I would think it wouldn't be a good idea to mix anything with it.
Do you like it? Does it help you out? I'm aware this may be (not sure yet) a long term treatment for him. But if it can help then I support him in his decision. Thanks again for sharing and let me know how it works for you, if that's ok

[SteppingItUp]

Originally Posted by Hope87

it is good to hear that methadone can block the effects of opiates. I didn't know that. And I would think it wouldn't be a good idea to mix anything with it.

It can block the effects of opiates in higher doses, but from experience I'll say that lower doses don't do the same job. Some people will still try using even if they're taking Methadone. Just something to keep in mind just in case. In the meantime, the fact that your bf is seeking help is a good thing. I wish both of you tons of luck.

Have you also checked out the Friends and Family part of this site? Might be a good place for you too!

:hugs:

[Hope87]

Hi Steps

Thanks for the info. Yeah, he just started so I believe he's getting 40ml (or whatever it's measured in). They give him 30 at first see how that goes over with him then later, in the same day, they give him another 10. I guess every few days they bump him up more but before that he has to see their counselor. I guess it's going to be a little bit before he's up to what is really going to work for him. So I hope this whole thing works for him too. There's many reasons I can stand behind this...it's just street drugs..shooting up...yeah, that's just not going to work if we are going to be together. He's got us in somewhat of a financial bind from all of it but if the methadone treatments are going to help (not that that's cheap either) then we can start from scratch and see where this goes. I atleast look at is as a step in the right direction, we just gotta see if works out.
Yeah, I go on the friends and family section too. I mention this to all them and told them what's been going on the past 2 weeks and they still give me hell. Maybe I'm in the wrong, maybe this isn't going to work...I don't know. All I can do is see how things go from day to day and pay to pay and if it doesn't get better or I begin to see things going back to the way they were, then I know the option of leaving has to be there. As for now, I'm waiting to see if things get back to normal. I know it may take a while, but I need that time to see how it works.
Thanks for the support! I hope we can work through this too. Only time will tell. Take care and have a good one!

[Blondeina]

Originally Posted by Hope87

Hello everyone,

My AB is looking today to get into methadone treatment. He's met the doctor and is getting the blood work done today. He believe he's needs this to stay off other opiates and be able to function without pain from day to day. Can some of you please fill me in on what you know about methadone treatments? Like, is it safe, can it be used long term, is there a good chance of relapsing while on methadone, what happens if you do relaspe while on methadone costs...anything. Any information is greatly appreciated. Thanks and have a good one!

I have been a successful methadone maintenance client for the past 17 years. Age 10 was my start of using/abusing anything I could shoot, snort, swallow or smoke; I am 52 now, and first began methadone maintenance at age 35. Methadone maintenance has allowed me to become free from narcotics of all types. It is important that the dosage level not only be high enough to control the physical urges, but it must also be enough to quiet the psychological drive. Once my dosage was stabilized at 85mgs, I haven't needed an increase in 4/5 years. That, and working a sincere recovery program, has helped me as nothing else has or could. I have relapsed only once during my early stages of treatment; but relapse is no reason to quit, only a learning experience to be used for a renewed recovery. There is no easy recovery program, but methadone will work if you want it to. I hope this helps a little. I am happy to be of any assistance you or your boyfriend may need. Please feel free to contact me at anytime. Good Luck to You Both! My heart and thoughts are with you.

[citychick]

Hi Hope,

I'm glad your bf got on to the methadone program. It'll take away a lot of the stress from both your lives. I see you've already got some great info from the others too.

What I'd like mention is that after being on methadone for 25 years ( my husband for 27) I don't belive it should be used as a way of life. It's meant to help addicts get over their initial fixation with other drugs, get their lives together then reduce and go about life drug free. But many people, me included take it long past it's use by date and spend a quarter of their life tied to a clinic, despensing staff and drs, all who have the power to make decisions about your life , for you. Believe me, it gets old and that was the main reason I reduced and got clean almost 4 years ago. ( hubby's 9 months clean this month and doing brilliantly.)

I hope this doesn't sound like a downer when he's so new to the program. I just wanted you ( him) to be aware that methadone is not a lifestyle.

Another thing I noticed over the years is the propensity for alcohol many, not all, methadone clients can get. I ended up with dual addictions so tell him to be careful about that.

All the best in your new life.

[Vintersemestre]

It's good to hear that you're being supportive, so many people (Americans especially) are dead-set against Methadone/Suboxone despite it's success. I hope it works well for him.

[lotdot19]

Hello,

My brother is currently on Methadone and attempting to lower his dosage. Despite he lying about what MGs he was on, he is now very much in the thought process that he cannot live without the drug. Please be careful, I agree with citychick it is NOT a lifestyle. It can be used to help the addict for a time. In the end no drugs should be used that could be abused. That's my thoughts, and the clinic can be a depressing place at times where proper care is not always advised.

I pray that everything goes well, some can live healthly with the methadone and others should do better without.

God Bless.

[box3]

I was on the methadone program for 5 years, but only spent 3 of those years committed to recovery. The first 2 years (and before) I used methadone (and everything else) to get high and injected my take home doses (nasty).

It does make recovery easier to manage in the sense that you have your physical addiction taken care of, however all the other stuff that goes along with addiction still needs to be addressed too. Methadone is a maintenance program. It's a tough drug to be rid of once you start and it has a long half-life in the body, which draws out the withdrawal process.

In my experience methadone can still be abused, it's no easy fix, it's hard to get off and is best combined with therapy and some type of supportive treatment program.

[box3]

Just a quick correction: I'm getting my dates mixed up. I did the math and I was only on the methadone program for 3 years, but abused it and morphine prior. My memory is very bad and I have massive problems recalling dates (I had to pull out my uni transcripts to work out the time-frame).

I know this thread is quiet now, but I didn't want my post to be misleading. I hope your brother is doing well.

[turkstragal]

I have been on methadone for about 3 yrs and am in process of tapering down..Currently I am on 58mgs but had gotten as much as 150mgs at one point..I know I could not have got sober without it..The pain of withdrawal from opiates was just to much for me..As for wether someone will relapse or not while on methadone, it all depends on the person..Some may try to get high but if the meth dose is right it just won't happen..It's a waste of money to even try...