So confused need advice and help

[ncarolina111]

Can a person who has been taking 40 mg methadone daily stop with outpatient treatment? I was told by this person that 40 mg is not a lot but they are addicted to it. I have no idea if this is a lot or not. He said he took it to get off percocet. All of this percocet and methadone started 6 months ago.He went to doctor and was prescribed clonazepam 1 mg , 3 times a day to help with the withdrawals.Thre prescription is for 30 tablets with no refills. He was also told to take immodium for his stomach. This was 5 days ago. He says he really wants to stop taking the methadone. He says the immodium helps more than the clonazepam. He says he does cocaine occasionally but he is not addicted to the cocaine. I asked what does occasionally mean to you and was told once every 2 weeks.He says he wouldnt do cocaine if he was off the methadone. I do not know about that either. He is in his mid twenties. I am heartbroke and want to do what works best. Is is more mentally or physically dependent on 40 mg methadone? Is this a large dose? What can I do?

[northbelle]

I have detoxed methadone 40 mgs cold turkey...It sucked..I was sick but I made it...the klonipin will make those symtoms more mangeable and the immodium. I did it and held down my job as a front desk clerk too with no medical help. Not saying I reccommend this method but I know he can do it. He is not so different as most addicts...we are just addicted to drugs period. Can he taper off the methadone?? It would be easier. But I have cold went cold turkey and though it is pretty darn uncomfortable it is cetainly possible..Methadone really sucks...
He should seek support from some other clean and sober people. He has to seek help himself...Its cool you are there for him and your support will be a big help!!
love north

[ncarolina111]

Thank you for your reply northbelle. I forget to mention he smokes marijuana and I do believe this is several times a week. I am not sure about the frequency but he has told me he smokes marijuana. Someone else told me it was several times a week but this person told me when they were intoxicated themselves. He says he doesnt drink "that much" except on weekends if he goes out. On day 3 of his methadone withdrawal he told me he needed a drink of liquor because he was freezing. I told him to drink coffee if he was freezing and that he didnt need to have any liquor. He said you dont understand I only want one shot. He did not do this as far as I know because he is with me now while going through this. I do not know if he is honest in the amount of cocaine but he did come to me and say I need help I am addicted to methadone and I want to tell you everything so you can help me. So part of me wants to believe him since he came to me for help and part of me doesnt know if he is telling me all the truth. He is upset that I dont trust him and swears he is telling me the truth and it was hard enough to tell me what he has does.

[northbelle]

Well it sounds like he is being as honest as he can be right now. Lying usually comes right along with addiction. He probably doesn't know the truth himself right now. We think we are protecting ourself when we lie. The fact that he told you is is strung out on methadone is a big deal. Don't expect total honesty right now and you won't be dissapointed. i got pretty out of it when I detoxed. Get him throught he methadone withdrawal first. It is a terrible thing to be addicted to.it really enslaved me. It took him a long time to get so sick..and it is the same with recovery..it is a process..you can call the NA hotline and get some support. Did he loose his methadone connection??
I feel for you..and him...facing our demons is never easy ..but a life lived in addiction can be a fate WORSE than death..but thats just my opinion..
love northbelle

[ncarolina111]

No he did not loose his methadone connection. Just staying with me with no transportation to go there whereever it is. He says he does not want the methadone and he says he is determined to beat this. He tells me the immodium has helped his stomach aches but other than his stomach ache, not sleeping, depressed, pacing the floor when he is awake, I see no other withdrawal symptom

[catcrazy]

not sleeping, depression, anxiety..may not look like much to someone else but I can assure you it feels like pure he!! to the person going thru it..
The cold thing, yes that is another w/d symptom. Cold, hot, sweating chills,all at once sometimes..
The depression alone is awful, not to mention all the rest..and figure when you cant sleep that only intensifies the anxiety and depression..
I havent been thru w/ds from methadone, but my understanding is that its worse then say percocet, because perc is a short acting opiate(4-6hr half life) and methadone is a long acting opiate(12-24hr half life). Everyones chemistry is different and so is their tolerance and reaction to each drug and the w/ds.
Staying hydrated can help along with the immodium. There are some other vitamins and herbs people have used to help, I dont know any myself other then B12 for energy. Exercise and anything to keep the mind and body busy also helps pass the time. I know with percocet the w/ds generally peak at 72 hours for most, I am not sure about the methadone. Also it takes months for the brain to heal the damage that having the drugs in the body have done, depending on use and frequency etc..
I have gone thru w/ds and had a few glasses of wine to help ease the anxiety but its a very temporary fix, and I wouldnt recommend staying drunk thru w/ds cause I tried that (the drugged mind isnt very smart) and ended up going into alcohol w/ds along with the opiate w/ds..not pretty..
Good luck to you and your friend, try to remain sympathetic, it is hard to admit these issues to anyone to start with and even harder for some to stop so the fact that your friend has come to you and is trying to stop is a big big step and its best to be as supportive as you can. I am not the type of person that believes in beating a person when they are down..There is plenty of time after they go thru w/ds to discuss all the issues that lead to this point..

[windysan]

The detox center here will take you at 40mgs.