help on quitting methadone

[PhishHead]

I have been taking methadone for about a year now, buying it off the streets rather than being in the clinic. I've been taking about 80 mgs a day now and I just wanna quit. So, I've decided to stop, cold turkey I guess you'd say. Is this safe? Should I try to get help? If so, where and what kind of help? And also, if anyone has actually quit cold turkey, can you please give me some advice. Please help me.

Thanks,
Travis

[angelgirl]

Hi Travis,,
WELCOME TO SR!! You will find MUCH support here
You will find some really good info, from a very smart person, who has gone through something very similiar,,,

Her screen name is lbadeker, and her thread is called Life after Methadone..
She has come all the way off.. You can do it also, it takes alot, but you really CAN
DO IT

I believe she also had a prior thread, one that she posted on while coming off, but she can help you with that.. I am not knowledgable at all in Methadone..

I just know it can be done.. Have you tried any mmeetings? Coming off anything without support is very, very difficult..

Hang in there,
and stick around here, You'll get through this..

Love,
Becky

[northbelle]

Hey Phish..we do have alot in common..I am on day 3 of a methadone kick myself..got it off the streets..but I manage to get down to 20 mgs ...not good management on my part ,,just could not hang onto any..anyway..I have done this several times and this has been my experience...you will probably feel alright until about day 3 or 4 and then..well my main thing is body aches and stomach cramps...I have noticed it is a much more prolonged detox than heroin..It takes me about a month before I feel better ..It takes a long time for some reason..you can do it...with alot of support ..it is not pleasant but I simply cannot live my life this way..always worrying about my supply..the EXPENSE is insane..it doesn't even make me feel good anymore..I hate myself for being strung out..I think it is worth it 100percent...It is sad but I have gotten used to being dope sick so I know I can do it and so can you ..I have done it many times COLD TURKEY.......I am here if you need support and I may need yours..so come on..do this thing OK?? It will be so nice to be able to take a s**t like normal folks!! lol lol lol..It has been weeks!!!lol..god I am sick in the head huh?? Keep posting and just try not to trip in your head too much about it..that is what I am telling myself and I have a meeting I am going to ..it is at the top of a big hill and I am worried my legs won't carry me up it tonight but you can believe if I had to walk up it to scare..well..I would sure get there...love in recov..northbelle

[PhishHead]

well, today was my last dose..please pray for me guys, i'm really gonna need them..and please keep in touch..
thanks,
travis

[skylar]

phish, i dont know if going cold turkey off 80mgs is the best idea. i think maybe you should seek medical assistance in a detox. no matter what youre gonna feel withdrawl, but if you can be detoxed in a medical situation the withdrawl will be much less severe. if you can at least get yourself down on your daily dose by going to a clinic and joining a program to detox. they can help you do it much less painfully. i wish you the best either way. i'm a methadone addict myself, been on for almost 8 years, well on and off. i've been on for 6 years straight though. I'm currently working on a detox, down to 10 mgs now, and still feeling ok. i was also at 80 once like you. good luck either way, i wish you the best. if you have any questions, or just need some support/ talk, don't hesitate to pm me. also anglegirl is right, lbadecker has 3 threads now, basically a day by day of her experience coming off of meth. she has been a help to me personally as well. i wont lie to you though, for most long term users the detox period is months, not weeks. it may be difficult, but it's been done. i've just made the decision myself to get off it for good no matter what. maybe we can chat eah other through it. pm me we'll talk.

[theNAway]

Phish,
I would definetly recommend reading the thread Angelgirl was referring to.
As well as taking Skyler's advice. I couldn't imagine coming off of 80mgs of done cold turkey. If you can do it, you have bigger cajones than me.
From all that I have read and heard, the kick is worse than coming off dope.
A treatment center or detox might be able to help you through it and set you up in the right place, secure, support, ect. to help you successfully get through this.
It is a tough beast to get through. I wasn't able to do it without a lot of outside help. Everytime I tried to quit on my own, I usually went back out by the 4th day, cause I could stand the "skin crawl".
It is possible though, and so is staying in recovery if you are finally tired of living the way you are.
I would at least get in touch with someone in NA that can help you through this in your local area. I am sure there is someone there that has been through the same thing and can help you through it.
I hope you find recovery in this, it can be done, and the grass is greener on the other side - if you water it.
Chad H.

[skylar]

hers the threads phish. this is lbadeckers whole experience through her detox. one thing to note is she help/meds from a adoc to ease withdrawl symptoms. her they are in order: methadone detox

next thread: 30 days off methadone

60 days off methadone (60 Days!!!!)

ans finally: Life after methadone!

[angelgirl]

Wow skylar

that was really sweet of you

So happy to see you here, you can also be some great support here to addicts coming in that are feeling so lost.. We get what we give, right?? You are giving, how EXCELLENT!!

You hang in there as well.. You could keep a thread of your taper/detox,, that would be great, if you'd like, we can NEVER have TOO much info..

Thanks,
Love, Becky