What to expect next
 

My AH will start cutting back on his methadone tomorrow. He has been holding steady at 40 for 2 months now and wants to drop 2mg tomorrow so what should I expect. I know his body will withdrawl from the lower dose but how bad will the symptoms be? Any pointers for me? Thanks to any advise you can send my way.
I posted this under a different forum but nobody there responed with any input but 26 people read it. So hopefully my friends here at this forum will have an idea of what I am getting ready to face.:tyou

Is he taking methadone under medical supervision? Presumably his doctor would have let him know what the risks/benefits/possible side-effects of this change would be.

If he's decided on his own that he's going to take less--no, that's not smart but again that's his choice.

In either case, if he finds the dosage change has negative effects it'll be up to him to respond appropriately by going back to the doctor or whatever.

As far as pointers for you-- and I don't mean this at all in a glib way-- just keep on doing your own thing, having your boundaries. The recovery is his deal altogether.

Thanks for the info. Yes he is doing this methadone crap through a clinic that say they are there to help you get clean(as long as you have your $11 per day!!! You all are right it is his problem to deal with and I need not to worry about it. I am still working on step one of my Nar-Anon, I am work in progress. I guess part of me wants this to be over with quickly so I can get back to our life the way it used to be. Of course I am not sure if that can ever be.

Nobody responded in the other forum because everybody is different.What effects me might not you.I was never on methadone but I did do a suboxone detox and didnt really feel it till I got under 2mgs.He hasnt been on it long so it could go smoothly but that is totally up to him.In my opinion withdrawl is 90% mental.For me if I thought it would go badly it usually did.I detoxed many times but I surrendered once thats the key.Good luck to both of you

not a bad deal... much cheaper than a heroin addiction. Good luck to him as he tapers.

Do you have any personal boundaries in place about the kind of treatment and behavior you are willing to accept from the people you allow in your life? That is what will help you the most going forward with your life.

Yes I have set some boundaries. 1st one is NO STREET DRUGS at all. 2nd one is if he is going with the methadone treatment then he must start weening himself off, I will not tolerate him increasing his dose like some people do for the cheaper legal high. Right now those are the only boundaries I have set. I am still work in progress dealing with this addiction.

Those sound more like attempts to control his behavior.

Boundaries are for you. To control your behavior. Try making I statements...

And boundaries also have consequences... what are YOU going to do to maintain your boundaries?

An example of a control statement:

You cannot use drugs or take more methadone than prescribed to get high.

An example of a boundary:

I will not allow people who I suspect are under the influence of mind altering chemicals in my house. I will ask them to leave immediately. If they do not leave I will call the police and have them escorted out.

Focusing on your own recovery, rather than trying to control his behavior, will be very beneficial to you. Work the recovery you wish he would work.

Hello kitty OMG you are so right! Here I am thinking I am setting boundaries and instead I am trying to control his behavior. I am so glad you brought this to my attention. Now I need to thinnk of boundaries, the one you suggested is a good one but nobody comes here in that kind of shape. He was buying from people outside our friend circle. I wont allow street drugs in my house and if I see any they will be flushed! Is that a boundary or another control thing. I am so confused!! What is so sad is I am a smart person who works fulltime as a nurse taking care of people but yet this is totally putting me in a whirlwind. I have the know how to save lives but dont have the know how to save me. I just have to keep on reading and learning. I really love my husband and other than the drug addiction issue he is a great man. I believe him when he says he wants to be completely drug free but it scares the hell out of me to know he will always be an addict and will always be one pill away from active addiction. I love him and cherish my marriage but honestly if he ever goes back to street drugs again I will have to go my own way. I cant risk my Nursing license by being around all that. I have to look out for me! Thanks for listening everybody.:e136:

That's a boundary. Good job.

Some of my personal examples of boundaries are:

I will not allow people that I suspect are using drugs around my children or in my home.

I will not spend time with people I suspect are using street drugs. If I suspect drug use, I will not waste time discussing it. I will immediately remove myself from the situation.

I will not allow people to call me names or argue in front of my children. I will immediately leave the situation.

I will not allow people to sleep off drugs or hangovers at my house. I will not be a crash house. I won't let you in. If I do let you in and I change my mind, I will ask you to leave. If you do not leave, I will call the police.

I will not allow myself to be treated disrespectfully in my home, around my child. I will leave the situation.

I will not swear or allow people to swear in front of my children. I will ask you to stop and then I will leave.

I value honesty in a relationship. I will tell the truth and I will not knowingly accept lies from people who have a history of lying to me.

I will keep my promises to myself and others, and I expect that others will keep their promises to me. If they do not, I will no longer rely on them. I will no longer believe them or act as if I have faith in them.

My child's emotional safety and well-being will guide all my actions.

I will not allow anyone I suspect is using drugs or alcohol or anyone without a valid drivers license to use my car. Ever. Don't even ask.

I will not financially support adults that are physically capable of working and supporting themselves. I will not loan them money.