[stw66]

I have been on methadone for almost 8 years and I am sick of the clinic life. I have seen over the years how the clinics are only in it for the cash.So long as I pay I dont even have to talk to a counselor anymore,every three months my counselor asks for my signature on the bottom of the 90 day assessment. I have no idea what she turns nor do I care.Last month I decided enough of this ******************** already,and decided to detox myself. I have been down this road before and I know what to expect...I started off by bringing myself down 5mgs at a time (leveling off each time-7to10 days). I am now at my first day without taking methadone in 8 years.,although I do go through some w/d, its alot easier than cold turkey. I know the next month or so is going to be challenging.I have a wonderfull wife and she stands by my decision to be done with it. methadone really helped me get my life back.(I went from being homeless to having my own business).the point I want to make is how long should one stay on???, Its been a long time and I am just fed up with the everyday routine. my legs,my back,my sleep all are suffering,I even sleep on the couch so I dont drive my wife crazy. I know this is temporary (w/d).
I still have my life,and cant wait to travel w/o methadone.

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by stw66

I have been on methadone for almost 8 years and I am sick of the clinic life. I have seen over the years how the clinics are only in it for the cash.So long as I pay I dont even have to talk to a counselor anymore,every three months my counselor asks for my signature on the bottom of the 90 day assessment. I have no idea what she turns nor do I care.Last month I decided enough of this ******************** already,and decided to detox myself. I have been down this road before and I know what to expect...I started off by bringing myself down 5mgs at a time (leveling off each time-7to10 days). I am now at my first day without taking methadone in 8 years.,although I do go through some w/d, its alot easier than cold turkey. I know the next month or so is going to be challenging.I have a wonderfull wife and she stands by my decision to be done with it. methadone really helped me get my life back.(I went from being homeless to having my own business).the point I want to make is how long should one stay on???, Its been a long time and I am just fed up with the everyday routine. my legs,my back,my sleep all are suffering,I even sleep on the couch so I dont drive my wife crazy. I know this is temporary (w/d).
I still have my life,and cant wait to travel w/o methadone.

Congratulations on this huge step in your life. It's a tough detox following so many years on methadone. Methadone is a drug that should not be used unless it's for the long haul. Lots of people just like you have completely turned their lives around after getting on methadone. It can be a great benefit to an addict despite lots of the bad press that we read. It can be abused but so can about anything.

It's a totally personal decision when one decides to stop using methadone like you have done. If we can be of support or offer any help we are here. I'm on here everyday. Feel free to share any challenges or anything that comes to mind. Good luck and God bless.

[stw66]

Thanks Robert,I know you devote alot of time to helping addicts and non addicts.You have quite an understanding of drugs and their effects.
I am a little weak today, but still have to work.The guys who work for me all notice a change in me,but are to unsure to ask whats up.None of my employees ever knew that I was on methadone because It was my own demon and I did not want anyone to know.I still dont want anyone to know because of the stigma that always follows you.I was on it for almost 8 years
and I have seen firsthand what happens when people find out your on it.
Well,I gotta go..thanks again.

[learning_to_be_free]

Originally Posted by stw66

I have been on methadone for almost 8 years and I am sick of the clinic life. I have seen over the years how the clinics are only in it for the cash.So long as I pay I dont even have to talk to a counselor anymore,every three months my counselor asks for my signature on the bottom of the 90 day assessment. I have no idea what she turns nor do I care.Last month I decided enough of this ******************** already,and decided to detox myself. I have been down this road before and I know what to expect...I started off by bringing myself down 5mgs at a time (leveling off each time-7to10 days). I am now at my first day without taking methadone in 8 years.,although I do go through some w/d, its alot easier than cold turkey. I know the next month or so is going to be challenging.I have a wonderfull wife and she stands by my decision to be done with it. methadone really helped me get my life back.(I went from being homeless to having my own business).the point I want to make is how long should one stay on???, Its been a long time and I am just fed up with the everyday routine. my legs,my back,my sleep all are suffering,I even sleep on the couch so I dont drive my wife crazy. I know this is temporary (w/d).
I still have my life,and cant wait to travel w/o methadone.

are you quitting because they make you go everyday or is it hurting you in some way I ask because methadone messed my body up in 3years but I know people that intend to be on it for life with seemingly no problems with it. how come you were not given take-homes? do they not do it at your clinic? how low did you taper to? I know with me it always helped to go to the YMCA and sit in a warm pool or sauna. try to get as healthly as possible in everyway! I think methadone definitly changed my habits for the good but destoyed a part of me in the process

[stw66]

Originally Posted by learning_to_be_free

are you quitting because they make you go everyday or is it hurting you in some way I ask because methadone messed my body up in 3years but I know people that intend to be on it for life with seemingly no problems with it. how come you were not given take-homes? do they not do it at your clinic? how low did you taper to? I know with me it always helped to go to the YMCA and sit in a warm pool or sauna. try to get as healthly as possible in everyway! I think methadone definitly changed my habits for the good but destoyed a part of me in the process

I did have take homes( I still have the bottles ),I only had to go to the clinic twice a month.I tapered at a rate of 5mgs per every 7 to 10 days until I got down to 10mgs. Then I took it real slow about 2mgs every 10 days or so until I felt comfortable,I am dealing with more of the psychological effects than the w/d. I took this stuff daily for almost 8 years, so now I have to train myself to think differently,and its hard...Methadone saved my life,so I dont knock it,I went from absolutely nothing to being happily married and having my own business, so I really am greatfull for what methadone did for me.As for not wanting to be on it anymore,I have seen so many changes over the years in the clinics and staff that I am just fed up with it,and I just dont want to be dependent on anything anymore.I have a good friend that has been on it for 13 years and he will probably be on it for life,but that works for him so I dont knock it.I myself am just fed up with the dependent part of it.....I hope this has answered your questions,if not feel free to write me anytime. I check in a couple times a day.

[learning_to_be_free]

Originally Posted by stw66

I did have take homes( I still have the bottles ),I only had to go to the clinic twice a month.I tapered at a rate of 5mgs per every 7 to 10 days until I got down to 10mgs. Then I took it real slow about 2mgs every 10 days or so until I felt comfortable,I am dealing with more of the psychological effects than the w/d. I took this stuff daily for almost 8 years, so now I have to train myself to think differently,and its hard...Methadone saved my life,so I dont knock it,I went from absolutely nothing to being happily married and having my own business, so I really am greatfull for what methadone did for me.As for not wanting to be on it anymore,I have seen so many changes over the years in the clinics and staff that I am just fed up with it,and I just dont want to be dependent on anything anymore.I have a good friend that has been on it for 13 years and he will probably be on it for life,but that works for him so I dont knock it.I myself am just fed up with the dependent part of it.....I hope this has answered your questions,if not feel free to write me anytime. I check in a couple times a day.

anwsers alot.. I know what you mean about being feed up. the clinic fired the only good counslor I had & didnt even warn me. I think she was fired due to complaining of the deterating conditions and that was my last straw! they were ushering in about 2000+ patients everyday and every counselor had about 100 patients. drugs deals started to happen in the parking lot and in general everyone that seemed to really care when I got there quit so sounds like yours was going down too. but the clinic also changed my like habits for the good but I was given/took too much medicine and my body didnt seem happy at any dose I was never on a stable dose I felt I always had to fight them to get it lowered after I realized what a mistake it was to be at 150mg. but i also dont knock it as long as people know what they are getting into I think it can be good tool. I think its great your not having too many physical problems and good support in your wife. It is a major feat to be done with methadone. I so proud and I dont even know you!you should look up the thomas recipe it helps with w/d and really every perscription drugs robs your body of nutrients I have great hopes for you you have the positive outlook to do this Good Luck....I dont think you'll need it

[emachine]

Originally Posted by stw66

I have been on methadone for almost 8 years and I am sick of the clinic life. I have seen over the years how the clinics are only in it for the cash.So long as I pay I dont even have to talk to a counselor anymore,every three months my counselor asks for my signature on the bottom of the 90 day assessment. I have no idea what she turns nor do I care.Last month I decided enough of this ******************** already,and decided to detox myself. I have been down this road before and I know what to expect...I started off by bringing myself down 5mgs at a time (leveling off each time-7to10 days). I am now at my first day without taking methadone in 8 years.,although I do go through some w/d, its alot easier than cold turkey. I know the next month or so is going to be challenging.I have a wonderfull wife and she stands by my decision to be done with it. methadone really helped me get my life back.(I went from being homeless to having my own business).the point I want to make is how long should one stay on???, Its been a long time and I am just fed up with the everyday routine. my legs,my back,my sleep all are suffering,I even sleep on the couch so I dont drive my wife crazy. I know this is temporary (w/d).
I still have my life,and cant wait to travel w/o methadone.

mate thankyou for replying to my post earlier i have replied ..

i just want to say i am in some ways like you i lived all over when i was on drugs then one day thought i need to do something so i did got on a course of methadone and never looked back i relapsed a couple of times but now i have been clean for years i have a steady job and a great girlfriend who helps me alot .. the most hardest thing i have every had to do is tell my girlfriend who has never been near a drug that i am on methadone i thought it was all over between us but she said i will help you no matter what cos i love you and from that day she has and i love her and worship her for that . without her i dont know where i would be today . and i guess the same is for you with your wife mate we are very lucky men to have such caring and understanding partners .. god bless em .. hope you dont have too many sleepless nights mate ... talk to you tomorrow

[stw66]

Originally Posted by learning_to_be_free

anwsers alot.. I know what you mean about being feed up. the clinic fired the only good counslor I had & didnt even warn me. I think she was fired due to complaining of the deterating conditions and that was my last straw! they were ushering in about 2000+ patients everyday and every counselor had about 100 patients. drugs deals started to happen in the parking lot and in general everyone that seemed to really care when I got there quit so sounds like yours was going down too. but the clinic also changed my like habits for the good but I was given/took too much medicine and my body didnt seem happy at any dose I was never on a stable dose I felt I always had to fight them to get it lowered after I realized what a mistake it was to be at 150mg. but i also dont knock it as long as people know what they are getting into I think it can be good tool. I think its great your not having too many physical problems and good support in your wife. It is a major feat to be done with methadone. I so proud and I dont even know you!you should look up the thomas recipe it helps with w/d and really every perscription drugs robs your body of nutrients I have great hopes for you you have the positive outlook to do this Good Luck....I dont think you'll need it

thank you learning,I appreciate all the advice I can get.Sounds like your in the same boat as me,I have been off it for 4 days now and I can not believe that I got away with minimal w/d.Mainly the sleep is kicking my a$$. I think by taking it very slow I saved myself alot of pain.Are you still on methadone??
Gotta get to work,check back with you in a little while.Stay strong....

[learning_to_be_free]

Originally Posted by stw66

thank you learning,I appreciate all the advice I can get.Sounds like your in the same boat as me,I have been off it for 4 days now and I can not believe that I got away with minimal w/d.Mainly the sleep is kicking my a$$. I think by taking it very slow I saved myself alot of pain.Are you still on methadone??
Gotta get to work,check back with you in a little while.Stay strong....

not still on methadone I jump at around 10-15 but I had to due to clinic and personal reasons I'll never know If I would of had an easier time or not if I had gone to zero my family refused tp let me back and I really didnt want to go back and start all over going every single day at that point the lines were hrs long. I tried to weather the c/t storm(9days) as I have tried before but could not. so I tried a taper on low dose opiates stupid cuz herion doesnt even touch methadone but I torchered myself like this for 3months till I decided on suboxene its been 8 days and feeling great. I would have loved to get it right with the methadone though seems like a waste but I know I dont have cravings to score street drugs or hang with users now because of methadone and that just might be worth the $15,000 I spent being on methadone. Im so excited that you didnt get terribly sick..you can go to work and everything that takes so much determination. I know you will see this through and I hope everything remains "easy" I know its not all peaches but you seem better than most I've seem trying to get off this stuff. I wish you all the best and keep me updated on how your doing.