[DBROW]

I want to stop taking methadone, it was prescribed to me for chronic pain (it doesn't work for me) I take 80 mg a day 20 mg every four hours during the daytime. What will be a safe and somewhat "easy" step down where I will not have severe withdrawals?
Thanks
Dan

[mpvt]

Methadone has a vewry long halflife (up to 36hrs) so detoxing takes a long time.The rule of thumb is for the first while you can drop 10% of your daily dose.So 10% of 80mgs is 8mgs round that out to 10mgs.So drop down to 70 mgs.Remember that it takes at least 5 days for the change to show on your serum level so don't drop any quicker than once a week.For the first 40mgs or so you probably won't have any problems.When you hit 30-40mgs a day then that's were alot of people tend to feel discomfort.Once your down to 30mgs you can either slow down and drop by a couple mgs at a time or you can switch to buprenorphene which is what I would strongly suggest.Look up www.suboxone.com and find a list of doctors that prescribe suboxone(buprenorphene) in your area and start phoning to make an appointment.Do it now as it may take awhile to get in and they can't start you on it until your at least at 30mgs or less of methadone.I know someone who was on methadone for 8 years who has done just what I have explained here to you and he is blown away at how well he feels.This guy was terrified to go off the methadone but knew it was time.He's now starting to drop his dose on the suboxone and he will be shortly drug free without having withdrawls.So see if you can get in to see a suboxone doctor and go from there.Good luck......Dave