HELP PLZ!!! I have been taking 20mgs of methadone every day for 6 months. How do I detox safely?

James, it's not so much about safe as it's is about correct. This is really nasty stuff, and I can only give you the formula that I know works. First off getting on board with a local recovery group will give you support and fellowship with folks who have gone through this successfully (and I do not mean a Methadone clinic). Add to that the help of any Dr that will help you (not with Suboxone) and then realize with those 2 pieces you want to take the next 3-5 months to very gradually reduce the M and then (this is where the Dr helps most) with the right help transition to zero then 2-3 weeks to off.

This is not only "safe" as you say but very good to best prevent relapse and be free (if that is indeed your goal).

It's not the 20mgs, it's the length of time and the reason you got on it in the first place (abuse). You can try shortcuts but I tell you there is no fast or easy way to get out from under this stuff. Me? 240mgs a day, 25 months to get off, and it was still hell at times.

Best to you, hope this helps.

balbanese is absolutely correct. Do not do this cold turkey or you will resort to your old habits. You need to do this with help of a good doctor, not a methadone clinic. I assume this is where you are getting it? It also makes a difference I believe if it is liquid or pills, in the cutting or weaning down. I had to wean off of methadone from 150mg to just 10mg on my own, but I was taking it for chrontic pain. It took me almost a year at 5 mg. a week to 10 days. Your dose is not super high, but it's the amount of craving you are having that is scarey. You do need a good support system also. Have you tried AA or NA? A good physchologist & therapy sessions to find out why you are having this problem again would also help you to understand it better. Wishing you the best... Mary

Hi James, well it sounds like you went from the frying pan and into the fire. you are gonna need to get real help at this point. withdrawl and opiates go hand in hand. but you knew that already.6 months was way too long to detox off percs. unless that is the way your doctor told you to do it. but we both know that not to be the case. you got some great advise from all the people here at ddc. Question is what you gonna do with it. sorry if this sounds harsh,but its your life. I truly wish you well... subzero58

You detox slowly, maybe no more than 5mg, a month and get a support group. Don't keep changing from one drug to another. On these for pain or enjoyment?

Your best bet is to go to the doctor that gave you the methadone and tell them that you want off unless you didn't get it from a doctor or a clinic, then I don't know what to tell you. I myself am on Methadone and am in NO HURRY to get off of it because it saved my life! I can now function as an active, productive member of society because of the fact that I take methadone every day! But I get mine from a clinic that I have gone to for years and if I do want to taper they will put me on a schedule that works for me. I do commend you though for wanting to get off of Methadone, for some people that is the right choice, I wish you luck!