Methadone: Methadone Symptoms & Side Effects

Question: Is methadone good for getting off pain pills?

(Posted by: angel35570 on 2012-01-16 11:01:14)

I've been going to a methdaone clinic for a week & was wondering if that's the best thing to do. I've done reading online but it has major mixed reviews. I've been addicted hard for 3 yrs & truly want to get off of them. I'm asking for serious answers & recomendations. Thank you very much

Posted by: Andre on 2012-01-16, 11:03:05

No, but it is good for dying painlessly. Those are very popular through suicidals who wanted to leave life painlessly.

Posted by: northstar_eve2000 on 2012-01-16, 11:06:07

I know nothing about methadone so I cannot advise you of anything. Ask whoever you go see at the Metadone Clinic, they must know.

Posted by: belle on 2012-01-16, 12:56:57

Yes it is, it does the exact same thing as the pills you were probably taking, I'm assuming lortabs, percocets, roxis oxys etc etc........except you won't get that "high " feeling unless you take a VERY large amount at once. This will prevent you from going into withdrawls which you have probably been through a few times right?........just PLEASE don't stay on it for a long time, they tend to keep people on methadone waaaay to long and it doesn't do anything but make them go back to using. Once you feel that YOU can lower your dose then do it and continue weening off......I know of people that stayed on it for 2 years! You shouldn't take it no longer than 6 months or so and should be able to tolerate having nothing.........good luck on your journey :)

Posted by: J Miller on 2012-01-16, 20:14:09

I have to disagree with Belle. It's actually recommended to stay on methadone for at least two years. The longer you are in treatment the better the results. And it definitely doesn't make you go back to using if you stay on it longer. Quite the opposite. There are several studies and a host of anecdotal reports that support this fact. A proper dose of methadone should not only remove withdrawal symptoms, as some people think. It's supposed to remove your cravings, taking away your desire to use pills or whatever drug you used. That's what keeps you clean and as long as you take a sufficient dose you will remain clean. It would not cause you to go back to using. I have been on methadone twice. The first time for almost a year and I relapsed about a month after getting off. The second time I didn't repeat the same mistake and I stayed on. It's been about 8 years now and I'm still doing great. I only go to the clinic once a month. I take my meds in the morning and that's it. I live a very normal life and have no desire to get high whatsoever. Methadone saved my life and it's a treatment method I highly recommend for those who need it. It's not right for everyone though and whether or not it's the best thing for you depends on a lot of things. For instance, what's your goal and what do you want to get out of it? What have you tried before? Is your problem that you just can't get through the withdrawal or is it that you just can't stay clean and keep relapsing after you've detoxed? If your problem is mainly the physical part I would recommend doing a methadone detox where you pretty much start tapering right away. A detox can take anywhere from 3 weeks to six months. The slower you go the least painless it will be. If your problem is that you keep relapsing methadone maintenance is the way to go. When it comes to maintenance it should continue for at least two years. The relapse rates are very high for those who get off sooner. Some people do fine getting off after two years while others will need medication to stay clean for many years or even the rest of their lives. Long term opiate abuse causes damage to your endorphin production. While it an repair itself for some people it's permanent for others and they need methadone (or Suboxone) to function for the rest of their lives. I know one guy who's been on methadone for 24 years. Without it he would be an active junkie on the street. I also know a lot of people who have successfully tapered and remained clean. If you are planning on going on maintenance you should increase your dose until it holds you for 24 hours and until you feel no cravings or desire to use. The average dose is 80-120mg but some people need higher doses while others need less. Just listen to your body. Then you stay on that dose until you feel ready to start tapering. You should know that because of how long methadone stays in your system it takes a long time to get off. Sometimes it can take as much as a year. If you would go cold turkey from methadone you would be sick much longer than you would from the pills you've been taking. You can literally have symptoms for months. So you have to taper very slowly. You should be aware of that. Unless you do a shorter methadone detox getting on methadone is a long term commitment. Another option you may want to look into if you don't think methadone is right for you is Suboxone. It works similarly to methadone but it can be prescribed in a doctor's office one month at a time. It also carries less stigma. Suboxone also takes a long time to get off but some thinks it's a bit easier. It doesn't work for people who need higher doses because it has a ceiling effect but it works for a lot of people. It can be a bit more expensive but on the other hand it's more often covered by insurance. There are a lot of people who say a lot of bad things about methadone and suboxone but they usually have no clue what they are talking about so just ignore that.

Posted by: CHRISSIE on 2012-01-16, 23:40:31

A short answer is yes it's good for this type of addiction. I'm a nurse who has experience in addictions and methadone. J. Miller has many excellent points. As for the mixed reviews you are reading-they are only talking about other people, not you. Just concentrate on yourself. Don't give up, you need to stick with it. Find others who are supportive of your difficult decision-you are very brave. Don't associate with addicts who are using-it's just too much temptation for anyone to overcome. Best wishes! Chrissie R.N.