Methadone Withdrawal: Methadone Facts

Question: Where can i find detailed information on methadone withdrawal?

(Posted by: Mike N on 2007-12-24 17:43:52)

My girlfriend has been on methadone for about 2- 3 months for chronic pain. At max, she was taking 60- 80mgs a day. Everything I read on the internet regarding withdrawal symptoms is regarding people who have been on 200mgs a day for years. She is obviously in a different criteria. Does anyone have a good resource regarding what to expect, and the best ways to get off of short- term methadone use in relation to withdrawal symptoms it will product?

Posted by: krista on 2007-12-24, 22:20:29

You could probably contact your local methadone clinic & ask some questions or get some reading material. Speaking from experience, methadone is highly addictive and extremely difficult to kick. Her doctor should wean her off of it by slowly decreasing her milligrams over a period of time. I used methadone on three different occasions in order to assist me with the withdrawal symptoms from heroin use. I can definitely say, without a doubt, that methadone was harder to kick than heroin was. All three times, I was detoxed from about 90mg down to 0mg in a 10 day period and it was by far one of the most horrible experiences. I would not recommend methadone to anyone due to my own experiences, however, since your girl is already on it, my best suggestion would be a very very very slow, drawn out detox process - like 2.5 mg less each week. Any ethical doctor would not make her go through any pain or withdrawal by a fast detox process. Good luck.

Posted by: spnkysparky on 2007-12-27, 15:55:11

DO NOT GOTO A METHADONE CLINIC...only about 10% have a legit program that works.Most clinic are just about the money.I will give you 2 options or advice.If she was taking the methadone for pain and it was prescribed,then the doctor should wean her down...if he/ she wont,then another doctor will since it was prescribed.However,if you were getting them off the street,a doctor will refer you to a clinic.I have posted a link to a drug forum and a detox forum with people who have experience.My suggestion to you is KRATOM.Kratom is a great herb that has saved my life.Be aware that kratom can be addicting to,so please do your research before attempting kratom use.I will also post a link to kratom info.Its long,but you can scroll right down to its uses and pharmacology section.Its being considered as a methadone replacement.Methadone is BAD,BAD and by the way 60 to 80mgs of methadone a day aint a cake walk to come off from.It may seem small compared to the other doses...but it definately aint fun coming off 40mgs a day.That was extremely hard for me.Enough to NEVER do methadone again.OH and I was only on it for about 28days...but in fairness I was using methadone to come off hydrocodone SO i already had a dependant to hydrocodone...but coming off hydrocodone was a cake walk in the past compared to methadone.But me being stupid,listened to an aquaintance the recommended methadone to fight my withdrawal symptom...I thought.WHY NOT?Bad choice on my part.I pray that she comes off ok one way or another.All I can say is kratom worked for me.Good luck Oh and BALI strain of kratom is best for opiate withdrawals