Methadone Withdrawal: Methadone Facts

Question: How long do methadone withdrawals last?

(Posted by: mcnugget on 2009-01-30 03:45:22)

I'm down to 8mgs and Ive heard no matter what dose your on, 8 or 1mg you're going to experience the same symptoms. I don't think my Dr. is concerned with my maintenance. I go to a clinic and pay $60/ wk for my dose. It's been two days since I've taken it...but I've been taking xanax too help me through sleep. I've heard that it can take from 1 week to a month for the withdrawals to stop...i know it's out of your SYSTEM within 2- 3 days but the withdrawals are a different story. I don't think my Dr. is concerned with my maintenance. I go to a clinic and pay $60/ wk for my dose. They want people to keep coming back for the money. It's been two days since I've taken it...but I've been taking xanax too help me through sleep. I've heard that it can take from 1 week to a month for the withdrawals to stop...i know it's out of your SYSTEM within 2- 3 days but the withdrawals are a different story.

Posted by: nomimashoo on 2009-01-30, 04:33:42

24 to 36 hours. methadone is harder to withdraw from than h. but stick with it. Its tough but it only gets better once you regain control/ Good luck.

Posted by: Holly on 2009-01-30, 04:46:54

I would think 3 days and you are on your way to recovery ,Please stay strong and clean it will be worth it in the end ,I wish you bunches of luck

Posted by: spookychick2007 on 2009-01-30, 04:54:05

Methadone can be dangerous to kick cold turkey. It takes about 3 days. Does your doc know about this? Don't you think you should wean yourself off a little more first? Please be careful and be sure of what you are doing. Good luck.

Posted by: qtpie20121 on 2009-01-31, 20:52:54

If there is another clinic you can go to maybe you should because although clinics vary there are good ones out there. The relapse rate for MMT patients is 80-95%. The fact that you are on Xanax is not good because it is a highly addictive substance itself and terrible to withdrawal from. Methadone withdrawal is dangerous and can be deadly. See the following news about people who have died from methadone withdrawal... medicalassistedtreatment.org/ 95211/ 471119.html If you are 2 days into your detox and you are planning on doing it "cold turkey " the worst is definitely left to come provided you don't have a seizure or die. Sorry to be so graphic but it is true. The fact is methadone withdrawal is not worse than heroin withdrawal but it lasts longer which makes it seem worse. I mean would you rather have a sharp pain that lasts for a few minutes or a dull pain that lasts for weeks? Whcih one would you remember as being worse? This is why people say Methadone is worse than Heroin. How long will it last? On average ten to fourteen days but for some it takes months. Generally, the slower the detox is performed the more comfortable it will be. Here is a link that has some good info on detox.... drug-rehab.ca/ how-long-for-Methadone-detox.htm The dose does matter in that if it done correctly it will take longer to reduce slowly from a smaller dose than a larger one but if you are going cold turkey it probably won't matter because you are gonna be in as much danger jumping off 30mg as 120mg. Anyway, another thing you need to consider is your reason for discontinuing MMT because there are too many that allow stigma and discrimination lead to them relapsing because they are ashamed of being on MMT. If it works for you then it should be treated like any other medication for a chronic disease. If you took insulin for diabetes you wouldn't stop cold turkey. If you are doing it because of conflict with your clinic and there isn't another one closer then you should know there are resources you can contact to resolve clinic issues such as NAMA who can be reached at ... methadone.org/ grievance_report.html There is also a great forum where you can go and talk to people who are detoxing off methadone and almost always get an answer at... excoboard.com/ exco/ forum.php?forumid= 80786

Posted by: Jakala-hole on 2009-02-05, 09:32:43

It really depends on how long you were taking it and what the average dose is that you were on. Basically, the more you've taken overall, the longer & harder the withdrawal. The xannies should help you a bunch, but I would suggest smoking a little weed to help with appetite issues, as well as with boredom. Nothing's worse than sitting around feeling sh***y with nothing to do. If you feel up to it, try to go and do something, anything you can do to keep your mind off thinking about being sick. Also if you can get your hands on a muscle relaxer, that should help a bunch. Then just the basics depending on your symptoms; there's plenty of OTC pills for nausea, or the weed will get that too, and Immodium for diarrhea. After the withdrawal is over, you can still have mild after-effects from it for up to 18-months. Its called Post Accute Withdrawal.