Methadone: Methadone Facts

Question: Help with detoxing from methadone?

(Posted by: Margaret B on 2012-01-26 01:01:14)

I am in a methadone program due to long term pain from cancer (now "cured ") in which I was taking high doses of narcotic pain killers. I have no problems with any of that. It was what was needed. Now, I am on methadone as it is a very effective painkiller - which I still need - but my goal is to have my doctor ween me off over the course of a year (I didn't "get here " overnight...I "m not gonna get clean overnight. There is no shame, at all, in taking prescribed medication for a very serious illness; but I want to get off the painkillers as much as possible). It's unreasonble to think that this is going to go fast. Also, again, no shame...one wouldn't tell a diabetic that they need to not be dependent upon insulin, right? Pain slows healing, increases stress, which can also - as we all know - kill you. I am on 30 mgs./ day of Methadone; I have already decreased, over the course of 3 months, from 35mgs (my max dosage). What would be a good, slow & steady rate, to drop? I am giving myself six months, if possible. Thanks!

Posted by: Aquantis on 2012-01-26, 01:04:04

I think your body will tell you, that's not anything a doctor or anyone else can tell you. I hope you get better quickly, congrats on getting through it.

Posted by: Ziggi on 2012-01-26, 13:00:26

I would go down about 2mg a week and when you get down to 10mg you go 1mg a week. Remember that you do have to go all the way down to 1mg. Some people think they can jump off at 4-5mg because it's so little but that's a huge mistake. Even jumping off at 1mg could cause you some symptoms but they should be mild and not last that long. Once you get down to 1mg you can go to taking it every other day and then every three days down to nothing. If you start feeling bad or have drug cravings as you go down there is no shame in stopping where you are and restabilize. There is also no shame in going up a bit for a while if you need it. Good luck.