[The Dud3]

Hi Everyone,
I'm looking for tips(mind/body etc) and success stories of anyone that's been able to successfully taper off Methadone.

Quick background on my situation. I'm a 32yrs and male, and I've been an addict since I was 23yrs old. I've now been on methadone for 2yrs & my dose is 55mg's, I've discussed tapering(slowly getting off Methadone) with my counselor and he's leaving it up to me.

P.S. I want to thank you for all the wonderful responses.

[lowinmood]

go back to your counsellor and ask for support, guidance and tips - I strongly suggest you reduce very slowly, like everything, a quick jolt might work, and I know it does for cigarettes, but for anything else, it could lead to trouble.

[Mygrandjourney]

I've heard that when you are down to around 30mg, you might be able to switch over to Suboxone, which you can also do a taper on. It might take one year or more to successfully from Methadone.

[The Dud3]

Thanks for the advice so far, I appreciate it!

[Tiedomi]

Hey brother, I was on the 'done for years, and ended up on a high dosage of 500mg a day.
It took me a long time of reducing by 5 mgs a day. If after a few weeks you feel better, drop it. If you don't. stay where you are.
Once you are at 15, drop by 1 or two.
Dude, I can't lie, it wasn't easy, and I hurt for quite awhile, but I've been drug free for 20 years thanks to methadone.
Cheers and good luck.

[ComfortablyNumb5]

Be careful if you ever thiNk of switching to suboxone. I'm currently physically hooked on it and I regret the very first time I took it. It's a ugly drug and hard to taper down on. It takes a lot of will power and time. None of which I have the patience for. It also has a very long half life so it takes a very long time. Many docs tend to over prescribe subs as well. I actually have a thread on here about my battle with suboxone addiction. So I wish you luck with the methadone but I would suggest you stay clear of subs. Google "suboxone withdrawal" or "suboxone taper" and read all the horror stories.

Dx: BP2, PTSD, bulimia/anorexia
Risperdal 4mg
Trileptal 300mgs
Buspar 45mgs
Ativan 1mg PRN
Vyvance 70mgs PRN

[Mygrandjourney]

Originally Posted by RxQueen875

Be careful if you ever thiNk of switching to suboxone. I'm currently physically hooked on it and I regret the very first time I took it. It's a ugly drug and hard to taper down on. It takes a lot of will power and time. None of which I have the patience for. It also has a very long half life so it takes a very long time. Many docs tend to over prescribe subs as well. I actually have a thread on here about my battle with suboxone addiction. So I wish you luck with the methadone but I would suggest you stay clear of subs. Google "suboxone withdrawal" or "suboxone taper" and read all the horror stories.

Dx: BP2, PTSD, bulimia/anorexia
Risperdal 4mg
Trileptal 300mgs
Buspar 45mgs
Ativan 1mg PRN
Vyvance 70mgs PRN

You may hear more horror stories, but there are also plenty of success stories

[avlady]

i hope you can do it and good luck!!!

[SufferingHumanBeing]

I recently tapered off of 150 mg of methadone. I went down 6 mg a week to 30 mg. Then 3 days of being really sick, physically & mentally. It was painful, especially when I got down to around 60. Each jump hurt. Leg, back aches, not aches but feeling like someone hammered them overnight. It took a few mins to walk every morning. I'm now on buprenorphine. The methadone fog & deep depression is gone. I won't kid you, it wasn't an easy induction. First 10 days on buprenorphine was hard. I will say, Methadone saved my life from heavy heroin use. It took away the cravings but also took away alot. You can do it. It's not impossible. It's not easy but nothing is that's worth it. Buprenorphine is way cheaper, my head is clearer, & I actually have sex drive. Remember, to those who talk about methadone & suboxone "addiction", that addiction & dependency are very different. One is controlled medicine & opiate abuse is a whole different ball game. Taper slow.
I believe in you.

[jbuttz]

Ask them to taper off without your knowledge until you're just drinking juice. Try 1mg at a time or whatever you think sounds right.