Tips how to overcome methadone withdrawal
For those of you interested in methadone let me just start with that it is hard to treat people for methadone withdrawal the main reason is because it has a very long lasting half life. What this means is it takes a longer than most drugs for the body to metabolize usually around 36 to 48 hours. For those of you that may have a serious methadone addiction and are thinking about methadone cold turkey you may be in for a long battle of being very miserable. I would consider other options if there are any for you.
Stop methadone withdrawal with methadone detox
Detox methadone
I am convinced that the best of all ways to stop methadone addiction is to taper your self down as slowly as possible. I was taking around 175 mg per day and I tapered down by reducing my dose by 10 mg per week. Let me just say right here that I could not even tell the difference so do not be afraid. It’s basically very easy to do but again it will take action.
If you are thinking of going to methadone treatment most places will not accept you until your dose is 40 mg or less; for instance, even if they did and your dose is high whichever drug they give you to detox from methadone will not help. I tried this and had to wait until I reached the recommended dose. If this is what you desire to do then what I would suggest is that you taper yourself until you get your dose low enough to go to a rehab to stop using. The only other thing you can do is a methadone detox which would consist of tapering your self until you are down to nothing.
The responsibility is up to you so you will have to take action if you want to successfully stop methadone withdrawal. I would suggest that you talk with the Dr of whatever methadone clinic you happen to be going to they can give you some advice on how to beat methadone withdrawal.
These are your options so take the necessary action to stop using methadone.
Methadone is an addictive synthetic drug used in treatment of heroin addiction; here are ten tips to get through methadone withdrawal.
10 tips for methadone withdrawal
1. Number one, you should make up your mind to stop using the methadone drug.
2. The next step and in my opinion it is the most important step of all is to have a methadone recovery strategy plan which includes action to detox methadone.
3. If you decide to go methadone cold turkey, make sure there is no methadone in your home that will cause temptation. Have friends or family around for support.
4. Another way to kick methadone and beat methadone withdrawal would be to try to taper off of methadone slowly by taking one less pill a day.
5. Be prepared by going to the drug store to get necessities such as Motrin for pain and Benadryl for help with insomnia and some Imodium for diarrhea. Lastly, try to remain positive and strive to live a clean life.
6. I would try going to narcotics anonymous meeting it will take your mind off of your withdrawal for at least a couple of hours.
7. Go to the Dr. and get a prescription for suboxone in the end it will be easier to stop than methadone but keep in mind this trading and old set of problems for a new set.
8. If you chose a methadone clinic, make sure it is the right one for you. You should concentrate on rebuilding your life away from the drug instead of socializing in the methadone clinic.
9. Here’s another idea try going to church at the very least it will get you closer to God.
10. Lastly find an opiate addiction rehab and make and appointment to be detoxed medically before you start to get sick this is probably the best way to get through methadone withdrawal that I know of.
If you follow these simple methadone withdrawal tips they will help you to stay clean and avoid a relapse on other drugs.
Dealing with Methadone Withdrawal and methadone addiction
Opiates, such as heroin, are known to be highly addictive and dangerous drugs. Unfortunately, one of the means used to withdraw from heroin is methadone, which in turn can turn into methadone addiction.
Given that methadone is a synthetic opiate derivative, it is no wonder that its use can be so effective against heroin addiction. It is known to ease tremendously the agonizing withdrawal symptoms of opiate addicts. This includes nausea, stomach cramping and pain, profuse sweating and shaking, and the intense cravings that go along with addictions.
The problem arises when the methadone user becomes addicted to the medicine that is helping them rid themselves of a prior addiction. Withdrawal from the cure can be just as harrowing as the original situation. For this reason, among many others, it is highly recommended that the addict seek capable and professional help with these issues.
A wise course of action would be in committing oneself to a medical detoxification program. Here, the doctors can wean the patient off of the problem drugs, and be on hand to administer aid around the clock. Science has improved dramatically with responses to methadone addiction and withdrawal.
One such approach is with the chemical compound known as buprenorphine. This FDA approved drug can do the very same things that methadone was supposed to do, and can be used in much the same fashion. Over time, the buprenorphine can be slowly eliminated as a treatment, leaving the patient clean and drug free.
Again, such treatment needs to be undertaken under strict medical control. With proper physical and psychological treatment and monitoring, the addict can certainly hope to beat the devastating throes of addiction.
Good luck
Methadone withdrawal video
Anonymous Says:
on 40mg now want to detox myself using the methadone just dont know how much to come down every day or how long it will take. help
Art Says:
Thanks for sharing with us Well when I was going to the clinic they would take us down 5mg a day so I would give that a try and see how that goes for you.
Leah Says:
I’m on my second day now without. I started on just 30ml down to 18. Today is fri. On wed i took 10ml and thurs 5. So far i’m just tired (didn’t sleep last nite), sweatin bucket loads and gettin very shivery, do you have any advice for me?
Art Says:
Hi Leah congrats on day 2 that’s huge
I would suggest that you drink plenty of fluids to replace what you sweat out plus it will flush your system faster.
I would go to the pharmacy and get an over the counter sleep aid with melatonin in it they work pretty good. Just hang in there and do not use no matter what! and you will be fine.
Good luck and let us know how your doing
Leah Says:
Thanks for the reply. Any idea when the withdrawals peak? I keep findin different answers. Well got a couple of hours last nite, its not easy but i no it’ll be worth it. Any suggestions bout what will help keep my body temp regulated or what stops the shivers? Thanks for all your help!
Art Says:
Hi Leah
I would say withdrawal should probably peak at around 24hrs or so. as for the shivers I would sat to try a hot bath or get put a heating pad in your bed and warm it up.
jim Says:
i did the cold turkey thing from herion yrs ago while in jail, not real fun, since then i havnt used herion or oxycontin, but have been steadly using other,s like vicodin and percocet, along w/ methadone, have hade some withdraw but nothing like herion, usually just a runny nose sneezing sleeplessness, but not real bad,, i guess what im getting at, is,,,,, after all these years ive never really gotten over the opeate addiction,, real hard to stay away from, dr, has me on tramadol for back pain, which helps w/ the pain and i think helps block the reciptors, w/ outthe high also releaves a lot of the withdraws of the other drugs,
Art Says:
Hi Jim thanks for sharing with us. I have to agree with you getting over an opiate is not easy. It took me years myself and a whole lot of being sick in jail. Ya I think tramadol is probably your best bet as far as pain relievers go. Hang in there one day it will all come together for you.
Good luck to you
Rich Says:
Does drinking milk, with Methadone, bring on withdrawal sympton’s? I fing that taking milk with/or after taking it, bring’s on severe leg withdrawal. Not sure if that is why they give you orange uice with it. I recently came off very high doses of Oxycontin/codone, Roxycodone, Vicadan, percosset etc. I did most of it cold turkey, but just can’t understand wht the Methadone bring’s on the withdrawal. thanx
Art Says:
Hey Rich thanks for asking.
Well that’s just an old dope fiend myth milk will not bring on withdrawals and they give you the OJ to help get rid of the nasty taste of the methadone. Only thing I can say about your withdrawal maybe you are coming of too quick and another thing is methadone stays in your system longer than other opiates and therefore it takes longer to come off of.
“Congrats” on making the decision to stop using methadone
Good luck
Michelle Says:
I have a friend “seriously” that uses methadone (buys piss outside the clinic with metabolites(?) in it, herion, meth an d xanax. He says he will never stop usingmethadone. I don’t get it, but I think he’s gonna die. I am in the process of finding a home for his dog as it seems to be the only thing I can do. I did call a recovery clininc and they said there is a n alternative to methadone. What is it? Does it work? Will he probably fight that too? Help!
Art Says:
Hi Michell thanks for your comment but I can not tell what he will or will not do but the name of the alternative to methadone is Suboxone and yes it does work but the key is this the person must have the desire to stop using.
Good luck
Brady Says:
Hey Art I recently started in a Methadone Treatment Program. I was addicted to Oxymorphone. I snorted around 100mgs a day. It is also called Opana. I was getting prescribed it about 120 20mgs a month. When I would run out, I of course would find something to replace. Anyways I haven’t had the addiction for all too long, about 2 years. I did go to Rehab back Last September Cliffside Malibu. It was a very nice rehab that had great counsleors and learned some alternate methods to managing my pain. I had a ruptured disc in my back in 2009. This is when I started using opiates. I had surgery and went back to work too early ( I think) and hurt my back. MRI shows it doesn’t need surgery again and only shows scar tissue, but there are days that the pain is nearly unbearable. I have been in the methadone program for 1 month and am up to 95mgs. I have been there for a week now. I have heard some horror stories about coming off of methadone. I don’t feel anything off the methadone at all, other than I’m not withdrawling. For the last few weeks everyday when I wake up my right hand is very swollen I can’t even make a fist. Could this be from the methadone? I just don’t know what to do after rehab I made it about 2 months until my back started killing me and I ended up getting my pills again. After I relapsed I did take them as prescribed, although I did snort them on occasion. I was fearful of having the horrible withdrawls again so it kept me from going too crazy with them. I am just very confused on what I should do. I have a job that a make very good money at, but it requires me to work my butt off. So my back hurts constantly. I have done all sorts of alternative therapys and some don’t work and the ones that do I would have to do everyday and that would cost me ALOT more than getting a script every month. From all the stories I have heard about methadone I think it is worse than simply getting my prescription pain killers. Any advice you can give me I would really appreciate.
Thank You,
Brady Johnson
Art Says:
Well yes methadone can be hard to come off of this is because it stays in your system longer than a lot of other opiates. I can not tell you which is worse the Oxymorphone or the methadone neither is that great.
Sounds like you have some decisions to make. I mean you say you make good money but my question is what price is your health worth. What good is money if you have to suffer with pain from working too hard? Maybe I am wrong but seems like to me to have to take a dam pill to feel better is not any fun either plus sooner or later you will be taking a shit ton of them just to be able to get out of bed in the morning. The reason is because that and trust me here your fear of going through withdrawal again is not going to stop this, you will build up a tolerance and have to take more and more to get the same effect.
One option would be to find a job that does not require as much physical work or try and change positions where you are at now for something lighter.
You also say that you have done all sorts of alternative therapy’s and some don’t work and the ones that do I would have to do everyday and that would cost me ALOT more than getting a script every month. Another thing is recovery requires action without action there will be no recovery.
Once again how can you put a price on feeling good without taken drugs? You are defeating yourself before you even begin when you say stuff like that. Money is not going to cure your bad back but God may be making a way for you with the therapy and you say that it cost too much. I would suggest that you think real hard about this.
I know pain is a bitch I have a crushed L 3 and I used methadone for many years and any other drug I could get my hands on. Now I take non narcotic and live my life clean trying my best to help others find recovery like I did.
If you need anything else contact me..
Good luck and God bless
Jay Says:
I’ve taken Meth and Percs for 7 yrs. after car accident with 7 buldging discs. 3 months ago, I made a decision to get off both for my health. With my Dr’s help, I’m down to 15mg of Meth & 40mg of Percs. I asked to start taking Neurontin, which has really helped with leg pain and helps me sleep. I’m now taking 300mg 4x/day. I’m still having significant withdrawal symptoms, until I want to scream. Chills, sweats, & muscle aches. If I knew how long the severe symptoms would last, I’m almost tempted to just drop the meth totally. Is this slow withdrawal making things worse?! Since I’m 12 hrs. apart on the Meth, what is a good way to do it- i.e. start making the time more than 12 hrs between each one or cut the dose and keep it at 12 hrs? Any advise would be appreciated. I want to do this!! I don’t want to fail! I do think “Rick” has interesting info about the milk. I also have noticed that milk, in general, causes leg discomfort. There’s a strong corelation between arthritis and milk, so maybe Rick has a little arthritis or allergy to milk. Thx!
Art Says:
Hi Jay thanks for sharing with us
Congrats on your decision to be drug free there is nothing like it. Not really sure what to tell you being that you are under a doctors care after all I am not a Dr. but I do help others with the things I have been through personally.
First of all 7 years is a long time and you have to understand that your body is saturated with opiates and it will take time. 15mgs is not a lot to try to kick but when you think about how your body has become so used to it may make a difference.
I guess I would say maybe talk with your doctor about taking you down to 10mg. You should be able to stop at 10 after taking it a while and things should really be no worse than you are experiencing now.
Now as far as how long it will last I can not tell you but I can tell you that it will be out of your system in approximately 2 or 3 days you would be able pass a drug screen.
Now keep in mind that you may never get back to 100% and also there is a thing called post traumatic withdrawal syndrome which can last a couple years not trying to freak you out just letting you know in case you wonder whats going on if it happens then you will know.
There are some great books out there about it but you should be able to get the basics on the internet.
Good luck and God be with you please hang in there trust me it does get better!!
Bekkah Says:
hi i have a child and a husband who quit and never looked back to methadone even though I have been taking it for so many years. I was hoping u can tell me how long the worse of the withdrawals last? I go to church and try to be the best mommy I can be. both my parents took methadone and I lost them both mother this year father 7 years ago. I cant be like they were. I want to be a good mom. i AM FILLED with guilt! All the time. I am tapering off methadone now. i was on 40 then down to 30 now to 20 and not feeling my best next week i thought would be best to go to 15 and down 5 a week till i am through. will it get worse when I am completely off even though I am tapering? I am sorry I have so many questions. But when I read all the online stuff it scared me into not even trying to get off for a long time. But now for my sons sake their is no choice at all! PLEASE I BEGG FOR YOU TO HELP ME! I have no insurance and no doctor to discuss the things u talk about to either. Any advice on this. Also the clinic I went to never wanted anyone to detox even if u wanted to they denied ur requests again and again or would just ignore them totally. so I had to just save up my take-homes and decide to do this alone… Again I beg for some advice !
Bekkah Says:
My God Bless you for the help and advice you have been offering to other here! Needless to say I am sure you are making our Heavenly Father so proud of you for this help u offer !
Art Says:
Hi Bekkah
I am glad you made the decision to stop taking methadone. I would say that if you come off of it the way you have planed you should not experience any physical withdrawal at all.
Now mind you mentally you may be all jacked out of shape this is the disease of addiction trying to make you think you are worse than what you are so you will not stop using it some say it’s the devil.
I would suggest that every time you think about giving up that you pray to God to give you the strength to make it thorough it and he will. Now you may have to do this 100 times a day. I used to say the serenity prayer over and over sometimes every 5 minutes when I stopped using heroin.
I did not have the luxury of detoxing the last time I was on methadone I was on 185 milligrams and got arrested and went to jail and they gave me nothing for withdrawal at all. I was plenty sick but I made it and never got on it again thank God for that.
If you do not give in to the temptation to use you will be just fine because once you get down to 5 or 10 mg the withdrawals should be mild. when you are down to 5 for a couple days you could just stop and like I said you will mentally think you are worse than you are.
You have to understand that drugs can only stay in are body so long and with methadone it is a little longer than other opiate drugs so coming down slow is the best way.
I seriously doubt you will feel like a spring chicken when you are down to nothing after all you have been on it many years but you can get your health back by exercising daily in fact I would suggest that you do exactly that. This will help you to not think about using plus it will also create natural opiates in your body and help with depression.
Above all keep in mind that you will clean and sober and free from drugs
Good luck hang in there and Trust God because with God nothing shall be impossible…
If you need further help do not hesitate to write..
Art
Bekkah Says:
thank you so much you have gave my will power a huge boost! I think God guided me to this site for a reason! like i said all the other sites had people saying it was worse then death almost and it took years before the withdrawal stopped hurting them. I didn’t understand that since it was nothing like that when my husband quit. But those sites scared me into not even thinking of quiting this horrible stuff. I have S.L.E. lupus and all the pain meds they started me on when I was 15 just went up and up till they stole my life from me. But I am over that and I am taking my life back. I will have you in all my prayers for giving me the extra strenght i need! I admire you for helping all of us that you dont know and aren’t asking money from to advise. You are a GOD send! I must warn you now i may come back with more questions for you Art! Have a great Christmas! You are a blessing!
Mark Says:
In my experience, withdrawls are individual to the person. Friends of mine have had no problem at all, while mine were painful. It seems like every day is a struggle, some worse than others.
From my own experience I have been on Mdone for a little over 2 yrs. About a year ago, after being on 120mg for around 6 months, decided it was time to begin the process. My motivations were internally driven. Was tired of spending the money and feeling ‘tied’ to the clinic. There were a few episodes that I tried quitting cold turkey and they were miserable. Made it about 4 days (peaked in misery at about day 3) before decided it was too much, and the weird thing I found was the depression set in much after I had begun dosing again – about a week later I was horribly depressed for a few days (I only assume linked to the chemical imbalance of my cold turkey attempt). I do not recommend cold turkey if you can help it, although I will again emphasize that withdrawl and pains associated are unique to the individual – in my dealings.
I have been steadily tapering now for a little over a year, and have successfully made it down to ~20mgs. For me, 120-70mgs was not big problem, uncomfortable but manageable. From 70-30 I struggled the most, personally I think from the lenght of withdrawl I had suffered at that point. I can recollect moments of misery, apathy, depression, chills, insomnia, hightened anxeity, and sweats almost all day. In hindsight, yes they were miserable, but I am starting to feel so much better now at lower mgs and on my way to freedom.
I am now at 20mgs and hope to be finished in a few months time. What has helped me the most has been:
- stay away from smoking pot (as much as I enjoy, was much more difficult to ‘stay on track’)
- Sleep aid of your preference (melatonin, benzo’s used sparingly)
- Proper diet and nutrition (you body is rebuilding so give it the correct proteins and such to speedily recover) – do a little research if you haven’t already on this topic.
- Exercise – As uncomfortable as it is and difficult it can be to motivate during WDs, it also speeds up the process and makes you feel better
- Visit sites like these where you can hear other’s experiences – serves to motivate during trying times..
Just remember, everyone’s experience is unique so you can’t always assume that because someelse’s experience was not tough that your’s will not be, and vice versa, just because someone else had a tough experience doesn’t always mean you will. These posts serve as evidence that it can be done. Hopefully in a few months time I can join those ranks. Godspeed
Gerald Says:
Wow! Mark – You and I are almost identical – I mean, your description of your attempts to quit meth (at 20mg) is exactly like I am experiencing now as I write this! Honestly, I feel real crappy – sleepless and fidgety nights, restlessness, hot cold – cold hot, lazy, fatigued, just plain crappy! I decided last Friday, the day I pick up my weekly carries, that I was going to quit cold turkey. In hindsight, I was NOT prepared and would have done it differently. I got as high as a 120mg last January and my last dose was brought down to only 20mg 2 weeks ago (as per my request) so I thought it would be a breeze – NOT! – ANYONE ATTEMPTING THIS SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE PREPARED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE! There are ways to prepare already mentioned in this blog. Even at only 20mgs my body SCREAMS for relief and this is only day 5! Good luck to all!
Gerald Says:
I just wanted to add from my above comments that I went down from 120mg Jan 2011 to 20 mg Jan 2012 – approx 5mg every 2 weeks or so, give or take, so it took me roughly 12 months to whittle down 100mg -thx
kat Says:
My son is on 110 mg of methodone daily. He took the first step to get off of meth and went to the clinic. He was on probation and got violated for missing task meetings. twice because he was on the meth and didn’t know where he was or care. The third time was an honest mistake of car trouble but, they violated his probation and so he went to court where his lawyer, probation officer and judge agreed to send him to a 90Black program in Goldsboro North Carolina. After he completes the 90 day in patient rehab he will remain on intense probation for 4 months having to be home by 6pm and staying out of trouble etc., What happens in the 90Black program? He was told to get off the methodone before going to the program so he has approx 4 weeks to go from 110 mg to 0. This is scary because when I talk to him he just says ” Whatever, I don’t really care anymore. If it works it works and if not whatever.” I had hoped that his attitude would be better but, I am not an addict and have no idea what he is going through. I pray that God gives him strength everyday. He is happy with his girlfriend who has pulled him out of meth houses etc and stood by him through unthinkable situations one minute and the next he is treating her like crap. I know she loves him but, he is trying her every day. She cries alot and keeps going. She is a nurse and so am I so we know that it is the addiction that causes him to act hateful and mean at times but, people can only take so much mental abuse. Will this program help him? I almost think that he is also bipolar. Will they discover that if it is the case and help get him on the right track? Please tell me something good. thank you! a very concerned mother of a 28 year old who has until recently just been one heartache after another.