I don't want to discuss your previous treatment as I wouldn't have used MST at all but I would have stopped the zopiclone! Let's not go there shall we??
It is anecdotal that it is easier to come off subutex than methadone, the evidence doesn't actually bear that out. However, at 20ml of methadone you are very close. My advice, which of course you are completely free to reject, would be to stay on methadone for a while and then gradually reduce it. Don't mess around with anything else. Reducing from where you were is herculean in the time frame you quote and you deserve a lot of credit for it. Keep active and build up your will power.
You are, I hope getting support with all social problems you may have eg housing, family etc. I hope and you do have a good key worker who you can lean on for support?
Tony
Yes I do have a good key worker and fortunately do not have any issues other than my drug use. Your advice is appreciated and as that was my original plan of action after talking to yourself I think I will stick to a slow reduction of methadone. Once again thank you
I have recently reduced my methadone down from 80mls - to 20mls, and the last 20 reduced in the space of a week. I have done this without the support of my keyworker, I got fed up at the spead at which they were happy to reduce my methadone at, and want to move on with my life. I have been in pain every time i have dropped my dose, so i decided to get it over and done with. I did not know how painful it was going to be, by day four - i managed to buy some dihydrocodeine, i took 120 mg 4 x daily - this made the pain more managebable. In the three weeks since stopping my methadone, i have reduced the df's to 90/60/60/90 - but am very uncomfortable. I saw my key worker today, as my doctor is on annual leave - i have been told my only options are going back on methadone (i do not consider that a serious option 3 weeks into my detox) or Subutex. But because of the dose of df's they are not sure when i should have taken my last dose of df - or what dose of subutex i will need.
I am pescribed quinine for the pain in my legs - i don't think it really does much - as my leg pain is by far the worst, i also get a small dose of diazapam to take as and when required - i do not take it often, just if the pain really is getting me down
I feel taking subutex will be swapping one addiction for another - taking methadone was a huge mistake in my opininon - hence why i feel taking subutex is going backwards, i had a df reduction plan - which i showed them, but as there is no doctor and my request was considered unusual - my only option is to go on subutex tomorrow. I took 90mg of df at 10 pm - so have no idea what / if swapping to subutex is a good idea.
I just want the pain to stop - but not to swap one addictive drug for another - any advice would be gratefully recieved - also does anyone know what to expect from a df withdrawl and how much longer will i be in pain from the methadone - 3 weeks and the pain is unbearable
I don't have time to go into detail but you have already swapped one addiction for another by introducing dihydrocodeine. You are making up the "gap" with it. I know you don't want to hear this but you are not on 20ml of methadone, you are on significantly more and you haven't reduced as you believe.
It is better to face that and then we can discuss the options which I will later. Hang on in there!
Alexis
I have been in the same position as you and its tough. My personal choice was to remain on methadone and slowly detox. But I battled with the whole not wanting to be on it myself. The problem is the only thing that stops methadone withdrawal is methadone. After 3 weeks off. U could go back on say 10 mls and should feel okay in 2 - 3 days. Then reduce this by 1ml every 2 weeks after 3 weeks on a stable dose. Taking df118 is just gonna addict you to those although the detox is around 5 days same as heroin. Although I also disagree with methadone prescribing I think if your crashing and have made it this far u should continue with the methadone. Just take ur time. Reduce slowly and try to not let being on it bother u. I did and messed up badly.
had detoxed from meth and subs in2006. i found it realatively pleasant to what iwas expexting and been lead to belive, I could give you loads of little tips( my partner detoxing exactly the same way as i did, right now) but i belive by far the most important advice i could offer anotheraddict attemting the same would be to really state the importance of getting your daily meth down to at least 30 mls. then wait at least 24 hours prefredly 36 and whack a 6 of subutex under your tougne, and you should feel reasonably ok compared to detoxing off meth alone( attempted many times). depending on your personality and habit you may be required to go up to 8 for a couple of days(But whats 2 days agaist the lenght of your using carrer), then back down to 6, the 4, then 2, then point 4, then point 2. If your serious about your recovery you should be alright with this approach. do not use when on subbies, it will only result in sickness. good luck.
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