Dude people are generally being unsupportive here, and I think that's not right. I believe if you are SUCCESSFUL in the taper and then quitting completely, then this method seems to have some merit. I have faith in your ability to overcome the addiction. You have taken the first step which is stopping your DOC completely and using a much less harmful, and more controlled dose ( no redosing even possible.) this seems viable. Good luck man!
Thanks buddy! Appreciate the support. It is a shame about the scepticism but it doesn't bother me as one of the recovery miracles I've had this year is realising I believe in myself now so I don't really care what others think and in fact it would be arrogant of me to just assume they should understand where I'm at as my journey, like anyone trying to recover from drug addiction, is unique to me.
In a broader sense though it highlights the kind of "moral" impediments to setting up such treatment programs which is a shame because I can say without qualification dex saved my life. Before I started taking it I had spent 3 months sitting in my lounge room alone with the blinds drawn smoking meth. I only left the house to go to the dealers place. I had frequent suicidal ideation and had doubts I would see 2012.
Now when I think about those times I just do not identify with that person. Almost like it happened to someone else.
I lost a friend to Crystal Meth a few years ago who was a lot like me - having tried everything else he felt like it was hopeless and he was beaten. I can't help but wonder if he had gone onto dex he might still be here...
Not to be pessimistic, but the taper needs to end. And any methadone patient will tell you the gulf between even 1 mg and 0
I get what you are saying and I am under no illusion that it will get harder. But considering the massive difference in my life from 12 months ago I now believe anything to be possible. I just need to remain focused and disciplined and to understand that if and when I start to experience withdrawal it won't last forever.
Dex could be the methadone for meth were the same protocol used. Certainly life improvs with more cash, sleep, etc etc
But I question whether the dex used for maintenance is viable.i can't believe my 16 yrs on dex for ADD hasn't permanently effected my dopamnergic system. Just an opinion though as long term effects aren't all that forthcoming. Studies focus more so on outcomes like benefits in concentration but no drug company is going to sponsor large scale studies looking at after-effects
I agree and I'm sure my own dopamine reward system is still down-regulated although no where to the extent it used to be. We have to remember the brain is an amazing organ and never underestimate its neuroplasticity.
Methamphetamine encourages the body to break down sugars rapidly, so you can eat well on methamphetamine but still be skinny as hell. That's the problem with prolonged, chronic use of methamphetamine. Then again I have seen users who are overweight and have used methamphetamine extensively... don't really know how to explain that lol.
In my experience initially I lost weight but then I too started to pack it on. My theory on this is Meth causes calcium deficiency and dairy calcium is now known to help metabolise fat as well as prevent storage of fat.
Wow I've never considered methamphetamine THAT much worse than amphetamine... Attributed most of it to urban mythology and the u.s. WoD propaganda machinery. Especially now after having used MDPV which many consider a comparably severe threat to a structured life as meth/coke and being able to draw the amphetamine comparison, having been a daily user for 2.5years now.
I read a study that found there is much less tolerance to the appetite decreasing effects of meth. Is that a big problem with regular use? I imagine the longer half life could make maintaining a proper sleep/wake schedule impossible. Most of amphetamine's problems seem to be attributed to A lack of sleep B a hypocaloric, irregular and unhealthy diet C bipolar disorder as a predisposing factor for manic episodes which intesifies and adds to problems caused through the former two side effects.
Yes Crystal Meth is a lot worse than regular amphetamine. A single puff of Crystal Meth will release approx. 600 times more dopamine into the synapse than is possible by any natural means. The human brain is not designed to cope with that. It is also fat soluble allowing it to hang around in the cells of the body for a relatively long time.
Dexamphetamine in oral form has a half life of 8-10 hours AT BEST. Being a sulfate and relying on heptic uptake it is very sensitive to both digestive tract and blood pH. Acidity in either will cause a more rapid excretion of the drug.
My personal experience is that I can only discern its effects for 2-3 hours after dosing. During that time it does slightly suppress my appetite but after that I generally experience intense hunger as any amphetamine will rapidly exhaust blood glucose.
