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NSADD Moderators: tryptakid
General Methadone Discussion v. Why the Hell Not?
- Thread starter brutus
- Start date
Ziggy stardust
Ex-Bluelighter
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2013
- Messages
- 305
I've only been in ones in Cali and Texas and neither made me go to "meetings". I did see my counselor about once every three months for a few mins. Really both clinics were pretty cool compared to horror stories about other clinics...
Mr.Scagnattie
Bluelighter
^^
I dig the new avatar Ziggy.
Ziggy stardust
Ex-Bluelighter
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2013
- Messages
- 305
Thanks Mr. S. I finally got off my lazy ass and made one. Seemed to fit my name choice...
Mr.Scagnattie
Bluelighter
^^
Yeah totally. Looks good, man.Damn, you guys go to some Nazi methadone clinics.
My clinic does new patient registration between specific hours every day (The clinic is open for 5 1/2 hours/day 6 days a week, and during 2 of those hours, 5 days a week, new patients can come in and register). I walked in, filled out the paper work (10 minutes), took a urine sample, then they dosed me at 30mg (They base this off what you're using/quantity/frequency) and 30mg is the highest they'll give a new patient on their first visit, then you pretty much decide how high you want to go, you just keep asking to be raised 5-10mg every other day until you're at a level you feel is right for you, you basically just ask the nurse. Then you have to see your counselor and doctor within the next like 10 days.
After that, I now get dropped once a month, randomly, and they don't test for marijuana. They don't make you attend NA meetings, they don't have group therapy BS, or anything like that. All you have to do is go in once a month for a 5-15 minute session with your counselor who you basically just BS with. (assuming you are passing all your drug tests) You can miss days at my clinic, you're just administratively detoxed if you miss 3 consecutive days. They don't drug test you just because you missed 1 or 2 days either. Also, since my clinic is a private pay clinic (for the most part), the only penalty for pissing dirty is them taking away your take homes, but if say you've been clean the last 3 tests then you happen to fail one, if you're on good terms with your counselor, you may not even get your take homes taken away.
They're so fast an efficient at my clinic that there is virtually NO wait time, so I'm checked-in, dosed, and out of the clinic within 5 minutes. All of this for $50/week (And it doesn't matter what your dose is.. Whether you're on 5mg of methadone or, the maximum, 240mg - You pay $50/week for EVERYTHING. What heroin *addict* (not just a chipper) wouldn't spend $50/week to be free of the obsession to use heroin?
For me, methadone has been like a saving grace. I had to build a bit of a tolerance to it though, thats for sure. Because the dose that killed my cravings, my body just wasn't tolerant enough for (I had been on a softer run towards the end of my run 5 or so months ago) so I was in a huge nod for the first month I was on 'done and progressing my dose higher. After I got to about 70mg, dope became pretty worthless, and so once I got to 100mg there are just no cravings. I don't obsess because I have the 'done in me and also because I know even if I bought $200 worth the dope, I couldn't get high (I'm a snorter, so there is no needle fixation thankfully.. not sure what you IV users are supposed to do to break your needle fixation).. Maybe if I had decided to start shooting my dope years ago, I'd still be getting high on MMT right now.. Who knows. Regardless, after 5 years, I never thought I'd quit doing dope, ever! (Sure, I'd tell myself I'm young and I'll stop later, but deep down I was pretty convinced I was never going to stop).. Thanks to methadone, I haven't thought about snorting blows in months!
Any coke & heroin users on here who've gotten on methadone? What did you do about your cocaine addiction? (Specifically if you're an IV cocaine user/smoke rock) - I was always glad I never ended up trying crack, because as I've said in other threads, there's no methadone for THAT!
Also, LSDiesel, you were saying how you were seeing a counselor outside of your MMT clinic so you should have gotten an exemption.. You have to remember that the federal government regulates Methadone clinics and they have certain federal guidelines they HAVE to follow. (Monthly meetings between the patient and their counselor sounds to me like it may be mandatory under these guidelines)Last edited:
Mr.Scagnattie
Bluelighter
^^^
I thankfully managed to stop shooting coke way before getting on methadone this past time, so it wasn't an issue for me. But it has been a serious problem in the past when I would get on the clinic while at the same time, heavily still shooting coke. That shit is the devil.MMT
Bluelighter
Don't you "easy clinic" guys have to do treatment plans(every 3 mo. here),annual physicals and other assorted hoops for the "privilege"? Again,that's my beef.I'm all for states rights,yadayada but if it's a Fed. gov. regulation thing then their softer rules should apply to all.From my experience and what i'm hearing here it seems that the conservative mid-west is alot more "consumer friendly" when it comes to methadone.I suppose the Wal-mart economy out there has alot to do with the costs but their leniency is what puzzles me.MMT
Bluelighter
Ain't that the truth.When I was I young lad I lived to get my bell rung but now I'm more into the warm hug than an embarrasing heart attack.Not that I'd dismiss a nice bell ringer now and then as long as I have a lil aspirin in me.
Mr.Scagnattie
Bluelighter
Yeah, at my clinic a "treatment plan" basically means your counselor asks you a couple extra questions during your once a month 1 on 1. So its not different than any other monthly counselor meeting. We may need an annual physical by a doctor (Not sure, only been on done for like 5 months) but is that really considered a "hoop" to jump through? I sure don't think so. I am clean, thanks to the 'done. I jumped on 'done a month or so after I turned 23. This is my first/hopefully ONLY run on methadone (not sure how long I'll stay on it, but seeing as I'll be up to 6 take homes a week, meaning I only come to the clinic once a week - I could stay on this indefinitely and I am not sure that I would mind all that much, we'll see. Even if i was on it for a long time (say 7 years), I'd still have just turned 30 by the time I got off it, so I guess I haven't fucked up my life TOO bad yet, haha.
They are just following protocol. It is sad to see a young man like yourself going on methadone but sometimes it is the only way to stay clean. You said you have been to treatment before them records should sufice. It is a lot of bullshit to deal with but when compared to trying to scrape up money and score dope everyday just to stay well and not even be high. It makes going to the methadone clinic easy peasy. I have noticed a big improvement in my attitude and outlook on life in the 2 months I've been going. Just be patient and persistent and things should work out.MMT
Bluelighter
That's for maintenance. Don't they count drug related arrests? If you're young I'd start w/ a 3 or 6 mo. detox. Maint. will always be an option if the detox don't take.jus my 2cents.
Mr.Scagnattie
Bluelighter
Medical records? I've been to a clinic in CT and I never had to do that. Only requirement was to have somebody sign a document saying you have been dependent on opiates, and that you've been using at least a year. But I didn't have to hand over any medical records.
But, clinics have their own rules and shit, ya know? Some are a lot more lax than others.. and some are fucking annoying as hell with what they make you do.
ohshea
Bluelighter
TOMA: try another clinic!! Not all clinics have same rules. Thats fucked up they make it difficult for people actively seeking help, its like help them now before theyre too far gone that may be a lost cause. Could you try to reason with them and tell them thats difficult to prove esp for someone young enough not to have run into as many complications yet
That's legit truth/advice. I'd say an even quicker detox - 7, maybe 10 days if possible. Methadone has physical and mental side affects. Lowered testosterone, hormone imbalance, the inability to get happy (there is a word for this, anhedonia.) People get on with every intention of getting off, however their lives become stabilized externally and they "don't want to take a chance." Getting clean at the beginning is the way to go, particularly if you're young. I don't know the pussy you were getting before dope and I realize a lack is the reason many start, but that first chick you hear moan...then the nut, damn if that's not a reason to be doing good what is.
Side note - I typed this once, hit post quick reply and nothing happened. Had to log in again and do it over. Is there a timer that will automatically log you out?MMT
Bluelighter
you're right.1st timers should always start w/ a 7 day.Problem is most of these "clinics" want lifers,the younger-the better.I'm pretty sure that most are 3mo. minimum,if that.You gotta go inpatient for the 7 day tx. AFAIK. Methadone is a tool,use it-don't let it use you. As for your side note--IDK but I don't think so.
