Opioids Initial Methadone Dose?

[SB349]

I'm going to the clinic this Friday and need advice on what dose I should start at with Methadone. I have a large history of opiate use, including Heroin, but I've been clean for about 6 weeks now and the cravings are beginning to be overwhelming. Instead of going back down the road of street use id rather try to do it correctly and maintain on something that is at least legal.

My question is what dose would it be safe to start at since I've been clean for 6 weeks now? I was planning on asking for 30mg for my first dose since I have used quite a bit in the past. Is this too much? Too little?

 

[tricomb]

I was not under the impression you could tell them how much methadone you wanted to start on.

 

[helium-4]

The starting doses for MMT clinics vary. The lowest I've heard them start anyone out was 25 mg, with 30 or 35 mg being the typical starting dose. The dosage increases first taking place every few days till a certain dosage range is hit using 5 mg increases or whatever they feel safe doing (don't want to increase to fast or may cause you to OD), then every week or more at higher quantities, 10 mg. A lot of individuals will not feel the relief needed with the starting doses but others will have most of their symptoms gone even with how low the dose may be. MMT docs also love to increase your dose up to atleast 80 mg, can be good and/or bad. The reason for this is studies show less relapses post MMT program with higher doses, as well as takes advantage of methadones "blocking" effects usually seen 70-80 mg +.

I take methadone for non-MMT treatment so and I'm personally happy with being on30mg a day, though, I wouldn't mind 40mg a day. It helps almost perfectly for the condition treating with only a few noticeable side effects, and the lower doses are of course minimizing methadone tolerance/opioid tolerance. I feel I can catch a buzz off it some days because I've kept my doses down. When I go above 70-80mg the ability to catchable small buzz dies, messes with recreational opioid use (only chipping lightly right now), the side effects like sweating and weight gain become a big issues, etc. I plan on keeping my methadone dose low.

 

[SB349]

I was not under the impression you could tell them how much methadone you wanted to start on.

I don't feel like letting a doctor tell me that I need 80-100mg because I've used illicit drugs in the past. Does anyone else have experience with the clinic or have had problems when asking to stay at a lower dose?

 

[tricomb]

I wasn't saying that you don't have control over how high you go, but as for how low they start you off, I was not aware that you had any say over this.