• H&R Moderators: streaM Freak

Methadone clinic wait time??

Rosewater

Greenlighter
Joined
Aug 9, 2017
Messages
5
Methadone clinic typical wait time?
I had a pretty good flow of pills coming in for about 2 years. I started with percocets and hyrdrocodone.. 2 years ago started taking methadone. I ran out of methadone I can't find anyone to buy from... I had to do herione instead I'm so beyond distgusted and ashamed of myself. I can't even look at myself in the mirror. This addiction is the biggest mistake of my life. The thing is I really hate how herione makes me feel I dread having to put a needle in my arm just to be able to hold my job and take care of my family. No one knows how much deep shit I'm in. I've been crying on and off. I feel like the lowest person in the world for turning to this stuff....I think I don't even deserve life how much I play with it and take it for granted. I tried to be so strong.
I went into the methadone clinic about a month ago to see if they could help me anyways they did Intake told me to call every Sunday to check in. I've given them 4 UAs already one positive for herione. The counselor said he doesn't know when they will be able to dose me it's a waiting game. But to keep calling and that i was "moving up the latter". I just wanted to know how long does it usually take? I really want to get soon I can't keep doing herione. I just can't I'm so close to just running away out of guilt and shame come back when I'm better. I know this post is extremely long but for anyone that has any advice for me anything. Thanks in advanced from the bottom of my heart.
 
I don't get how that works--moving up the ladder? Why should you be having to wait? Please don't do anything crazy like running away from your family. I think you will just feel worse if you do that and I can already hear the desperation in your post. Does anyone in your life know? It's so hard to carry all this by yourself. You self medicated and you got caught in addiction--there is no reason to feel ashamed. I'm going to move this to Sober Living in the hopes that you more support there. Hang in there and keep pushing at the clinic.<3
 
Rosewater, I have heard of clinics with long wait times. It's a shame, but something that does happen.

Could you find out if there is either another methadone clinic in your area or possibly a doctor who could Rx suboxone? Even if suboxone isn't your long-term plan (there are many reasons to favor methadone), subs might let you start the process of stabilizing while you wait for the methadone to come through.
 
That's insane. I got in one day after I called and got dosed the same day I did intake. Are you paying for these drug tests? If so that's crazy! If they are the only clinic near you I guess you have to play there game. If they are not then go somewhere else.

Also lighten up on yourself your dealing with an incredibly addictive drug and are seeking help. Right now the system is failing you not the other way around.
 
Hi Rosewater, I'm not sure what country you live in. I am in the US, I just talked
to some healthcare providers I know
The other day about this & some primary care doctors have special licenses to prescribe methadone, Suboxone ect. They can only treat 100 patients at a time. Some pain management doctors can do this too. I don't think they don't like to do it because it poses liability for them, but if you speak from your heart like you did above, im sure you could find someone to help you.
 
Yes I did I went to a pain management doctor and asked for his help. He gave me a 5 day supply of one mg subs.... on my second appointment I begged him. Asked him if he could give me at least two weeks so I can manage my problem. He didn't budge he belittled me and told me that I was really sick and needed help. That I wasn't in his field of work be prescribed pain prescriptions but he's not here to help people get off them.... it kind just got worse from there. Thankyou for replying
 
Yes I went in over a month ago.... they needed proof that I was an "addict" I had to do 5 UAs to prove it. Right now I am #6 on the list..... i live in Oregon. I wish they would have got me in the same day I was willing to pay cash up front that's how desperate I was. This is week twoish on herione and I'm going insane. They keep telling me to hang in there keep calling. Thankyou for replying. I'm trying to keep it together for my son. If I didn't have to work or take care of a family I'd lock myself up in a room and just go through it. But I can't do that. It's so stupid it's so wrong.... I'm really not trying to justify me shooting up but it's literally the only way I feel like I'm trapped in this huge mistake..... when this is all over it's gonna take some time to even except that I swooped this low. and it's so cliche suburban mom get addicted to pain pills starts using herione. Just fuck.
 
No one knows I do this. It's my dark secret.... I'm paranoid my husband will find out idk what he would do..... I think he would freak out and probably divorce me for it.
 
Rose, I know that secret all too well...in my case, I used for months after my wife thought I had quit. I lived in constant fear that I'd get caught in all my lies. Seriously, wanting to get out of that situation was one of the big reasons I finally found it in me to quit.

You're almost there. Sounds like the clinic will come through soon.

BTW, that pain doctor sounds like an incredible ass-hat. I'm really sorry to hear you had to deal with him. <3
 
Yeah i agree with cj, the second time I was on mmt i was sober, going through a breakup and wanted relief,sadly getting on methadone was a stupid decision.
I used to live up in Oregon,right outside of Portland and it would seem like the type of city that would have mmt clinic's all around the city. There sure was way lots of black tar all around, don't see why they open more clinics out that way.

Have you thought about looking into Kratom?
 
Yes I did I went to a pain management doctor and asked for his help. He gave me a 5 day supply of one mg subs.... on my second appointment I begged him. Asked him if he could give me at least two weeks so I can manage my problem. He didn't budge he belittled me and told me that I was really sick and needed help. That I wasn't in his field of work be prescribed pain prescriptions but he's not here to help people get off them.... it kind just got worse from there. Thankyou for replying

Everything about what happened to you sounds all wrong, I am sorry that you had that experience. It is a pretty lengthy process to come off of these meds, so 5 sounds like not much. Some people are just bad doctors & it sounds like you def got one. Ugh. Hang in there, I hope you will get the call to the clinic soon.
Where I live in Ohio, I know there are about
5 pain management practices & within each practice, multiple providers. That could be a Plan C...? To try & find someone else? I know you are in a vulnerable state, but, it is your care so you do have the choice to ask questions & be choosey about your medical care. I mean they are the doctor, but, they are not the one & only & every doctor practices their medicine a little differently.
I guess I just don't want you to rule it out bc of 1 bad experience.
I pray that you get the call to the center & are surrounded with compassionate people who can help you <3
 
Hey Rose, I would definitely start calling around to other clinics in your area and asking about wait list times, instead of putting all your eggs in one basket so to speak. In Portland there are quite a few, Eugene has a couple and Salem has a couple. Perhaps you could commute to the clinic that can get you in right way away, and then transfer to your local clinic when they have an opening for you? Lame, I know, and not very practical, but it's just a suggestion :)

Also do you plan to keep your Methadone therapy a secret from your husband? At an MMT clinic you'll likely be going daily just for medication. Not to mention the hour long groups twice a week and seeing a counselor once or twice a month. If you have a 9-5 job and most clinic hours being from 5am-12pm, you will have to squeeze all of those things in and explain why you're leaving one or two hours early for work every day... If your insurance doesn't cover it you'll also have to explain the charges on your debit card.

Now I'm not at all judging you - I completely understand the fear of coming out about your addiction to your loved ones. But, if I were in your shoes I would tell him what's going on after you've started at the clinic. That way you can say, "I wanted help and I went out and got it first, so you didn't have any unnecessary pain or worry. I was afraid to tell you while I was in my addiction, but now I'm serious about my sobriety." Or something like that. If you're like me and have a hard time with words you could just write him a letter, explaining as much as you feel comfortable and gauging his response before getting into more details. He would probably be more upset if you didn't come straight out with it and he accidentally found out a few months down the line. This is a serious health issue and your husband needs to be apart of it and you need his support. It's no easy thing to admit you are an addict and need help, but it will be so freeing once you do it! You'll feel a weight lifted off your shoulders. You may not notice any of your own strange, new behaviors, but he's probably noticed signs of your drug use, but he just can't put his finger on it.. so it may come as a relief to know the answer behind your behavior. And he'll likely be so relieved to know that you're doing something positive to get yourself healthy and happy again.

I hope you get the help you're so badly looking for and deserve soon! This is part of the reason I want to finish at my clinic ASAP; I've gotten as much as I can from MMT and I know there are people like you who are suffering and so in need of a spot. But it seems like people don't leave the clinic voluntarily very often, hence the long ass wait lists...
 
Last edited:
Top