methadone to suboxone detox

[paulforaname]

Hi all,

If I've posted in wrong area please move.
Well I've been on subutex to suboxone since early 2000's then about 2 years ago after a month long binge on H , went on Methadone, started at 40mg went to 50mg bounced between 40 and 30 for year then for about 2 month's at 20mg. I wanted out and was still using 3-6 times a week ontop.
When I was on Bupe I hardly used as it blocked the H and if I did want ti use had to plan it and not take subs for 2-3 days.
Anyway Im 8 days off methadone, I'm not over it yet but this is how ive gone about getting off the deathadone.
After 2 days off Methadone I scored some H. Had just small amout twice a day to keep WD's at bay so can work and function. Did this for 6 days, only using just enough to feel ok, which was hard as previously would have used what I had in a day not 6. Then went 18 hours with no H, until feeling crap , woke up at 4am in moderate WD then took 2mg of Suboxone and then another 2mg few hours later, about 630am. Wasnt feeling awesome but pretty good, went to work and got thorough the day and slept 8 hours with the help of a bottle of wine.
Then next day took 3mg of Suboxone when I woke up. That was 2 days ago and feel fine. I still have 15x 8mg strips just incase. (Stock pile from 2 years ago when on Suboxone) was getting weekly takeaways and only using half of what I was prescribed.
Anyway just wanted to pass on my story of how I got off Methadone .
Ps I'm still craving gear but just need to be strong.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Gonna move this to SL. Don’t me mislead by the title of the forum, it’s for anyone who wants to get into recovery and move beyond addiction, regardless of how they’re trying to do it. No requirement of sobriety in any narrow or exclusive sense.

Hopefully folks will be able to support you there. It’s a special little community. And considering I get the vibe this is essentially a thread about your (good if still early) efforts at recovery, I’m sure folks will support you there.

If you have any questions about life post methadone or how to help manage cravings and such in the short term feel free to send me a PM. Getting off methadone using a short acting opioids while the methadone clears the system and then using buprenorphine is a great way to get off the stuff.

Are you planning to stay on buprenorphine for a while? The recommendation for folks in your situation tends to be about 6 month extended buprenorphine detox following cessation of methadone treatment, but I’m not sure what you’re thinking/goals.

What are you goals in terms of moving ahead? Strategies and resources/plan you’ll use to help accomplish what you wan to achieve in early recovery?

Good luck! Kudos making the transition off methadone. There is nothing wrong with staying on methadone, it’s statistically the most effective treatment for severe opioid use disorder in the US, but for reasons I know all to well myself it’s a huge burden being on it too. Which is really good for people who need rigorous support, but can be overwhelming once someone gets to a certain point in there recovery (assuming abstinence is their goal, which is totally up to the individual).

What lead you to want to get off methadone?

I’m pretty busy with school, so if you want me to respond more to the thread quote my posts in your reply so it alerts me or shoot me a pm, no pun intended

Keep your head up!

OD->SL

 

[KraziKat]

Gonna move this to SL. Don’t me mislead by the title of the forum, it’s for anyone who wants to get into recovery and move beyond addiction, regardless of how they’re trying to do it. No requirement of sobriety in any narrow or exclusive sense.
OD->SL

Well said, TPD.

OP, I am far from "sober" and a real regular here at SL.

My two cents, tread cautiously with the wine and alcohol. While I have no experience with H or methadone (I am an oxy-->suboxone––>kratom kinda a guy), I have too much experience with turning to liquor to numb away the discomfort and anxiety that comes with opiate WD. Don't do it.

Best wishes, and welcome to SL.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Especially if alcohol use was ever a problem previously. Besides that, nothing is worse than a hangover transitioning away from opioid use.

 

[Lorne???]

Especially at higher doses, some to do not seem to like ethanol (as much) on buprenorphine

Wish you Luck in recovery

 

[paulforaname]

Thank you for your replies, yeah always been a drinker, couple after work couple nights a week and here and there on weekends. Never get drunk just a few.
After being on maintence since early 2002/2003 cant quite remember, being on subutex for majority of that time, jumped off 6mg per day back in 2004 and went thru terrible WDs after 5 days off subutex, I lasted about month or 2 but due to not sleeping got back on at 2mg , then bounced between 2mg and 8, then stupidly got on methadone after a month binge session , using about $200 ish per day .that pretty well cleared out my savings. Anyway to answer the question , I wanted off methadone/maintenance even with bupe. Im in Melbourne Australia and we can only get max 5 take homes per week so 2 visits to chemist per week. They charge $30 per week and if you miss days you still get charged by my chemist. Due to work I was missing day per week but was evening out my 5 weekly takeaways into 6. I have searched all forums for way off as cold turkey wasnt on the table due to work commitments etc, taping slowly was more psychological than physical, couldnt get past 18-20mg . So after all these years of being chained to chemist and everything that goes with that I had enough.
I saw a few posts abouf using fast acting opiod to get off methadone, thought id work out my plan and now 11 days since last dose of 20mg and 5-6 days of using enough pure gear just to not rattle seems to have worked, although I did take suboxone 18 hours after last shot and another 2mg and had nothing last 2 days and have been sleeping 8 hours , except for night after my last super small shot of gear, but took my sub that morning and fell back to sleep until alarm went off at 630am.
I can't believe how good I feel, no withdrawal symptoms, except have the odd urge to use but that passes. So if anyone else has used a similar method id be happy to hear how they went.
All I have to do now is stay away from Harry
Also like to add id rather have few drinks than be on maintenance.