Hey guys, so ive been clean off heroin and other drugs 16 months now. I owe it to this amazing harm reducer: methadone. I have actually been able to work an keep a job for the longest amount of time in my life, save money, stopped shoplifting, etc. I have 2 weeks of take homes, so its not a hassle to go anymore. Before methadone I was a chronic relapser on heroin. So my question, is it a good idea to just stay on it or am I setting myself up for failure? Opinions?
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H&R Moderators: streaM Freak
methadone works for me, stay on it?
- Thread starter sixteen13
- Start date
Hey sixteen and welcome to BL:D
I would continue the methadone but also work towards exploring what causes you to desire a substance to be happy in life. We can facilitate the changes necessary so that we no longer need to live with the aid of being on a chemical all day every day. Not judging at all, just saying it would be really nice not to have to take something all the time.
Here is some information on possible side effects of methadone. I do not in any way post this to try and get you to stop taking the medication, just so that you are aware and can address any if they are relevant. Also since methadone is a very substantial drug and many people do not know what it all does I included a little about how it works.
Congratulations on getting your life back, very nice work
Methadone side effects, separating fact and fiction.
Low vitamin d status of patients in methadone maintenance treatment.
Neuropathic Pain: Causes, Management and Understanding
Hypogonadism and Low Testosterone Levels as a Side Effect of Methadone and Buprenorphine
I would continue the methadone but also work towards exploring what causes you to desire a substance to be happy in life. We can facilitate the changes necessary so that we no longer need to live with the aid of being on a chemical all day every day. Not judging at all, just saying it would be really nice not to have to take something all the time.
Here is some information on possible side effects of methadone. I do not in any way post this to try and get you to stop taking the medication, just so that you are aware and can address any if they are relevant. Also since methadone is a very substantial drug and many people do not know what it all does I included a little about how it works.
Congratulations on getting your life back, very nice work
Methadone side effects, separating fact and fiction.
Low vitamin d status of patients in methadone maintenance treatment.
Neuropathic Pain: Causes, Management and Understanding
Hypogonadism and Low Testosterone Levels as a Side Effect of Methadone and Buprenorphine
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Erikmen
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In my opinion you are doing great!!
Congratulations for your efforts! You´ve made it, how great is that?
Methadone works well and give back our dignity.
Welcome and keep it up. Don´t you feel better and safer in this scenario? Working and all?
I didn´t know about low vitamin D status and agree with Neversickanymore. He knows so much, he can really give the best responses..
All the best!
Congratulations for your efforts! You´ve made it, how great is that?
Methadone works well and give back our dignity.
Welcome and keep it up. Don´t you feel better and safer in this scenario? Working and all?
I didn´t know about low vitamin D status and agree with Neversickanymore. He knows so much, he can really give the best responses..
All the best!
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THECATINTHEHAT
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Personally I would say no because I wouldn't want to be a slave to a chemical for the rest of my life. Also, eventually you will have that moment of catastrophe where you get on a plane somewhere and forget your meds and be stuck miles away from them and plunging in to withdrawal, or something similar like that. If it's working for you at the moment then perhaps it's worth continuing on for a while longer though. I found reducing on methadone quite hard after a while but I did it at quite a lick, you could do it very very slowly and barely notice it.
What dosage are you on? Is it a blocking dose? If it's not then the fact you aren't relapsing on heroin is as much down to you as it is the methadone imo, give yourself some credit if that's the case. If you've managed to break that psychological bond with short acting opiates and have been on a stable dose for a long time I imagine you're barely even noticing the juice in terms of the physical effects of your daily dose and you just feel 'normal' the whole time?
If that's the case it would seem to me that you have it within you to be clean of opiates and not relapse. Keep going with the methadone if it's working for you but give yourself credit for not using on top or switching to something else and use that as motivation/confidence for getting off it in the future if that's the route you want to go.
What dosage are you on? Is it a blocking dose? If it's not then the fact you aren't relapsing on heroin is as much down to you as it is the methadone imo, give yourself some credit if that's the case. If you've managed to break that psychological bond with short acting opiates and have been on a stable dose for a long time I imagine you're barely even noticing the juice in terms of the physical effects of your daily dose and you just feel 'normal' the whole time?
If that's the case it would seem to me that you have it within you to be clean of opiates and not relapse. Keep going with the methadone if it's working for you but give yourself credit for not using on top or switching to something else and use that as motivation/confidence for getting off it in the future if that's the route you want to go.
Erikmen
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At the meantime, with Methadone one may get to live their life, work, love, have kids. Be in good health, at least until they get there, if it´s possible on their own time.
And, of course, follow their dreams. Hypertensive people or those who deal with diabetes also need their kit.
Of course this also means following up. If you travel, make an insurance.
You are probably right in a certain perspective, but for many of us this is how you cope and avoid disgrace.
You have to balance things. I´m glad we have an option.
And when someone highly addicted in heroin stop it, be generous, give it some credit.
I´m sure you know how addiction to heroin kills and slaves people on a totally different direction.
Some people are great on their 50´s having stopped 20, 25 years ago with proper maintenance.
That´s why it works until nowadays. Others, like you and many more succeed in a different level.
My hat´s off to you!
It´s a matter of perspective, but also medical opinions indeed.
Of course I like the idea, but also support the overcome of those who are trying and not dying or becoming extremely ill, not to mention criminal etc.
And, of course, follow their dreams. Hypertensive people or those who deal with diabetes also need their kit.
Of course this also means following up. If you travel, make an insurance.
You are probably right in a certain perspective, but for many of us this is how you cope and avoid disgrace.
You have to balance things. I´m glad we have an option.
And when someone highly addicted in heroin stop it, be generous, give it some credit.
I´m sure you know how addiction to heroin kills and slaves people on a totally different direction.
Some people are great on their 50´s having stopped 20, 25 years ago with proper maintenance.
That´s why it works until nowadays. Others, like you and many more succeed in a different level.
My hat´s off to you!
It´s a matter of perspective, but also medical opinions indeed.
Of course I like the idea, but also support the overcome of those who are trying and not dying or becoming extremely ill, not to mention criminal etc.
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Erikmen
Bluelight Crew
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You can always check your levels of testosterone. If it´s lower than it should there are easy ways to handle this.
A little trick when it comes to weight as you have to avoid getting fatter.
Anyway, good that you are balancing your decisions.
A little trick when it comes to weight as you have to avoid getting fatter.
Anyway, good that you are balancing your decisions.
donetherebeenthat
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Methadone helped me get off my longest, hardest, down and dirty heroin run. Yes there's side affects but it was the lesser of 2 evils for me at the time .This was before sub became available. I had "help" getting off methadone courtesy of the department of corrections. Back then when you got incarcerated, at least in Florida, they gave you nothing to help you. I was too sick to even kill myself which I thought about often at that time. So a word to the Op, don't create legal issues on methadone. The clinic I go to for subs, has an effective method for switching to subs from methadone. Having been on both I feel subs are a better option without a doubt. But regardless either one is waaay better than active heroin addiction.
DTBT
I just wanted to add, I'm tapering on subs right now. I'm at 1.5 mgs. And I'm looking forward to being clean again.
DTBT
I just wanted to add, I'm tapering on subs right now. I'm at 1.5 mgs. And I'm looking forward to being clean again.
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methamaniac
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Neversicagain,
Thanks. It frankly pisses me off when I see drug pushing doctors and clinics giving those b-s myth vs fact sheets. Yours is accurate.
It sucks cause how do you make an informed decision to go on methadone without getting honest advice.
I won't tell you whether you should go off methadone or not. I will tell you to talk to honest
people who have kicked.
YOU dont sound like someone who wants to be a lifer cause you aren't sure whether to stay on or not. Its a huge decision and you will know when your ready. Till then give yourself a break and take it as prescribed with no recreational drug use.
good luck in your journey
Thanks. It frankly pisses me off when I see drug pushing doctors and clinics giving those b-s myth vs fact sheets. Yours is accurate.
It sucks cause how do you make an informed decision to go on methadone without getting honest advice.
I won't tell you whether you should go off methadone or not. I will tell you to talk to honest
people who have kicked.
YOU dont sound like someone who wants to be a lifer cause you aren't sure whether to stay on or not. Its a huge decision and you will know when your ready. Till then give yourself a break and take it as prescribed with no recreational drug use.
good luck in your journey