i've now been on long term maintenance for over six years. i wish i'd never started on it most of the time (my teeth are fucked, its a hassle with travel for work or play, and it costs me more to get stoned when i want to) but when i'm honest i know there is no way i was going to stop (or cut back) on using without it, and i've been able to work, use when i want to and generally function quite well.
the evidence is pretty clear though from the Swiss trials that where users are given the choice of heroin or methadone, the heroin works at least as well, and ofttimes better in terms of helping people achieve the same results in terms of getting their lives together. and shitloads more fun! so its not methadone really, its the fact that its readily available and affordable that gives it its benefits.
i'm now in my third attempt at reduction - whenever i've gone below 20mg the other two times its been straight back to using gear every day again.
this time i'm going to ease off using subutex as a withdrawal tool for the last few weeks, then i'm going into the bush with enough gear for a week or so and easing off that way, during my holidays next year.
ps - about subutex. beware the precipitated withdrawal! working for user groups, i saw some horrible cases when it first became availablew in australia, b4 people knew what they were doing. there is virtually no way to stop it as you need massive amounts of opiates to break through the bup.
if you're on 2nd day dosing (ie. once evry 48 hours) the only point at which you can use is abetween about 32-34 hours after your last dose. any earlier you won't feel it, any later and you risk precipitated withdrawal after your next dose.
and if you are on subutex maintenance, if you are in an accident and need analgesia the amount needed to cut through your bup is so much that no doctor would prescribe it without knowing you were on done. so if you'r eincoherent you might end up in absolute agony because your not getting enought pain releif
the australian national user peak body AIVL worked with Beckitt Renkiser on and advisory book which has a medical advice card at the back. carrying one of these or a MeicAert bracelet can pass on vital info when you can't.