Using methadone as painkiller after almost 5 months clean

[Natural]

Hello all, I am in a tough spot here...
I used to be a heavy opiate addict, started with oxycontin then started smoking heroin, eventually to IV heroin. This went on for about 4 years. I then went to a methadone clinic, but still used off and on for the first year or two when I had some extra money.
Finally I stuck with the program and was not using while in methadone treatment for the remaining 3 years I was on it.

On July 19th of this year I quit the program after months of slowly tapering my dose (90mg) and detoxed myself off of the remaining 6mg I was on.

To get to the point, I was abusing opiates for so long I had forgotten how screwed up my back is because I never felt the pain. After getting clean it has been hell dealing with my back problems... I do not want to get back on any kind of opiates so I am reduced to taking ibuprofen and naproxen everyday with little to no pain relief.
Yesterday I was cleaning the house and slipped on the tile floor while mopping, I am in a lot of pain now and when I went to urgent care, all they did was give me Motrin.

I still have a few left over methadone take home bottles from when I quit the clinic, I am in so much pain that I'm really considering drinking one of my old takehome bottles I saved, it is only 4mg.

Will using methadone just today so I can deal with the pain throw me into withdrawal?
I have no access to any other pain meds and certainly am not going to go try to find heroin. Methadone was always a great painkiller for me... any input will certainly be appreciated.

Thank you for your time and I am truly greatful to this wonderful community.

 

[maxalfie]

I doubt one days use will give you withdrawals and if it did it wouldn't be a horrible drawn out thing such as withdrawing from a regular heroin habit.
I think you will be absolutely fine if you just take it for the one day.

 

[gingerbaker]

Will using methadone just today so I can deal with the pain throw me into withdrawal?
I have no access to any other pain meds and certainly am not going to go try to find heroin. Methadone was always a great painkiller for me... any input will certainly be appreciated.

Thank you for your time and I am truly greatful to this wonderful community.

No, it won't throw you in withdrawal but it will definitely re-activate those opioid receptors which could be very hard on you psychologically (talking about cravings and such). I've found that any time I have a pain killer now, it sets off my "addict" thoughts right from the beginning but you might be different. Just a word of caution though, because you have worked really hard to get to where you are now and it would suck to be put back because of taking some methadone innocently for pain.

I think as long as you keep in mind what your intentions are and stay brutally honest with yourself regarding thoughts vs. cravings, you can do it but it will still be hard most likely. Try talking to a MD when you can about getting a prescription strength NSAID like meloxicam or diclofenac. You might feel more benefit from those. Personally, for musculoskeletal pain, I take 800mg Ibuprofen every 4 hrs and 220mg of Naproxen twice a day can provide substantial relief. Diclofenac has been even better IME.

 

[RedRum OG]

If you have relapsed and gotten clean many times, this increases the likelihood. Also a longer addiction also increases the likelihood, not as much though.

Methadone lingers, and lesser effects can last for days. Therefore it's not like taking a dose of oxy that ends very quickly and has no effects the nexts day.

However if you did feel any withdrawal it would be mild and short lasting.

 

[Natural]

Thank you to everyone who replied.
Taking into account what all of you have said, I'm going to just try to tough it out.

I never want to get anywhere close to an opiate addiction again, it was rough. I never got clean and relapsed, from the first time I ever touched an opiate, 40mg oxycontin I snorted many years back, I was hooked and never looked back.

I'm done with that life and don't want to risk anything. That comment about having painkillers around and turning on that "addict" brain function really resonates with me because I've been sitting here weighing my options whether or not to take the methadone has been driving me nuts. I almost want the warm, relaxed feeling more than the pain relief...

Again, thanks to all of you. I guess I'll just keep those take home bottles for a friend who may need them or something.

 

[Paregoric Mac]

Excellent! That shows how well you've progressed in your recovery, and I applaud you for it

 

[maybeimamazing]

I know exactly what you're going through! I've been a heavy user for many years. I've been on suboxone for several months, and it's been a lifesaver!! however, I do have real pain for which I originally took painkillers. the suboxone does help with pain somewhat. I have Celebrex that I can take occasionally, but it's really not that effective. I'd be taking that done if I were you. we all know the physiological effects, and that it certainly can make you start cravings, and then your mind's gonna fuck with you, and it'll be that little voice in your head again, saying, "Oh come on, you can do this, just this once, it's nobig deal!" I don't know, there is a catch-22 scenario here!! I do not enjoy being in pain. if I didn't take subs, I'd probably be in much worse pain, I just try to "tough it out" as much as possible. but in your case, if you have just a little of something sitting there, you know it'll help, and you're not lying to yourself, then go ahead..... hell, if you're anything like me, you already did, you're just looking for the justification. LOL just be careful o!