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Core Topics => Treatment, Recovery and Rehabilitation => Topic started by: Chip on January 28, 2015, 08:48:11 AM

Title: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on January 28, 2015, 08:48:11 AM
I woke up one day recently and thought "I need to come off this stuff and the money I save could really help out".

my DOC is Crystal anyway but I don't use much nor very often ... I started at 60 mg.

I drop every fortnight > 60, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30.

by "blogging" my progress here, it may be of interest to others with the same mindset.

just have to get used to the sleeplessness.

and Sweating !

how many times have i done this in my life ? This is detox number 4
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on March 12, 2015, 06:03:37 AM
now dropped to 27.5, 25
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Roxstar on May 31, 2015, 10:51:45 AM
I've only been on the juice for 2 months now.  I was up to 85mg and I dropped to 75 last week.  I will be dropping to 65 in a few days.  Thereafter, I will probably drop by 5mg each week. 

This stuff is making me beyond depressed and I need to get off of it.  The money can go towards an apartment and a "fresh new start."

Good luck Chipper.  I'll be following closely.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on May 31, 2015, 12:40:49 PM
I hear ya ... dropping to 20 in a week.

It's lost it's appeal and I feel I no longer need it as Heroin is no longer easily available and the expense of both is out of my reach.

well done getting your power back.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: OCKfromthePhile on June 01, 2015, 11:00:41 AM
Good luck Gentleman.

The insomnia was always the worst part for me.

I love my sleep, so when I can't sleep, it irritates the shit outta me.

The hot and cold flashes, and RLS would both fight for a close second.

Keep us updated.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on June 01, 2015, 03:25:42 PM
it's the sleep loss that is the worst symptom for me, too.

i'm trying to move my dosing time to late but i always end up dosing in the morning and ultimately lose sleep  :( >:(
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: OCKfromthePhile on June 01, 2015, 07:45:10 PM
Is split dosing an option?

If So, might be something to consider.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on June 01, 2015, 08:27:58 PM
my problem is that i'm still playing around (double-dose, no-dose-but-bring-the-next-dose-forward etc.) with my doses etc.

i'm struggling with letting it go DESPITE everything ... i will sit on 22.5 for a few weeks to allow myself to settle down.

but that's damn good advice !

Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Güey on June 30, 2015, 11:58:53 PM
Hey Chipper. I'm not sure how it works in Australia, but if you can, especially as you get to lower doses, I'd suggest dropping by 1mg. I've been doing that, and while it's doable, it can still be tough at times. I know that would prolong the whole ordeal, but I think that might help.

Is that an option for you??
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on July 01, 2015, 03:50:01 AM
I will ask the clinic if they can drop me by 1 mg.

thank you.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on July 02, 2015, 11:16:57 AM
sitting on 20 mg. split dosing 3 ways.

a noticeable return to virtually no side effects.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Güey on July 03, 2015, 04:06:33 AM
Good for you, chipper!

Hang in there, man. I feel yer pain, for what it's worth :-/
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on July 03, 2015, 07:37:23 AM
thank you ... how I wished I live where you are and be able to pop down to my local pot shop and grab some to distract me from my taper.

but I'm happy that your state has set an amazing precedent ... if you'd like to start a thread on how pot legalisation impacts your city.

better still, I will start a thread, hoping to get your own opinions.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on July 22, 2015, 01:04:37 PM
down to 17.5 mg. steady. feel much better in so many ways.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on September 08, 2015, 03:00:38 AM
back up to 20 mg. now. the Morphine supplements have been dropped; no more 60-120 mg MS-Contin, weekly.

will drop back to 17.5 mg. Methadone in 1-2 weeks.

it's taking FORVEVER but, as we like to tell you, it only gets harder the more you do it. my last taper was a breeze compared to this time.

mental state could be better, too. MILD temp. fluctuations and SOME sleep deprivation are the main two annoying w/d symptoms.

Nicotine also stopped (to route more funds into meth  ;).
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: nick on September 08, 2015, 06:24:54 AM
So just to clarify things, you're treating your drug problem by kicking your stable dose of MMT and nicotine and then investing the savings in crystal meth?

Makes perfect sense.

Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on September 08, 2015, 06:35:24 AM
that's one way of looking at it but stopping smoking is smart and I know that my own endorohins will keep me comfortable and stress free.

well, it's still an admirable goal, on paper.

Do-able, I feel - at least one the habits at a time.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Opus on September 08, 2015, 06:55:26 AM
I've dropped 20mg in the last month, and going down 10 more tomorrow. My counselor thinks I'm nuts, but I just can't tolerate what this crap is doing to me anymore.

With my history of severe clinical insomnia, the inevitable sleep problems are really fucking with me too. Yesterday I started saving a little bit of my dose to drink at night, so basically splitting, and it seemed to work last night, but I took a mg of xanax yesterday afternoon, so that might have had something to do with it, guess I'll find out.

I'm so over this garbage, just sick of it. Not only are my T levels ridiculously low (but already climbing since I've started cutting), but the side effects (the sweating especially) have just totally fucked up my life.

One of my biggest complaints about my klinik experience, is their reluctance to let me split dose (without a peak and trough, but I'm REALLY hard to get blood out of, last time I was in the hospital it took 12 hours and 5 nurses before they got anything from me, it's really no joke). I truly believe I've been WAY over-medicated, simply because I haven't been allowed to split my dose. I peaked at 110mg, but only because I have a fast metabolism, and that's a number that started to hold me a full day.

Methadone stopped me from hammering my femoral, which is a really good thing, I was starting to experience a lot of pain in that area and I was starting to really fear DVT. So there was definitely some good in it. I was also running a lot of risks copping where I was, small scene & bad area, I'll leave it at that. Luckily I never got in any real trouble down there, but some close calls for sure.

Anyway, I'm tapering too. Going down another 10 to 80mg tomorrow, so I got a ways to go.. Plan is to get back on suboxone, and then taper off that. I think I've got it out of my system this time tho, I miss being clean, I just don't want this life anymore.

Don't mean to hi-jack Chipper, this just seemed like a good place to blab about my situation. I just hope I can manage the insomnia, it's already a huge problem in this noisy ass apartment I live in, truly can't fucking wait to GTFO this place, and OFF this CRAP for good. Yuck.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on September 08, 2015, 07:12:08 AM
thanks for the support Opus (because it helped); i want out too. Methadone has become a therapy now and tapering seems like the logical thing to do.

yeah, i want to cut the clinic out of my life and abstain from opiates aside from the random "chip" (God's habit).

can't be done, you say ? fuck it, i'm setting ma sights on it, regardless.

Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on March 19, 2016, 12:47:05 AM
So just to clarify things, you're treating your drug problem by kicking your stable dose of MMT and nicotine and then investing the savings in crystal meth?

Makes perfect sense.

i was just thinking about this classic that @nick posted again after deciding to go up a bit and park myself for now ... it worked as i am stable and content ... why rock the boat at this point (?!).

this thread may never end at this rate so i will bow out indefintely.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: dizzle on March 19, 2016, 12:56:01 PM
I'm curious to a lot of people that get this mindset of "I need to get clean" or "I want to be free from this stuff"


If you can get on pickups, and run the splits yourself, and dose WHAT you what. And it keeps you from copping and all the BS that comes with that, WHERE IS THE PROBLEM?


Now, Opus posted about some serious side effects that I understand, and to that I would say, get on splits, lower your dose, do what you need to get rid of the major side effects.

P.S.- IMO, the sweating indicates fucked up hormonal changes, sweating/hot flashes ARE NOT CAUSED by methadone, sweating and hot flashes are caused by the rapid major changes in estrogen/testosterone, and if you're having those, SOMETHING is incorrect with your dosing. It sounds to me like Opus is a lot like me with this stuff.

I was in the same boat, I went up until my dose held me for 24-30 hours, and leveled off at 170mg, well, at this level I got hella side effects, gynomastoma, Hot flashes, I NEVER wanted to fuck my totally hot girlfriend, so I didn't need a T test to tell me my hormones were fucked. I got on splits, I started lowering my dose, over about 3 weeks I dropped to 80mg, it wasn't really hard since I was splitting my shit myself, I would just wait till I starting feeling a little sick, and take about 20-30mgs, every time I started to get that "legs super antsy" feeling, I'd sip about 20-30mg, and wait it out. 

I leveled off at 80 or so, and lost 95% of the side effects. The only thing I still seem to have is occasional sweating, so I still think I need to drop it a little more, but the gyno went away my nipples and chest looks like a normal man's again, the hot flashes are gone, I can bone my GF again. AND, I'm stable on my done, I'm not out copping and dealing with all the BS that comes with that.

For me, I'd like to hear from people that get into the mindset of "I need to be totally clean"  or " I want to be off this methadone"

I just don't get that, I know for me, if I try to be totally clean I'll end up in the same place that starts with the occasional bag of dope, and leads to the pit of despair where everything and everyone I love is lost, and I'm left with NOTHING.

Why fix what's not broken? IDK, I'd like to hear from some of you....
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Illadelph215 on March 19, 2016, 01:24:04 PM
Wow this thread hit home to me. My DOC is suboxone, not methadone though. I'm not prescribed as it is easily available to me. I have been on and off it for about 2 years. The most I ever took in a day is only 4mg though and 2mg split twice in a day is perfect for me. I tapered off at the end of the year eventually getting to .25 every 24 hours. I successfully quit with the help of a huge kpin script and was clean for two months. Then one night a month ago, after my DUI, I did way to much blow and ended up copping H to come down off of in the morning. Which led to a 4 day binge and then boom I was back on subs. I consider myself sober on subs because I don't get high with the low dose I take, I just feel normal. I'm currently stuck at 1mg a day and am s scared to death to fully taper off as I lost my benzo connect, I work third shift and sleep is already a killer and I have had a great workout routine which wil get fucked up. Buttt I will soon have probation and drug tests and I don't have a script for subs so I know I have to fully get off which is scary. I don't notice any bad side effects while taking such a low dose and I think it's for me as it makes me feel "right". But I don't like being dependent on it and fear withdrawal so idk, that thought sucks. I know this is about methadone but if anyone has any advice/tips I'd appreciate it and vise versa.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Roman Totale on March 19, 2016, 08:12:25 PM
Well @dizzle, first of all I'm not sure how the system works in Australia/for chipper.  I (think I) know they dispense it at drugstores and not exclusively clinics, but I don't know if they can get a week or a month at a time ever.  And obviously, from the posts here, chipper wouldn't be giving clean urine every time, if they asked for it.

So there's a certain amount of special hassle involved with methadone maintenance (here or in Aus), and there's a certain amount of hassle involved with any kind of maintenance that often feels like a ball and chain, where you can't do anything or go anywhere without thinking about your opiate maintenance first and foremost.  "Courtesy" dosing arrangements when you travel, abstaining from even marijuana a lot of places, waiting on line every time you come for your dose, pointless counseling (if you have a shitty counselor or it's not right for you), etc.  Not to mention side-effects.  Some of them, like QT intervals, are well-studied, but I don't think there's been a lot of interest in seeing how people's mental health fares over years on maintenance versus tapering off versus "active addiction."

Even with the freest suboxone hand at your disposal, or maintaining on seeds, you've always got to be thinking "Do I have enough for the weekend?", "Can I take this through airport security?", "What if I get in a car accident and they charge me with DUI for the maintenance opiates in my system?".  And when you aren't getting high -- aren't getting any special pleasure out of it -- it starts to seem pointless and you think "I might as well just quit, it'll be the same but without the hassle."

But fundamentally you're right in a lot of cases.  First of all, a street opiate addiction is generally a LOT more of a "hassle" than dosing methadone or suboxone, and a lot more expensive.  So if getting off maintenance just puts your back on your DOC, stuck in the same addiction cycle and losing all the nice things you accumulated during a long period of stability, it's a tragic mistake to "get clean."

It's also just not the same to be on low-dose no euphoria opiate maintenance vs. zero opiates in the brain life.  A bit of "you don't know what til it's gone" -- those formerly content opiate receptors become confused, lonely, and scared, and so do you.  But, perhaps depending on how heavily you used and how early you started, they'll regroup and maybe life will become similar to what is was like on maintenance, minus the hassle.  But obviously getting out of the environment where you first started abusing an opiate to the point where you needed maintenance in the first place seems crucial.  We all know "willpower" isn't going to put you on the straight and narrow with no changes in your material conditions of life.

I don't know.  I'm not clean or "substance-free" and likely never will be, and don't really care if I die having filled some kind of prescription every few weeks of my life since age 22.  But I do understand how corrosive that feeling of dependency can be, and it is really a question of whether the alternative will be better or worse.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on March 19, 2016, 08:24:02 PM
re. not giving clean urines: my doctor knows that i flirt with a little meth and perhaps the odd single med dose Morphine tablet mostly once a week. my usage is no big deal, it doesn't affect my stability nor do i present poorly.

my doctor is practical and i can really respect a man that doesn't punish me needlessly.

despite the cost and logistics, i feel comforted by the program.

for now.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Guts on March 25, 2016, 11:53:48 PM
I've said it before and I'll say it again and again because it's been a miracle for me: men on methadone *need* testosterone replacement therapy. I'm on a cycle (500 MG a week vs 200) right now. Getting my second round of kenalog injections behind my nips in a couple days... been hitting the gym. Will post the pics I promised and I know everyone has been waiting for in like... a month.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on July 16, 2016, 08:31:11 AM
i finally got back to this old thread - i have now dropped to 15 mg but it may not be of much interest to anybody but what the hell ... i have been dropping 2.5 mg. a week and using meth sparingly to make it painless.

i know, i'll get a bigger meth habit but it's too late anyway and at least that's not so hard to go without, physically.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: smalls on July 18, 2016, 01:41:34 PM
I for one like the updates. Reading the older posts, you were down to 17.5 a year ago nearly to the day. Are you still trying to get down to nothing?
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: theSWPK on July 18, 2016, 03:01:04 PM
Good job getting down to a low dose, man. That's an admirable feat.

Do you get takehomes? If so are you doing volumetric dosing with an oral syringe or the like to drop slowly? That was the easiest way I had ever done it. 2.5mg a week.

Have you considered stopping methadone and taking a shorter acting opioid like hydro/oxy or even morphine, and then once adjusted, taper on that? I know it would probably be costly to keep buying pills.

Anyways, good job Chipper, I'd say I was proud of you, but that just sounds weird hah.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on July 18, 2016, 07:01:50 PM
Yeah, I get take homes and I measure with some old barrels that I still have from my IV days.

I am on a slightly higher dose at the clinic and been able to stash the small difference for when I hit 5 mg. because that's when I will leave the clinic and drop down to 0 myself.

I can't find a reliable source for a short acting replacement and this will be my 5th taper so I know the drill and prefer the long lasting nature of Methadone.

But thanks for your thoughts.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on August 07, 2016, 02:49:27 AM
Sitting on 12.5 mg and no hassle ... will try 10 mg in a few days.

Getting my passport ready for when I am no longer dependant.

With 300 mg stashed away, I can detox myself and save on clinic fees.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Z on August 07, 2016, 07:42:26 AM
Travelling with methadone isn't that bad.  Here you can get a month worth, and they usually give pills instead of liquid.  You can get a special form from the government if your doctor is willing to do the legwork, and it makes customs pretty much a passport stamping affair.

I guess it depends where you go, but look into it before you rule out the possibility.  I go on vacation most years.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: DirtyJerzy on August 08, 2016, 06:09:57 AM
Good shit chipper. And while 300 mgs ain't shit when your taking 120+mgs a day, when your at 5mgs or less a day, you'll be able to do as long and as gradual a taper as you feel the need to. Always good to have them over prescribe and be able to stash a bit, for a rainy day, a self taper, or just a vacation from the clinic.

When I was on done they made me go every day except Sunday, cuz I never gave clean piss. But the sub clinic was giving me weekly take homes after the first month, and they thought I was taking 16mgs a day, so I was able to stock pile a bit during that time. They've been gone for over a year now though, and I've been buying my subutex off the streets......but I just got insurance so I'm about to go get back on them, not to be on sub Maintainance, but so I can stockpile and have, as opposed to having to buy.

Good luck with the rest though chipper, you got this shit bro.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on September 05, 2016, 02:47:34 AM
... yeah, I was going well until I started shooting again. Really, never again ... plus i used up almost all of my reserves.

Back to 20 again. Try again. Repeat until it works. Dammit.

I will get there. I need to be off this. Thanks for the support.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on September 05, 2016, 03:16:06 AM
Travelling with methadone isn't that bad.  Here you can get a month worth, and they usually give pills instead of liquid.  You can get a special form from the government if your doctor is willing to do the legwork, and it makes customs pretty much a passport stamping affair.

I guess it depends where you go, but look into it before you rule out the possibility.  I go on vacation most years.

This is true. I may just need to take your advice and check out travelling with Physeptone.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Griffin on September 05, 2016, 04:47:30 PM
Hey chip, and any other mmt users. I was wondering if you had any trouble with weight gain while on done and/or if you had trouble losing weight while on it. I am hoping that I can taper to a lower dose and be able to lose weight because right now it's impossible! I am currently on 90 mgs, and have been dieting and exercising but haven't been able to lose any weight, when I was off methadone for 4 months I lost 30lbs and have been able to stay 40lbs under my highest wait from when I was on 280mg.

When I was on 280, I worked manual labor 40 hours a week walked almost 10 miles a day, and ate decent but I gained 100lbs in less then one year and kept gaining it until I went to jail and got off for 4 months. I have been 135lbs my entire life and jumped up to 225 within a year of being on 280mgs. I was off opiates for 4 months I lost 30 lbs without trying and have been able to stay at 185 since getting back on it, but no matter what I do or try I can't lose any weight.

My hopes are that if I get down to a lower dose I will be able to lose weight if I am healthy, it seems that the higher dose for me the more weight I gain, I have noticed it in some other people as well but everyone varies a ton. I am just wondering if anyone has noticed any difference in weight, energy, motivation, and that stuff since tapering and if so at what point did you notice, because I can't deal with it anymore.

I am thinking about trying subs again because even though I was using while on it, I didn't gain any weight on it. I am hoping that it works better for me now because before it didn't help at all with cravings, and depression and all the other symptoms but since I will be 3 years clean in Nov. and have a much lower tolerance then when on it before I am hoping that it will work for me this time, and help me lose weight. It seems impossible too and on top of it doesn't take the depression that it used to away from me, and I am getting really bad off.

I got some bad news last week and got denied financial aid so I can't finish school and it seems that was all it took for me to lose my shit, and I am struggling to not break. I need a change and I am praying that they let me off probation this month because if they don't i am completely fucked and more than likely will be homeless until they do i have months left, i just have to make it to Jan. 7th and I will have my freedom I am praying the fucking cops stay away from me and let me have it, I can't take this shit anymore.

Anyways sorry for rambling just wanted to know about your taper and if its help with any side effects and weight issues for you or anyone whose tapered or is on a low dose? How long did it take you to get where you were and what were the hardest parts about getting there? How do you feel right now?
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Dopeless Hopefiend on September 05, 2016, 06:11:21 PM
@Griffin I gained an obscene amount of weight on MMT. Like 150lbs total over 8.5 years. I was way too skinny when I got on, so the first 50 was actually good. But then I just kept piling it on. I've been off for 70ish days & have already lost a little more than 20lbs. I still have a lot to lose, but while I was on MMT it seemed like no matter what I did it didn't matter. Now it's much easier.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Griffin on September 05, 2016, 06:55:57 PM
That's awesome dopeless hopefiend, are you dieting right now and trying to lose weight or did you lose it from being off methadone, you are on subs now right? That is good to hear that if I can get by on subs that there is a chance at me losing this weight because I have been skinny my whole life and now nothing I do works its so aggravating, I think the loneliness is starting to get to me. It was stupid I was eating horribly not exercising at all and went from 225 to 180 in a little over 4 months only difference was no methadone, now I can get under 180 to save my life.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on September 05, 2016, 08:28:56 PM
Yep, I did gain weight but a lot of it was retained water.

I still have some weight to lose and am about 80 Kg at the moment. That's just under 180 lbs.

I have become quite sedentary of late.

I remember craving sweet stuff on higher doses.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on September 28, 2016, 07:56:05 PM
Dropped to 10 mg. and will try to see it out for a miserable whole week. Gotta do this, gotta do it.

Dropping the needle has made it easier now. HIV and HCV results came back negative and I feel like I dodged a bullet ... not bad for close to 4 decades of injecting.

I am determined to get unhooked from opiates and antipsychotics. I plan to just to get by on stimulants and the odd downer, here and there, opiates included.

I'm just so looking forward to no physical addiction whatsoever ... i want it so bad.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: dougrounds on September 29, 2016, 09:06:33 AM
thats awesome, chipper.

i remember kicking methadone plus healthy IV heroin habit when i got busted a while back.. no fun.

Keep the taper slow and smooth, brother. if youre down to 10mg, id suggest going no faster than down 1mg per week...

maybe drop .5mg a week, does the clinic offer half mgs? otherwise id say down 1mg every 1-2 weeks depending on how you feel.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: dougrounds on September 29, 2016, 09:12:34 AM
ugh reading this thread gives me the jitters. i remember kicking 75mg daily 'done in county jail... getting out after a month and a half.. and still feeling short of 100%

hang in there, bro. methadone is nasty stuff. taper slow and get settled in, its gonna take a while before you feel back to normal
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on September 29, 2016, 09:15:26 AM
I am being deliberately aggressive in my dose reduction.

The clinic only offer a minimum of 2.5 mg dose changes.

I plan to get down to 5 mg and then leave the clinic as I have saved up enough to see me through.

Really wanting it takes away the fear of withdrawal and that makes it easier to cope.

It's going to also save me $132 a fortnight so that's another carrot for me - more money for extra tweak ;)

This is my 4th and final taper so I am well prepared for it ... at this dose the side-effects are virtually eliminated so that keeps me motivated too.

What always fucked me up was injecting it and now that's history so I am confident.

I also plan to use oral Morphine once or twice a month for pure pleasure so that's the final reward -- i want to live up to my handle.

I know your advice is cautious and wise but I am on a roll ... if it gets too uncomfortable then I can steal a few mgs from my reserves.

Thank you for your input.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Thoms on September 29, 2016, 10:42:53 AM
God that is a strong man to get that low in and of itself!! When it comes to chipping (chipper, how rad ironic!!) you obviously need to be beyond fucking careful not to get sucked back in. I would give that all the thought that's possible before you use even once. Now with that out of the way, should you decide to use some morphine you should plug it. That will double the bio availability. It is still  only 60 % but that's better than 30 % oral.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on September 29, 2016, 11:36:43 AM
Great advice ! I won't get sucked back in because I couldn't even access more Morphine than once in a blue moon even if I wanted to ... and I am well and truly over it. It doesn't hold the appeal that it had, I'm just so much further down the line now.

Tweak's my main thing anyhow.

I'm just sick to death of being dependant.

Plugging is a great idea and will definitely try it now that you reminded me.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on October 10, 2016, 08:16:43 AM
been on 10 mg for a while now and getting ready to drop to 7.5.

I don't get nearly as anxious before my dose like I used to ... small amounts feel so much easier all around.

not long now...
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on October 16, 2016, 05:20:00 AM
pick up my last dose soon. got 250 mg. saved up. drop to 5 mg. today.

no more clinic puts more money into my pocket.

tweak (and lately, low dose Phenibut) helped me ... every time that I had some crystal, I was able to drop. yes, you can use that shit to lower your dose but it's still uncomfortable.

I went back and checked when I started and it was ages ago (Jan 2015) but it can be done ... just got to take it easy.

EDIT: Later, i dropped to 5 mg. but the first day is the easiest and it gets the toughest by the 4th day, eventually becoming normalised after a week.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on October 19, 2016, 05:57:03 AM
chipper leaves the clinic but has 400 mg. saved up for some lucky friend because he is only taking between 5-7.5 mgs daily at these final stages of the taper.

without the burden of injecting on me and being free of the clinic and soon to be free of Methadone is a sensational feeling. a friend that I see often is using H and I have zero compulsion to use it - it's like "been there, done that and now I'm over it (plus being a potential role model for my friend is a good thing)".

it can be done but you have to move through these stages after living with them becomes about negative returns/health risks for a lot of time, money and effort ... it is NOT a moral judgment because i used to love the way drugs like Heroin used to make me feel, how could i not get that ? i have many fond memories and some favorite "nods", indeed. even my face-plant into my coffee, in public, was actually hilarious in a junky sort of way (:))).

all side effects from MMT are now virtually undetectable at this stage.

thank you for sharing my journey.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Griffin on October 22, 2016, 11:33:03 PM
That is awesome chipper I am envious, I wish I could make myself taper but don't have it in me right now, I just want to get to a lower dose so that I can lose weight. My new job I started 5 weeks ago is manual labor so I have been gaining muscle but weigh the same it looks like I am losing fat and turning it into muscle which I credit the testosterone with. They had a new nurse my last appt and I didn't realize she gave me 2 inch needles instead of 1.5" and when I stuck it all the way into my thigh I got a weird feeling hopefully I didnt mess anything up.

Are you going to switch to a short acting opie when the done runs out like hydrocodone for a week or two to shorten the wd, or are you worried that it will kick off a run? Are you completely done with opiates? Congrats on coming this far keep us updated please.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on October 23, 2016, 06:32:10 AM
Thanks for the support.

I'm sitting on 6 mg. now and am taking it easy as I slide down to 0.

Yes, I am done with opiates but if I get hold of some oral M down the line then I may eat it.

Apart from that, I'm really keen to avoid any type of physical addiction.

At this low dose, even 1 mg. makes a difference.

That physical job of yours can make it easier to drop your dose a bit but that's up to you.

I am going to stick with the MD and still wait 24 hours between doses - it's nice and simple that way.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: dysmorphic on October 24, 2016, 04:41:14 AM
I was on 400mg to 600 mg morphine for shit.... ten years or better. Decided it's time to not just taper but get off of it. I'm down to 60 mg every 12 hours. I'm ready to go down to 30mg every eight hours. Getting my dose down to every 12 hours wasn't fucking easy. I was running the ragged edge of withdrawal for weeks at a time.

What I can say is that I get a buzz off the morphine I wasn't getting before. Less works far better. Going to the point of having little medication in my system has the benefit of working far better when I take my dose. Regardless of the issues I'm dealing with it's about time I abstained from the narcotics, Completely and totally.

I also realize that now I'm on a far lower dose it's easier to cut back and taper further. The first week was a mother fucker as I cut my dose directly in half then in half and in half again. I smoke a little ganja now and again but I didn't use much of anything to do the taper. Just sucked it up. I get the feeling it's why it's going to finally work.


I'm so fucking done.....

I'm glad you're working it out chipper. It feels good and helps me to know others are successful .
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Esoteric Anhydride on October 24, 2016, 10:27:49 AM
I'm at another crossroads with this shit. I've been stable on subs for a couple months I guess? I burned through my stash though and don't have many resources, I found a few more strips to get me by but I'm really sick of chasing chemicals just to feel fucking normal.

Even though it hasn't been that long since I left the klinik, I'm thinking about transitioning back onto lop for a little bit and then maybe off altogether. I've used this series of meds before, and it worked pretty well aside from the side effects of the lop; which scared the fuck out of me at the time. I also have some Ultram, quite a few, so that could help at the end too.

I'm just not sure how long it's gonna take me to adjust to being completely opi free, and I also have a benzo habit to deal with -- and I have a plan, but it still needs dealt with.

It's getting better though, being off the MD is HUGE. Maybe by spring I'll be able to claim some sort of sobriety again..
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on November 14, 2016, 02:36:52 AM
a few days ago, i was struggling because i foolishly thought that this taper would be much the same as my last one (about 15 years ago) where i could just go quickly when below 2.5 mg but not so.

i have been getting quite ill from trying to jump from 2.5 to 1.5 and then having to go back up to 2 mg for more than a week.

Then i have been struggling on even dropping HALF A FUCKING MILLIGRAM ! The symptoms are RLS, lengthy shivers moving all over the body. excessive burping, agitation, opiate cravings and insomnia.

The last bits must be done so far slower than i expected ... i didn't have any yesterday and only half a milligram early this morning but that's because i have had some meth ... i don't think i could have been motivated without it .

Anyone intending to do a taper is advised to do so whilst younger, rather than older.

I have no idea how my sleep will recover as i have not known a night with a lengthy solid block of sleep in it, for decades ! (unless using GHB).

i plan to jump off half a milligram and even that worries me a bit.

i dream of a full night's sleep one day -- a humble but worthy goal.


Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Snout on November 14, 2016, 06:26:14 AM
Chipper, good for you! I'm proud of you, what you are doing is not easy. Your last post scares me a bit, as I just got back on methadone for the third time in 12 years. I'm nervous about tapering off it, because I'm no spring chicken. Kicking was much easier when I was younger! I'm 45, how old are you?
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Dhedmo on November 14, 2016, 07:16:14 AM
I feel so  guilty.

I've wanted to share my stretch/taper for more than a year, but one thing and another got in the way.

This thread inspires me, but unfortunately I am on a phone in a bar and keyboard is tooooooo small.

I will try to post tonight or tomorrow.
Might not work for all, but its almost no withdrawals, vastly reduced jones, and perhaps can change you as it changed my life.

Recommend starting when you're down to 60 mg done/day (pills) for best results. Down to 0 in less than 60 days.

God bless you  all, quitting or not.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on November 14, 2016, 07:30:46 AM
Chipper, good for you! I'm proud of you, what you are doing is not easy. Your last post scares me a bit, as I just got back on methadone for the third time in 12 years. I'm nervous about tapering off it, because I'm no spring chicken. Kicking was much easier when I was younger! I'm 45, how old are you?

54. I have spent about 15 years on the 'done.

4th and last taper.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on November 14, 2016, 07:56:53 AM
Dhedmo, I like 60 too and refused to go up from that so that's where this story starts.

No need to hurry, it's almost 2 years this time.

Life is still the same old thing but with a greater sense of normality.

To be honest, big achievement aside, it's an anticlimax all the same ... but it saves on clinic costs, doctor visits and urine tests.

All I need now is a valid passport - the carrot.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on November 18, 2016, 07:49:27 AM
Finally finished. Last dose was about 1/4 of a mg. -- no sudden moves.

Here endeth my long dependency.

The slowest taper yet.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Jega on November 18, 2016, 09:21:49 AM
Dude! Congrats!

Are you feeling confident about being able to handle any last W/D?
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on November 18, 2016, 09:44:38 AM
Thanks. No symptoms except a slightly upset stomach and the odd sneeze.

It was a very slow taper and from experience +  how it went this time, I know I am in the clear.

The significant and obvious issue is that everything else in my life has remained the same. All my problems and other concerns are still there so I have to constantly remind myself that life is easier.

It's a funny anticlimax.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: lawyerup on November 19, 2016, 02:29:28 AM
grats bro, im really hoping im not writing the same thing a year from now. my doctor said a couple days ago he wants me off all opiates eventually. I was at 40mg methadone few months ago now I'm down to 25 and Im really feeling it.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Dopeless Hopefiend on November 19, 2016, 04:24:56 AM
That's so awesome @chipper! I know this has been a really long process for you with a lot of ups and downs. Good on you for sticking it out to the end.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: gnossos on March 02, 2017, 02:07:04 PM
After realizing I'd been going to the clinic for almost 2 years now - and getting sick and fucking tired of paying the equivalent of rent for another apartment to the clinic each month - I'm ready to wriggle my way outta methadone's clutches myself. The fact that my husband and I are in this together is a big help. He tried to do things their way this time and work with the counselors/staff at the clinic, but after getting fucked around for the stupidest shit (obviously just trying to keep him on it longer - those methadone clinics sure hate to lose money, erm, I mean patients - he quit the clinic on 20mg and has been weening himself off with my weekly take home.

I know the worst symptom for him so far seems to be the restless legs, the tossing and turning at night. Anyone know of anything that helps that? Luckily I've got a script for Xanax so those are nice to take the edge off.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: gnossos on March 02, 2017, 02:16:33 PM
If I had known what being on methadone would be like, I would've never started it. My hubby's a software engineer with a $100,000/yr salary, so after we got together I suddenly had access to the finances to support the most severe habit I've ever had. We laid in bed miserably dope sick for about a month, barely getting by on morphine and splitting single points, before we realized we could go to the methadone clinic.

My hubby had previous experience with methadone; he'd been on it for about 4 years last time. I feel lucky I had someone with experience for advice, because if it weren't for him I'm sure I gladly would've let the clinic work me up to the highest possible dose of 120mg or whatever it is. They're more than happy to increase your dose as much as you want, but they sure as fuck will never ask you if you wanna go down. Anyway, I'm SO glad he warned me not to let them increase my dose too high. Even after going in there with the worst dope habit I've ever had - (at least a gram/day on average, 8balls on worst days) - I still never really needed more than 40mg or so. Highest I ever went was 70mg. I can't imagine trying to taper off 120mg or more.

I really think there should be more guidelines in place for methadone clinics. It's insane that there's nothing preventing someone who just wants access to insanely high doses of methadone to just pop a Lortab, get admitted to a methadone clinic, and then proceed to go up and up to the maximum dose. The staff/counselors at those places are like methadone evangelists.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: OpiXPO on March 02, 2017, 02:33:48 PM

I know the worst symptom for him so far seems to be the restless legs, the tossing and turning at night. Anyone know of anything that helps that? Luckily I've got a script for Xanax so those are nice to take the edge off.

I've found Clonidine and Baclofen to a lesser extent help with RLS amazingly. Avoid nicotine and antihistamines such as Actifed, Sudafed and Benadryl. They are actually stimulants that have sedation properties somehow.

Also hot showers, cool bedroom when your trying to sleep, orgasms, stretching, lying on your stomach. Yoga breathing also helps, breath in for 4 counts, hold for 3 counts, and exhale for 5 counts.

As for supplments; Alteril, magnesium, potassium, multi-vitamins in the morning.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Lolleedee on March 06, 2017, 05:13:52 PM
After realizing I'd been going to the clinic for almost 2 years now - and getting sick and fucking tired of paying the equivalent of rent for another apartment to the clinic each month - I'm ready to wriggle my way outta methadone's clutches myself. The fact that my husband and I are in this together is a big help. He tried to do things their way this time and work with the counselors/staff at the clinic, but after getting fucked around for the stupidest shit (obviously just trying to keep him on it longer - those methadone clinics sure hate to lose money, erm, I mean patients - he quit the clinic on 20mg and has been weening himself off with my weekly take home.

I know the worst symptom for him so far seems to be the restless legs, the tossing and turning at night. Anyone know of anything that helps that? Luckily I've got a script for Xanax so those are nice to take the edge off.

What kind of shit were they doing to your hubby?  I know it sucks to get jammed up by them, but they aren't doing it to keep you there.  Believe me, there are tons of jumkies waiting to jump into your space at the clinic.  This country is in no way hurting for junkies needing treatment!

I don't know why people get so hung up on doses.  It is a complete lie that a higher dose is harder to come off of.  If you do it right, it will take LONGER, but it won't be any more difficult.  If you wean slowly, like they tell you too, it is virtually painless.

I think the reason a lot of people aren't successful with methadone is because they stay too low.  It's so counterproductive to do that.  If you are going to commit to treatment, and pay for it, then you should be at a dose that is comfortable and does what it is supposed to do...keep you out of withdrawal for at least 24 hours (36 is even better) and takes away the cravings and creates cross-tolerance (what is colloquially called a "blocking dose").  If you take a dose that doesn't do that, then not only are you not getting the full benefit of the medicine, but you are just fucking up your potential recovery.

All the stigma shit I hear about methadone and clinics, unfortunately comes from people who are on it and repeat all the assinine shit they hear while waiting in line.  If "I hear it's trading one addiction for another" (uh, you're already an opiate addict..this ain't a new addiction!), "It makes your teeth fall out" (I'm an RDH-Registered Dental Hygienist..it isn't true..if you want to know the actual science behind it, I'll start a dental thread) or my personal favorite "it gets in your bones" (obviously these people do not have basic knowledge of how the human body works).

Sorry..went off on a tangent there!  It just creams my corn when all this stuff gets thrown out there as fact.  Is methadone treatment perfect?  Hell no!  But I find that the parts of it people hate are based on one of two things...incorrect information that makes them think it is the devil incarnate or they feel the clinic dicks them around but fails to see their part in it.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on March 06, 2017, 06:08:17 PM
I left the clinic at around 10 mg and had stockpiled 300 mg to get me through.

the whole taper took so long (2 years) that I did not suffer much. the amount you start at doesn't really matter much as the struggle only happens at the thin end.

what really worked for me was that I decided that injecting was no longer an option for me so I was kind of forced into opiate sobriety.

I still miss them but all I have to do I recall the misery of withdrawal and then I stop being sentimental.

you have really got to be sick of the whole trip before you can effect change like I did.

I still like drugs but prefer to mess with Stims and GABAgerics now - with extreme caution though.

the point I want to make is that coming off opiates doesn't change you in any way - you still have the same issues and desires you always did.

not going to the clinic is a definite bonus because I can accept work without all that hassle.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Tainted on March 09, 2017, 06:34:21 AM
it seems ppls experience can REALLY vary based on the clinic your going to. I always heard terrible things about methadone, had a habit for almost ten years before i decided to give it a try and it was shitty. place only open 4 hours a day, cost $150 a week, no take homes if you smoke weed, get put on a hold at least once a week and get stuck there for an hour for bullshit.

but i moved and goto a clinic in a diff state now and its looking like i may finally have broken  the spell opiates had on me. but this clinic is open 530am to 330pm, its sliding scale payment (im paying $25/wk, most ppl its free though) the clinic is non-profit which i think is a major major difference. and i get take homes cause they dont test for pot.  they give out bus passes and food too. its night and day the difference between the two clinics ive been to
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on October 31, 2021, 11:58:14 AM
Just an update - still off opiates but now tapering from Clonazepam with Diazepam.

That's another taper that I don't want to go through again.

I want to be totally drug independent now as I am too old for this shit.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Tainted on October 31, 2021, 06:57:29 PM
Just an update - still off opiates but now tapering from Clonazepam with Diazepam.

That's another taper that I don't want to go through again.

I want to be totally drug independent now as I am too old for this shit.

Congrats man that's awesome. I just got an email about a post, haven't been on this forum since prolly my post above yours. I've been "clean" on methadone since that post. Started weaning myself down, but I got below 40 and started getting chest pain, checked my BP and it was 200/120. Every time I dropped my dose a few mg I'd get chest pain and blood pressure spikes off and on for a week or so. Decided to chill until I see a cardiologist cardiologist. But I hear you on wanting to be drug independent. I'm 33 and know if I don't get off my pharmaceutical tether soon, I never will.

I need to check into this forum more often. With all the fent out there, I've been losing at least one friend every month to overdoses (I try not to hang out with ppl still using but have plenty of old friends I knew for years)

Is clonazepam really that hard to get off of for you? I've had other friends have issues with it, but it's the only benzo that only gives me mild wd. I've come off it three times, normally around 3-6mg a day and I would just drop my dose straight to half a mg at night for a few weeks then I'd stop taking it. I'd get at most 4-5 restless nights and major rebound anxiety, but nothing really serious.
Now the times that I was coprescribed 1mg of Xanax alongside 2mg clonazepam, my hands would shake and I actually had to wean down a little slowly.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on October 31, 2021, 07:15:29 PM
Hi @Tainted ! Glad to see you back, very much so.


Is clonazepam really that hard to get off of for you? I've had other friends have issues with it, but it's the only benzo that only gives me mild wd. I've come off it three times, normally around 3-6mg a day and I would just drop my dose straight to half a mg at night for a few weeks then I'd stop taking it. I'd get at most 4-5 restless nights and major rebound anxiety, but nothing really serious.
Now the times that I was coprescribed 1mg of Xanax alongside 2mg clonazepam, my hands would shake and I actually had to wean down a little slowly.

I have been taking it for over 2 years so that's why I am tapering slowly.

How long were/are you using benzos before coming off them?
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Tainted on October 31, 2021, 07:39:49 PM
Hi @Tainted ! Glad to see you back, very much so.


Is clonazepam really that hard to get off of for you? I've had other friends have issues with it, but it's the only benzo that only gives me mild wd. I've come off it three times, normally around 3-6mg a day and I would just drop my dose straight to half a mg at night for a few weeks then I'd stop taking it. I'd get at most 4-5 restless nights and major rebound anxiety, but nothing really serious.
Now the times that I was coprescribed 1mg of Xanax alongside 2mg clonazepam, my hands would shake and I actually had to wean down a little slowly.

I have been taking it for over 2 years so that's why I am tapering slowly.

How long were/are you using benzos before coming off them?

Glad to see this website is still up and running with you at the helm. Hope there's still a lot of people from the old days around.

I've been prescribed them on and off for like 13 years, but normally I'd only be on them for a year to 18 months before I moved and needed to find a new doctor, so less time for sure. I also had a tendency to take really high doses the first two weeks I had my script and then take smaller doses the last two, so my dose has never been very consistent, which may account for why I've had less trouble. It's just odd that if I take any other benzo like I do kpins, I get withdrawal very quickly after a steady low dose, just doesn't happen like that with clonazepam for me though.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on October 31, 2021, 07:58:11 PM
so you never really took them daily ?

I am worried about PAWS - see the ASTON info at http://www.benzo-case-japan.com/ashton-manual-8-english.php#top for more info.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Tainted on October 31, 2021, 08:05:55 PM
so you never really took them daily ?

I am worried about PAWS - see the ASTON info at http://www.benzo-case-japan.com/ashton-manual-8-english.php#top for more info.
Oh no, I definitely took them every day, just my dosing was inconsistent. So the first two weeks I may take 6mg a day then the last two weeks I'd take 1mg at most every night.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on October 31, 2021, 08:11:03 PM
Well that gives me hope !

I am now down to 6 mg a day of Diazepam, dropping down by 1 mg per week.

I need to get my sleep back as I have been drinking too.

I am trying to keep the alcohol down to a minimum though.

Did you know that 1 mg of Clonaz is equal to about 20 mg of Diaz ? K-pins are the strongest benzo i believe ...

Are you still taking benzos ?

EDIT: Tainted has not used them for over a year.

Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: g on November 01, 2021, 01:11:13 AM
@Chip - congratulations on the methadone taper - I just wanted to offer you a tip on somethings you can do to help with your tapering and once you're completely off it. first, get your general practitioner/psychiatrist to rx you some ropinirole (https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a698013.html) and/or clonidine (https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682243.html) however, don't let them sucker you into rx'ing you hydroxyzine (https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682866.html), it has zero effects and that's what I've witnessed myself and from so many others.

I've done it all, I've tapered off methadone, buprenorphine, and a plethora of benzodiazepines (BZD.) I recently checked into detox back in July because I was taking 10x2mg alprazolam and shooting 1.5-2 grams of fentanyl daily.  my psychiatrist was dumbfounded how I was still alive and not to mention hadn't overdosed either.  anyway, if you have any questions, I'd be happy to help - I did see another post of yours about a BZD tapering regime also, so if you'd like some tips from a veteran I'm here.

again, congrats on everything you're doing and best wishes,
g.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: Chip on November 01, 2021, 01:17:31 AM
@g Thank you.

I finished the Methadone taper a long time ago and have no interest in going back there so I don't need any auxiliary meds..

My current problem is that I am drinking too much and I have to work on that.

Yes, I am also doing a benzo detox and have given up smoking - getting too old now to trash my health even further as I am almost 60 now.

I'd be keen to hear about your BZD taper from that huge amount of alprazolam please.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: g on November 01, 2021, 01:24:23 AM
@Chip shoot me a chat message.
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: bignasty on November 02, 2021, 11:53:54 AM
for anyone reading this and needing advice or just wanting to know about quitting methadone, I finally got off 'done after being on it since late 2012. The only other time I quit was when my first child was 6 mos old, I quit for 2 days before taking bupe/suboxone which was followed by 2 weeks of hell on Earth while my body had the 'done and bupe fighting over opioid receptors. Felt bad for about a month with the first 2 weeks being hell on Earth and the first 5 days being the 7th layer of hell or whatever they say to make hell even worse.

I quit 'done this time in Dec. 2020 but I'd take my old lady's take-home bottle every Saturday for about 2-3 mos. During this time I was also using heroin/fent but it honestly didn't cover the 'done withdrawal except for the short period of time that I was actually high. I'd do my last shot of dope then be throwing up, sneezing, runny nose, the shits, etc.. like 12-16 hours later when it usually takes me 24 hours to get sick when not taking 'done or coming off 'done.

I was scared to take sub because of my previous bouts with PWD and knowing that 'done stays in your system (or MY system) a LONG time. I even went CT for 3-5 days a few times since being off 'done. The best thing that worked during 'done WD was clonazolam, flualprazolam, and flubromazolam as it killed all the fiending anxiety and actually made me forget about being sick and allowed me to sleep/nod even when CT'ing fent and going thru the long term effects of coming off 'done. The best I've felt without real opiates/opioids is when I finally got the balls to take bupe/sub after taking about 2mg's of clonazolam. This was after about 4 months of absolutely no 'done whatsoever. The RC benzo gave me the balls to take sub and let me fall asleep after taking it. Being able to sleep when first starting sub made it so much better than any other time I've started bupe/sub.

So my point is or my advice is the following:
1) short acting opioids/opiates for a certain amount of time depending on how long you've been taking 'done and how much you've been taking
2) lots of time between taking 'done and bupe/sub
3) lots of benzo's with (or without) bupe/sub (this may be dangerous so be careful) if you have a large tolerance to opioids AND benzo's. The strong RC benzo's is what helped me the most as they give me a good buzz without opioids/opiates. If you don't have a benzo tolerance, you might want to try these strong benzo's without any opioids since there's a risk for OD when taken with opioids and you might not need any opioids depending on how sick you are from opioid WD. It's harder to OD on benzo's alone so you can take pretty large doses of benzo's without OD'ing but be careful about doing shit while blacked out. Have a sitter or somebody to make sure you won't do anything too stupid if you decide to try large benzo doses alone without opioids. If you're going to take bupe/sub or even weak opioids like codeine, you can't go big with the benzo's unless you already have a large tolerance to opioids and benzo's. Also, even if you have what you believe is a large benzo tolerance to clonazepam/alprazolam/lorazepam/diazepem, the strong RC benzo's are a completely different beast and are MUCH stronger


Feel like I'm leaving something out so hit me up if you need advice on quitting methadone
Title: Re: Methadone Detox / Taper Regimen
Post by: g on November 13, 2021, 10:16:08 AM
So my point is or my advice is the following:
1) short acting opioids/opiates for a certain amount of time depending on how long you've been taking 'done and how much you've been taking
2) lots of time between taking 'done and bupe/sub
3) lots of benzo's with (or without) bupe/sub (this may be dangerous so be careful) if you have a large tolerance to opioids AND benzo's. The strong RC benzo's is what helped me the most as they give me a good buzz without opioids/opiates. If you don't have a benzo tolerance, you might want to try these strong benzo's without any opioids since there's a risk for OD when taken with opioids and you might not need any opioids depending on how sick you are from opioid WD. It's harder to OD on benzo's alone so you can take pretty large doses of benzo's without OD'ing but be careful about doing shit while blacked out. Have a sitter or somebody to make sure you won't do anything too stupid if you decide to try large benzo doses alone without opioids. If you're going to take bupe/sub or even weak opioids like codeine, you can't go big with the benzo's unless you already have a large tolerance to opioids and benzo's. Also, even if you have what you believe is a large benzo tolerance to clonazepam/alprazolam/lorazepam/diazepem, the strong RC benzo's are a completely different beast and are MUCH stronger


Feel like I'm leaving something out so hit me up if you need advice on quitting methadone

switching from methadone to buprenorphine is a complete nightmare due to the half-life of methadone, however, I wouldn't suggest using short-acting opioids to help cope with the withdrawals because it just prolongs the ability to start the buprenorphine.  sadly; the only thing you can do is grin and bear it, or actually sweat and swear it.

when I was on methadone I was on 100mg for 5 years and then tapered down to 35mg and then stopped using it for 5 days and had even then when I started the buprenorphine I still had some precipitated withdrawals, just not that severe but as I continued to dose the bupe I noticed it got better and better, buprenorphine just has such a strong binding affinity that when you take it if there's anything on your μ-opioid (MOR) receptors it kicks them off, I would recommend possible getting some benzodiazepines during the withdrawals before the switch but that's between a doctor and you, I don't recommend scoring them off the street or the web and risking not getting what you need.

anyway; just my twenty cents.

g.
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