I was on Methadone maintenance for 2 years
taking 160mg a day. Last year, around
November, I started to wean myself down
(the clinic I went to provided no support)
10mg a week until I got to 40 mg. Then, I
came down about 5mg a week until I got to
20 mg. After that, I came down 1-2mg a
week. I have been off of Methadone for 31
days now and still feel really bad
(diarrhea, shakiness, apathy, ]]more
anxiety, depression, no apetite, sex
drive, no emotion). How long will it take
until some of these symptoms subsid and I
feel better?
According to the symptoms you describe
(diarrhea, shakiness, apathy, more
anxiety, depression, no appetite, sex
drive, no emotion) and data about
decreasing the Methadone dosage... you
could be experiencing a withdrawal crises
combined with anxious-depressive disorder.
Methadone causes withdraw syndrome
symptoms that are similar to those
experienced on heroin.
Treating addiction from heavy drugs like
heroin can very complicated. The most
important thing in treating heroin abuse
is not decreasing a methadone dose but
preventing a relapse to heroin use.
Changing the addiction from heroin to
methadone (methadone program) is the first
step in many treatment programs. A
methadone treatment program can last for
different durations of time depending upon
the individual. A decrease in the dose
of methadone is not as simple as you
think. In many cases, a methadone
treatment program can last for life....
but some feel that methadone is better
than heroin abuse b/c people on a
methadone program can live fairly
normally.
You must consult a specialist for treating
drug abuse as you decrease the dosage of
methadone.
There are physical withdrawal symptoms
that can be monitored by a treatment
specialist. You can also attend 12 step
meetings like Narcotics Anonymous, or
Alcoholics Anonymous to have a support
group who understands what you're going
through, and to learn new strategies for a
life without drugs.
DISCLAIMER: "Ask a Doctor" Questions are answered by family doctors who practice medicine for the general public. For more information about eHealthForum.com medical experts, please visit our About Us page. You may also visit our Addiction, Recovery Forum, for moderated patient to patient support and information.
The material presented in the eHealth Forum Discussion Forums and Ask A Doctor is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified licensed medical professional. eHealth Forum and eHealth Forum's Ask A Doctor advises all users with health problems and concerns to consult their personal doctors. Furthermore, if you have any questions or concerns about your condition, you must consult your qualified licenseced medical professional before starting any treatment.
The materials in the eHealth Forum Discussion Forums and Ask A Doctor cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. To the fullest extent possible, eHealth Forum and eHealth Forum's Ask A Doctor expressly excludes all liability in respect of the information and opinions contained in the Discussion Forums and Ask A Doctor, this Web site, or any sites linked to this Web site.
