Methadone for Opiate Withdrawal User Reviews (Page 3)

• Blu...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 3, 2016

"I made the mistake of taking methadone for 6+ years. It first was given to me for substance abuse, which kept me clean. 2 years later I learned I was diagnosed with lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, neuropathy, and my teeth are breaking from lack of bone nutrition. So now I take it for pain. Methadone has caused my teeth to fall out. And doctors say methadone assisted in these diagnoses. I'm stuck on it now per doctors' orders, if not, the withdrawals could kill me since I also have high blood pressure. I recommend if anyone does get methadone to just use it for 3-6 months at no higher than 65-75 mg. The higher you go, the more tolerance your body makes. Please research the drug to see if you're a good candidate for short/long term use."

• Lin...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 25, 2016

Methadone "From 1989-1984 was a very heavy heroin addict. I got into a methadone program. This is important: I was started on 80 mg, went up to 150 mg for a few months, then ended up in a mental health hospital, was hallucinating, not sleeping for two weeks. The private clinic I was going to had a dispensing nurse stealing my dose. The police came to take me home, I was so paranoid I was checked for coke, meth, and methadone. NOTHING in my system. Not even methadone. My current doctor saved my life. Came to mental health, started me on 80 mg. Was out after a week. 20 years, it has saved my life. I'm 60 in May 2016, have a 20-year-old daughter, she had NO withdrawal at birth. Normal for over 20 years."

• jus...
• December 15, 2009

Methadone "I have to agree it is a good medicine to detox on, however, your detox from the Methadose is going to be a long, hard road. Unless you are planning on staying on it forever, you can count on a long, hard withdrawal. It does work wonders for pain, but when you move away or get cut off, it lands you in a situation of finding another doctor to write for it or the dreaded methadone clinics that charge $11 to $15 a day! Wonderful for pain, even got me up and mobile."

• Hap...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 15, 2015

"I used opiates for 3 years after my son was born. I struggled with everyday life, even making food or changing diapers if I didn't have some sort of opiate first thing in the morning. I was spending most of our money on drugs, and my baby was seeing me sick day after day... (He was ALWAYS taken care of, that was never an issue)... I finally had enough of trying to scheme doctors into giving me painkillers... I was sick of hard-earned money going up my nose... I was an addict, and I needed to just admit it already!! I found a methadone clinic very close to my home and made the appointment in January 2015. I am almost a year clean and happier than ever! I work every day and take care of my family with no problem! Methadone saved my life, no doubt!!"

• Asi...
• June 25, 2019

"I have been addicted to opiates for 25 yrs, been in and out of methadone maintenance for 10 yrs. I'm currently on Methadone and have been clean from opiates since 2015! I strongly agree with the methadone maintenance program. Although it can have its ups and downs, as with anything in life. Long story short, this works!! As long as you do understand, tapering down slowly is the key! What goes up must come down. Overall, it has been one of the best things the USDA has offered us addicts!!"

• Not...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 1, 2020

"I have been on methadone for 14 years. The reason for me ending up on it was a lot of bouncing back and forth. I have chronic pain in the low back. I was hit by a forklift that ruptured 3 of my discs and tore a hole in my S1, so I started on Percocet, moved to oxycodone (Percocet without acetaminophen). I slowly started to misuse them since they didn’t work right after a while. Then I was put on fentanyl patches. When my employer found out I was on fentanyl, they said I wasn’t suitable for safety-oriented work, so I had to [stop] them, which made me feel like I was withdrawing. Of course, like so many others, I turned to heroin, shooting up 5-10 times a day, which got me arrested. That’s when I went to treatment. This medication, methadone, works. I go down 1 mg a week, I’m now at 26 mg and dropping. I think there’s a point where if you use it, work the program, and always remember you're an addict. You need to cut people that are toxic out of your life. PS: I haven’t used dope in 6 years. Trust, until you're clean and using only methadone, it won’t work. Good luck to everyone."

• can...
• May 7, 2015

Methadone "I'm a heroin addict for almost 2 years, my tolerance is 1.5 - 2 bundles a day. One day someone told me if you're hooked on dope, you're going to lose everything. I was like, nothing is stronger than me and my will, I never thought that such a thing can control your life. You feel like a prisoner. My daughter is almost one year old, and the last time I saw her was over 6 months ago. My wife moved out, and I'm about to lose them for good. I can't live like that anymore. It's so hard. I've tried Suboxone, but I think I should try methadone first 'cause it's stronger, and my habit is bad. I want to kick this addiction as fast as I can, and I don't want to be hooked on meth or Suboxone for more than 6 months. I'm just asking you for advice: start with methadone or Suboxone?"

• Anonymous
• October 14, 2011

Methadone "Only bad side effect... it takes all the water out of your intestinal tract, so when you go to take a dump, it's like squeezing out a very hard, dry brick! And it is NO JOKE! I highly advise drinking lots of water beforehand to lower the effects of this."

• jor...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 19, 2014

"I've been on methadone diskettes for about 6 months now, 200 mgs/day. I feel so much better now that I'm not spending time and money on trying to score. I have a job, money, and a productive lifestyle. Methadone has saved my life. $25/day is way less than my $150-200/day habit."

• kas...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 15, 2015

Methadone "I'm at 110 mgs a day, kept me clean from other opiates now for a year, only downfall is that it doesn't seem to last as long as I need it to, by the early evening I feel down and weak and not to mention the dry constipation.... But really how can I complain? I'd take a little weakness and dry shit any day over the life I had during my addiction. Not only has this helped me with an addiction but with chronic back pain, I have degenerative disc disease, ruptured, slipped, and bulging disc in my back, for the most part Methadose controls my severe pain... I thank God for it but I truly don't want to be on this my entire life.. 26-year-old female."

• Nat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 9, 2016

"I am currently about 6 months into my methadone treatment. Before methadone, I was using heroin in an extreme amount. Now I am on 165 ml of methadone a day from the clinic up the road. It has saved my life. I know that there are side effects just like those that come with all medications. But where I am right now in my life, I would not be alive if it were not for methadone and the treatment that I received from the people around here at the clinic. I recommend methadone for anyone out there struggling with opiate dependence and wanting to turn their life around for the better. It is true, just like they say, when I was using dope, the dope was in the driver's seat. Now that I am on methadone, I am back in the driver's seat!"

• kac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2015

"Methadone saved my life, all the negative reviews on other sites are simply biased. I'm sure some had truly bad experiences, but it's only human nature to go out of your way to post something bad rather than something positive. I've been on methadone for almost 3 months, and I'm holding stable at 85 mg of liquid dosing at the clinic every morning. Mid-November, I'll have qualified for my second weekly take-home, since Sunday is automatic when you start. Only for about the first week did I have drowsiness. I've been 100% clean off of all other substances since day one. Clean urines. I came home and got clean when I had my son this past summer, and without him as my motivation and methadone as my help, I can easily say I wouldn't be sitting here."

• Qan...
• April 4, 2021

"Do go onto methadone, then taper off. It got me clean, but if I had rehab or any kind of help, I'd have been clean 10 years ago. If you have to go onto it, do then stop. You are not clean on methadone, and the people who supply it to you use it as a way of controlling you. Your brain chemicals may change after prolonged use, but they change back. Get willpower, rewire your brain. I have used Class A drugs every day of my life since I was a teen, then methadone for nearly 20 years. I tapered myself off, it is easy if you do it slowly and your way. You can do it. Exercise, change your whole life. If you want it, you can. If not, there is no shame in staying on methadone, but you will never be free, and it will always be used against you. I've never met a good CPN, I've never met a nice nurse or doctor. I think they do not like you if you are on methadone, or I feel they think you are scum. Use this energy to get clean. I did and am now involved in the legalization of all drugs and REAL help for people."

• Anonymous
• September 6, 2018

"I have been on methadone now for 1 year, it was the best decision I ever made. I had a 10 1/2 hour neck surgery, 4-level disc fusion, and was on pain meds for 15 years, and no, they did not work. I was always looking every day to buy some off the street. The money I spent, it was terrible. I was sick every day, and the only thing I could think about was where I was going to get my next pain pill. So, coming to the clinic is the best choice I ever made, so I have been clean for 1 year. I go shopping every day. Life is wonderful."

• mrs...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 23, 2013

"Wonderful medicine when used properly. Saved my life, helped my depression. Improved quality of life 100%. PS: To everyone still feeling badly after getting off methadone, I think you are depressed and need treatment. Please see your doctor. There is no reason to go through life feeling sick all the time."

• Ant...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2020

"When I wanted to quit opiates, I thought Suboxone was my only choice. I was on Suboxone for over 4 years after a 3-year rapid addiction to opiates. I thought Suboxone was all great because I didn't have to use to feel okay. But little did I know, basically the only time I was somewhat happy was when I relapsed and used. Suboxone drains your mind, yes, it is an opiate blocker, but I swear on everything it BLOCKS A LOT more than just opiates. It blocked my happiness and my emotions. I relapsed numerous times, causing me to have horrible depression and anxiety. Last month, I was on 24 mg of Suboxone (the highest I have ever been). I was done, so I made the switch to methadone. I'm only on 45 mg at the moment, but I already feel WAY better, best decision I have ever made. I wish I knew about this 4 years ago. My new life and journey begins!"

• Sti...
• March 6, 2015

"Methadone saved my life! I've been clean for 6 years now thanks to methadone. If it wasn't for methadone, I'd be dead right now, I'm sure of it. My life is so much better now! Thank God for this medicine. I would suggest this option for anyone who's struggling with opiate addiction."

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 15, 2016

"I'm a mother of a patient, and I'm researching the effects of the use of the drug methadone as my daughter is getting the highest dosage allowed at the clinic in an upscale area of Southwest Ohio. I drive a semi-truck to support us. This drug seems to be making our relationship worse than I thought would be possible. I'm seeing an overall moody, irritable, overreacting person who doesn't want to make time for me when I get back from driving over the road for weeks at a time. My job affords us the most expensive place we have ever lived, a nice car, and plenty of food for both of us. I pray my daughter can be set free from the cycles of use and abuse of anything, but I don't think this medicine is the answer. Severe constipation throws a lot of toxins into the body."

• Det...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 15, 2014

Methadone "Starting the methadone treatment was the best thing for me. It saved my life, turned my life around for the better, just when I thought I was at the end of the rope, that I just wanted to die. Someone told me about the methadone, I tried it, and it worked."

• Ash...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 27, 2019

"I’m 28 years old, a mother to a beautiful two-year-old, and have been on the methadone maintenance program for over three years now. I was put on methadone after I became pregnant, like many others. I was severely reluctant because of bad associations and opinions I always heard about the program. Honestly, today, I can say methadone has saved my life. I know I would’ve ended up dead, like so many others close to me. Right now, after weekly counseling and group, I am tapering down from 120 mg. You build yourself up to a stable dose, you no longer think of using, and pair it with treatment or counseling for issues you’ve been avoiding, it is a tool to relearn life again. I was able to repair so much. I tapered from heroin many times cold turkey in a cell. I have control of this, they allow you to pace yourself to minimize withdrawal symptoms."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 6, 2014

"I have been addicted to painkillers ever since I got out of the military. After my doctor moved, and I could not find another doctor who would prescribe me what I'd been taking, I tried to taper and quit but went into horrible withdrawals. I was so sick, luckily, my therapist recommended that I try methadone maintenance, and I'm so thankful she did! I got my life back-no more highs and lows or running out of pills, trying anything I could to get more, and worrying about withdrawals, etc. I also had suicidal thoughts and attempts. Now it's been almost two years, I've had no attempts or thoughts, and I feel my quality of life is so much better! I don't want to be a lifer on methadone and plan on tapering slowly, my current dose is 100 mg. This medicine works!"

• Lum...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 4, 2017

"I am a 39-year-old female who has been taking 120 mg of methadone daily to help with opiate addiction. I was addicted to opiates for 8 years after having several different surgeries over a 5-year span. My addiction took over my life, I was doing things I'd never otherwise have done to support my habit, eventually losing custody of my son, which was my breaking point. I found a local methadone clinic, and it saved my life, and I got custody of my son back within the first two months of starting methadone treatment. The downside is the 80 lbs I've gained, and the loss of several teeth, but honestly, that's a small price to pay to be off the horrible rollercoaster ride that drug addiction becomes. I thank God every day for this second chance at life."

• Dil...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 5, 2013

"This medication is a Godsend. It has truly saved my life, and I can finally say I am happy. The clinic kept me in check by testing me and gave me awesome counseling and group therapy. I had heard all the horror stories about methadone and how no one should ever go on it. MMT is the best thing that ever happened to me. Yes, the detox was bad, but it changed my life forever, and I am a new person."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 31, 2017

"I first got on methadone maintenance (MMT) in 1995 for an addiction to opioid pain meds. Once on, I never touched any other drug. I got my life back. I took 100 mg daily through my clinic. After 9 years, I caved to pressure from my family and 12-step group who felt that I was 'still using.' I weaned myself from MMT in two years. Within a year, I started using methamphetamine, IV heroin was next. I got back on MMT after 3 years. Been on it 8 years again. I can't stress enough how well I do on MMT. Same job, home, and freedom from the highs and lows of addiction. Only go to the clinic monthly, and I never have withdrawal. This should be the LAST RESORT opioid treatment, however."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 7, 2019

"I have overdosed three times on opiates, the last time I almost died, and since then, methadone saved my life. But if you ever go without it, for example, you can't get to the clinic, the withdrawal is 100 times worse than pill withdrawals. I've been on methadone for 20 years and will be on it till I die. For me, I know even after 20 years I would be right back on pills if methadone wasn't there for me. No matter the dose, high or low, coming off it takes time. But for me, it's worth it because it saved me."