Author: Bboy42287
Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 9:12 pm
Yea Travis who ever told you to not detox off suboxone before starting methadone maintenance was a complete dumbass. That goes to show not all DR in this field have any clue what they are doing whether it was the methadone clinic DR or Nurse or your Sub DR should of really not told you that. and it scares me to think that a DR would tell you that I mean that shit is just common sense that you have to detox off suboxone before going back to a full antagonist. I was on suboxone for 5 years and just switched over to methadone a few months ago without any problems what so ever so it can be done just has to be done properly like with any suboxone detox to start a full antagonist. I myself went about 6 days with no suboxone what so ever after a rapid detox I did over just under 2 weeks, so just about 3 weeks total. As of were a clinic will start your dose it is a law in every state in the USA that they can’t go any higher than 40mg no matter how big your tolerance is and I was on 24mg of suboxone and I felt my first dose with the taper/detox I did. But methadone works different for everyone it is very individualized actually with how it will work.
But no Subdoc no matter how fast your metabolism is you cannot just jump right to methadone from suboxone, you would basically be wasting the methadone because you would not fell any effect from it in anyway. You would not go into WD because your body will get the opiate that is true. Every clinic is different with my clinic it didn’t come up because I knew I had to detox of suboxone to start methadone and my advice do a proper taper and detox you would benefit much more from it because if the methadone doesn’t work the first couple days you might end up on a higher dose than you really need by the time it does ware off like with what happen to Travis. Also all methadone clinics do blood work now before they will even accept you into the program period along with drug testing of course so if you pop up for suboxone that could be a problem which is another reason you should do a proper taper and detox so if that is an issue you won’t have to worry about it. As of the blood work they test for STDs of course and a couple other things I can’t remember. You will also have to go over a long list of medications with the DR and if you are on any of these they might not allow you in the program or you will have to stop them before your first dose the main one being benzos and some SSRI meds as well. This won’t be a issue for you but HIV medications can play a big role in how methadone works too. But all clinics are different some allow benzos patients others don’t it all depends on how the DR works his program really each DR has different views and opinions. But I will be honest with you a lot more clinics are staying away from allowing benzos patients in their programs now. Because the mixture of the 2 drugs methadone and benzos basically mimics the high you would get from heroine. BUT MORE THAN ANYTHING THE MIXTURE IS VERY DANGEROUS. Actually in a lot of cases people get a better high from this mixture than there drug of choice and that is why most methadone overdoses occur with benzos.
And then the big question at hand getting into a methadone clinic, I know you don’t want to hear this but many clinics have very long waiting list with a DR referral or not you might not get in right away just because you have a referral. And I know this might crush you but the reality is you might not be starting methadone for a couple months maybe even a year depending on how backed up your clinics waiting list is. That is just how it works and I know a lot of people say well I might be dead from a OD by the time I get into this program, and that sucks but that’s how it is man sorry to say it sucks but there are a lot less clinics than there use to be. But at the same time I could be wrong and the DR referral might be enough so don’t come to any conclusions till you find out yourself. Your best bet is have your suboxone/mental health DR call and see what the best route is for you take to get into the clinic. If you have to call every day to see if any changes have happen with the waiting list do it just don’t give up and when your turn comes whether it be days,months or how ever long it will come I promise you that. I was in the same boat your were 5 months ago trying to get into a clinic but hear I am now on methadone happy as I have ever been in the last 12 years of my life and owe it all to methadone and of course myself doing the program, seeing my counselors going to groups and all that other fun stuff.One thing I want to point out is how I said I am as happy as I ever been in the last 12 years because of methadone. That has nothing to do with how methadone makes me feel and I am sick of a lot of the BS rumors and stigmas that follow this drug. IF taken properly and under the right care it will not get you high or buzzed let me repeat it will not get you high or buzzed. If you get a increase yes you will get a lil buzz I am not going to lie but it goes away once your body is used to it. Just like with suboxone when we first started it we got high as hell and over time that wore off. I think so many people think these drugs are so different and yes they are in some aspect but I have been on both and can tell you they are no different at the end of the day. Methadone keeps my cravings away just like Sub did methadone keeps me out of WDs, it also allows me to live a normal life just like suboxone does for all of you.
Like i said man just keep at it and you will catch a brake sooner or later! I said a prayer for you just not and I really hope everything works out for the best but don’t get discouraged if you cant start methadone right away either.
Keep your head up
Brent
