Methadone Detox 2nd Edition: A Do It Yourself Guide

By T3 Publications

Methadone Detox 2nd Edition is a guide to help people get off methadone in a way that is medically safe, and also maximizes their chances of avoiding a relapse. Written by a Methadone Treatment Counselor, there are numerous case studies presented, so you can avoid the mistakes of others. Most people who detox do not plan to fail, they fail to plan. Contained in this book are numerous detox plans including long term, rapid detox, and cold-turkey. You will learn ideas, tips, and safety measures. There is also a review of vitamins, minerals, supplements, over the counter medications, and herbs to help manage your withdrawals and cravings.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Apr 28, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543900903

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Getting Started

Methadone treatment has been around since the 1960’s and hundreds of thousands of people have detoxed off of illicit opiates with the help of methadone. The truth is however, that the vast majority of home-detoxer’s do not last more than a few days when they either relapse back into opiate and heroin abuse, or get back into methadone treatment with a renewed energy to do it right this time.

Regardless of your reason for wanting to come off methadone, your reasoning may change once you begin to feels the pangs of withdrawals. As a methadone treatment counselor, I have this happen many times over. I’ve watched many of my patients quit cold-turkey with strong will and determination, only to return to the clinic after a few days.

WARNING: The material presented in this book is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse now defines addiction as a chronic relapsing disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences.

Let’s analyze part of the definition presented above. The National Institute on Drug Abuse defines addiction as a chronic (life-long) relapsing disease. If this definition is true, then addicts will relapse repeatedly throughout their lives. Have you relapsed before? How many times?

In my practice as a Counselor, I see that this definition is accurate. Almost all of my patients have relapsed several times, and that’s why many choose to remain on methadone indefinitely. Many clients tell me, I know that methadone is safe, and it keeps me out of trouble, and it allows me to keep money in my pocket, and so I just want to stay on it.

A patient in methadone maintenance , and dosing daily at their correct dose level, will not relapse. If they do relapse into heroin and pain pill usage then their dose levels of methadone was too low. I often tell my patients that they have an opiate dose level that will keep their opiate receptors satisfied for 24 hours. And, if your opiate receptors are satisfied for 24 hours and you dose every day, then you will not need any other opiates. In addition, you will be stable on methadone and have clean drug screens. However, if you take methadone daily and you are not getting the correct dose level, because you are under-dosing, then you will likely go out and find the additional opiates that you need to fill the gap. In other words, methadone may satisfy your opiate dependency up to say 80% for a given day, but an opiate dependent person will usually to go out and find the other 20% of their needs with illicit opiates. In such a case like this, your methadone dose is too low, and your drug screens will be dirty. It doesn’t cost you one penny more to go up on your methadone dose level, so why not take your dose up? I suggest you go up on your methadone dose level, to get it up to the point where it covers you for 24 hours. I suggest you get your dose up to where you get 24 hours of total relief from withdrawals and cravings. It is only at this point that you are at your stable dose level also known as your therapeutic dose level. If you are dosing at less than your stable dose level you will likely run into trouble.

Patient’s who dose at their stable dose levels everyday are the ones who Phase up and get take home doses. In addition, these patients are the ones who get a good night’s sleep, go on to recover their careers, stay out of jail, avoid disease, go back to school, start businesses, save money, get promotions, rebuild their families, and avoid relapse.

CASE STUDY: I have one client who told me he relapsed for 9 months, and in that time frame he sold his house, sold his business on