All in the mind???

[Fluoro]

As some of you may know, I am currently on a stable dose of 115ml Methadone 1mg/1ml. I have been on Methadone since September 2003, and on my current dose for 21months.

I know it may sound stupid, but as a lot of withdrawal is psychological, would it be possible to stop my Methadone immediately without any withdrawal symptoms, if i put myself in the right frame of mind?

[Jim]

The only person I knew who did this successfully (although he said he had slight withdrawals) left the country to travel round the world crewing on luxury yachts.

However as soon as he came back to his local area (7 years later) he went straight back on the gear which is when I met him.

I think this would be extremely difficult an inadvisable and  I don't know what the right state of mind is.  Totally distracted by other things I suppose.

[simon]

I don't think I'd advise it, I've used Hypnotherapy for people who have used Crack and Amfetamine but Methadone is a different beast.

[1lucky1]

I think it would take something like a huge lottery win, not to feel withdrawn.....and still things like sleep would be affected.
I wouldn't adise it. I've stopped before with no help and by day 6 I felt bad. I was crawling the walls.

[Tony.B.]

Tomo mate
Please, i am usually very open to ALL methods of recovery, i repeat please rethink or just chill for a mo and think about what has brought this/these thoughts about, if indeed they are there or you could be playing devil's advocate i dunno.
There is no way on this beautiful Universe that i would advise this course of action. Tho i also feel that i am not in a position to advise anyone not to do it. If that makes any sense???
You sent the 'willies' shivering up and down my spine mate. Shake it off.....right i'm back. One Hundred and fifteen mls is no mean dose mate so you wouldn't want to 'play around' with it.
Please take care Tomo
Post again to update us eh.
Very Best
Tony B

[Janice]

How often have I wished for just that!
A way to  stop, with no withdrawal! just by getting my head in the right place.
I do think that by having your head right you can make the process a lot easier on yourself, having alot to occupy yourself with can help enormously or others prefer doing nothing, but I think your gonna get some symptoms! or is it just that we need to suffer to believe we have made it?

IMHO I would really consider at least halving your dose before trying to stop.

[Fluoro]

Sorry for taking my time in replying to your posts...It was'nt something I was contemplating on doing in the near future. I suppose I was just being curious.

I'm in total agreement with Janice's point though, as a person who gets bored very easily, I constantly feel the need to be doing something and when/if the time comes for me to get off Methadone, I know my biggest battle will be boredom.

As I'm stable on the 115ml, I don't get intoxicated from it,but at the same time I get naturally high off the routine it instills into my life (sad to some, I know).

Another point I wanted to ask about was, the chemist I go to has a girl whos about 21 working as an assistant, she's really attractive, and under normal circumstances would of asked her out for a drink, but my mate says she won't be interested in me because of the Methadone...I know this isnt a dating website, but I would really appreciate any views, especially female views.

Thanks in advance...

[1lucky1]

Firstly, borderm was what got me started on Opiates. Secondly, I know where your coming from about asking out a girl who sees you most days fetching your script.
Don't go straight in for the kill.
First day say hi,
Second day mention the weather etc,
and so on.
I'm sure by the end of the week you'll have some idea wether or not you have a chance?
Trouble is. If your chemist is like mine....it's always packed full of golden oldies!
Good luck....you don't know if you don't try?!

[karen]

hi tomo

i hope i have replied correctly and i've not deleted what you posted ,i'm still trying to suss modern technology out (so sorry if i did this wrong) anyway regarding your question about the girl in the pharmacy,

your still a human being wheather your on methadone or not you still eat,sleep,breath and have feelings like anyone else,so go for it ask her out what've you got to loose she will either say yay or nay ,lifes too short.

I dont know if they would be any rules as to if staff cannot date a customer? i cant see it  so go on me laddo ask her for a date

good luck karen
[/quote]

[leecollingham]

this is something that is not reccomended however thousands have had to do such a task when taken it to custody through no choice of their own (although usually reluctanytly) and on the main endure it. sometimes for up to 3 months and very uncomfortably off vrying levels (not 100 0/0 sure of dosages)

[Tony.B.]

BTW
I am sure Lee is referring to rapid detox or even the 'cold turkey' and NOT chatting up the local pharmacy ass.
Karen heartfelt and good advice. Nice one.
Tomo mate you are indeed human and probably more sensitve than your average 'Joe' so this young Lady could be in for a treat. You never know what anyone is thinking esp. when hormones are involved.
Regarding her contract, not sure 100%, tho i would have thought it would be frowned upon.
One must ask if it would be 'frowned upon' due to you being a general customer, then fine but if due to your meds/treatment then obvuiously it's not right and an affront to dignity and respect.
Mind you i think you also should attempt to avoid putting her in a awkward situation.
Maybe a 'chance' meeting during her lunchhour or suchlike would be the optimal approach. She has obviously turned your head my friend, looking all caring and such. Bless.
Your humanity is a tribute to you Tomo
Very Best
Tony B

[annaM]

Hi Tomo

You asked for female views, so heres mine. I don't claim to hold magic answers though


I think everyone covered everything about coming off meth fast. It works for some but very few. A lot of people (myself included) have had to do this when entering prison, but most of the time it failed leaving cravings for gear at the first available opp. The right frame of mind is hard to keep together once the real hard core withdrawal comes on. At your dose it won't just be psychological.

As for the girl, I think people with an understanding of medicines see methadone a little differently (one would hope anyway), see the person rather than just a drug user. The problem comes ( in trying to weigh up any opp for a personal relationship) with knowing/judging whether the other person is keen or not. You need to assess whether or not you could handle her saying no, whether she would feel comfortable, and whether there may be an issue with her being attached to the chemist you pick up from. Has she ever given you cause to think that she was being more than just a friendly caring professional? Do you think that this may be influencing your decision to come off your meds fast? Are you feeling lonely? Do you have contact with many other women?

When I was feeling stable, I developed a slight crush on my GP, I never acted upon it and it passed, looking back I see it occurred because he was someone who saw and treated me like a real person, not just a drug user. I am not suggesting this is the case for you, but sometimes we look within a circle instead of out of it because its easier. This happens all of the time in fellowships, doctors & rehabs, etc, often with really neg results.

You would seem to have more to lose than in a reg situation, because ultimately you could end up feeling crap about attending that chemist if she said no, or she may feel she needed to stop talking to you as she has been doing.

Time and patience is sometimes the best thing in cases like this. There is no immediate urgency in getting a date right now, and it could be that once you have sorted out your issues that would be a better time to make a move.

There are a sea of women out there all looking for a 'good guy'. A mass of women who could not care where you have been but are interested in who you are now and where you are going. Focus on getting yourself over these last hurdles to the place you want to be and everything may fall into place.

As I said, I really don't have any magic answers lol

I wish you the best
Anna

[Fluoro]

Once again I'm really sorry for taking my time to reply to your posts. I really appreciate you all posting your opinions to my dilemma.

To answer AnnaM's point about loneliness, I'm 28 and (without being big headed) have never had problems in attracting females, however since I've been on Methadone, I hav'nt had a girlfriend, so I suppose I am feeling lonely.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply...

[froude]

COMPLETELY OFF YOUR HEAD THINKING YOU CAN JUST STOP YOUR METH,YOU WILL BE RIDING YOUR BIKE MATE.CLIMING THE WALLS.115MILS IS NOT A DOSE YOU CAN TAKE LIGHTLY.BRING YOUR DOSE DOWN,PERSONALLY I WOULDNT DO IT.GOOD LUCK.FROUDE

[Claire B]

Hi. I wasnt using the Forum when the original thread was started,froude has just bought it alive again and I have read through it.
I work in a pharmacy, and there would be no reason why anyone shouldn't ask a member of staff out. In actual fact it does happen quite abit(and it makes us feel good!)(it doesnt happen to me so much   now I am an old lass!). The fact that the medication you were on was Methadone wouldn't make a difference, the fact that you waere seeing her already everyday would be a plus.... however, I always think what would happen if things didnt work out. Would you still be happy going in every day? But give it a go. If she is not interested then she will probably say that she is flattered(and she will be) and in a stable relationship... she could just as easily say yes to a drink!