r/Methadone

This weekend marks 1 month of not double dosing the Friday I get my 3 take homes. The best part is is that I have zero desire to double dose, especially how many of you reiterated bc of its long half life, ot can take up to a week to restabilize.

I went up yesterday as I previously posted 5mg. Not that big of a deal but it was exactly what I needed.

0 cravings! Hallelujah

Thanks everyone for the support

And sorry for sounding like a broken rexord

Maybe it’s because I’m 21 still but I don’t feel like the methadone has slowed my sex drive at all in all honesty it never has which is crazy considering I’m approaching my 2 years sober at the end of the month it’s effected my period cycles majorly at its worst I was 2 weeks - 1 month late every cycle but other then that and the sweating my sex drives been wonderful which is confusing for me since my ex partners libido tanked severely from the methadone just curious how it’s been for any other women all age ranges input would be great I’m definitely interested in what to expect in the years to come if I continue MAT since the taper can be lengthy

I guess this is as close to publicly announcing being a methadone patient as I ever have..I have always kept it under my hat as much as I could with the exception of some family ,close friends and a coworker or two thru the years. Just wondering from those who have been on as long as I have what your negative side effects have been. Me for starters, I just got my dentures after a long long wait. I had a good mom who taught me good oral hygiene. I didnt floss every single day but I did floss simi regularly and brushed every day sometimes twice. But I would say about 5 years ago my gums pulled away from my teeth, exposing parts below the enamel that was previously protected by my gums. From there it was a loosing battle, your roots are just to porous to keep all bacteria out. I blame methadone. I had some blood work done last week, I asked the doc to check my T levels. Mine was 50ng, the normal for a man my age is between 300 and 700. I blame methadone. What has the profuse sweating for no good reason done to my nervous system? You sweat to regulate your core body temp to keep it from over heating. All of those false signals telling my body to sweat because it thinks im in the desert when Im actually just chilling in a chair at room temperature. I think it has broken my internal thermometer. I will stop here for now. I stepped in that clinic on my own , I made the choice. But I was not told about, given a pamphlet to read or gently whispered to about the negative side effects years down the road. Are there any advocates out there for us? Im not looking for a handout but I have spent enough on treatment to buy a house or two.

I am not a Diana Ross fan but I do like that song :)

I have been on Methadone for almost 2 years now, and I started my taper from 180 mg about 4 months ago. I have always had dilated pupils though, even the days where I would take my full dose all at once or even double dose. I know this isn't a horrible side effect or anything and deep down, it really doesn't matter, but it just made me curious if anyone else has noticed their pupils also dilate on Methadone? Even before my taper they were like this! Opioids are obviously well known to constrict pupils, if anything, so I've always been curious as to why mine dilate. When I was on Fentanyl and Heroin, they were very constricted. The only time my pupils would dilate was when I was withdrawaling, so when I first started at the clinic, I kept going up because I thought I was in withdrawal. But no matter how high I went, they wouldn't constrict. I eventually just went back down to 180 mg and stabilized, and just decided to deal with the dilation. Has anyone else experienced this? Do you think it's just because of my high tolerance to Opioids? Could it maybe be because I have light blue eyes too? I don't take any stimulants or any other medication that could cause dilated pupils. The only reason I'm asking is because one of my coworkers commented on my pupils the other day and asked if I was rolling because of how big they were😅 It made me super self-conscious, especially because I have never been into uppers or psychedelics. TIA😊

I know I had previously posted not wanting to exceed 120mg but so many of you guys told me not to do an arbitrary dose number and I am happy I listened. I can go up in 7 days again if need be.

Thanks everyone for the advice.

Also, how long do any of you think I'll be able to tell a slight difference in my dose? 3 days?

I’ve been doing drugs and drinking since I was 12 and I’m almost 33. I’ve been in and out of rehab since I was 18. In and out lixery rehabs till I was 26. And lost my moms insurance and just went to treatment again since then last September 2025. I lasted 10 months it’s the second longest I’ve had but I’ve been on methadone the whole time. The first time I was on subs I got a year and a few months from new years 2019 to 2020. And then got on methadone and used on it and drank on it the whole time till last September. I got back on methadone November and now I’m drinking and using again on methadone. I can’t stand not being on something how do I change it. I’ve tried the whole not being a bitch thing. Am I too stubborn to even do it?

I live in New York City Staten Island to be precise. The pharmacy I go to I’ve been going to for three years for the past two weeks. I’ve been talking to a new dermatologist. I gave him the information to my pharmacy and he made a mistake and sent it somewhere else so my pharmacy calls and says “ Prescription ready pick up for *** “ I stop him to ask which ones they are because the doctor wants to make sure he sent them all.
The man on the phone replies “ NOT Controlled Substances if that’s what you’re thinking” and threw me on hold. Honestly thank god for the 10 secs on hold because it helped me think more clearly instead of handling it with my feelings. The actual pharmacist picks up the phone. 📞 “ Hey,can I speak to the pharmacist or manager? “ the pharmacist picked up “ Hi,hello this is the pharmacist.” I say “ Hello, Whoever called my phone and was the first person to initially speak to me, said something extremely inappropriate and out of line and I don’t appreciate that I’ve been a customer of your pharmacy for over three years and I’ve never been suspected to such a capacity.” The pharmacist “ he didn’t mean it like that he meant to say that we were out of all controlled substances. I go “ okay so he calls all of the clients and says exactly what he said to me ? “ he stays quiet. I say “ I think it’s extremely disrespectful and inappropriate that he said what he said to me and that also makes me uncomfortable to know that he has access to my file because that’s the only way and the reason he said what he said. People are Medically shamed everyday and the fact that you’re protecting this individual makes it worse. “ I hung up, and I cried. I’m so angry, I feel looked down on ! And my borough has a little newspaper and I want to reach out to them because I don’t think people should be looked down on because of what they are medically prescribed. That does not make someone better than the next.

EDIT :
The only controlled substance I get monthly is clonazepam. So he knew that Info to make that statement.
Please share this link so I can get out my story thank you so much ! https://nextdoor.com/p/wK8rwhwdM8cG?utm_source=share&extras=NzY1ODM1MTk%3D&share_platform=10&utm_campaign=1786060524202&share_action_id=1e537ee1-2395-4fbc-9855-d1e588fa3733

my clinic is always packed and dealers from all over start openly selling what they got, I don't blame the staff fck most are just getting buy on a community employment scheme, but today I was asked did I want any benzos now I should explain my doctors script is effexor , olanzipine , 2mg Xanax a day that's my docs scripts my clinic is methadone odd time sleepers if I can't sleep. but today I had like a half oz of weed on me I was gonna do a deal, and in that second I almost threw aways everything I've worked so hard for these last 6 years, I'm clean and sober from drugs of choice 6 yrs heroin cocaine crack and benzos . since I'm going to the clinic 6 yrs never giving a dirty in all that time should I be given the privilege of just walking straight up and out of the clinic or am I being a fucking stuck up bastard who thinks because he's got his shit together he's suddenly better than everyone else. I really hope you all don't think it's the latter as I'm a good person who goes outta his way to help get addicts in treatment 6 down a lot more to go, sorry for so much typing I just had to get this out before I bottle it up and have to go to a shitty meeting (12 steps never worked for me)

Hey everyone! Hoping to find some much needed advice on how to keep my methadone down. That’s the short version but if you want the full story I’ll post it below.

I went to the clinic for the first time yesterday. They dosed me starting at 40mg (which they do for everyone I think) going up 10 a day until I reach 70. On the first day you dose you need to sit and wait for half an hour after you swallow and let a nurse watch you incase you have any bad side effects. So I sat, and all was good but a runny nose. I did feel a flush of warmth come over my body that left pretty fast… on the way home my sister (who also dosed for the first time that morning with me) was driving and wanted to stop at Dunkin. She seemed 100% fine and so did I the only thing I noticed was I could still taste it coming up on my breath. So she got whatever she gets and since I was there I got an everything bagel w cream cheese. We got back to her house and she realized her order was wrong and sent me back to fix it, then I came back and ate half my bagel. I started feeling stranger and because I used to use nasally I always get a post nasal drip that makes me spit a few hours after not using. So I started spitting and blowing my nose again (same as I was in the office). My mouth started watering and I could taste it more and more being breathed up as I tried to breath thru my mouth to avoid post nasal drip. I left the other half of the bagel and went and laid down. For half an hour my mouth was watering like it does before you throw up and my stomach increasingly started to turn. I remember thinking fuck I don’t want to throw this shit up. So I laid and breathed thru my mouth but then I just couldn’t I was gagging trying to hold it down. I ran to the bathroom and between throwing up in the toilet would sit on the toilet and It honestly felt like wd symptoms. My bowel muscles all unclenched at once and I was constipated when I woke up that morning to go to the clinic… I was on the floor in the bathroom for like 2-3 hours. Once I finally felt a little better I started googling cause I was worried I lost my dose. It said online that as long as you didn’t throw up within 30min, the methadone has already absorbed into ur body. I threw up like 2 hours after dosing. But it scared the shit out of me to go back today and I didn’t end up going back… I plan to go tomorrow but I need to know how to make sure that doesn’t happen again because I felt like death moaning, nose and mouth dripping, exploding from both ends, dying on bathroom floor. Sorry for the picture that creates lol I just want to be detailed in the post. My sister was 100% fine and went back today… but I just can’t get sick again I was under the impression the clinic would be the least painful way but yesterday was far from that. I know it’s commonish for people to throw up their dose at first, and that’s why they watch you, but I’m just scared now I won’t be able to do this if it happens every time. Anyone have similar experiences or know what will help me as far as over the counter meds?

Hi… the specifics on how it happen don’t matter, besides I’m an idiot and while pouring water into my methadone (to dilute the taste, mine doesn’t come with water in it, and my counselor says that if you don’t, it can mess with the teeth.)

Anyways, as soon as I noticed, I threw it back like a shot.

I used a napkin to wipe up the spillage and it was pale pink instead of dark red…. But I swear it had to of been half the container.

Will I be okay, or should I take a small swig from another day? Ugh 😩

I have been on methadone (100 mg slow detoxed down to 63 mg) for 15 years now. I'm on it due to long-term prescription use for migraines.

Anyway, I have been praying that somehow I can find a way to get thru withdrawal. Then, I heard about sr-17018 and it sounded like a miracle help.

I ordered 2.5 grams 1 week ago and I have been pre-loading it at 25mgs 3 x a day.

I then heard it was being classified a schedule 1 drug and would be all but impossible to get after August 1 so I ordered 5 grams more.

Follow my journey here:

If my doctor prescribed me anti anxiety meds? I’m just curious. I am not talking about being found out by a test. I’m going through leaving an abusive partner, he’s making life impossible for me, and I can’t do it without something to help me . I made an appointment today to get clonidine hopefully, as I got it from my doctors office before years ago. If she were to offer me something that actually works a lot better for me. I’m wondering if my clinic would be alerted. I have responsibly taken benzos in the past that we’re not my prescription. I know how to not abuse them and I know that it would be a temporary thing. So I don’t need the morality police on me with this. I’m just curious if they would be alerted. Or if there’s another non-narcotic medication that is OK with the clinic that works better than clonidine. I know gabapentin used to be OK but now I’m not sure if it’s OK with the clinic because I believe it was scheduled in the last few years. I just know I need something because I can’t survive this and I have a child to take care of, so I can’t go impatient anywhere for my mind and I need to keep it together for my child.

I made a doctors appointment today with my primary care doctor because I cannot wait for a psychiatrist. It would be months. I’m leaving my abuser and I cannot handle it. I can’t be on something daily. That makes me numb because I already deal with numbness really badly and I have to parent, which is extremely hard when you’re numb. Does anyone have any recommendations for an as needed not narcotic anxiety medication? I know I already posted. I’m sorry for double posting. I’m just a wreck. I need to talk to someone and I feel safe talking to you guys. He’s purposely making my life impossible and purposely hurting our innocent very young daughter just so he can hurt me because I have to watch it.

Does anyone notice a difference in the effects of your methadone dose on a full stomach versus on an empty stomach or is the same either way?

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Long term IV heroin/fentanyl user (20yrs). Longest I've had clean was 4yrs (a lonnnnng time ago at this point) I've had a few short breaks sporadically throughout (typical short jail stints, detox attempts, etc) minimum I'd use was about $100/day...obviously there was never a maximum) so $100/day off and on for almost 20 yrs. Been going to the clinic for a couple months now, I'm currently on 85mg. It doesn't last. I go every morning just before they close.. (11:15am) so i could make it last at long as possible. By 6 or 7 pm I start going downhill. At the clinic I'm at you have to formally write a request to go up 5mg at a time and it takes a week or two to even get approved. And when I ask to go up Its like pulling teeth. I've talked to a few ladies I know who have very very similar stories to mine and it took them months and months and months to get stable. It's very discouraging. Every few days I'm still supplementing myself with fent. I don't do any other drugs or alcohol, I smoke weed, sure (don't even get me started, if you're going to judge me about weed you can kindly fuck off, that ain't gonna change) my family and friends are all straight laced (I used privately by myself for close to 10+yrs). Everyone close to me knows my situation and are super supportive however they don't understand and the last couple weeks they've lectured me and basically made me feel like I'm wasting my time and that things will never change and it seems to them as if I'm not trying hard enough. People who don't understand addiction thoroughly (particularly long term IV opiate) they just don't get it! I am trying. Idk if this is making any sense it's 5am and in soaked in sweat but freezing, legs cramping and anxiety and insomnia .... Might go to the clinic after I type this since they're open. Idk what to do. I feel like this will never end. I want to live an IV opiate free life soooo bad. I want to function like a normal human more than anything. Nothing is ever good enough. What dose will it take to stabilize??? What can I do to help myself get through this And get to that point?? Please I need advice or opinions, maybe some reassurance??? Sorry for the long.probably nonsensical post. I'm desperate for help from y'all though!!!

I’m about to be 35 , I’ve been a heroin addict since I was 24 , I smoke not iv . But for the last about 5 years I haven’t been able to see 24hours away from dope . I used to be able to make it through a kick let alone 24 hours but I’ve tried to quit so many times and have failed it’s made it so much harder to have the strength to do it anymore it just gets harder the more tries . I have a baby on the way , my gf is 11 weeks pregnant and for my finances and my baby and gf I need to get off dope , I’ve considered methadone cuz it’s too difficult for me to get on subs . But I duno if it’s appropriate for me ? I know a lot of people talk about methadone is more for people that had iv addictions . I can’t exactly go to treatment without losing my job either so I’m at a cross roads and don’t know what is best . Any opinions are appreciated . Tia

Update for the people asking if my dope is fent or tranq , I’m on the left coast , one of the only places left that gets real dope . It tests clean and is usually just pure bth no cut . It holds me for about 16 hours before I really start to feel wd setting In. But yes the last time I tried to get on subs I waited 20 hours and took 2mg and it was ok , waited an hour or two and took another 2mg , feeling ok I decided to take the rest of the 8mg strip , so 4mg more and it threw me into horrible pwd . I ended up having to use more dope too make it stop , waited till the am and tried more sub and same thing happened , I also fainted 2 times that morning from using clonodine for sleep that night prior . So I’m terrified to do subs again despite it working in the past even in the early fent m30 days . I duno wtf happened that night . I wonder if I had just gone slower and taken another 2mg instead of 4mg if the same thing would have happened . In the past I had been able to wait 16 hours and eat a whole 8mg strip and start to feel better soon . I’m super scared of methadone cuz I know it’s a whole other beast of wd….im just not sure there is another way for me without having to go to treatment again and lose my job .

I have very low testerone like 26 smh.

It explains how I've felt this last year.

Im curious, we're you diagnosed and put on TRT?

How long did it take to start feeling better?