Methadone is a synthetic opioid that's commonly used for pain relief and to help people detox from heroin. Methadone stays in the body for a long period of time, which is why it is used for these purposes, but it can be very difficult to detox from. Symptoms of methadone withdrawal include insomnia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness and muscle cramps.
Step 1
Talk to a medical professional who is knowledgeable about opiate addiction. Not only can the doctor tell you more about the detox process, he can prescribe medications like sedatives and tranquilizers to help deal with some of the withdrawal symptoms. See Resources for a list of treatment centers in each state.
Step 2
Get proper nutrition. The withdrawal process can be extremely taxing on your body, and it is important to eat a balanced diet and take multivitamins to stay as healthy as possible.
Step 3
Lower your dose slowly. Methadone takes a long time to leave your body, and many addicts say that it is harder to quit using than heroin. Lower your daily dose no more than 5 mg per week. It is critical not to try and quit cold turkey.
Step 4
Be patient. A methadone detox can take months, and if you are experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms, slow down your detox process. It is better to extend your detox schedule rather than relapse. Find support on message boards (see Resources).
Step 5
Avoid starting new prescription medications or consuming any grapefruit. Grapefruit and some medications (even herbal ones) can increase the rate at which methadone is broken down in your body. This will intensify your withdrawal symptoms.
Step 6
When your daily dose of methadone is at 30 mg, or less, consider taking buprenorphine or suboxone. These synthetic opioids, which can be prescribed by a doctor, may be helpful in the final stages of methadone detox.
Things You'll Need
- Multi-vitamins
- Buprenorphine or suboxone (optional)
