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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Remedy For Addiction To Methadone

I have a friend who is addicted to methadone along with his wife.....this happened after years of dealing with opiodes due to surgeries and someone told them methadone could get them off the bad news is they didn't tell them that it was harder to get off of than the pills.....they have tried tapering off but severe withdrawal always seem to follow he said even at low tapering....however they are not going through a clinic but trying to do it themselves because they are scared to lose their jobs and children if they admit to it.......now let me just say through my time spent with them they are excellent parents and never let it effect their relationship with their children but he confided in me that he is at his breaking point and is tired of falling his family when DTS come into effect.....is there any advice I can give him about any of this....they desperately need help and our to embarrassed and to worried of the consequences they might face if ones try to get off and leave the other hanging or worse that their kids could be taken away if they come clean about it.......
posted on Sat, 24 Jan 2015
Twitter Tue, 2 Jun 2015 Answered on
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. Both of your friend and his wife are taking methadone without prescription. Methadone is an opioid drug that is used mainly in opioid dependence in detox programs. It is relatively easier to taper from methadone as compared to other opioid drugs. In my opinion if they visit a psychiatrist for proper detoxification then that would be very easy process and they can quit the drug easily. In most cases it is advised to patients to taper the doses of drug gradually over 6-10 weeks depending upon the doses of the methadone they are taking and depending upon the clinical condition of the patient. Dose reduction by about 20-25% of dose every two weeks prevents significant withdrawal symptoms. Some drugs like Pregabalin or Gabapentin can help to reduce craving and will reduce pain and spasms seen after withdrawing the doses. Clonidine also helps to reduce the autonomic symptoms and is very helpful in opioid dependence. Visit a psychiatrist for prescription of these drugs.

Thanks, Hope this helps you. Take care.

Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi,
Consultant Psychiatrist.
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Suggest Remedy For Addiction To Methadone

Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries I can understand your concern. Both of your friend and his wife are taking methadone without prescription. Methadone is an opioid drug that is used mainly in opioid dependence in detox programs. It is relatively easier to taper from methadone as compared to other opioid drugs. In my opinion if they visit a psychiatrist for proper detoxification then that would be very easy process and they can quit the drug easily. In most cases it is advised to patients to taper the doses of drug gradually over 6-10 weeks depending upon the doses of the methadone they are taking and depending upon the clinical condition of the patient. Dose reduction by about 20-25% of dose every two weeks prevents significant withdrawal symptoms. Some drugs like Pregabalin or Gabapentin can help to reduce craving and will reduce pain and spasms seen after withdrawing the doses. Clonidine also helps to reduce the autonomic symptoms and is very helpful in opioid dependence. Visit a psychiatrist for prescription of these drugs. Thanks, Hope this helps you. Take care. Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, Consultant Psychiatrist.