Today is the day
Last edited Thu Feb 7, 2019, 05:32 PM - Edit history (3)
After 11 long years, today is my last dose of methadone.
I'm so excited and proud and nervous. It's only a small 2.5 mg. drop to nothing(!), my very last dose of a long, gradual tapering. I'm sure I'll feel a little crappy for a week or so, just like with every other incremental decrease ... it just feels so weird that I'll be completely done. FINALLY!!
Methadone absolutely saved my life, I have zero doubts about that. I just can't believe it's been 11 goddamn years.
Edit:
Thank you all so much! I certainly wasn't expecting this large of a response!
(and I didn't realize the post would show up outside of the Addiction section, lol!)
It's overwhelming to have so much support. I truly appreciate all the kind words, thoughts, and encouragement. It means a lot to me, especially today. Whenever I'm feeling a little rough on this last taper, I'm going to come back here to reread all these lovely comments.
Thank you. 
Medication assisted treatment WORKS! I cannot wait until the stigma and misinformation surrounding it are gone and it's finally easy for anyone who wants help to get it, that day.
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Congratulations! 
Some can do it much faster, but I needed the long road. It took me 5 or 6 years on a consistent, high dose (a blocking dose) to lose the desire to use heroin and to get my life sorted out. After that, I tapered down by about half and then stopped to re-stabilize at the lower dose for a couple years. Did that process twice, and have been on 20 mg. for the last 2-3 years. I finally bit the bullet in August and began my final charge. The last 20 mg. have been the hardest- which has been super annoying because it's such a (relatively) piddly amount. 
I've definitely felt each little decrease this time.
You should be very proud!
We're all rooting for you Happybird!
From a friend in recovery.....a lifetime journey!.........
What a long, hard row it has been for you. 
and sending positive vibes. Deciding to make a change and making the first appointment is such an enormous, scary step. Be proud of yourself, it's a big deal! Well done! Once you and the doc get your correct dosage figured out and you stabilize, it's like the world reopens to you. You get your life back. Day by day, it will get little better- you just have to hang in there until they get your dosage right. It's so worth it, I promise.
You can do it! 
I can't even comprehend having to do that for 11 years, but you did it! You have every reason to be extremely proud of yourself. 
we will understand. If it's someone else you cuss out. 
Congratulations for getting that monkey off your back. I can only imagine how tough that was, and will be, now. But I bet your life is a lot better these days.
So happy that you made it to the other side! Well done!
I take an extended release opioid twice a day and hope that if I can no longer get it, for whatever reason, my physician will compassionately wean me off the drug. It has changed my life and I am miserable without pain management. But the prospect of not having it is frightening.
All the best to you!
A very good friend also went through this - so I know peripherally how hard it is. WAY TO GO!!!
I've lost too many friends to this , am and so proud of you .. you have no idea <3 
Give yourself a really BIG pat on the back!
And for damn sure, you now know that we all are here for you.
