Methadone Withdrawal Nearly Killed Me, Inpatient Drug Rehab Saved My Life

Back in 2012, I was prescribed methadone for a compound fracture I suffered in my leg. The pain was unreal, but methadone definitely helped to take away the edge.

In fact, methadone helped so much, that I quickly ran through my prescription. My doctor, thinking I was still in pain, wrote me a refill. I kept taking the drug, not realizing exactly what was happening.

I was becoming dependent.

When I went back to the doctor again, this time he refused to write me a refill. Even just being off the medication for a few days was excruciating, so I quickly found another way to get methadone.

Pretty soon, the addiction was something I lived and breathed. Methadone was the only way I could make it through the day.

It took me a year to realize that my behavior was going to ruin my life. I knew I had to do something – and fast. So what did I decide? I would cut out methadone, cold turkey.

It had to be easy, right? Just get through the withdrawal symptoms.

It wasn’t.

What Methadone Withdrawal Felt Like

Methadone withdrawal can cause severe stomach pain and vomiting.

I suffered from a number of symptoms. They say that methadone withdrawal can’t kill you, but I beg to differ. At first, it wasn’t that bad.

I had some agitation, tearing, and muscle aches, but they were durable. However, as time stretched on, I felt a terrible stomach pain. Shortly after, I began vomiting uncontrollably.

I didn’t know what to do, so I found an online hotline and called for advice. They recommended that I go to the emergency room right away.

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Going Into Inpatient Care

At the emergency room, they took one look at me and knew immediately that I was going through a severe withdrawal. They gave me a hydration IV and monitored my vitals to make sure I wasn’t crashing.

Finally, once things started to get better, they told me that I would need to go to a short-term residential treatment program. At this point, I was willing to try anything so I’d never have to go through that suffering again.

The inpatient drug rehab I chose was based on a 12-step approach. In this program, I learned to accept the fact that I had an addiction. Through the strength of a higher power and my own will, I was taught to let this addiction go.

I knew it was the only way that I would be able to go back to anything close to a real life.

From Painkillers to Heroin to Methadone––What My Recovery Looks Like

Those who use methadone to overcome an addiction to painkillers or heroin have to consider the eventual need to wean off of methadone, or to remain on it indefinitely.

Though the program only lasted four weeks, by the time I checked out of the facility, I felt like an entirely different person. Getting high on methadone was the furthest thing from my mind, and I haven’t looked back.

Of course, I was lucky to have the results I did. Some people experience lingering cravings every day and eventually relapse. However, I vow not to become one of those numbers.

I’m happy with where I am and how I got here – and you can be too.

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They were instrumental in helping me find the right inpatient facility for my needs. Without their help, I don’t think I would be alive today.