Expert: Jacqui - 11/20/2008

Question
My son, 24 yrs old, has been on methadone for five years now.  He was at 120 mg last october, and has been coming down gradually, and is now at 45mg.  He really started experiencing withdrawal symptoms badly at 50mg.  My question is:  we've been told that he can use valium to curb the anxiety and withdrawal symptoms, and that then he'll have to come off the valium slowly--6 months or more.  He has, in the past, used benzos and come off of them successfully.  I've already had one son die of an overdose, and we are trying everything to support him, and help him be successful.  He is eager to be off the meth, but very worried about using again (oxy's, heroin, coke, just about everything for awhile there.)  He's been clean of the other stuff for about a year and a half now.  Do you think using Valium to help relieve withdrawal symptoms while coming off Meth is a good idea?  I realized that this just sets him up for another drug to come off of, but he says that coming off of the benzos was easy for him. Thanks for yr answer and this great site...bless you.

Answer
Hi Peggy,

I just answered a similar question.  I am not a huge fan of benzos long term as the withdrawals (if they are very sudden) pose much more of a danger than opiate withdrawal.  I am not a medical doctor and don't feel that I can say a definitive "yes" or "no" for this.  A caveat answer my be that the occasional valium (if it all gets to much) won't hurt, but valium dependency can affect people differently, and I guess I don't see the long term effects of benzos being any better (actually I think they are probably worse) that the long term effects of opiates.  However, the difference is that one is usually given in a little bottle of pills that you can take home and the other you have to go to a clinic for (both dangerous, both addictive, go figure on that one??)  

As someone who works with people who inject drugs, I have seen lots of people come off opiates, only to be dependent on benzos for years.  

One other option it to come off the methadone very, very slowly.  People hate doing this, but it really is the best way.  Not like 5mg a week, I mean like 1mg a week!  I can almost guarantee the anxiety will be lessened.

I guess the decision won't really be up to you, me or your son, as the medication needs to be given by a medical practitioner (although some give them out like candy).  I would just be careful as the answer to problems isn't always in a tablet.  

Finally, has your son had a problem with anxiety prior to using?  If so, perhaps some psychotherapy would be helpful.

Best wishes, and I hope that you and your family are safe.

Jacqui

PS.  Congratulations on your new president!