Expert: Peter L. - 11/4/2009

Question
my son is 30 yrs was a herion user for 10yrs has been on methadone for 3 yrs was on 45mgs a day stopped taking it on sun has not had any for 3 days is there anything i can do to relieve the cramps in his stomache

Answer
Jean,

Coming off methadone is usually a challenge due to its addictive nature. May people say that it invades their bones (not really substantiated) or otherwise affects their body to the extent that they have a brutal time getting off it.  I would have recommended he be detoxed off gradually, say a few milligrams a week, to allow his body to acclimate.  Was he not allowed to continue at the clinic where he was receiving it or just decided to not take it suddenly?  Getting off can be achieved, but it's a tough scenario doing it suddenly and may have longer range complications for him as far as avoiding relapse to opiates.  

Peter