Expert: Jacqui - 3/22/2010

Question
i used a massive amount of oxy and methadone for 10 years straight never missed a day.i went to prison.iwas suppose to withdrawl a few days/weeks and be fine ... right????? well every day got worse weeks got worse then months... my pain would vary from 4-9 on a 10 scale . and so many nights i lay a thought of suicide mostly my legs continioiusly had severe cramping and pulling my eyes stayed dialated the entire time i coulnt tell time or even read a book because my eyes were so dialated.. i made it to my realease date.i was scared my  teeth and jaws locked and tightened and clenched tight blood ran from my lips ... i went and got methadone and like the life was put back into my body .no pain.. i could see,tell time,and felt so completly normal....why???? did i do some kind of permanant damage from using so long .why did i withdraw so long???plz.dont respond and say its in my head.it was real .

Answer
Hey Stephen,

No, I don't think it is in your head.  You were actually on a lot of drugs for a long time and your body gets very used to them.  Methadone and oxycontin are long acting substances and can take longer to get out of your system and I know people who suffered negative effects for weeks/months coming off these things.  It is also worth asking how you felt before you took these substances, as you might've been self medicating in some way.  Being on the drugs helps you feel better, but doesn't get rid of the problem so when you come off, it all comes back worse.

I also wonder about how you stopped ... i.e.: it sounds like it was really, really sudden.  A tapered approach to withdrawal is much better.  You can reduce by a really, really small amount - even as small as one milligram a week.  This makes it much more gentle on your body and your mind.

Stephen I hope I have reassured you somewhat.  I know it doesn't take away the problems, but I hope you feel a little validated.  As I said, you need to take it slowly with the withdrawal and not punish yourself.  Loads of people use drugs, and using doesn't make them bad people.  I just hope that you can get your stuff sorted.

If there is anything else you would like to know, please don't hesitate to ask.

Take care and whatever you do, do it safely,

Jacqui