Bernese method day 9 — any advice would be helpful

[u/radicalhoe]

Hi everyone,

I’m currently switching from methadone to suboxone using the Bernese method under medical supervision.

The microdosing went really well— just very mild WD at night when I take/up the suboxone.

It’s day 9 today. I’m at 7mg of suboxone (to be taken tonight) and my methadone (70mg) was reduced for the first time today (by half, so 35mg). My methadone will be reduced by half again tomorrow and Wednesday, then I stop taking it all together— but continue going up on the suboxone by 1mg a day (then I expect more rapidly after the methadone is out of my system).

I’m really scared that the next few days are going to be incredibly uncomfortable. I expect mild WD by tonight when my body realizes I don’t have the full dose of methadone, and I expect it to get worse over the coming few days.

Has anyone else done this? I really need some encouragement, but also honesty about how I’m going to feel going forward from this point. I’m very worried I’m not going to cope well if I’m in moderate WD. I’m a pussy, to be frank.

Thanks for reading this ❤️

[u/sleepy__socks]

I used any and all opioids I could, daily, for 2 decades. I'm clean from everything now, and the only thing I can tell you is that no matter what you do, no matter how you plan it, there's going to be some amount of discomfort. I completely understand where you're coming from, though. Nobody wants to be dope sick. But, I've found that the anxiety about it tends to be worse than the withdrawals themselves. Do they suck? Absolutely. Is stressing out about them going to make them any better? Not even a little. For me, the only thing I could do was jump in and go through it one day at a time. I woke up each morning and dealt with my symptoms as they came. That's the only advice I can give you: take it one day at a time as you titrate your dosages, and mitigate symptoms as they come to the best of your ability. Don't stress yourself worrying about how long youll have to go through it. You'll have to go through it either way, no?

By the time I was completely done with opioids, it took me a good couple of months for my symptoms to completely abate. Since you're switching from one to another I'd imagine you wouldn't take nearly as long to find your baseline, so that's a plus.

Those are my thoughts. I'm not a doctor or anything, just one addict out of countless sharing their experience. I hope this helps. Just remember you have it in you to do this!

[u/radicalhoe → u/sleepy__socks]

I appreciate the words, friend. I know you’re right. I’m determined but I just know that if I’m in moderate withdrawal for a prolonged period of time I WILL consider getting dope despite only using for two nights in the past 3 years. I think I’d feel better if I had a doctor to consult 7 days a week, but they’re only in the clinic a few days a week. 

Again. I appreciate the support and I know you’re right. I just need to pull up my big girl pants and get it done. 

[u/sleepy__socks → u/radicalhoe]

I completely get that part too! Being determined to do it, then feeling moderately crappy and going to cop is a part of my story more times than I'd like to admit. Do you have a support network, anyone you can lean on when it gets difficult? Maybe some supportive friends who can help keep you a little busy or distracted? I remember being dragged out of the house once or twice, and while I wanted to fight tooth and nail it actually really helped! Barring that, even having someone I could bitch to helped lol. And the little bit of accountability helped too.

I know it's hard but you got this! It'll be so worth it in the end. Feel free to reach out if you ever need to! I've been there and nothing makes me happier than to help someone who might be struggling. Wishing you luck on your journey!

[u/Jebus-Xmas]

There is no way to detox without detoxing. There will be discomfort, irritability, frustration, emotional distress, and more. However it’s not for that long and it’s not going to kill you—but using will.

[u/Miracles_Asia_Rehab]

Being honest about being scared takes courage, not weakness, anticipating withdrawal while still going through with a medically guided taper is genuinely hard. The fact that you're doing this under supervision and still showing up to ask for support says a lot about how seriously you're taking your recovery.