Article Response

Hello James,

Thank you for writing. I'm glad you read my article. I'm sure you are aware of how dangerous benzodiazepines are when combined with methadone. I'm so happy you have been able to decrease from 135 mg to 30 mg. That is amazing progress! You should be so proud of how far you have come. You didn't mention if you have been able to stop taking benzodiazepines. I hope you are doing well with not taking them. Abstinence will make it so much easier to come off methadone. Any abuse of benzodiazepines can set you back. Because benzodiazepines increase the effects of methadone, the use/abuse of them will make it seem like your dose of methadone is going up and down, depending on how many benzodiazepines you have taken. I'm sure you can see how this arbitrary increase/decrease of methadone potency can affect your decrease schedule. If you feel like you are going up and down in dose, you're likely to have more withdrawal and negative effects while you reduce your methadone dose. 

In regards to your mention of benzodiazepines as a "reward," it shows the addictive thinking process. An addict will commonly think drug use is a reward for accomplishments, doing well at their job, etc. But drug use only hurts the person who is using. The risks include health problems, overdose, lost jobs, failure at school, poor relationships with family or friends to name a few. I hope you have found another reward as you are working so hard to come off methadone.

Here are some suggestions for alternative rewards:

• Fun night out with friends (movie, dinner, bowling, etc.)
• Physical affection (hug, cuddle, sex, etc.)
• Family time
• Spa (massage, Reiki, sauna, acupuncture, etc.)
• Material possessions (clothes, games, electronics, etc.)
• Singing
• Church services or activities
• Dancing
• Being silly