methodone clinics?

Question

My dad has been on Methodone for 20+ years. In the past 2 years he has OD'd three times. He is severely depressed because I lost my mom in '05 and I just moved out this past December. This weekend he OD'd again. He uses the liquid version on the drug and he takes home 2 weeks worth of bottles every Friday. He refuses to get help and I finally had enough. I need to know if there is anything I can do to help him besides babysitting him. Thanks in advance

Well, I am from CT. I know he goes to a dispensary in Hartford, but Im not sure which one... I havent been there since I was about 5. Im 25 now. I just feel like if I spoke to them or let them know what was going on and he found out then he would hate me. He's really the only family I have around here. Plus, he tells the doctors one thing but tells me something different - like, I know the OD's are intentional. He tells me... but when the docs ask, he says "oops its was a mistake." I just feel torn. I dont know who to talk to first and i dont even know the first thing to say. I called one of the dispensary clinics in hartford and asked how they handled a situation, such as this one, without giving them any of his info and they said I would need to talk to a director or something. I think Im the one starting to feel the depression now.

Answer 1

You dont say where you are, but there are clinics in numerous locations. Either search the web or talk to your doctor about it. One thing I would say is that your dad will not come off it unless he wants to, if he hasn't got the will to do it he won't. Is a hard process, especially as he has been on it so long;

Answer 2

There are ways for him to completely detox and get off of the methadone. Of course, he would have to go in the hospital and it's probably expensive but it may save his life. Talk to a Dr about it and find out what the choices are. I know there is a somewhat new procedure that can detox you in as few as 4 or 5 days but I can't remember what it's called. A pain management Dr could tell you about it. In the meantime see if you can get him to go to counseling or at least to NA. You need some help in dealing with him, too. Good luck. Oh, btw, you could talk to his counselor at the clinic to see if they could make him go ther to get his daily dose instead of giving him 2 weeks take home. I think if they knew he was OD ing all the time they would put him back on daily dosing. Again I wish you the best with your Dad.

Answer 3

First of all I am sorry for the problem your Dad is having and for you having to babysit him, I don't know of any methodone clinic that allows take homes for 2 weeks at a time, Your father has A problem and you really need to speak with the director and the doctor at his clinic, no one makes mistakes like taking to much methodone he really needs help professionally, Just don't let him know that you have spoken with his doctor or director and let these guys do whatever they see fit to help your dad, you can't help him and it is not your place to babysit him, you have a life and you need to live it without the fear of phone calls about your dad and don't feel bad by ratting him out it is for his own good and one day he would thank you if he knew you were the one that possibly saved his life. I wish you lots of luck and don't ever feel bad about keeping this from him, he is your dad and help him if you can, he needs you but not to babysit or to constantly worry about him, but to love him and to keep him safe!

Answer 4

What a terrible situation.Your dad has got to want to help himself.The only thing you can do is be supportive but if he's overdosing all the time maybe you should call his doctor.Here in Canada they only let you take small amounts home at a time.Besides 20 yrs seems like a hell of a long time to be on methadone.He needs to get some therapy to deal with your moms death.I wish you both luck.You may have to try tough love.

Answer 5

Ok, first off, where is he getting 2 weeks worth of Methadone from? In almost all cases, you need to ingest the methadone in front of the pharmacist. And, in the event that the addict is going on holiday, they are usually not allowed to travel for more than 24 hours, and they are given 24 hours worth of meth.
I would look into the laws governing methadone clinics and if necessary file a formal complaint with your Pharmacy Regulatory Board(in Canada, it's called the College of Pharmacists).
You may also want to talk to his prescribing doctor and letting him know that your father is doing this to himself, and is depressed.
You also have to remember, that although he is your father and you love him, you are NOT responsible for him and his behaviour. Helping those who don't want or think they need help is very draining and it can eat you up. Make sure to stay strong for you and know that sometimes, even as much as we love them, we have to walk away.

I do so wish you the best of luck, I'll be thinking of you.

Answer 6

You are in a really difficult position. If it were me, from my experience, I would make an appointment with his doctor (w/o your dad knowing) and tell the dr what's going on.

i guess the question you have to ask yourself is - if he successfully ODs, can you live with it? If you see his Dr, at lease you would know you did everything you could.

Answer 7

if your finally tiered of this you have to try to get him into a rehab or get away from him