What an interesting year 2020 has been. It has been a year with quite a lot of big changes and rules and as a result, many have fallen into worse lifestyles than pre-covid.
And on the other side of the coin, many have used this time to get their health and lives in order.
During this time, each of us has had our own unique journey and own experiences, challenges, and lessons — which we can use to make us stronger, wiser, and more skilled if we choose.
Here’s a quick update on my content and why it’s changing of late…
Why I Took a Break from Blogging
I haven’t written a blog post on this website for around four months.
Why?
I became extremely busy with recovery consulting, video publishing, podcast publishing, and doing digital freelance work as well.
I simply didn’t contain the necessary bandwidth to continue blogging during these last four months.
Why I’m Back to Blogging
The main reason I’m back to blogging is that I now have plenty of bandwidth.
I’m blessed with a handful of recovery consulting clients and I’m not taking on more than 3-5 at a time for the foreseeable future.
Also, YouTube blocked me from uploading any new videos for 90 days due to them apparently not liking people posting Kratom videos — even though the video of mine they took down was diligently showing the possible negative consequences of using Kratom (side effects, dependence, addiction, withdrawal, etc.)
It seems that many platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and even YouTube are blocking, demonetizing, and/or canceling any people and channels they feel like and they don’t need to provide a reason or even respond to your emails.
Thus, you won’t see me posting on my YouTube channel or Facebook, or any other social media channel.
The next important reason I’m returning to blogging is I MISS IT!
Writing has been an important part of my life and I’m thrilled to back at it…
Especially since I’ve learned so much more about addiction recovery therapies and ideas in these past several months.
My New Content Upload Schedule
If you haven’t listened to the Elevation Recovery Podcast yet, you might want to at least check it out.
My cohost (Chris Scott) and I broadcast brand new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.
As for the Opiate Addiction Support Blog, I’ll be publishing new articles every Mon/Wed/Fri at minimum, which means some weeks there might be more but never less than these three.
Other than the podcast and blog, I won’t be on any other content sharing platforms.
Final Thoughts…
I pray that freedom of speech on my own personal websites that I own will be allowed forever.
Unfortunately, I don’t know if I believe this.
It appears to be fine now (at least for people like me who are blogging about addiction recovery).
And while I cannot make YouTube videos on the potential benefits and dangers of controversial herbs for recovery…
Fortunately, I can say just about whatever the fuck I want on my blog and podcast…
At least for now.
-Matt Finch
P.S. Thanks for reading my letter and I promise to serve you with the best content I can on recovering from opioids and other addictions. And feel warmly welcome to post any comments or questions you may have. I will personally respond to each and every message.
Hi Matt… I’m 52 days no Vicodin… thank you..
Does taking clonaepam cause you to sweat at night on your head, soaking hair and pillow. I have been on them for several years. I did not take any last night and for the first time I did not sweat on my head.I’m taking 1 & 1/2 MG each night.Can I just stop taking them. The Dr. that put me on them said it was to stop fluid behind my ear drums.
Can’t remember if I, Crosby, ever sent a message to you. I have been under typical, you might say “standard” pain management programs for more than 5 years. Have been using Hydrocodone for 10 years or so.
Am trying to learn ways to taper off the hydrocodone. My back is bad. Has anyone tried to see if a Spinal Cord Stimulator helps tapering? I am 73 and swimming is one of the few things I can do without creating more pain.
How about stem cell or bone marrow injections?
Sitting in a car and driving create lots of pain. any car seats that help that.
Look into Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN), CBD oil, qigong, and this audio lesson on how to taper off
I am in kind of the same shape as you are, yet the last time they did a ” BACK-NEEDLE. ” THEY MISSED. !! I was pissed to say the least. I am only 60, and have been on Oxycodone for at-least 5 Plus years now. There is no ” REAL-HELP where I am in Kingston N.Y. “. Not sure what to do. ?? Hurts like hell when I drive as well, Would honestly love to get off of them. Can’t honestly afford real help ( sort-of-speak.) Not sure where to turn. ?? I WILL JUST SAY, KEEP CHECKING AND GOD BLESS YOU. !! Tom
Matt I been on methadone 140 mg over ten years what can I take to get off tired and ready thank you.
For starters I would read this if you’re not taking testosterone already while on methadone: https://opiateaddictionsupport.com/opioid-induced-endocrinopathy/
The best way to feel better fast on methadone as a male is to have your testosterone checked and if you qualify for treatment get the medicine.
If you’re already on testosterone then look into NAD+ Therapy for quitting methadone cold-turkey. Here is an interview with me and a NAD+ Therapy addiction doctor: https://elevationrecovery.com/nad-treatment-for-opioid-withdrawal-alcohol-detox/
Dear Matt, I’m so eager to hear from you. My name is Tony. Found this site just scrolling and hoping for answers. I’m struggling with addiction to fentanyl. Due to covid-19 it’s near impossible to find help. I’ve tried cold turkey do many times but it’s so excruciating and I can never see it thru. I’m desperately trying to get my life back and be free of this. I have some methadone tabs. 20 10mg tabs and want to use them for the withdrawal but am oblivious on how. How much methadone should I be taking daily? and how long should I go without fentanyl before starting? I’m hoping to get it done soon and only take the methadone for 4 to 5 days. I’m so desperately seeking help and answers. My biggest fear is loosing my life to this addiction. Please help me! Id be forever in debt and grateful. My email is tjbaca4@yahoo.com.God bless and I hope to hear something back soon. Please stay safe everybody.
Hi Tony I sent you an email. And responded to your other comment on the clonidine article. 🙂
I am so glad you have this website where you can tell the truth, both good and bad, about these herbs/alternative methods for detox without being censored…I was on methadone for years, now I’m desperately needing to get my life back in order but I really don’t want to restart the clinic again…the daily trips, the waiting lines, etc. The ONLY clinic near me has ONE pharmacist dispensing 100s of doses which means long wait times..I have waited 2 1/2 hours before and on the weekend that’s normal…Not to mention I just don’t wanna be on methadone again. I need to figure out how to start and actually make the first step….I can’t do this much longer…
That clinic sounds awful I’ve never heard of such long wait lines. When I was a counselor at a methadone clinic we had a few nurses per shift plus a doctor. I’m gonna post an article that should help you figure out the first step:
https://opiateaddictionsupport.com/the-5-phases-of-opioid-recovery/
This will be a quick read and show you the 5 phases of recovering from opioids.
Sorry, but for most people…… it has been a really SHIT-YEAR. , WELL I WILL SPEAK FOR MYSELF ONLY. ASIDE FROM JOB LOST LOSE AND SO ON, THERE IS JUST NOT MUCH LEFT. !! I JUST HAVE DON’ T HAVE THE BALLS YET TO CHECK- OUT. SO, I TRY TO HANG -ON TO ANYTHING GOOD, OR WORTH-WHILE. IT GETS REALLY TOUGH SOMETIMES. !!! IT IS WHAT IT IS. ! There are ” NO-REAL WORKERS WHO CAN ADDRESS MAJOR ISSUES.” Where I AM OUT , AND DON’ T FEEL SORRY FOR ME. !! PLEASE DON’T DO THAT, I HAVE TO FIGURE IT OUT ON MY OWN. !!! GOD BLESS YOU ALL. !!! MR. TOM.
You are spot-on Tom (no pun intended). In August the CDC provided statistics comparing rates of mental health issues, substance use, and suicidal ideation, and compared to the previous pre-covid year all of them have spiked up drastically. You’re not alone my friend and I have faith you’ll figure it out!
I’ve been off Methadone for 5 months never going back. I was on Norco and Methadone for what was considered extreme pain for 20 years. In 2017 I threw out all of of drugs doctors had me on except 2 Norco and Metadone. I was a complicated case medically which I won’t go into because that’s a book in itself. So my pain management doc tells me I can’t get off Norco or it could take me out. Then my primary tells me something similar but maybe a $60,000 rehab might work.
Nobody tells me I can’t do something. I just thanked them. They both thought I was still on methadone and told me that would take a few months to get off. Really? Took me 2 weeks. I’m on day 17 off Norco now. It was kind of tough because the longer you’re on it the longer it takes. The Norco was masking a problem in my spine that c old have paralyzed me if I hadn’t stopped right when I did. I didnt realize how bad it was due to the pain relief. Wishing everyone dealing with this the best❣
Wow! That is scary and soooooooo glad to hear you avoided possible paralyzation and quit opioids too. Thanks for sharing your story and how you prevailed despite what your prescribers will suggesting.
Hi Matt, I am so grateful for information thru old website you had. Even then, you always responded to my questions…gave me great advice. I can only imagine how many people sent you messages everyday…and you answered. Besides, God…it was your cheering me on..giving me tips. I have been clean no more prescriptions of what they said I would need a lifetime. You may not remember me, that’s ok…but know your sincerity, compassion…a true heart for people struggling with addiction..is a rarity. My name is Deana. I thank you . One great day, you will see and know all the lives you touched. You were created to help others, thru your own pain. Thank you, thank you…blessings dear friend!!!!
I do remember you, Deanna. I’m almost speechless. What a beautiful read and inspiring story with heart. Thank you so much!!! And I have a feeling your comment will inspire all that read it to know there is a way out of suffering. 💗💗
Matt we could do this together I been clean since 2007 on methadone for years and now clean
Shirley, I like the sound of it!
Kratom got me off heroin. Now I’m dependent on kratom. Recently tapered to 22 grams/day, but need it throughout the day and especially at night. The anxiety of not knowing that I have enough drives me to get extra. I’m stealing $$ just so I can buy this stuff, and I feel guilty, ashamed but can’t stop.
What can help me?
I’m going to give you my online video course Ultimate Kratom Detox pro bono to help. Simpy watch videos in order from start to finish and you’ll know so many different things that can help. 🙂
Thank you
My pleasure.
thanks matt. good for you that you figured out how to get your message out since big tech is taking away anything that they don’t like. you are a big help to me and I always read everything you put out there. Glad it is going to remain uncensored.
I appreciate that Cynthia. It’s getting worse and worse daily and I’m just grateful that I’m not dependent on YouTube/Google/SocialMedia for traffic. I really appreciate your support.
Hey Matt
Idk if this new social media platform is good but it’s called “ PARLER” and tons of people switching to that and using DuckDuckGo as a web browser! Sorry we live in such a fucked up world where good is evil and evil became good!!! Best of luck you saved me!
Thanks, Liz! I haven’t heard about these and will look into them. I’m looking into new alternatives so your feedback helps a lot!
I saw Parler and it was really good. will try your suggestion for browser since google is the worst browser ever for sensoring :-((
Damn I just started taking keaton for I am on 2mg of methadone. I am almost outta of the program after 2 and a half long years of tapering down. I bought the somaderm and elimidrol, but sometimes the elimidrol hurts my stomach. I feel inactive at times and depression has been with me for what seems like forever. I feel like my dopamine is supper depleted, and this scares me. I can seem to feel satisfied for when I do complete a task and my memory is not as great as it used to be. I just seem to lay in bed and watch TV with little motivation to get myself to commit to anything. My financial situation is dept and how I survived the last 10yrs with almost no work Is co dependency. I am struggling trying to fight to stay off drugs well coming off methadone and figuring out my future. Is there any advice you may give me? I’ve been taking kratom for a week now and it helps me sleep, but deep inside I new it was to good to be true, for I can feel myself anxious to take it every night. I also am technically homeless, but living in an Airbnb due to getting some financial help from unemployment, but this also makes me anxious cuz i need a stable income that will allow me to pay my Depts as well as rent a room and just simply everyday life. It’s getting to the point where I want to give up.
Hi Ryan,
Most researchers believe that Kratom is healthier for your body than methadone, in which case using it to come off methadone permanently is likely a healthier alternative although not without consequences. Quitting methadone or opioids, in general, is often the most difficult challenge a person will face in their life. I know it was my hardest challenge by far.
I feel a lot of empathy for you. Please do not give up. You’re down to only 2 mg of methadone and a little Kratom, and that shows me how strong you are, as most never make it tapering that low.
Wow I could feel that from you heart Matt…and thank you for responding to that gentlemen who needs as much motivation as possible..he needs that. Shit we ALL do….
It’s truly my pleasure. I never forget what it feels like to be addicted. Thanks for your feedback, Michelle.
You rock Matt!!!!
Thanks and keep up the good fight!!!
Personal and cognitive liberty is being slowly eroded away as most ppl hand it over for a small piece of false security.
I can’t thank you enough!!!
Thanks for reading and for the feedback!! Glad you received value from it and enjoyed the message. More to come!
canr wait to listen to your new podcast take care
Thanks for commenting, Cathy. I can’t wait for you to listen as well. 🙂
Takin 1600 of gaba 3 times a day to beat lope withdraw. 1 day was good , am on day 5 now. The gaba not working as well any body had this happen.God bless!