I spent 22 years in active addiction along with chronic pain from 4 lumbar surgeries.I took and abused every opiate there is.I was on demerol for 10 years and I used to take 500mgs every 3 hours.I actually had a stop watch on my watch and I would time 3hours .Once that stop watch hit 3:00 I would stop it,reset it to 0:00,take another 500mgs of demerol and start the stop watch.I got 180 a month from my doctor and I took this way until they were all gone which was about 3 days.I finally had a siezure from to much demerol so I switch around and tried a bunch of opiates for a few years.I finally stayed with morphine and when I started methadone I was taking 3,000mgs a say of ms contin.I am 5'9" and I weighed 123lbs.I was a mess and so was my liver.I didn't have any liver diseases but my enzymes were through the roof.So after 22 years of strait abusing everyday (I have never in my life been in withdrawl) I started methadone.That was 4 years ago and let me tell you my life has taken a 180* turn for the better.All my bills are paid,my marrage is great,I like to think I'm a good dad.I take 300mgs a day and that cover's my addiction and pain.Alot of people get on methadone and then proceed to sit around watching tv and eating sweets.Don't get caught in this lifestyle or you will put on too much weight and end up accomplishing nothing.Good luck to you and remember to eat healthy and go for a walk twice a day,it actually makes you feel better because when you get exercise you produce endorphins and they make us all feel great......Dave:)