Home Remedies For Opiate Withdrawals

Wow, u sound just like me. The whole reason I've used opiates for years is the cope with my anxiety. I went from vic and percs to heroin. Now I have been on suboxone for 7 months and I love it. But, now I have to ween myself off of that. All information I have found from actual sub users are that the withdrawal is just like any other opiate withdrawal except it is not as bad, but lasts a few days longer. That is what brought me to the forum - to see what can help during those painful days. I was addicted to benzos for a while and even ran my car into a ditch when I fell asleep one night and another time I used too many and the did not wear off by the next day and my parents were so scared they drove me to a hospital! I don't want to use them for the withdrawal. I know that my anxiety will come back after stopping opiates. And during withdrawal I know that anxiety is very scary. I have had withdrawal before. I was going to try California Poppy or Passion Flower or Valerian. Do you have any experience with those? Well, if you do not, I will let you know if they help me. And, if you do have experience, I could use your input before buying them ;)

Are those you listed (California poppy, passion flower, valerian) for anxiety? Can't say I've heard of them.

Just googled those- I think I should look into seeing a homeopathic doc to find something to replace my benzos.

Also, I'm one week sober and the cravings kicked in over the weekend. Which means anxiety. Ugh, how does one stay on the band wagon???

I can tell you the things that help both with my anxiety and also combating cravings. Although, I must say that these things help with tapering but not actual full-on withdrawal. I have a theory that may or may not be correct, but the results can help with cravings and anxiety. I read in a book that when one uses opiates, 3 reward centers are lit up in the brain full-blast. You get high because the brain can never light up all 3 reward centers at one time. My theory is that if we can learn to light up the reward centers ourselves without the use of opiates, this can help combat cravings. Right now I am learning what those things are to get in the habit of doing them every day so that when it is time for the withdraws I know exactly what will make me feel rewarded. Plus, if you make them habits, this can help relieve anxiety in the future. For example, if I have anxiety I make myself watch King of the Hill (I have them recorded on my DVR, but if you don't have one you can always check out season DVDs of your favorite TV show for during your withdraws). King of the Hill is funny, and when I understand jokes I laugh and feel rewarded for getting the jokes. This helps curb cravings but also helps relieve anxiety because it is familiar to me. Watching certain movies and TV shows that I am familiar with help relieve my anxiety. It puts me in a familiar zone plus it is a positive show, unlike drama that contains suspense that can make you feel more anxious. Any funny show/movie/book helps me because laughing makes me feel rewarded. When you have a craving, get in the habit of making yourself have at least 10 minues of King of the Hill time (or whatever it is that you like) before taking another dose. If successful, you will forget about your craving because you are into the show/movie/book. Positive magazines/books help too. I like the Oprah magazine. The book "Out of My Mind" by Andy Rooney is good because it is composed of short essays that are funny. You only have to read for 5 minutes to feel rewarded because you laugh plus finish an essay. Finishing feels good because you feel accomplished and rewarded. So, choose things like magazines that you can only read for 10 minutes to feel rewarded, like little articles/sections.

I wish you luck in finding what makes you feel rewarded. I recommend easy tasks like watching TV because when you are withdrawing you may not have the brain power to do complex things like knitting or fixing a motorcycle. Plus, the familiar positive TV shows can relieve anxiety by putting you in your happy place. Try the ten minute rule and see if that helps at least put your cravings off for another hour if anthing. The key is staying busy so you don't have time to feel anxious and want more opiates.

My boyfriend is tring to cold turkey. He has one pill left and is very very sick and it is upsetting. I have got him some triazadone and finagrine and it hasn't seemed to help. He stoped throwing up but is cold and then hot. I feel helpless. Any suggestions pls pls help.

if u going cold turkey there is not much help

Hi,
Kratom really helps with WD. This will stop Opiate withdrawals. It also helps with anxiety. I have heard many people say valerian root really helps as well. (for anxiety)

oh i also forgot to add i quit using only one 8mg suboxone film strip thats all it took...

So heather, you lost me! Are you going to live off of Suboxone? Every time I used suboxone to withdrawal, I found myself uping the dose of oxies! The shortest I have use them was 5 days and the longest was a month. Yep, it will make you feel normal and it has a half live (which means it may take a few days for it to ware off). I tried it 5 times. Would never recommend it unless you want to live off them for the rest of your life. Oh, there are some people that it works for, but not many. Josh

Yeah..I agree with Josh. If you're okay with being a lifer, that's cool, you'll feel & function normally forever. Same with methadone. I used to say it saved my life. Now I just wanna die without it. I really would only reccomend this method of treatment to those who are okay with going to a clinic for the rest of their lives.
Josh, How are you? It's been a while since we have had an update on how you're doing.

Hello to everyone, I feel like I'm the only one who is on methadone for life. The most of you here are on withdrawal,or are on subs.

Hi Baby, sorry that I am short in time tonight. But I will give you and update this weekend! Promise! Josh .....and I want to finish up on the Benzo comment that Lorz was talking about....I will finish my story on that also and share what I have done to deal with Benzo's and coping skills.

I am currently 10 days clean from a 1000mg a day oxy habit to upto a half ounce of heroin a day. It has been sheer hell but I am finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I even turned down 5 free grams of heroin today that a desperate "friend" (my dealer)with no car offered if I'd run them over a bag of darts.  I have been using and trying to quit opiates for 12 years now and have never sucessfully gotten fully through withdrawals before breaking, theres no stopping now!  The formula that worked for me: Megaload free form full spectrum amino acids to replenish neurotransmitters(endorphins, dopamine, epinephrine), loperamide for diahrea, .4mg of clonidine & 900mg gabapentin(3x day) and 2 25mg benadryl for sleep/restless legs, 300mg Wellbutrin + 50mg ephedrine via bronkaid + 250mg caffine & 85mg asprin (ECA STACK) for energy which puts me at near opiate energy levels. Just a warning mixing Wellbutrin and Ephedrine is not recommended as they are both CNS stimulants with similar properties, also they Ephedrine can increase the seizure risk from the Wellbutrin but if you’re willing to risk it the energy levels are worth it. Wellbutrin has also been shown to be useful in reducing neuropathic pain along with the gabapentin has been a lifesaver for my back.

Hey true story I've been battling the demon for 3 years on and off, my advice, once you get a win (the 7 days) keep it and remind urself everyday what u felt like going thru that. Remedies..... for pain and for I, a hot shower really hot (don't scold urself) takes the edged off for at least an hour or so (ya I know its no fix). Benadril and any over the counter sleep aid (for the twitches), I laugh at tylonol but for some reason the mental effect of taking a pill (sometimes works for a sec).Let me comment I'm trying to mention things I haven't read on here. I do NOT recommend this without medical visory or doctor, so ask ur doctor about calotadine (sp) its a mirical drug and works for me. A little too good because I'm almost not afraid of detox. Please don't take this information negitaveley, I'm just trying to help and if this helped anyone that's the point stay strong and aren't u just tired of this stuff guys I am, but who am I to say I'm on this website doin self theropy lol : )