Same guest that posted on 9/23... I'm in the clear now. Things are going fine for the most part. I'm now tapering my nightly alcohol dose down and plan on jumping off on Friday and getting through the worst over the weekend (its gonna be tough but I really want to do it so I know I can). I have done it before so I know I will do it.
i have been on opiates since i was 20, and im 26 today. mainly oc's, and lots of em. i spent thousands upon thousands of dollars on them, and countless hours have gone to the horrible drug. they were everything to me. i always had them, until i was locked up, and even then snuck em into jail. i hate the withdrawl an am on day 2 off the oxy an dones, besides the 2mg of suboxone at 6pm today. oh, and the pot that im smoking all day, thank god for it.. ive been trying to eat, move around, and think positve. ive been in and out of inpatient rehabs, outpatient facilities and the court system due to these pills. they screwed my entire life up, an i know u hear that alot, but so deadly true. i have tried everything it seems to stop permanently, and failed. im on day 2, feel like sh*t, cant sleep, body aches, sweats, chills, shyts, the hole nine. the light is very dimm at the end of the tunnel but i have got to make it...
wish me luck and god bless you
wish me luck and god bless you
my name is ryan im a 24 year old male with a shattered L-4 vert. I am prescribed 120 30 mg Morphine ER Tablets plus 120 4 mg Hydromorphone if my stomach is raw from the pills, ill recieve 150mcg hr Fentanyl patches. so those people with hydrocodone withdrawl i wish i was in your shoes because when i withdrawl it aint pretty folks. the best remedy i have found other than more dope (suboxone) is a good old bong hit thats right smoke some pot. if you live in a medical marijuana state get a card. if not get a bag when your on real painkillers like these or high mg oxy or kadian you will be sick as hell after a few dozen wihdrawls you will learn your mind can overpower your bodys responses the best thing i can say is when you are off the dope for a few ask yourself, is my pain really that bad see how you can cope with mind over matter you may find your mind hurts more than your body without the pills but my addictive personality keeps going th the pharmacy ill keep the scrips in paper form for days then ill finally break and end up in the sh**s again i withdrawl bad for about 3 days unless i exert a mass exercise and work it out of my system the real problem is the f*****g doctors and the price of drugs 120 30 mg oxycontin with anthem bluecross is 250.00 no wonder they get sold that day then the other guy has a doller a mg habbit and is screwed at a 300 mg a day need. The truth is when its finally over and out of your system see if your pain is as bad as your 72 hr. happy time on the floor of the bathroom. i was watching Intervention and i found my self thinking that i could kill this girl who was the subject of the shows vicodin addict with one days percribed dose for me i am going to win and ill choose life COWBOY UP. as its said around here. PS mexico doesnt sell OTC opiates dont bother.
ryan I wish you a lot of luck and I know you will be doing well soon enough. I hope that you can keep us updated on how you're doing. Thanks!
To all above good luck...
I'm the same guest that last posted on 9/27. I'm now 48 hours alcohol free. I tapered for a week but I gotta say, I feel much better getting off this sh*t then I did from just 2 weeks of opiate use (my last relapse).
I need to mention I have been drinking at least 4 beers after 5:00 PM for over 2 years. Food for thought.
I'm the same guest that last posted on 9/27. I'm now 48 hours alcohol free. I tapered for a week but I gotta say, I feel much better getting off this sh*t then I did from just 2 weeks of opiate use (my last relapse).
I need to mention I have been drinking at least 4 beers after 5:00 PM for over 2 years. Food for thought.
Thankyou so much for sharing your story. I just found out that my only child is hooked on smoking oxy. It has altered who I am. He is the air that I breath. I believe in him and i just wanted you to know I appriciate your story.
Thanks everyone for sharing. Means a lot: the tips, but especially just the realization I'm not the only one.
Peace and Good Luck To All.
Peace and Good Luck To All.
I'm posting as both therapy and a warning for all of those quitting. Quite sometime ago I went through horrible opiate withdrawals following nearly a two year affair with IV Hydromorphone (Dilaudid), and the vast array of other available opiates. I chronicled that experience on this site at that time. But after 5 days was doing much better, after 10 was as good as new except for PAWS....the mental cravings were very bad but I persevered. So I thought.
Which brings me to this post. I'm on day 5 AGAIN. I actually tapered this time around, hoping my experience wouldn't be as harrowing as before. It wasn't AS bad....it's actually been WORSE. This I know isn't from the tapering, but in the damage I've done to my brain and it's chemistry that now when I take an opiate my brain almost immediately shuts down the "Happy Hormone" production. This made my dependency almost immediate and the withdrawals far worse...even though this time I wasn't taking anything close to before. First withdrawal I was coming off of 16mg IV Dilaudid use daily. For any of you druggies out there you know this is a hefty dose...especially IV!
This time, however, I was "merely" coming off of Vicodin 5mg pills, of about 4-6 a day, for about two months. Since this had been "prescribed" following an accident, I had assumed it wouldn't be a problem to take and walk away from. I have been sadly mistaken.
I admit the physical symptoms aren't extremely bad, but the depression and malaise is much, much worse than before. However, the "restless legs" are very uncomfortable, close to that I had my first time around.
Day 1: Nervous about coming off. "Goose flesh" and shaky legs started mid-afternoon. Nausea present but still able to eat. Sleep not affected. Piece of cake.
Day 2: F***! Here we go again. Diarrhea, vomiting, dry heaves, terrible leg pain. Mentally disconnected, racing thoughts, very anxious, scary thoughts, horrible dread and paranoia. Every thought was filled with opiates and knowing this hell could be stopped with just "a little". I held strong though. Not much sleep.
Day 3: Please just shoot me!! I feel extremely alone. Cravings are horrible. All of my symptoms from day before magnified. Very bad day. Virtually no sleep.
Day 4: Very lethargic. Very irritable. Hard to focus. Stomach cramps horrible. Decided to smoke some weed. Helped tremendously!! Legs shaky but tolerable. Slept descent, but had a lot of dreams.
Day 5: Feeling a lot better but still nauseated and legs are very tired and still restless. Irritability still high and mentally exhausted. I know I'm over the "hump" but am very...no, extremely depressed. Can not find joy or happiness in anything. What have I done to my brain?
So, as I write this I'm in the throes of Day 5, I will try to chronicle the remainder of the process as well.
My whole point in this post is to deter anyone who has been an addict from ever...EVER, using an opiate again...or any drug for that matter, though I admit the weed did make day 4 a bit better....though I have never been a fan of marijuana so I don't see a habit forming from such..at this time...which is truly the trap, right?
Anyway, once an addict always an addict. Please don't fall into the thinking that you have beat your addiction and that after withdrawal you will be able to be a casual user..be it recreational or medicinal. Your chemistry has been forever affected and your body will remember very quickly it's lust for drugs, making rebound addiction extremely easy, and withdrawal much worse in the future. I've heard many times that quitting is easy...staying clean is the hard part. This is so true. So I beg all of you, once you get the monkey off your back to kill it. Erase from your mind the existence of opiates and please never use them again. It just makes the nightmare worse.
Which brings me to this post. I'm on day 5 AGAIN. I actually tapered this time around, hoping my experience wouldn't be as harrowing as before. It wasn't AS bad....it's actually been WORSE. This I know isn't from the tapering, but in the damage I've done to my brain and it's chemistry that now when I take an opiate my brain almost immediately shuts down the "Happy Hormone" production. This made my dependency almost immediate and the withdrawals far worse...even though this time I wasn't taking anything close to before. First withdrawal I was coming off of 16mg IV Dilaudid use daily. For any of you druggies out there you know this is a hefty dose...especially IV!
This time, however, I was "merely" coming off of Vicodin 5mg pills, of about 4-6 a day, for about two months. Since this had been "prescribed" following an accident, I had assumed it wouldn't be a problem to take and walk away from. I have been sadly mistaken.
I admit the physical symptoms aren't extremely bad, but the depression and malaise is much, much worse than before. However, the "restless legs" are very uncomfortable, close to that I had my first time around.
Day 1: Nervous about coming off. "Goose flesh" and shaky legs started mid-afternoon. Nausea present but still able to eat. Sleep not affected. Piece of cake.
Day 2: F***! Here we go again. Diarrhea, vomiting, dry heaves, terrible leg pain. Mentally disconnected, racing thoughts, very anxious, scary thoughts, horrible dread and paranoia. Every thought was filled with opiates and knowing this hell could be stopped with just "a little". I held strong though. Not much sleep.
Day 3: Please just shoot me!! I feel extremely alone. Cravings are horrible. All of my symptoms from day before magnified. Very bad day. Virtually no sleep.
Day 4: Very lethargic. Very irritable. Hard to focus. Stomach cramps horrible. Decided to smoke some weed. Helped tremendously!! Legs shaky but tolerable. Slept descent, but had a lot of dreams.
Day 5: Feeling a lot better but still nauseated and legs are very tired and still restless. Irritability still high and mentally exhausted. I know I'm over the "hump" but am very...no, extremely depressed. Can not find joy or happiness in anything. What have I done to my brain?
So, as I write this I'm in the throes of Day 5, I will try to chronicle the remainder of the process as well.
My whole point in this post is to deter anyone who has been an addict from ever...EVER, using an opiate again...or any drug for that matter, though I admit the weed did make day 4 a bit better....though I have never been a fan of marijuana so I don't see a habit forming from such..at this time...which is truly the trap, right?
Anyway, once an addict always an addict. Please don't fall into the thinking that you have beat your addiction and that after withdrawal you will be able to be a casual user..be it recreational or medicinal. Your chemistry has been forever affected and your body will remember very quickly it's lust for drugs, making rebound addiction extremely easy, and withdrawal much worse in the future. I've heard many times that quitting is easy...staying clean is the hard part. This is so true. So I beg all of you, once you get the monkey off your back to kill it. Erase from your mind the existence of opiates and please never use them again. It just makes the nightmare worse.
Ok, finished Day 5 and half way through Day 6
Day 5: My physical symptoms were much better today but my irritability peaked. I advise anyone with friends and family to steer clear of them when/if you hit this point. Thank God it was Sunday and it's a three day weekend...(yea Mr. Columbus, who cares if you really didn't discover America....at least I get a paid day off!)...I simply locked myself away with the computer..a few beers...and a bowl of weed. The beer seemed to make my legs more restless, so I stopped it quick once I made that connection. The weed, however, didn't magically take my symptoms away but it did change my "perception" of what was going on. I had zero attention before I smoked and zero motivation. After I could pay better attention, but had absolutely NO motivation.....so I road that out on the couch before falling asleep early on in the evening. I think that most of the symptoms on this day were mostly psychological...the exhaustion of battling the demon for the past week...but the sleep was so refreshing.
Day 6: Oddest day I have ever had withdrawing. I'm in an extremely positive mood. Awoke with a list of "life" changes I plan on making. My sense of humor has returned as has my ability to deconstruct my behavior and see the mistakes in thinking and coping that lead me to use. It's all "in my head" so to speak.... Anyway, the light is clearly visible at the tunnels end. Hope is starting to replace the paranoia. Starting to feel a bit of energy, but no where near my norm. Goose-flesh pops up now and again, just a little reminder that I'm still in WD. Stomach was upset when I awoke, but I'm sure that was from the "munchies" the weed gave me the night before. The intestinal cramps stopped after just one dose of Immodium, and the body aches are all but gone. I can actually pay attention to what I am reading or watching or doing today....yet my motivation is a bit lacking. I'm 3/4 through an obscenely large energy drink and starting to feel the spark of "get off your ass" kicking in. Read several posts about opiate withdrawal and masturbation and was actually able to laugh...a good sign my endorphins are aligning once again. Let's see what the next 8 hours hold....
Day 5: My physical symptoms were much better today but my irritability peaked. I advise anyone with friends and family to steer clear of them when/if you hit this point. Thank God it was Sunday and it's a three day weekend...(yea Mr. Columbus, who cares if you really didn't discover America....at least I get a paid day off!)...I simply locked myself away with the computer..a few beers...and a bowl of weed. The beer seemed to make my legs more restless, so I stopped it quick once I made that connection. The weed, however, didn't magically take my symptoms away but it did change my "perception" of what was going on. I had zero attention before I smoked and zero motivation. After I could pay better attention, but had absolutely NO motivation.....so I road that out on the couch before falling asleep early on in the evening. I think that most of the symptoms on this day were mostly psychological...the exhaustion of battling the demon for the past week...but the sleep was so refreshing.
Day 6: Oddest day I have ever had withdrawing. I'm in an extremely positive mood. Awoke with a list of "life" changes I plan on making. My sense of humor has returned as has my ability to deconstruct my behavior and see the mistakes in thinking and coping that lead me to use. It's all "in my head" so to speak.... Anyway, the light is clearly visible at the tunnels end. Hope is starting to replace the paranoia. Starting to feel a bit of energy, but no where near my norm. Goose-flesh pops up now and again, just a little reminder that I'm still in WD. Stomach was upset when I awoke, but I'm sure that was from the "munchies" the weed gave me the night before. The intestinal cramps stopped after just one dose of Immodium, and the body aches are all but gone. I can actually pay attention to what I am reading or watching or doing today....yet my motivation is a bit lacking. I'm 3/4 through an obscenely large energy drink and starting to feel the spark of "get off your ass" kicking in. Read several posts about opiate withdrawal and masturbation and was actually able to laugh...a good sign my endorphins are aligning once again. Let's see what the next 8 hours hold....
I have been using opaites for 5-7 years on an everyday basis, and have quit before several times range from one week to 6 months in time and just cant seem to kick it for good. Basically there is no easy way to do it, suboxone helps but once you stop it no matter how much you tappered it the wd's are still hell albeit not as bad as going from 6 80's a day to nothing but regardless they will be hell no matter what. So i guess my view on things after multiple quits using multiple methods I think ***if *** you can do it go cold turkey your gonna suffer more than if tapering or using suboxone but for less time, i found when tapering or using suboxone you are slithly suffering ne way for weeks or months and then you have to cut it all out and go thru the typical wd's for basically the same amount of time, just not as intense but still it will be terrible. Also this is to al the family members out there that are for advice. Quiting this drug is a war full blown and no matter how well it is explained you have no idea whats its like and god bless you for that, but when hlping your family member just remeber this they are going through hell so if they dont wanna talk, move, or make love to you dont take it personally its not you and cut them slack cause they need it and things may not be the same for months. I dont mean this to be a negative post I am just tring to get the seriousness of the matter across and hope we all can beat this thing...goog luck to all of and my thoughts and prays are with you all
Hello all,
I'm ready to quit for good but scared. I know what it feels like to go through withdrawal and I'm not sure if I can handle it. I've been off and on with OC (80mg/day tops) for about 9 months and I'm running out of money...and friends.
I started my taper yesterday, and already I can feel effects of withdrawal. The racing thoughts, headaches, nausea, diarrhea, etc. I have no plans of going to an addiction doc for suboxone.
The plan is to go to the vitamin shoppe tomorrow morning and buy:
a GOOD multivitamin
omega3-6-9
vitamin C
L-Methionine
L-Glutamine
does anyone have any more recommendations? i've done some research and it seems these are the most talked about in terms of relief from withdrawal...
I'm ready to quit for good but scared. I know what it feels like to go through withdrawal and I'm not sure if I can handle it. I've been off and on with OC (80mg/day tops) for about 9 months and I'm running out of money...and friends.
I started my taper yesterday, and already I can feel effects of withdrawal. The racing thoughts, headaches, nausea, diarrhea, etc. I have no plans of going to an addiction doc for suboxone.
The plan is to go to the vitamin shoppe tomorrow morning and buy:
a GOOD multivitamin
omega3-6-9
vitamin C
L-Methionine
L-Glutamine
does anyone have any more recommendations? i've done some research and it seems these are the most talked about in terms of relief from withdrawal...
let me tell you guys somethin.... i have been using oxys for a very long time and i have gotten off and on many times.. to be completely honest i dont want off but i want to be fully functional and lead a happy life.. so this is my problem but i have finally figured out how to do this over the years... over the last year i have put my body through alot but it works for me.. what i do is in the begining you start in smaller intervals.. you use for three days then detox for three days.. then you use for a week then detox for a week and so on.. putting your body through these intense withdrawels multiple times over a relitively short period of time will help your body cope with withdrawel to the point were if one day you cant afford it for example then there are no problems.. never go more then 2 weeks on them and the most time you need to spend off of them according to my body is about 7 days... in my case i have extreme physical pain so if you do them recreationally then i kno it will be easier.. the body is an amazing thing.. put it to the test and find your comfortable median... this is not for the weak.. you most be mentally and physically prepaired to go to hell and back.. but there is nothing to fear besides fear itself
Such a good point. I know that it's a bit of a cliche but it is true that you only have fear to fear and you can get over that and conquer your fear. I hope that someone can figure it out and get better. Does anyone have an update?
Haven't used in about 19 days. Tapered down for about 6 days--which sucked, and felt the WD almost the entire time (read this thread during the worse of it). But then only about two - three days of shitty after that. Now, my head is clear, my feet are on the ground. Been exercising a lot (about the only time I feel really, really good). It has been getting better and better for the most part, at least. Haven't craved much at all, although I do want to drink (I quit everything).
Been going to meetings, which do help (never went before about two weeks ago). Like this thread, it helps to listen/talk to people who are going through it. I dig the spiritual thing, as well. I figure that's why I was using: chemical buddha and all. Feels a bit better when you don't have to waste all your money, work, friends on it.
Anyway, the main point: it gets better. You actually start feeling things (music is sweet again).
Hang in there folks, the morning light is coming.
Been going to meetings, which do help (never went before about two weeks ago). Like this thread, it helps to listen/talk to people who are going through it. I dig the spiritual thing, as well. I figure that's why I was using: chemical buddha and all. Feels a bit better when you don't have to waste all your money, work, friends on it.
Anyway, the main point: it gets better. You actually start feeling things (music is sweet again).
Hang in there folks, the morning light is coming.
Hello Everyone,
First thing first and this is probably the most important thing when it comes to coming off of any type of drugs especially opiates and Heroin (* I was a slave to oxy's and Heroin over and over and over for years* ) is to understand this if you already have not it will consume your life in every single aspect of it if you do not come off, if you have ever been an addict(like myself) then there is no such thing is " just for fun, or once in a while" its do or die time. I have many different friends that have over come these addictions and are still kicking it strong we have figured out a great formula to getting clean and then staying clean......because lets face it staying clean is the toughest part.
The biggest mistake you will make is getting on Suboxone or Methodone! ! ! ! ! DON'T DO IT! ! ! !TRUST US!!!!! explanation will be further down.....
Getting Clean 101
-Mind Set - You have to make your mind up is this it? or excuse after excuse and delay after delay? THIS IS A MENTAL WAR ! !
-Understanding the common WD's and setting up a regiment to lessen the symptoms, you will have symptoms there is no doubt about it.
-FORGET DR's they have never been through this, and their main goal in life is just like everyone else's PERPETUAL INCOME!!
Heroin and Opiate Addicts are the best candidates!!! Due to the severity of symptoms.... and longevity of recovery....
SUBOXONE and METHODONE are the strongest opiates available and do the same thing as every other opiate just controlled.
MEANING: The WD's and Recovery take 10x longer they are a f*****g nightmare better believe that, if you plan on getting on those then be ready to be on them for the rest of your life. I tapered off of Sub's and I felt strong-mild(much worse than H) WD's for a year and to this day occasionally and it has been 5 years thats how problematic it is. You decide if you want to be someones perpetual income?
-Your not alone by any means, there are support groups, detox clinics,and Rapid Detox(I WOULD'NT RECOMMEND! ) So ask a million questions, talk to everyone about it remember your true friends and family will be there through thick and thin! This also helps filter out the people that don't necessarily care about you in your life hehe killing two birds with one stone.
Okay So you want to get completely clean, thats a damn good start here is some advice that has worked for a lot of people and if executed will definitely help you on your road to recovery.
Your first week will be hell so try to take time off from work or any other obligations and set yourself up with an environment that will help you deal with yourself psychologically and physically.(Video's,Games,Computer, etc...) The real hell is only about 5 days long...the rest psychological. Get ready to be depressed, there is no beauty in anything at all for a while and this is where it all goes to sh*t.... consistently reminding yourself that it is only temporary is the key( write it on your wall, cell phone alarm, computer everywhere you need to, it is very temporary. Your brain and endorphin levels need to re-align but remember the body is an amazing tool..IT will balance itself out in due time and proper treatment. Respecting your mind,body, and soul is the true formula to getting clean and staying clean... thats truth.
You will need to take action but first must be educated and prepared so read up as much as you can and plan wisely!!
(If your going to go cold turkey) Almost every recovered addict will recommend this method over others.....then here is what worked for me and countless friends and family to whom I helped over come (educating them realistically)
A lot of people have mentioned marijuana and that it helps to take the edge off, personally I do not smoke I hate it so I could not vouch for it but people recommend 2 or 3 hits just for a tit bit high or buzz they claim it helps a lot. Alcohol has been brought up as well I am not a fan of that either, but a slight consumption allegedly also helps take the edge off. Of course if you have an addictive personality this could very well be the begging of another addiction. I would not recommend it. As always the choice is yours.
-For me the most effective pain reducer was Excedrin, Ibuprofen is good also. ( Helps with aches and pain ) Bengay or any other muscle pain reliever cream, HOT SHOWERS min 3x a day and take your sweet time. Soaking your feet in hot water will help you with the restless leg syndrome(the worst of wd's) and heat will help with the goose bump chills.
-Multivitamins, Vitamin B150 Complex , Protein Shakes, Guarana Pills or Energy drinks and Milk Thistle right after waking up( try different natural herbal remedies everyone is different) experiment around. Your energy levels will be low, so caffeine is essential.
***Water is life, drink a lot of water! ( Helps detox and raise your levels ) ***
-For stomach pains and diarrhea nausea everyone knows Pepto Bismol always keep it handy! Watch what you eat, light foods recommended. I like yogurt and many different types of fruits, for Protein shakes (Muscle Milk) so you do not have to eat meat. Fruits and Meal bars are good also.
-Restlessness and Irritability- Everyone has their own method for quieting their mind and soul find yours, mine is music and writing. Your mind will be racing in an opiate hell state non-stop and its just sooo easy doing a little bit to calm down, I got bad news that will make it 100x worse your brain will re-act and shut down your natural produce of dopamine etc(it wants its dose) so don't trick yourself into that nonsense. Instead rather call someone up and ask them to go for a walk and talk(helps tremendously) this is why support groups work! FIND ONE ASAP ! ! ! Try to not get caught up with conflict or put yourself in a situation for a potential explosion you will be very edged out and the slightest thing can trigger you, I lost my ex girlfriend due to this.... so if you want to keep it private just explain to people your going through a hellish time in your life and you need to be pardoned from certain activities, meetings, or hanging out.
You are stronger than the drug and the addiction itself no-one is too weak to overcome this everyone has it in them, the real question is how sick of it are you? will you let a substance own you? HELL NO ! ! and be strong ! !
How to feel good !! - Exercise!! This will help your body produce natural " feel good " chemicals or a " natural high " If your not the athletic type(95% of my friends and family) then just simple power walks at the park,boardwalks, or your town! Whatever it takes to get your body in motion(this helps you focus thus taking your mind off of the wd's ). Activities in general are great, create a leisure plan even if you don't feel the joy in it remember its just your mind playing tricks on you, you love this stuff! Also must make time for the soul, it will be your most effective tool in this war!
- Meditation does wonders for my soul, i use music to induce myself into a meditative state. Writing about what you are going through, feeling, and thinking is a great output for your emotions( So is talking ) especially with someone that can relate. Whatever it takes to fill your soul then that is what must be done. Remember in time this too shall pass, constantly remind yourself that. Positivity or a positive state of mind no matter how horrible you feel is one of the key ingredients in this soup.
Why Tapering and Suboxone or Methadone usually have a big relapse rate-
When you decide to taper you will be feeling withdrawals just not as intense until you decide that you are ready to stop, so what this means is torture through a period of time and still going through the inevitable. When you do stop your dose you'll still feel em. So suck it up and just get through the first week and your basically done, that also creates strong character for the long run so you do not relapse. Call me sick but it was going through intense Oxy,Heroin and Suboxone withdrawals for a year is the reason why I shiver at the thought of drugs( never again). Suboxone(Methadone) is stronger and more addictive without the high.... so whats the point? Its counter productive unless you plan on being on it for a very long time(lifetime) because you will essentially have to go through all of this on a bigger scale. It just does not seem worth it to me, in fact having gone through it I regret it. UNLESS you are on the verge of unintentional drug suicide due to your extreme doses then yes get on that ASAP and check yourself into a rehab center.
Rapid detox is extremely dangerous and you still have the same withdrawals.... so ummmm again the point?
This is how I overcame years and years of addiction, basically what it comes down to are these simple questions....
Do you want your life back?
Do you want to live a normal life among society?
Do you want to save your money?
Are you sick of being a slave?
Do you want to have some damage control and perhaps repair, its never too late. Lets face it life is short but yet very long you got plenty of time.
Do you love your friends, family, and most importantly yourself?
I hope this helps, I wish you the best of luck!!
You are very strong, go and get your life back!
First thing first and this is probably the most important thing when it comes to coming off of any type of drugs especially opiates and Heroin (* I was a slave to oxy's and Heroin over and over and over for years* ) is to understand this if you already have not it will consume your life in every single aspect of it if you do not come off, if you have ever been an addict(like myself) then there is no such thing is " just for fun, or once in a while" its do or die time. I have many different friends that have over come these addictions and are still kicking it strong we have figured out a great formula to getting clean and then staying clean......because lets face it staying clean is the toughest part.
The biggest mistake you will make is getting on Suboxone or Methodone! ! ! ! ! DON'T DO IT! ! ! !TRUST US!!!!! explanation will be further down.....
Getting Clean 101
-Mind Set - You have to make your mind up is this it? or excuse after excuse and delay after delay? THIS IS A MENTAL WAR ! !
-Understanding the common WD's and setting up a regiment to lessen the symptoms, you will have symptoms there is no doubt about it.
-FORGET DR's they have never been through this, and their main goal in life is just like everyone else's PERPETUAL INCOME!!
Heroin and Opiate Addicts are the best candidates!!! Due to the severity of symptoms.... and longevity of recovery....
SUBOXONE and METHODONE are the strongest opiates available and do the same thing as every other opiate just controlled.
MEANING: The WD's and Recovery take 10x longer they are a f*****g nightmare better believe that, if you plan on getting on those then be ready to be on them for the rest of your life. I tapered off of Sub's and I felt strong-mild(much worse than H) WD's for a year and to this day occasionally and it has been 5 years thats how problematic it is. You decide if you want to be someones perpetual income?
-Your not alone by any means, there are support groups, detox clinics,and Rapid Detox(I WOULD'NT RECOMMEND! ) So ask a million questions, talk to everyone about it remember your true friends and family will be there through thick and thin! This also helps filter out the people that don't necessarily care about you in your life hehe killing two birds with one stone.
Okay So you want to get completely clean, thats a damn good start here is some advice that has worked for a lot of people and if executed will definitely help you on your road to recovery.
Your first week will be hell so try to take time off from work or any other obligations and set yourself up with an environment that will help you deal with yourself psychologically and physically.(Video's,Games,Computer, etc...) The real hell is only about 5 days long...the rest psychological. Get ready to be depressed, there is no beauty in anything at all for a while and this is where it all goes to sh*t.... consistently reminding yourself that it is only temporary is the key( write it on your wall, cell phone alarm, computer everywhere you need to, it is very temporary. Your brain and endorphin levels need to re-align but remember the body is an amazing tool..IT will balance itself out in due time and proper treatment. Respecting your mind,body, and soul is the true formula to getting clean and staying clean... thats truth.
You will need to take action but first must be educated and prepared so read up as much as you can and plan wisely!!
(If your going to go cold turkey) Almost every recovered addict will recommend this method over others.....then here is what worked for me and countless friends and family to whom I helped over come (educating them realistically)
A lot of people have mentioned marijuana and that it helps to take the edge off, personally I do not smoke I hate it so I could not vouch for it but people recommend 2 or 3 hits just for a tit bit high or buzz they claim it helps a lot. Alcohol has been brought up as well I am not a fan of that either, but a slight consumption allegedly also helps take the edge off. Of course if you have an addictive personality this could very well be the begging of another addiction. I would not recommend it. As always the choice is yours.
-For me the most effective pain reducer was Excedrin, Ibuprofen is good also. ( Helps with aches and pain ) Bengay or any other muscle pain reliever cream, HOT SHOWERS min 3x a day and take your sweet time. Soaking your feet in hot water will help you with the restless leg syndrome(the worst of wd's) and heat will help with the goose bump chills.
-Multivitamins, Vitamin B150 Complex , Protein Shakes, Guarana Pills or Energy drinks and Milk Thistle right after waking up( try different natural herbal remedies everyone is different) experiment around. Your energy levels will be low, so caffeine is essential.
***Water is life, drink a lot of water! ( Helps detox and raise your levels ) ***
-For stomach pains and diarrhea nausea everyone knows Pepto Bismol always keep it handy! Watch what you eat, light foods recommended. I like yogurt and many different types of fruits, for Protein shakes (Muscle Milk) so you do not have to eat meat. Fruits and Meal bars are good also.
-Restlessness and Irritability- Everyone has their own method for quieting their mind and soul find yours, mine is music and writing. Your mind will be racing in an opiate hell state non-stop and its just sooo easy doing a little bit to calm down, I got bad news that will make it 100x worse your brain will re-act and shut down your natural produce of dopamine etc(it wants its dose) so don't trick yourself into that nonsense. Instead rather call someone up and ask them to go for a walk and talk(helps tremendously) this is why support groups work! FIND ONE ASAP ! ! ! Try to not get caught up with conflict or put yourself in a situation for a potential explosion you will be very edged out and the slightest thing can trigger you, I lost my ex girlfriend due to this.... so if you want to keep it private just explain to people your going through a hellish time in your life and you need to be pardoned from certain activities, meetings, or hanging out.
You are stronger than the drug and the addiction itself no-one is too weak to overcome this everyone has it in them, the real question is how sick of it are you? will you let a substance own you? HELL NO ! ! and be strong ! !
How to feel good !! - Exercise!! This will help your body produce natural " feel good " chemicals or a " natural high " If your not the athletic type(95% of my friends and family) then just simple power walks at the park,boardwalks, or your town! Whatever it takes to get your body in motion(this helps you focus thus taking your mind off of the wd's ). Activities in general are great, create a leisure plan even if you don't feel the joy in it remember its just your mind playing tricks on you, you love this stuff! Also must make time for the soul, it will be your most effective tool in this war!
- Meditation does wonders for my soul, i use music to induce myself into a meditative state. Writing about what you are going through, feeling, and thinking is a great output for your emotions( So is talking ) especially with someone that can relate. Whatever it takes to fill your soul then that is what must be done. Remember in time this too shall pass, constantly remind yourself that. Positivity or a positive state of mind no matter how horrible you feel is one of the key ingredients in this soup.
Why Tapering and Suboxone or Methadone usually have a big relapse rate-
When you decide to taper you will be feeling withdrawals just not as intense until you decide that you are ready to stop, so what this means is torture through a period of time and still going through the inevitable. When you do stop your dose you'll still feel em. So suck it up and just get through the first week and your basically done, that also creates strong character for the long run so you do not relapse. Call me sick but it was going through intense Oxy,Heroin and Suboxone withdrawals for a year is the reason why I shiver at the thought of drugs( never again). Suboxone(Methadone) is stronger and more addictive without the high.... so whats the point? Its counter productive unless you plan on being on it for a very long time(lifetime) because you will essentially have to go through all of this on a bigger scale. It just does not seem worth it to me, in fact having gone through it I regret it. UNLESS you are on the verge of unintentional drug suicide due to your extreme doses then yes get on that ASAP and check yourself into a rehab center.
Rapid detox is extremely dangerous and you still have the same withdrawals.... so ummmm again the point?
This is how I overcame years and years of addiction, basically what it comes down to are these simple questions....
Do you want your life back?
Do you want to live a normal life among society?
Do you want to save your money?
Are you sick of being a slave?
Do you want to have some damage control and perhaps repair, its never too late. Lets face it life is short but yet very long you got plenty of time.
Do you love your friends, family, and most importantly yourself?
I hope this helps, I wish you the best of luck!!
You are very strong, go and get your life back!