Day 5 opiate withdrawal-- cold turkey

[Ellela223]

I am currently on day 5 of opiate withdrawal. I went cold turkey last week and it's been rough. I am finally feeling a little better physically, but mentally it's still really difficult. The cravings are intense and aren't passing easily and I worry that I'll cave. Anyone have any positive thoughts or suggestions on how to get through this? I don't want to go back. Thank you!

[Ellela223]

Hi everyone!  I can't tell you how much it means to me to have your responses and answers, I have been needing that community feeling these last couple of days. I was taking various amounts for the past six years, this last year has been the most usually around 40 to 60 mg  A day. It was literally an all day affair, from the moment I woke up to the moment I went to bed. I was completely dependent on it. I find my mind trying to play tricks on me saying that it is a less messy addiction then say alcohol, because I could function, but the fact remains that I needed it to get through my daily life every day and that is  no way to live. I woke up this morning and I am feeling good. I am tired, but I suppose that is to be expected. I am going to yoga and it just trying to focus on myself, my kids deserve better.  Even though I understand that every person and addiction is different it helps to hear that by tomorrow, or next week, I will start to come out of this fog. I can feel it lifting today.

[SJS49]

Unfortunately when our bodies become dependent on a pill to "feel good," it does become an all day affair, wake up, pill, have a shower, pill, have breakfast, lunch, pill, etc, etc, in fact, it is not just an all day affair, it is a YEAR ROUND affair, and for many of it us, it's not only the taking of the pill round the clock, it's the counting, the stress of running out, wondering how we will get another until our refill, it is a horrible, vicious cycle that ultimately hurts our bodies. Each time I have started withdrawals, I made it up to 3 days, then I had my son, had pills for 3 days after I got out of the hospital, and did not withdrawal at all, no loss of sleep (except that of having a newborn), no cravings, no nothing, just joy of my new found love...when he was 6 months old, my endometriosis and back pain came back with avengence, so, go to doc, get a script, get it filled, start cycle all over again...man it has been a long hard road to get to where I am now, a long road of having pills, running out, withdrawaling monthly, and I'm still not too far along in this, and when I get pain, I still want to give in and go run to the doctor because it is horrible. At some point, I am going to have hysterectomy, and hopefully that will help alot!!! Congrats on wanting to kick this devil addiction. As I think that's what the addict in us is, a devil, not THE devil, but a devil. It's amazing though how quickly you can train your brain to not want/think about a pill if that is your will. Good luck and keep up the good work.

[Happyturtle214]

Hey I've been in yor shows atleast 4 times. I'm currently only on my third week clean this time. I'm 23 years old, last time I got clean it lasted like 7 months. Then you know the rest fast forwards 4 months later and back here. long term w/d "mentally" is the hardest part about it when you get months down the road and you start to forget what it's like to be high on them. You tell yourself I've beaten the addiction, whats a few. Then that few lets you see how you can manage it then you abuse them again 9x out of 10.  

Your on day 5 by the end of next week you'll start feeling physically better. Mentally you'll feel a little down unless you get active, exercise and eat good foods that get those dopamines flying. You can do NA/Aa for support which is what most people recommended doing on here. Life gets so good when you get off them, as time goes by you start to forget what it's like to be an addict.

[meegWpaw]

hi elle, yes, w/d is very difficult.  congrats on getting through the worst of the physical w/ds!!!  it takes a lot of strength.  the mental is the real challenge though.  like SJS said, it depends on the dose you were on and for how long.  I was on a very high dose for a very long time, and I did not start feeling anywhere back to 'normal' mentally or emotionally for prolly 60-90 days in.  i wasn't working, so i had a schedule i stuck to every day.  i worked out, looked for a job, worked on writing, and cleaned up the house.  exercise helped the mental part the most.  the cravings are another issue.  cut all your sources.  it will always gnaw at you if there is availability, varying depending or how easy it is to get.  go to NA or some kind of aftercare.  good luck.  keep posting to let us know how you're doing!

[SJS49]

Hi and Welcome ~ I have gone through this many many times, as have others on this forum. I felt alot better by day 7, and felt almost back to "normal" around day 12 - 14. I kept busy, I went to work, took no time off, did what I could for the first five days (laundry, cooking, some cleaning). I went for walks, and played with my son. You need to keep your mind busy. I had a lot of self talks. Told myself it was all in my head and I was stronger than the pills, and you will be amazed at how much that helps! Keep a very positive attitude toward it. How long have you been taking the pills and what dose? That has alot to do with recovery time.