Do percipitated wd's last the same amount of time as normal wd's?

[Dooseldorf]

I was wondering if you could theoretically speed up the amount of time withdrawals last by going into precipitated wds? I know they are awful. I have had it happen to me before when my habit wasn't too bad. I felt awful the first day but then by the second day I actually started feeling better. My habit is not too much worse and I do not believe my withdrawals (CT) will be THAT bad. But, I would actually rather have worse wds over a shorter period of time if possible. Has anyone gone through precipitated wds and notice that it didn't last as long as regular wds? Anyone have some other/better advice on detoxing from about 40-60 mg OC? CT? Taper further? Use subs for a few days?

[Dooseldorf]

Thank you so much everyone for responding so quickly! I'm sure I do not have to tell you guys how wonderful it is to have a place where you can find this much support, instantly!
Anyway to answer a few questions,
This is technically my first detox with the intention of staying clean. I have been using opiates for the past ten months. In the past 6 months I would say I have become an addict, and would get some minor wd's when I stopped using for a couple of days. I would always have days off here and there, I think two weeks was the longest I had ever gone doing it daily up until about a month and a half ago. Seeing that I'm not able to control this drug (how ridiculous of me to think I could) I want to stop now. I tried going CT this past weekend from what had reached about 80-120 mg/day in the last month and it was hell and not to mention I was with my family so I ended up eating 5 tabs over two days, it helped, but I was definitely still detoxing. When I got home I had to go to work so I have been doing about 40 mg/day of oc since Monday. It is now about to be the weekend and I plan on getting clean. I might take tomorrow off or leave early. So I was just sort of wondering if precipited wds made the process quicker. After hearing everyone's stories it sounds like it not the way to go. I don't believe my wd's will be too bad so I'm just going to go CT. I will keep everyone updated on my progress and I'm looking into aftercare treatment where I live. This is all very new to me, so I'm taking it one day at a time. By new to me, I mean the process of stopping and getting clean.
Thanks again everyone and good luck with your battle or congrats for conquering this battle!

[HenryS354]

Im not sure if there is a clinical answer to this, all I can do is speak from my own experience, with precipitated wd's.

I was a long time methadone user, at high dosages, usually up to 700mgs a day.  I had taken my dose, and was so lit that I forgot I had dosed and redosed again.  It wasnt until I noticed my breathing was very shallow, that I had realized what I had done.

I was a paramedic at the time, so I ran to the station to get a vial of narcan.  I injected .4mgs IV thinking that would decrease the opioid activity enough where I could sleep safely.  I was entirely wrong.

Before I finished the injection, I knew something wasnt right.  I felt like I had injected ice water in my veins, but my skin grew hot.  I got instantly dizzy, and nauseated.  The worst was the back and stomach spasms... I could literally see my stomach muscles tensing (I was waiting for some alien child to rip through my stomach) my jaw started to move uncontrollably, and I literally felt like I was dying.  Projectile vomiting ensued shortly after, while the feelings of pin pricks all over my body continued.

This all lasted about an hour and a half, and as it subsided I noticed that I was beginning to feel high again.  After further research and speaking with other docs, the mechanism of action in naloxone is very short lived (Which is why multiple dosages, and IV drips are warranted in severe opioid overdosages) The methadone was able to overpower the naloxone, which basically put me through absolute misery for nothing.

Im not sure if this lowered my tolerance in the long run, or would have made a detox easier, as I continued on my MMT as planned.

All I know is that every CT I have been through combined doesnt come close to the agony of the precipitated wds I went through.

Different DOC's I know, just wanted to share my experience with ya.

Be careful....

Henry

[vicki595]

Subs for a "few days"??  What doctor prescribes that?

Well,I don't know the answer. Everyone's different.

I would just cold turkey from this amount. Tapering,IMO,is torture.

Good luck!

V.

[IBKleen]

Withdrawal is not fun. I surely would not put myself through precipitated withdrawal. I would try and make myself as comfortable as I can for a few days and let it take it's course, providing that you do not have any other health problems.

Tapering is always an option but may be difficult to do. I was never successful at it.

As far as Suboxone, I am strongly against people using it for a few days. First, that tells me that you didn't get them from a doctor and second, that is not their purpose and too many people use them to be a "weekend warrior". It is a bad habit to get into.

To be honest, you were not on a large dose and withdrawal may not be as bad as you think.

And now I have to ask: You have been through this before? This is a relapse? Can I ask what you are going to do different this time to prevent any future relapses?