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Help for newbies...Tips for detoxing from opiate addiction
A lot of newbies on here today. Please read and post any additional questions..
This is a work in progress...something I've been working on off and on for the last couple of weeks. It's not considered complete, but has lots of info from lots of sources. If any of the "old timers" have anything to add, let me know and I'll add it to the document. I hope to use this to post a general "how to" every couple of days or so.
Listed below are suggestions for detoxing and quitting an opiate addiction. They are just suggestions compiled from the detox plans of people that have gone through cold turkey detox before. They are just that, suggestions, and any detox plan is best when done under a doctor's care. Consult your doctor before trying any of the suggestions below.
This is prewritten for anyone who is beginning, or planning on beginning, a cold turkey withdrawal to opiates. This includes drugs such as tramadol (Ultracet and Ultram) codeine (Tylenol #3, #4), Darvocet, Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco, Lortab and derivatives), Oxycodone (Endocet, Percocet, Oxycontin), Morphine, Demerol. Fentanyl, and Dilaudud. There are many other opiates not listed, so if you don’t see it listed, you can still use these suggestions if it’s an opiate based addiction. None of these apply to benzodiazepine based addictions. These addictions should never be dealt with by going cold turkey. Always consult a doctor for a detox plan for benzos.
First of all, opiate withdrawals are uncomfortable, but rarely life threatening. You may think you’re going to die, but most of the withdrawal symptoms are just very uncomfortable. If possible, take some time off work or schedule a week or so in order to fully detox. You will honestly not feel like doing much anyway. Opiate withdrawal symptoms usually start 12-24 hours after your last dose. But, the timing of withdrawal symptoms depends upon the drug taken, length of time you’ve been taking it, and how you react to medications. The physical withdrawals usually last 3-7 days, with days 3 and 4 being the worst. Once again, this is all dependent on the person. You can expect these symptoms. Dilated pupils, diarrhea, runny nose, goose bumps, abdominal pain, stomach cramps, sweating, agitation, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, leg cramps, general aches and pains, and sleeplessness. This list is not absolute. You may experience all of these symptoms, only some of them, or other symptoms. Again, we are all different. Below is the famous Thomas Recipe. It gives some general information along with supplements that help with the withdrawal symptoms. The only thing I would add to this list is a blood pressure drug named clonidine. It effectively lowers the blood pressure and lessens many of the withdrawal symptoms. Most any doctor will prescribe it if you’re honest as to why you need it. Discuss dosages and frequency with your doctor.
Thomas Recipe:
1. Valium (or another benzodiazepine such as Klonopin, Librium, Ativan or Xanax). Of these, Valium and Klonopin are best suited for tapering since they come in tablet form. Librium is also an excellent detox benzo, but comes in capsules, making it hard to taper the dose. Ativan or Xanax should only be used if you can't get one of the others.
2. Imodium (over the counter, any drug or grocery store).
3. L-Tyrosine (500 mg caps) from the health food store.
4. Strong wide-spectrum mineral supplement with at least 100% RDA of Zinc, Phosphorus, Copper and Magnesium.
5. Vitamin B6 caps.
6. Access to hot baths or a Jacuzzi (or hot showers if that's all that's available).
How to use the recipe:
Begin your detox with regular doses of Valium (or alternate benzo). Start with a dose high enough to produce sleep. Before you use any benzo, make sure you're aware of how often it can be safely taken. Different benzos have different dosing schedules. Taper your Valium dosage down after each day. The goal is to get through day 4, after which the worst WD symptoms will subside. You shouldn't need the Valium after day 4 or 5. During detox, hit the hot bath or Jacuzzi as often as you need to for muscle aches. Don't underestimate the effectiveness of hot soaks. Spend the entire time, if necessary, in a hot bath. This simple method will alleviate what is for many the worst opiate WD symptom.
Use the Imodium aggressively to stop the runs. Take as much as you need, as often as you need it. Don't take it, however, if you don't need it. At the end of the fourth day, you should be waking up from the Valium and experiencing the beginnings of the opiate WD malaise. Upon rising (empty stomach), take the L-Tyrosine. Try 2000 mgs, and scale up or down, depending on how you feel. You can take up to 4,000 mgs. Take the L-Tyrosine with B6 to help absorption. Wait about one hour before eating breakfast. The L-Tyrosine will give you a surge of physical and mental energy that will help counteract the malaise. You may continue to take it each morning for as long as it helps. If you find it gives you the "coffee jitters," consider lowering the dosage or discontinuing it altogether. Occasionally, L-Tyrosine can cause the runs. Unlike the runs from opiate WD, however, this effect of L-Tyrosine is mild and normally does not return after the first hour. Lowering the dosage may help. With breakfast, take the mineral supplement. As soon as you can force yourself to, get some mild exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming, etc. This will be hard at first, but will make you feel considerably better.
After withdrawals, the fight has just begun. It is as important to have a plan for recovery as it is to have a plan for detox. Some people swear by AA/NA and the 12 step process. Others take the private therapy route. There are many options, and there is truly something for everyone. Whether you attend meetings every night, group meetings every week, or therapy every other day, find a support system and work on your recovery. The withdrawals will be the most physically challenging part of your recovery, but the mental part that comes afterwards is just as hard. The best defense to relapse is to have a plan and stick with it.
This is a work in progress...something I've been working on off and on for the last couple of weeks. It's not considered complete, but has lots of info from lots of sources. If any of the "old timers" have anything to add, let me know and I'll add it to the document. I hope to use this to post a general "how to" every couple of days or so.
Listed below are suggestions for detoxing and quitting an opiate addiction. They are just suggestions compiled from the detox plans of people that have gone through cold turkey detox before. They are just that, suggestions, and any detox plan is best when done under a doctor's care. Consult your doctor before trying any of the suggestions below.
This is prewritten for anyone who is beginning, or planning on beginning, a cold turkey withdrawal to opiates. This includes drugs such as tramadol (Ultracet and Ultram) codeine (Tylenol #3, #4), Darvocet, Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco, Lortab and derivatives), Oxycodone (Endocet, Percocet, Oxycontin), Morphine, Demerol. Fentanyl, and Dilaudud. There are many other opiates not listed, so if you don’t see it listed, you can still use these suggestions if it’s an opiate based addiction. None of these apply to benzodiazepine based addictions. These addictions should never be dealt with by going cold turkey. Always consult a doctor for a detox plan for benzos.
First of all, opiate withdrawals are uncomfortable, but rarely life threatening. You may think you’re going to die, but most of the withdrawal symptoms are just very uncomfortable. If possible, take some time off work or schedule a week or so in order to fully detox. You will honestly not feel like doing much anyway. Opiate withdrawal symptoms usually start 12-24 hours after your last dose. But, the timing of withdrawal symptoms depends upon the drug taken, length of time you’ve been taking it, and how you react to medications. The physical withdrawals usually last 3-7 days, with days 3 and 4 being the worst. Once again, this is all dependent on the person. You can expect these symptoms. Dilated pupils, diarrhea, runny nose, goose bumps, abdominal pain, stomach cramps, sweating, agitation, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, leg cramps, general aches and pains, and sleeplessness. This list is not absolute. You may experience all of these symptoms, only some of them, or other symptoms. Again, we are all different. Below is the famous Thomas Recipe. It gives some general information along with supplements that help with the withdrawal symptoms. The only thing I would add to this list is a blood pressure drug named clonidine. It effectively lowers the blood pressure and lessens many of the withdrawal symptoms. Most any doctor will prescribe it if you’re honest as to why you need it. Discuss dosages and frequency with your doctor.
Thomas Recipe:
1. Valium (or another benzodiazepine such as Klonopin, Librium, Ativan or Xanax). Of these, Valium and Klonopin are best suited for tapering since they come in tablet form. Librium is also an excellent detox benzo, but comes in capsules, making it hard to taper the dose. Ativan or Xanax should only be used if you can't get one of the others.
2. Imodium (over the counter, any drug or grocery store).
3. L-Tyrosine (500 mg caps) from the health food store.
4. Strong wide-spectrum mineral supplement with at least 100% RDA of Zinc, Phosphorus, Copper and Magnesium.
5. Vitamin B6 caps.
6. Access to hot baths or a Jacuzzi (or hot showers if that's all that's available).
How to use the recipe:
Begin your detox with regular doses of Valium (or alternate benzo). Start with a dose high enough to produce sleep. Before you use any benzo, make sure you're aware of how often it can be safely taken. Different benzos have different dosing schedules. Taper your Valium dosage down after each day. The goal is to get through day 4, after which the worst WD symptoms will subside. You shouldn't need the Valium after day 4 or 5. During detox, hit the hot bath or Jacuzzi as often as you need to for muscle aches. Don't underestimate the effectiveness of hot soaks. Spend the entire time, if necessary, in a hot bath. This simple method will alleviate what is for many the worst opiate WD symptom.
Use the Imodium aggressively to stop the runs. Take as much as you need, as often as you need it. Don't take it, however, if you don't need it. At the end of the fourth day, you should be waking up from the Valium and experiencing the beginnings of the opiate WD malaise. Upon rising (empty stomach), take the L-Tyrosine. Try 2000 mgs, and scale up or down, depending on how you feel. You can take up to 4,000 mgs. Take the L-Tyrosine with B6 to help absorption. Wait about one hour before eating breakfast. The L-Tyrosine will give you a surge of physical and mental energy that will help counteract the malaise. You may continue to take it each morning for as long as it helps. If you find it gives you the "coffee jitters," consider lowering the dosage or discontinuing it altogether. Occasionally, L-Tyrosine can cause the runs. Unlike the runs from opiate WD, however, this effect of L-Tyrosine is mild and normally does not return after the first hour. Lowering the dosage may help. With breakfast, take the mineral supplement. As soon as you can force yourself to, get some mild exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming, etc. This will be hard at first, but will make you feel considerably better.
After withdrawals, the fight has just begun. It is as important to have a plan for recovery as it is to have a plan for detox. Some people swear by AA/NA and the 12 step process. Others take the private therapy route. There are many options, and there is truly something for everyone. Whether you attend meetings every night, group meetings every week, or therapy every other day, find a support system and work on your recovery. The withdrawals will be the most physically challenging part of your recovery, but the mental part that comes afterwards is just as hard. The best defense to relapse is to have a plan and stick with it.
i went thru detox at a hostpital. a methadone taper. it has been 4 days since methadone and i want to kill myself. i don't hurt anymore. i'm not sweaty and such. but the anxiety and depression is taking such a toll. i just want to do any drug to get high and have energy. other than opiates. true addict. i know. sorry. boo hoo
Thanks for the 411 but i do know that using a benzo is not particularly a good thing for alot of people detoxing from opiates. We are still using something that is mind altering and highly addictive, first hand experience. I think, well at least for myself, that using any mind altering medication to detox from another mind altering medication doesnt work. I had to finally just bite the bullet and walk through the withdrawls (some days crawl through). I now know that i was always seeking the easier softer way every time i entered a detox for opiate withdrawl. I will definately not forget it this time. I could only move from the bed to the couch and back for almost 8 days. Now i do not recommend this type of withdrawl for people with any kind of severe medical problems, but in the long run it sure makes you think twice about taking that next narcotic pain pill. I even pushed the envelope going cold turkey at home because i have a seizure disorder and am diabetic, but the misery i went through gave me time to stop and think about all the **** i have put myself and all those around me through. We all have to make our choices, but my opinion, and my opinion alone, is that if we keep taking the easier softer way out, that if we dont stop and look at out own behaviors, we are bound to repeat the same mistakes over and over again.
Take Care and God Bless,
Deb
Take Care and God Bless,
Deb
I'll testify to the thirst with clonodine..I took my first tonight and I'm very thirsty...for
sleep also try advil PM or tylenol PM. I'm fortunate in that I have klonopin and ambien...
stay with us here punky...I've learned so much here I'm eternally grateful to all those who have provided advise and help.
Jim
sleep also try advil PM or tylenol PM. I'm fortunate in that I have klonopin and ambien...
stay with us here punky...I've learned so much here I'm eternally grateful to all those who have provided advise and help.
Jim
Also what really helps is clonidine it's for high blood pressure, but it helps w/the hot/cold part also it helped me sleep even B4 when I had nothing one of the days I took one and passed right out, but if you get them drink alot of water it dehydrates you so maybe a family member has some?
It could help, but I will warn you you're probably not going to have a good night sleep. I never did, w/d's suck! I would be hot/cold, feel like I was crawling outa my skin and just wiggin out wicked bad extremly edgy, it's like a really BAD flu....How old are the lil ones I have a 3 yr old and just told her I was sick. Valerium root is a good natural sleeping pill I got mine at GNC, bit think you can get them at a pharmacy....Suboxone is used for a short time so that you don't feel any w/d's it's like a sponge and it is a opiate blocker, but it has to be prescibed it's not for everyone, but it was for me...
Im okay, nervous but ok. Im trying to stay busy but also Im a little sweaty which is weird. I think Im nervous because I dont know what to expect. And I hope I can get through it without just giving up and taking the pills. But so far I feel okay. Do you think unisom will help me sleep tonight because I know that I will have problems then. And I have to take care of my babies so I need to be at least semi rested. :) Im from Georgia. I havent heard of that medication........suboxone you say?
I wish I could tell you, but i'll be honest I have no idea I actaully wanted to get clean so bad I traded my last oxy 80 for suboxone, which is used to get off pills w/out feeling like you're dying and I swear by it like I said I couldn't do it on my own by tappering or c/t, but I feel wonderful now and i'll be 100% off the sub. w/in the next 2 days I started it on tues...Have you ever heard of it? Where are you from? And how are you feeling now?
Thank you dearly. I cant wait to be in the position to tell someone else what all you have told me.........all of you. Ive been really stressed about this and scared. I cant wait till I can get up in the morning and dont have to take a pill to get me going. If I took my last pill at 12:00, when do you think I will start feeling the withdrawls? And do you know if the thomas recipte helps and how about pillates. I do that a lot.
Thank you again, your heaven sent.........
Punky
Thank you again, your heaven sent.........
Punky
W/D's Suck, but in the end you're going to look back and be so thankfull....Not only that, but if you ever get the urge to take pills again just remember how ****** you feel at this moment....I presonally couldn't tapper all the way off or go c/t but many people can and I give them alot of credit....And when it comes to vomiting I think you have to be REALLY bad taking alot to get that sick, but everyones diffrent...I remember the 1st time I posted on here and that was my 1st step to recovery...
to everyone today who is just starting withdrawals - just keep posting when you need support.
so many of us have gotten thru this way....
so many of us have gotten thru this way....
That's good to know, thank you. Im new at this. I hope I dont, I was taking about 8 lortab a day and took the last one at 12:00. I hate to vomit though, when I was pregnant, I thought I was going to die from everything that came out of my stomach. There was nothing left in my body! I justy hate that feeling............thank you for responding to me. I need everyone I can get, I dont have a support system at home.
thanks for your help I really appreciate it. I hope I can do it cause right now i feel like i'm dying.
Also one more thing, Im sorry. I have got to get some sleep at night because I have two young children, do you think unisom would help me sleep?
Hey, thank you so much for that infprmation. Im terrified believe me. I was diagnosed with vascular disease 3 years ago and thats how I started my addiction to lortab. It's scary and I never knew that it could overtake your life but it does. My husband and I argue more often and I know it's because of the pills. I had gotten up to about 8 7.5 lortab a day. He takes them too but not like I do. I took my last one at 12:00 today so I needed to know what to expect. I have to perfect little boys that are my little angels. They keep me going every day. Does the Thomas Recipe really help lower the roughness of the withdrawls? I hope so. Also does everyone actually vomit or does that sometimes not happen. I cant stand being sick to my stomach and throwing up. What would help that? I hope you will be around for the next few days. How long do you think it takes to feel a little closer to normal again? Im sorry about all the questions.......
Thanks for everything.......
Punky
PS- Did I mention that Im very scared and I hope Im strong enough...............
Thanks for everything.......
Punky
PS- Did I mention that Im very scared and I hope Im strong enough...............
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