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Natural Help for pain killer detoxing?

Are there any natural, non-addictive methods for helping with a pain killer (vicadin, percoset, I'm not sure of the others) detox?  I've heard of foods that boost serotonin, are there any particulars that can help restore a malnourished pain-killer addict?  I want to help a friend, I myself am a recovering alcoholic, but I have no specific experience with narcotic pain killers.  My friend has been weened (tapered?) off pills for about a week now, and they are very depressed, tired, and weak.  I told them to eat some protein, get lots of sleep and nourishment, but I feel like a fool 'cause I havent a clue.  I would never want to jeopardize them with my big mouth.  Please let me know if any foods, teas, juices, WHATEVER, are helpful.  Would low hormones also have an adverse effect?  How can those be boosted naturally?  They are very proud of their new found drug-freedom, I'd like to help them stay that way.
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Avatar universal
Hi Sinead - you will not come totally right until you replace all the zinc/mag you have leached out of your body over the past few years - this is what 'hanging out' really is - it's your body craving zinc/mag (zinc stops cravings/magnesium stops depression). If you don't do this it will take up to 2 years to return to normal as the only other source your body has for zinc/mag is food and then it is in such tiny amounts it takes years to build up again. If you get a blood test done you will find your levels of both are way down on what they should be.


A typical tablet contains somthing like this:

Zinc amino acid chelate 75mg
Magnesium amino acis chelate 37.5mg
Vitamin B6 10mg
Manganese amino acid chelate 10mg
Viatmin A (1000I.U.) 300mcg

Grading your habit on a scale of 1-10 (1 being occasional use and 10 being long term methadone at 100 plus mg's a day) you should take the following amount for a period of one month then slowly reduce to a daily amount of 2-3 per day.

Habit scale/size - Number of tablets per day for a month

10 10
9 9
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 3
1 2
0 2

You will notice that I recommend you never go below 2 per day. This is because zinc/mag depletion was your original problem so you should give yourself an ongoing supplement to make sure it does not happen again. I now take 2-3 per day to maintain my health. I have had no failures with this treatment (everyone OK after less than a month) and have treated addictions (including my own) as varied as methadone and cigarettes. The cigarrete smoker reduced from 2 packs per day to just 5 cigarettes per day in a week without any discomfort. If you suffer any kind of 'hang out' just increase the zinc/mag dosage and give it a liitle longer to take effect (a week or so). Don't beleive all the bullshit about drug addiction you have heard - it's all **** - this is the real deal. The drugs themselves are not actually addictive but they do leach all the zinc/mag out of your body by increasing the metabolism of them creating a shortage that gets worse the longer you use unless you replace them while you are using in which case you don't hang out when you stop - you just come straight - this is true beleive me I have tried it as have a few other people I know and none of us sufferred any hang out when we stopped.


Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've been working on detox from hydrocodone or Lortab now, for about 6 weeks.  I was taking 14 tablets of 10mg. hydrocodone in each and now I am down to 6 tablets a day.  My psychiatrist has helped but, it is extremely difficult.  I've done it through a taper method, dropping by .5mg of hydrocodone every 3 days and it still isn't easy.  I've been told by many Drs. that this is the hardest narcotic to get off of.  I believe it now.  I've used many more of other opiates and I've not had this much difficulty, emotionally or physically.

I use xanax and klonopin regularly anyway for panic disorder and generalized anxiety so, it's not really helping me.  I supplement now with what's been recommended, as far as natural supplements. Some I got from this wonderful forum and others, I got from a book at the pharmacy.  Here's what they are and what I find is working:

Vitamin C - 2000 mg. daily or more;
Vitamin B6 - 200 mg. daily (although, I use 300 mg.);
Vitamin B12 - 3 times daily (just choose a brand of your choice and follow the directions on the bottle;
Calcium, magnesium and Vit. D at night - 6 (500 mg. tablets);
Valerian Root - at night, if needed with the calcium;
Multi-vitamin - 1 daily (can't hurt);
L-Tyrosine - 2 -4 tablets daily - follow instructions on bottle or Thomas's tried and true method shown in this forum.

Just a thought - with vitamins and natural supplements, anything your body doesn't need, it excretes so, they're safe.

My Dr. also prescribed Vistaril, which I take when I'm really starting to squirm.  I took 75mg., which is the maximum amt. you can take last night, along with the calcium, B12, etc. but I still woke up at 3:30 a.m., craving the medication.  It appears to be an "every other night" thing; one night I sleep good and the next night I don't.  It's very frustrating and the less pills I take, it's beginning to feel more like "cold turkey".

So, I emphathize and wish I could tell you "yes, all the above works and it's easy".  BUT, the sad truth is, it's not easy regardless of how you do it, unless you're rich and can do a "rapid detox", that I've read about.  They're doing it in Hollywood but oh well, that's not a choice for me and there's speculation on it's safety, at this point.

Good luck.  Keep writing with everyone here.  They're all wonderful people, in the same or similar position.  Know you are not alone, no matter what time you are on line, writing.

whitedove
Pam
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
sorry but do not seem to have any special way to dettox but' believe
me you it can be done....due to a horrific car accident my foot came off.
fortunatly it took when operating took place..thanks to nanchahal from
charring x hospital...i was on 240 mst tabs am now down to 10ml not bad
for pegleg..but no despair it can be done best of luck lov aynur
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am a white male, 39 yrs old, married with two beautiful children (that i don't deserve) and have always been an addictive person. It started (pharmacutically speaking) with my first joint back in '81 - and have used pot every day since. I am also (until about 12-14 months ago) a heavy drinker. In April of last year (round-abouts) I discovered hydrocodone and have been addicted since. I eat anywhere from 12-15 per day and am most likely killing myself. I am very interested in additional information regarding detoxing, methods, philosophy, understanding my compulsive nature, nutritional help, etc.
ANY info in this (these) directions will be extremely appreciated.
Thank you
-***@****
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I find that sex is the best exercise,especially with a new lover,it totally takes all thoughts of the drug from your mind.
But you cannot be lazy,like I mean really vigorous sex,for hours on end,week after week,be imaginative,its hard work,but it really gets those hormones you mentioned back into prime levels.good luck and god bless.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Great post, Steve... and lucky you to have a typist !! Doesn't matter what the date,it's never too late !!! Love, Brighty
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
the best thing as hard as it may seem is to force yourself to exersize (LONG WALKS, JOGGING, AEROBICS. BICYCLE, WEIGHTS, ETC) THIS SORT OF ACTIVITY REALLY HELPS A GREAT DEAL.  THE PAINKILLERS PREVENT YOUR BRAIN FROM PRODUCING ENDORPHINS BECAUSE YOU ARE ARTIFICIALLY SUPPLYING YOUR BODY WITH THEM TRHOUGH THE PAIN KILLERS.  WHEN YOU EXERCIZE YOUR BODY STARTS TO PRODUCE ENDORPHINS I.E ENDORPHINE RUSH.. ALSO TOO MUCH PROTEIN CAN CAUSE YOUR BODY TO WORK OVERTIME AT NIGHT WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO SLEEP SO TRY TO STAY AWAY FROM A BIG PROTEIN MEAL IN THE EVENING SINCE YOU ARE STILL GOING TO BE EXPERIENCING SLEEPLESSNESS FOR AT LEAST A WEEK MAYBE EVEN TWO AFTER YOU HAVE STOPPED TAKING THE PILLS.  LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER AND PLENTY OF VITAMINS AND EXERCISE .. I KNOW WHEN YOU ARE LYING THEIR AND YOU FEEL AS THOUGH NOTHING FUCKEN MATTERS AND YOU DON'T EVEN WANT TO GET OFF THE COUCH TO TAKE A **** BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO ENERGY AND THAT BIG BLACK CLOUD OF DEPRESSION IS HANGING OVER YOUR HEAD.  JUST FORCE YOURSELF TO GO FOR A LONG WALK AND IF IT IS SNOWING OUTSIDE GOTO A HEALTH CLUB AND SIT IN A SUANA JUST GET YOUR ASS OUT OF THE HOUSE AND GO WHERE HEALTHY PEOPLE HANG OUT AND BEFORE LONG YOU YOURSELF WILL BE HEALTHY AND FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF.. I ALSO FOUND THAT GOING AND GETTING AND HOUR LONG MASSAGE LIKE TWICE A WEEK FOR A MONTH, IT IS A LITTLE EXPENSIVE (NOTHING COMPARED TO WHICH YOU SPENT ON THE PILLS ) BUT IT IS WORTH ITS WEIGHT IN GOLD... WELL I HOPED I HELPED OUT IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.  TAKE CARE ...STEVE  I JUST FRIGGIN FINISHED TYPING THIS AND I NOTICED THE DATE ON YOUR MESSEGE IS FRON JUNE OF 2000!! WELL IM GOING TO SEND IT ANYWAY!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've been on 50 mgs, morohine every night for a while now and have become allergic to it so I have to detox from it.  My doctor gave me Clonidine to help with some of the effects of coming off this stuff. He has me on 40 mgs for 2 wks. then 20 mgs or 2 wks. and then I stop all together.  Can you please tell me if it difficult coming off of this morphine and maybe what some of what I may experience during this time, and is this a safe way to come off of the Morphine?  Thank you!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
4ce
Get a book called seven weeks to sobriety.  There are many nutrients you can take.  Your brain is one big chemical reaction, nutrients are the raw materials that cause these reactions.  Replace the drug you are trying to quit with amino acids that increase your own endorphins, help you sleep, etc.  Also a place called wholesale nutrition has a drug rehab info kit for about 5 bucks.  Exercise also releases endorphins(similar to the word morphine)to give you a natural high, which is why everyone seems to suggest it.
Really high doses of Vit. C, glutamine, phenylalanine, etc.  The better your nutrient intake, the stronger your body and mind will be to resist using again.  You need mega-doses to quit, and then lower the dose...but never quit taking nutrients.  Its just not in the food anymore...wonder if that has something to do with why EVERYONE seems to be addicted to SOMETHING these days!
Good Luck.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
After a month you may experience some, though not severe, withdrawal.  Try tapering down the amount you currently take over the course of a few weeks.  For example, if you take 8 per day now, then try taking 7.5 for a few days, then 7, etc.  Keep to your regular schedule of when you take the dosage, just reduce the amount gradually and this will help.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have a strange story so I hope you all don't mind listening. I was recently diagnosed with colon cancer. I went through surgery on 7-5-00, only to have serious internal bleeding on 7-9-00 that required another hospital trip and included me having grand mal seizures from the 11th until the 18th. I just went back in the hospital again for the 3rd time due to an infection in the incision and 104 fever. Needless to say I have been on lorcet 10mg for about a month or longer so I am wondering what I can due to ease off them. I am 30 yrs old with 3 kids and the last thing I need is to deal with severe withdrawl symptoms too. I still have 2 drains coming out of me and I still deal with a lot of pain so I am scared and at the same time I don't want to continue this way. I have been an addict before and I miss the years I was clean before this happened. I had so much energy. I was like a kid again. I was also a nicer person to be around. Thanks for anybodies help out there !
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sadly mother nature did not leave us with any cures for opiod addiction so if you want any relief from the withdrawal you are going to have to do it with drugs(Clonidine,diazepam.....).I do know that acidic foods and drinks speed up the metabolism of methadone(a synthetic opiod)thus speeding up the withdrawal, wether this is true for all opiods I do not Know.Good Luck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Go to www.ibogaine.org for lots of good info.  At this point, ibogaine is illegal for all purposes in this country and is not even a schedule I medication.  It has similar psychoactive properties to mescaline, but also has the unique properties which make it a promising drug for treatment of drug abuse.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am wondering about something called Ibogaine.  I've heard that it is useful in stopping the craving for opiates, alcohol and even nicotine.  Supposedly it is illegal in this country.  It sounds to me that it is an herb that has psychoactive properties like mescaline.  Is it a schedule 1 drug like marijuana?  Or can it be purchased legitametly?  Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks,
John
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have found that the single most effective "natural" treatment for withdrawal is aerobic exercise - jogging, ski machine, stair master, bicycling (the real kind, not the machine). During my first two months of detox and meetings, I would experience a powerful build-up of tension which was only relieved by long, fast-paced walks with a Walkman for inspiration. This practice has become a way of life for me now. I meditate on things and people and return home to enjoy the very real high that even mild aerobic exercise brings. In fact, since I am an addict, I get myself to do it by thinking about the high I will have when I'm done. You might as well use your addictive personality for good purposes. I recommend a book, "Fit or Fat," by Covert Baily. It gives you practical ways to reach a true aerobic state. Aerobic exercise is simple, free and good for what ails you. And you don't need an Rx. Sometimes the best answer is also the most mundane one. As long as you have something positive going on in your life you can get clean and stay that way. Good luck to you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Unfortunately, nothing will help much except time.  Some physicians believe in trying a course of an antidepressant, but usually they take several weeks to begin working.  Eating properly, sleeping and getting some exercise does help.  Food during the day should consist mainly of protien and some carbs, and low fat.  In the evening, carbs and very low protien (protien at dinner can inhibit sleep).  Exercise is important.
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