Aa
Thomas Recipe
Thomas Recipe Re-posted [My comments in brackets]
PLEASE NOTE: I am not a doctor, simply a long-time Rx opiate junkie who has had many opportunities to develop a way to detox. This is a recipe for at-home self-detox from opiates based on my experience as well as that of many other addicts. It is not intended as professional medical advice. It is always wise to make sure none of the recipe ingredients or procedures conflict with medications you may be taking. Likewise, if you have any medical condition, disease, allergy or any other health issue, consult your doctor before using the recipe. Thanks, Thomas
This recipe is designed for cold turkey opiate detox. It assumes that you can get about 5 to 7 days away from your job or household responsibilities during which you can sleep, veg and act as miserable as you feel. Opiate WD mimics the symptoms of the common flu, so, if you need a smokescreen, hide behind a bad case of the flu.
If you can't take time off to detox, I recommend you follow a taper regimen using your drug of choice or suitable alternate -- the slower the taper, the better.
For the Recipe, You'll need:
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. [or stress B-complex?]
6. Access to hot baths or a Jacuzzi (or hot showers if that's all that's available). [many gyms offer free trials]
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. [melatonin worked well after day 4 for me. Sleeplessness sometimes hangs on awhile]
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. [I like Epsom salts in the tub. Forces Magnesium into the muscles]
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.[Diarrhea is the bodies way to aid in the detox so take Immodium for the comfort factor if needed]
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. [L-Tyrosine is great. samE 400 mg works too]
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. [Walking gets the blood and lymph systems working helping you detox better]
PLEASE NOTE: If you have any medical complications, first check with your doctor before detoxing to verify that this regimen is safe for you. [Very important note]
PLEASE NOTE: I am not a doctor, simply a long-time Rx opiate junkie who has had many opportunities to develop a way to detox. This is a recipe for at-home self-detox from opiates based on my experience as well as that of many other addicts. It is not intended as professional medical advice. It is always wise to make sure none of the recipe ingredients or procedures conflict with medications you may be taking. Likewise, if you have any medical condition, disease, allergy or any other health issue, consult your doctor before using the recipe. Thanks, Thomas
This recipe is designed for cold turkey opiate detox. It assumes that you can get about 5 to 7 days away from your job or household responsibilities during which you can sleep, veg and act as miserable as you feel. Opiate WD mimics the symptoms of the common flu, so, if you need a smokescreen, hide behind a bad case of the flu.
If you can't take time off to detox, I recommend you follow a taper regimen using your drug of choice or suitable alternate -- the slower the taper, the better.
For the Recipe, You'll need:
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. [or stress B-complex?]
6. Access to hot baths or a Jacuzzi (or hot showers if that's all that's available). [many gyms offer free trials]
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. [melatonin worked well after day 4 for me. Sleeplessness sometimes hangs on awhile]
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. [I like Epsom salts in the tub. Forces Magnesium into the muscles]
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.[Diarrhea is the bodies way to aid in the detox so take Immodium for the comfort factor if needed]
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. [L-Tyrosine is great. samE 400 mg works too]
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. [Walking gets the blood and lymph systems working helping you detox better]
PLEASE NOTE: If you have any medical complications, first check with your doctor before detoxing to verify that this regimen is safe for you. [Very important note]
For me personally, the withdrawl seems to get worse and worse everytime! I know what is coming and that is what acres the hell out of me.. So I do whatever i can to make sure not to let it happen, although I have had to go c/t so many times just due to the fact that I had pills, couldnt take them right, then would run out, and then not be able to get any ANYWHERE!!
HERE COMES THE WITHDRAWLS!! OHH ****
HERE COMES THE WITHDRAWLS!! OHH ****
That is a very good point you make about helping in the detox, I hadn't considered that and took enough to stop it rather than when I needed it.
You are so right about the Immodium. My comment was this.[Diarrhea is the bodies way to aid in the detox so take Immodium for the comfort factor if needed]
Do you think I should add more to my comments? Remember I was just re-posting his recipe.
Do you think I should add more to my comments? Remember I was just re-posting his recipe.
I've quit a few times, CT, and it never gets easier. Even though I know what to expect the anxiety and insomnia are incredibly hard for me to deal with.
I guess not hard enough that I stop once and for all. I think I'm close though!
I guess not hard enough that I stop once and for all. I think I'm close though!
about the immodium. If you're going C/T from a large dose, don't take the immodium until you are actually unable to leave the bathroom. If you take it too soon, and then you can't take the C/T and/or you finally get more drugs, you can end up with a life-threatening obstruction.
Thomas was just a guy who posted here. I forget what his DOC was. His advice somehow became a legend.
I don't know what I think about it getting easier. Once you know what it's like, the dread can keep in your addiction a lot longer. After c/t several times from high doses (you know, just ran out and ran out of options), this last time the fear of c/t made me finally do a taper. Years ago that would have been completely impossible for me. So the scenario changes, but I don't know if I'd call it easier.
We get smarter, but that doesn't keep us out of trouble!
I don't know what I think about it getting easier. Once you know what it's like, the dread can keep in your addiction a lot longer. After c/t several times from high doses (you know, just ran out and ran out of options), this last time the fear of c/t made me finally do a taper. Years ago that would have been completely impossible for me. So the scenario changes, but I don't know if I'd call it easier.
We get smarter, but that doesn't keep us out of trouble!
Thomas was on this forum around 2001 I believe
L-Tyrosine is an amino acid. It helps with mood, energy and cravings.
B-6 helps with the absorption of L-Tyrosine, so yes you do need it to take with it.
I agree with the generic anti-diarrheal.
As far as the extra vitamins w/Ensure. If you are doing OK probably not but it won't hurt. My view is that our bodies were so overloaded trying to process all the drugs we took. That it couldn't spare the extra effort needed to really rebuild itself. So when we get clean. We need to give it the nutrients, supplements and vitamins it needs to repair itself. This will take months to rebuild the cells!
I was already taking most of the things in this recipe before i quit c/t. I think that is why my w/ds were less than some here.
And lastly, I can't speak about the getting easier. Many here have said it got harder for them. I haven't quit c/t before from opiates. I did use as prescribed in the past. I have quit many different things and none (even alcohol) compared to the opiate w/ds. The mental part has been worse than anything else too.
L-Tyrosine is an amino acid. It helps with mood, energy and cravings.
B-6 helps with the absorption of L-Tyrosine, so yes you do need it to take with it.
I agree with the generic anti-diarrheal.
As far as the extra vitamins w/Ensure. If you are doing OK probably not but it won't hurt. My view is that our bodies were so overloaded trying to process all the drugs we took. That it couldn't spare the extra effort needed to really rebuild itself. So when we get clean. We need to give it the nutrients, supplements and vitamins it needs to repair itself. This will take months to rebuild the cells!
I was already taking most of the things in this recipe before i quit c/t. I think that is why my w/ds were less than some here.
And lastly, I can't speak about the getting easier. Many here have said it got harder for them. I haven't quit c/t before from opiates. I did use as prescribed in the past. I have quit many different things and none (even alcohol) compared to the opiate w/ds. The mental part has been worse than anything else too.
Hello friends!
I have some questions about Thomas' recipe. Much of it is similar to methods I developed on my own, but some is new to me.
In the first place who is Thomas anyway? Not that it really matters. What is L-Tyrosine and what is its benefit? Why is B-6 singled out and what is the benefit of this specific vitamin? The mineral supplement sounds reasonable, but is this over and above what you get in a good multi-vitamin?
Two important things are left out of the recipe, I believe: all-around nutrition and hydration. During withdrawal of course you can't eat, no appetite whatsoever. I would drink three cans of Ensure a day. That stuff alone can sustain life. Ensure plus has 350 calories per can, so I was getting 1050 calories a day. After a couple of days I'd begin making Ensure milkshakes. A can of Ensure and a scoop of ice cream in the blender. Yum!
If you take a multivitamin and drink three cans of Ensure a day, do you still need the extra B-6 and mineral complex supplements?
Staying well hydrated is also very important. Drink lots of water (I'd drink Coca-Cola sometimes, just because I like it). That inevitable diarrhea can be dehydrating.
Speaking of diarrhea (I don't like to but I have to, LOL), Imodium is a must. Be sure to have that on hand day one. But don't buy actual Imodium, unless you own stock in McNeil Pharm (but if you did you already sold it, drug habits are expensive ;-). Buy the generic for half the price.
I'm asking for details, please about L-Tyrosine, B-6 and mineral complex. I like to be as informed as possible.
One last question: Does anyone else find, after going through this multiple times, that it gets a little easier? Not that the withdrawal is any less, but I wonder if our perception of, and tolerance to suffering, changes? At first it is really scary ("what's happening to me? Am I going to die?"). After a few times you know exactly what to expect, and how and why it's happening. I never heard this asked before and am wondering what others think. Thanks guys!
Marc
I have some questions about Thomas' recipe. Much of it is similar to methods I developed on my own, but some is new to me.
In the first place who is Thomas anyway? Not that it really matters. What is L-Tyrosine and what is its benefit? Why is B-6 singled out and what is the benefit of this specific vitamin? The mineral supplement sounds reasonable, but is this over and above what you get in a good multi-vitamin?
Two important things are left out of the recipe, I believe: all-around nutrition and hydration. During withdrawal of course you can't eat, no appetite whatsoever. I would drink three cans of Ensure a day. That stuff alone can sustain life. Ensure plus has 350 calories per can, so I was getting 1050 calories a day. After a couple of days I'd begin making Ensure milkshakes. A can of Ensure and a scoop of ice cream in the blender. Yum!
If you take a multivitamin and drink three cans of Ensure a day, do you still need the extra B-6 and mineral complex supplements?
Staying well hydrated is also very important. Drink lots of water (I'd drink Coca-Cola sometimes, just because I like it). That inevitable diarrhea can be dehydrating.
Speaking of diarrhea (I don't like to but I have to, LOL), Imodium is a must. Be sure to have that on hand day one. But don't buy actual Imodium, unless you own stock in McNeil Pharm (but if you did you already sold it, drug habits are expensive ;-). Buy the generic for half the price.
I'm asking for details, please about L-Tyrosine, B-6 and mineral complex. I like to be as informed as possible.
One last question: Does anyone else find, after going through this multiple times, that it gets a little easier? Not that the withdrawal is any less, but I wonder if our perception of, and tolerance to suffering, changes? At first it is really scary ("what's happening to me? Am I going to die?"). After a few times you know exactly what to expect, and how and why it's happening. I never heard this asked before and am wondering what others think. Thanks guys!
Marc
There are so many just starting to quit here. I am trying to keep this post near the top. I also have it in my journals. Good for you if you are getting or thinking about getting clean.
I also have it in my journals. FYI
I also asked MedHelp to list it in the Tags section. I hope they do it.
I also asked MedHelp to list it in the Tags section. I hope they do it.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Addiction: Substance Abuse Community
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
If you think marijuana has no ill effects on your health, this article from Missouri Medicine may make you think again.
Julia Aharonov, DO, reveals the quickest way to beat drug withdrawal.
Tricks to help you quit for good.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
