Thomas Recipe...Notes on CT Detox and Recovery

[Ga Guy]

Here is the long post that I've been working on. I added a paragraph at the end, and it is truly still evolving. I'll try to post it every couple of days for the newbies in the group.

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 (immodium) (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 (immodium) 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.

[VOsRose]

Great addition!  Thanks!  And oh, so true!

xoxoxo
Rosie

[lexysmama]

Im going cold turkey off ultram starting tomorrow but im not planning on using benzos to start off with because #1 i don't know where to get any and #2 I don't want to take any risk at getting addicted again. So since im not using those, what do you suggest i do for the first few days, should i start taking the l-tyrosine immediately? And also, im not worried about the aches and pains because im tough and i can tolerate pain well, my problem will be the psychological issues, i tend to get easily depressed and discouraged is there anything you can suggest for me to keep my spirit up while going through the tough times?

[Ga Guy]

Some people swear by l-theanine. It's supposedly "nature's valium". I tried it, and couldn't tell that much of a difference, but it may help you. The l-tyrosine is used for energy along with the B vitamins. I don't what help it would be to start it too early. Are you going to be using clonidine? I would strongly recommend it if possible. If you do use the clonidine, I started it the night before.

[lexysmama]

I clonidine addictive? If i were to use it i would only use it for 3-4 days, im only taking 4 ultram a day so i dont think that the worst part of the withdrawal should last much longer than that.

[Ga Guy]

The ultram can actually mask withdrawals. Be aware of that and prepare for withdrawals after you cease the ultram. Clonidine is not addictive. It's a blood pressure medicine. Since it's a blood pressure lowering medication, it's recommended that it be weaned off of.

[tooklastdose]

I'm right there with ya.  It will be cold turkey for me starting now.  I took my last 5 vicodin this am.  I just got back from GNC with the B complex and amino acids suggested.  Anything to give me some energy as that is what usually gets me to go back and use.
I hate the restless legs and the aches in the past have just been to much.  
This time I have no narcotics to fall back on, so there is only one way out!.

I armed (with amino acids) and ready

[retiredrn]

Anxiety, even with major or extreme in front of it, seems too small a word for the way I felt in withdrawal ;)

[Spooked]

Thanks for the receipe.  Gotta question: Why are Ativan and Xanax the least prefferred of the Benzos?

[Ga Guy]

I believe they are least preferred because of their shorter half-lives. In other words, the klonopin lasts longer.