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POST FOR BEGINNERS & AFTER CARE please!
For all of us who have been around here for awhile, trying to help others who are about to withdraw from their DOC, PLEASE give at least 3 things that helped with your detox And three things that have helped you STAY clean. I am hopeful that people out there will find some good information that will help them. This is what has helped me.
Detox: #1. Clonidine
#2. a few tranzene
#3. immodium, otc pain meds, heating pad, hot showers
STAYING CLEAN: #1. Learning about the mental withdrawl that comes after detox!
#2. family support, anti-depressants
#3. Reading and posting on this forum.
PLEASE, POST WHAT HAS WORKED FOR YOU, :)
El
Detox: #1. Clonidine
#2. a few tranzene
#3. immodium, otc pain meds, heating pad, hot showers
STAYING CLEAN: #1. Learning about the mental withdrawl that comes after detox!
#2. family support, anti-depressants
#3. Reading and posting on this forum.
PLEASE, POST WHAT HAS WORKED FOR YOU, :)
El
If you are reading this, please post a short message and let me know if it has helped you any.
Thax
Ella
Thax
Ella
I'll add another comment to what I said earlier.
My main addiction was booze, and I had hit some kind of personal bottom with that, which helped, as did a couple of years' saturation with the AA program. But quitting smoking, which I did about 10 years earlier, was much harder. Almost everyone who smokes wants to quit, but it seems optional, as the harmful health effects are generally pretty far in the future.
I'm not especially religious, but I would say that something like grace enabled me to quit smoking at the age of 39, after innumerable attempts (some of them for a year or more) since I started at 13. I had a bad case of bronchitis, and was acting in a play in which I had a long solo scene, and I was afraid I would have a coughing fit in the middle of it, so I asked my doctor for some codeine. He gave it to me, but wrote "quit smoking" on the prescription. That was 34 years ago, and I haven't had a cigarette since (or craved one, after the first couple of weeks). My conclusion from this is, not that you should expect divine intervention, but that you should be ready to seize the opportunity when it presents itself.
My main addiction was booze, and I had hit some kind of personal bottom with that, which helped, as did a couple of years' saturation with the AA program. But quitting smoking, which I did about 10 years earlier, was much harder. Almost everyone who smokes wants to quit, but it seems optional, as the harmful health effects are generally pretty far in the future.
I'm not especially religious, but I would say that something like grace enabled me to quit smoking at the age of 39, after innumerable attempts (some of them for a year or more) since I started at 13. I had a bad case of bronchitis, and was acting in a play in which I had a long solo scene, and I was afraid I would have a coughing fit in the middle of it, so I asked my doctor for some codeine. He gave it to me, but wrote "quit smoking" on the prescription. That was 34 years ago, and I haven't had a cigarette since (or craved one, after the first couple of weeks). My conclusion from this is, not that you should expect divine intervention, but that you should be ready to seize the opportunity when it presents itself.
I hope no one minds me bumping this back to the first page, perhaps it will help someone who needs advice. If you're tired of seeing, let me know.
El
El
My single focus every minute of every day was failure was not an option. I knew I was in for the ride of my life and this time I really wanted to stop. I stopped 2x before but never threw the Percs out. Needless to say I relapsed both times. I tried several times to taper off the Percs but could not do it. So I went the sub route with the only thought being I will not fail, I cannot fail because if I do I am over as a contributing human being. Other than attitude and really wanting to stop this time and believing you can, you must get rid off all your drugs when your taper period is finished. I did this and no matter how much i wanted a pill during the first 2 weeks of w/d I had no access to any, so relapsing was almost not an option. (I guess I could have found something if I really wanted to but I always went back to my belief that I was going to stop this time and failure is not an option). It took 5 years of being on pills and 2 relapses to get me to this frame of mind. I am in my 6th week off the subs and still am not 100% but failure is not an option!
I think those who have responded to this question have, for the most part, a really positive attitude, belief in success, and a realistic attitude toward difficulties.
As a parent of an addict whose recovery was unsuccessful, perhaps I can contribute something from another perspective. For friends and family of a person in recovery (in this case from heavy methadone use for several years), the most confusing aspect of it was that every time our son seemed to be getting better, it was because he was using again. He developed a pattern of staying clean for a few days, totally withdrawn and miserable, huddled up on the living room couch. Then he would go out, find enough to make him feel human again, and the process would start over. He always seemed to be getting a little better, but never getting well. This went on for a couple of years, and then he finally miscalculated and nearly died of an overdose, which led to a total of about three months in rehab. There, he seemed to make some real progress, but when he came home, the same pattern started up again.
A couple of things that seem to me to be necessary for recovery:
1. You have to ask yourself what it is you like about your drug, what positive things you're getting from it, and how you're going to replace those when it's gone. In my son's case, by his own admission, he thought he was usingt, not so much for the high, but to be what he considered "normal:" to have an easy-going personality, confident rather than shy, to get along well with people, to be cool. No matter how hard friends or family tried to convince him that his pre-drug personality was more than acceptable, he never quite believed it, which didn't help him deal with the cravings. You have to believe that on the other side of that misery, you may not be king of the world, but you will be absolutely OK: like Dumbo and the magic feather, you'll fly just fine without it.
2. You have to be completely honest with SOMEBODY, preferably another addict with some serious recovery time. Families and friends are too threatened by relapses, presenting opportunities for guilt and discouragement, which just lead back to more relapses.
As a parent of an addict whose recovery was unsuccessful, perhaps I can contribute something from another perspective. For friends and family of a person in recovery (in this case from heavy methadone use for several years), the most confusing aspect of it was that every time our son seemed to be getting better, it was because he was using again. He developed a pattern of staying clean for a few days, totally withdrawn and miserable, huddled up on the living room couch. Then he would go out, find enough to make him feel human again, and the process would start over. He always seemed to be getting a little better, but never getting well. This went on for a couple of years, and then he finally miscalculated and nearly died of an overdose, which led to a total of about three months in rehab. There, he seemed to make some real progress, but when he came home, the same pattern started up again.
A couple of things that seem to me to be necessary for recovery:
1. You have to ask yourself what it is you like about your drug, what positive things you're getting from it, and how you're going to replace those when it's gone. In my son's case, by his own admission, he thought he was usingt, not so much for the high, but to be what he considered "normal:" to have an easy-going personality, confident rather than shy, to get along well with people, to be cool. No matter how hard friends or family tried to convince him that his pre-drug personality was more than acceptable, he never quite believed it, which didn't help him deal with the cravings. You have to believe that on the other side of that misery, you may not be king of the world, but you will be absolutely OK: like Dumbo and the magic feather, you'll fly just fine without it.
2. You have to be completely honest with SOMEBODY, preferably another addict with some serious recovery time. Families and friends are too threatened by relapses, presenting opportunities for guilt and discouragement, which just lead back to more relapses.
Thanks boogie, our help is a gift to everyone trying to detox or living clean afterwards. That's how I look at it too.
El
El
last time i detoxed, i had little else besides friends in high places. today i try to give away what they so freely gave to me----it's the only way i can keep it and it never fails to improve my circumstances. gm
YES, taking too much opiates will lower your KCL (Potassium) levels dangerously low. Remember, KCL maintains the electrical stability of your heart and muscle contraction. I know 1st hand, trust me. In knowing that banannas, vitamin water with potassium is good or at least what Im drinking like a fish. It can surely bring on Hypokalemia! look it up and dollars to doughnuts he exhibits some of those symptoms. I of course only find this out after a 6 year addiction to hydrocodone. Scares me!
I have a few questions about diet while going through the withdrawal process. Several people mentioned soup, fruit smoothies, and bananas helped them, but doesn't that make the runs worse? Is the stomach upset settled more by the softer foods?
Another question--before my boyfriend's surgery he had a physical and it showed low levels of potassium. He had been on percocet for 9 months at that point. Is there a connection between percocet and lowered levels of potassium? In my boyfriend's case, he was told to take a potassium suppliment AND increase foods with high levels of potassium like cantaloup and bananas. I'm just wondering if while going through withdrawal maybe adding a potassium vitamin would be helpful...any thoughts?
Another question--before my boyfriend's surgery he had a physical and it showed low levels of potassium. He had been on percocet for 9 months at that point. Is there a connection between percocet and lowered levels of potassium? In my boyfriend's case, he was told to take a potassium suppliment AND increase foods with high levels of potassium like cantaloup and bananas. I'm just wondering if while going through withdrawal maybe adding a potassium vitamin would be helpful...any thoughts?
Bless your heart! Day 2, I do sooo remember. I just want you to know that the w/d will get better, just get past day 4, then 5 should start to see an improvement. This will be history soon and then you can work on staying clean, which sometimes is a rollercoaster of emotions, some depression for awhile, maybe. Not always, we are all different. I just want to say congrats on deciding to quit, you can do this, and yes we do know how it feels. Be kind to yourself, you deserve it. Hugs :)
Ella
Ella
I am just starting the recovery process now. I am just barely starting day 2 now. I have read so many good things in here to help us all - because WE all choose to document it. I still feel horrible! I am taking Immodium, drinking lots of water and vitamin water, banana's and a multi vitamin. Last night I did not sleep that great at all, like im starving for sleep - like pills. I couldnt taper, no will power in that area. I guess I wouldnt be an addict if I had willpower, right? or not so much?
Anyway, congats and good luck to all that have stayed clean, and those just embarking on a new life like me. Day two, good grief!!!!!!
Anyway, congats and good luck to all that have stayed clean, and those just embarking on a new life like me. Day two, good grief!!!!!!
Thank you for your post, you know I hadn't really realized how much I was humbled while going through all of this, it was good for me tho. :)
El
El
Honesty (hard)
Becoming humble (hardest one)
Staying away from people, places and things
There are so many many more but those were my first three.....
Becoming humble (hardest one)
Staying away from people, places and things
There are so many many more but those were my first three.....
Hi Kim.... Hi road2recovery
I am amazed reading these posts and the awesome struggles we have had to walk through. One thing I gleaned out of all of them was a common thread, just the will and desire of our hearts to get clean! This is what drives us to detox and takes us through the hell of post-detox! We must be hungry to be clean and hungry to stay that way. No point of return. Yes, just to know that when we look in our familys' faces we can do so knowing that we are walking the long walk and we are making it! It is good to remember things, like the way we were in the past, that way we can know how to reach out to others during their time of need and help.
Thank you Kim and r2r ........ great posts!!!!!
Ella
I am amazed reading these posts and the awesome struggles we have had to walk through. One thing I gleaned out of all of them was a common thread, just the will and desire of our hearts to get clean! This is what drives us to detox and takes us through the hell of post-detox! We must be hungry to be clean and hungry to stay that way. No point of return. Yes, just to know that when we look in our familys' faces we can do so knowing that we are walking the long walk and we are making it! It is good to remember things, like the way we were in the past, that way we can know how to reach out to others during their time of need and help.
Thank you Kim and r2r ........ great posts!!!!!
Ella
Ella- Great Post
3 thing that helped during my detox: ok 4
1. clonodine
2. zanaflex
3. Hot baths
4. THIS FORUM
3 things that helped stay clean:
1. A addiction counsouler
2. Looking in my kids eyes, and knowing i WILL NOT fail them again
3. meetings, that i found just recently
4.THIS FORUM
I have to add that I was sick and tired of being sick and tired...I hated to look in the mirror, the money i spent, and just knew i was ready...I realized that I could not longer fight against the pills, they always won!! So i just surrendered and knew i can't take one, I can't be around them, and i can't have them in my house....BLOCKED all contacts..
Now just the smell of fresh cut grass is a pleasure...a hug from my kids really feels like a hug, and of course sex , can feel that again too...all senses, feeling ( good and bad )..But happy to be alive to feel again.
best wishes to all
r2r
3 thing that helped during my detox: ok 4
1. clonodine
2. zanaflex
3. Hot baths
4. THIS FORUM
3 things that helped stay clean:
1. A addiction counsouler
2. Looking in my kids eyes, and knowing i WILL NOT fail them again
3. meetings, that i found just recently
4.THIS FORUM
I have to add that I was sick and tired of being sick and tired...I hated to look in the mirror, the money i spent, and just knew i was ready...I realized that I could not longer fight against the pills, they always won!! So i just surrendered and knew i can't take one, I can't be around them, and i can't have them in my house....BLOCKED all contacts..
Now just the smell of fresh cut grass is a pleasure...a hug from my kids really feels like a hug, and of course sex , can feel that again too...all senses, feeling ( good and bad )..But happy to be alive to feel again.
best wishes to all
r2r
The 3 things that helped me to quit.....1) The desire to get clean accompanied with the willingness to commit to doing anything it took to get there. 2)Telling my loved ones,finally making it so I would be held accountable.....3) Finding this forum,realizing I couldn't do it alone.
The 3 things that help me stay clean.....1)Recovery care(this forum and meetings). 2)Helping others who struggle with addiction.That way I am always reminded of where I came from,how hard it was to get here,and how grateful I am to have made it to the other side. 3) NEVER letting my guard down.Although I have over a year clean now I am ever aware that relapse can be just one pill away for me so I make certain that everyday I stay as far away from that one pill as I possibly can.One day at a time....Much love.....Kim
The 3 things that help me stay clean.....1)Recovery care(this forum and meetings). 2)Helping others who struggle with addiction.That way I am always reminded of where I came from,how hard it was to get here,and how grateful I am to have made it to the other side. 3) NEVER letting my guard down.Although I have over a year clean now I am ever aware that relapse can be just one pill away for me so I make certain that everyday I stay as far away from that one pill as I possibly can.One day at a time....Much love.....Kim
3 things that helped me quit/get thru WD:
1 wanting to quit, needing to quit and doing it for myself AND for my 2 little boys
2- PEPTO (i cant use immodium but the pepto worked fine for the Trots, lol) Motrin, vitamins
3- READING GOOD BOOKS and watching good tv shows
3 things that helped me stay clean:
1- My children and finally spending good quality time with them (and with a clear head)
2- realizing my chronic pain isnt as bad as I thought it was once i was off the vics awhile (dont get me wrong i still have lots of pain, but to my surprise I havent been laying in bed crippled for months on end!!)
3 This FORUM for sure
1 wanting to quit, needing to quit and doing it for myself AND for my 2 little boys
2- PEPTO (i cant use immodium but the pepto worked fine for the Trots, lol) Motrin, vitamins
3- READING GOOD BOOKS and watching good tv shows
3 things that helped me stay clean:
1- My children and finally spending good quality time with them (and with a clear head)
2- realizing my chronic pain isnt as bad as I thought it was once i was off the vics awhile (dont get me wrong i still have lots of pain, but to my surprise I havent been laying in bed crippled for months on end!!)
3 This FORUM for sure
good post
meetings, posting, exercise, educating myself on supps and addiction in general, helping others while I help myself as well, and the thomas recipe//the amino acids..all helped me alot with recovery
meetings, posting, exercise, educating myself on supps and addiction in general, helping others while I help myself as well, and the thomas recipe//the amino acids..all helped me alot with recovery
Well first it helps because usually stomache issues (namely diarrhea for days) are a big part of withdrawal. (Throwing up too for some). So Immodium helps with the diarrhea. I have heard but dont know if its true or not, that the ingredient in immodium is chemically close in make-up to opiates and can alleviate some of the other miserable symptoms. I have no idea if its true, but that's what I read. I didnt use it during withdrawal as I just wanted all the toxins out so to speak.
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