Detoxing question?

[Life360_Dave]

Ive done some research and the concenses says that getting off of opiates is best done through a doctors guidance using tapering and alternative meds to avoid withdrawal as those with prolonged use can be dangerous. Doctors say that cutting down slowly and adding some milder product eases the opiate out of the body gently with minimal side effects. Along with counseling from the doctor as to what has happened because of access/prolonged use, explaining what exactly has happened in their bodies.  I see  many posts from terrified people and most that answer them say to stick with cold turkey simply because it worked for them not considering the torment of the poster. Even those that street purchase can see a doctor and explain what they have gotten themselves into for help. Am i simplifying things here?

[vicki595]

Based on your research, I agree. It's not too simplistic; it just IS...

Anyone is capable of tapering. It's very difficult mentally in the beginning, though. It's probably most successful if there is someone to help...I had the Gestapo here when I tapered.

. It's really a gentler way physically, especially with underlying medical conditions and most physicians DO recommend it. There's a certain way of tapering, it's just not about cutting down here and there, though. It's very specific; actually there's a formula! Of course, I can't share that even though I would LOVE TO!  LOL

I'm a huge proponent of tapering and I generally recommend it to people trying to decide what to do. It's an option that's out there and it works quite well if done properly.  Thanks!

[Clong45]

It all bottoms down to the individual's desire to quit.  We don't make it out through tapering or a cold turkey bail if we are not serious about getting clean.  There are sucess and horror stories on either side of the fence here.  

Whem professional help is obvious for someone,  the people in this forum mostly always suggest it.

[Free2agoodhome]

.02

Short answer: No one detox "fits all"

A lot plays in to it, length of time, substance, quantity, frequency  etc,,,,

I only had about a year and a half of daily use at reasonably high amounts of Vicodin and soma. I cannot taper I would risk overdose. I am the type that would rather take my last 10 pills all at once....than flush my last 10 pills.  (scarry ,,i know)

So in my case after reading a lot. I quick tapered and then it was over. I just wanted to be done..no more pill bottles or scripts for anything....

What we offer here is plain old encouragement and support (occasional tough love)....We try to connect to people struggling or "on the fence" ....for them to see that "real" people have crossed over and are clean. That there is a way out and it is very doable.

Do what you think is right for your case. Either way we're behind ya


Free~

[kyle505]

Most addicts don't have the self discipline to taper, plain and simple. Knowing that another pill is waiting just down the hall is too much for most of us to handle. Unless there is someone we can trust to control our meds, tapering is very hard. Tapering drags out the mental aspect of detox which ultimately is the part that causes the most problems.  
The nature of this addiction, like most, is such that addicts have a very difficult time first admitting to themselves, then to others, that they are in fact addicted. Shame and embarrassment prevent us from telling the truth about our problem. And also knowing that if we no longer have our secret then we may not be able to use as easily in the future.
And finally - I have to take exception to your assumption that folks on this forum may not consider "the torment of the poster".  Of course we do because all of us WERE the new poster at one point. We just know what works best and can usually see when someone is BSing themselves and us. People romanticize their addiction; drama is a big part of detox. When the mind is winning that too is easy to see. We've been there, done that, so don't waste a lot of time on the frills. We tell someone what they need to hear. They can either listen or not.

[weaver71]

I went to the doctor and he told me to go out in streets, buy more methadone, and start a taper. He said he would help me once I was at 40mg for two weeks. I asked for a script, because I told my dealer not to sell me any more, and he said, "You've been buying them on the street this long, just go get more." That sent me on a binge that caused an overdose and reparatory arrest.

I always encourage people to taper and see a doctor if they can. I believe it is the least painful method. I also understand when those options are not possible, my case for instance. This forum gave me practical advice in the situation I was in. I was completely discouraged from going cold turkey off a high dose of methadone. I couldn't do it anyway.

Through support and experience of forum members, I went on subutex and tapered off that and am chemical free now. There is no wrong way to get clean. That is the point. Each of us does what it takes and encourages others to do the same. Many people feel cold turkey is the only way when they come here, even if I disagree, I support their decision. I will support them if they relapse or try 100 different ways, as long as there is desire.

[waterLilly7]

I tapered for 2 months before i jumped off and wuit, only because of my job. My job is all mental and I had to be on my game.

If I would have had the choice I would have gone cold turkey and saved myself lots of needless suffering. If it is the only way, liek it was for me, then yes, do it, but if there is another way, go for it.

If I had it to do all over again, I would put my job and go cold turkey.

It did indeed stop the physical symptoms of nausea, I never threw up, and never had severe flu symptoms, but even when quitting after being at 2 mg of hydro every  hours at the end I still had many physical symptoms including RLS, insomnia, etc.
I would trade those two months of tapering for a few days of cold turkey for sure.

I would say, in my opinion, only go CT if you have to for your job.

Whatever you choose, quitting now is the best thing you can ever do for yourself,
hugs,
Lily (48 days and feelin' FINE)

[solost170]

when i first joined here I was adviced to seek help because of the medication that I was on. and i did go to ER but eventually just did the CT cause I tried tappering and it made it worse for me but I'm like sorrisa its just my personal exp and my journey and I only give advice based on what I have went through myself, some may not be able to do CT and if they cant there is no judgement comen of opiates or any drug is not pleasant and I'm like mary I dont ever wanna go through it again. but if I was in wreck or had medical issues I know that I could do it if had to. whether to seek medical help or not is based on the person and what they were on and how long I would think. and we all really are diffrent but the same srry guys had to bite also...

[Ladyluck8]

Hi,
In my experience I tapered because I hadn't been to this forum yet. I had a horrible time with depression because I tapered way to long. When I did see my doctor a month ago, his response was well take less. I was seeing him to taper off a benzo and he didn't really believe in it. His office had been okaying my refills for over two years without me coming in. I like my doctor but he's doesn't think these meds are a problem. And I do.
If you can find a doctor who is compassionate and will work with you I think it would be good. In my experience, you will still have still go thru detox but it will be less intense. The real work starts when the crap is out of you and you can start with nutrition, exercise and after care to reboot.
The main thing that happens on this board is the support to get your life back. And the knowledge that its worth it.
L

[Sonrissa]

OK, I'll bite! I think that most people who come here for advice and support for quitting opiates, are given options and choices, including tapering down, cold turkey, and advised to seek a doctors support! Lots of reasons ( pros and cons)  are given in support of one method or another! In addition, the replier also usually gives their own personal story of how they did it and why, and what worked for them! Then the person asking for help, must weigh the information and decide which way will work in their specific situation! There are many reasons why some people choose not to involve a doctor! You say that most people are told to stick with cold turkey! I've seen many posts where people are advised to stop cold turkey and begin a taper! We are all so different, yet the same! Tapering with a doctors support, is probably the best way to quit opiates! However for some, that is not an option! Cold turkey, is faster, for one thing! I know, that when I was ready to quit, I wanted the detox over as quick as possible, so I went through more intense suffering for about a week! It's a personal choice that was appropriate for me! I don't think it is necessarily the best option, but again it was my personal choice!

The bottom line is that people who desire to quit, and post here, are given the options of cold turkey, tapering, and yes advised to seek a doctors support! Also, no matter which way they decide to go, they are always supported and encouraged!

[mary577]

Maybe you are.    I have doubts that people who buy them off the street are going to go to a doctor to withdraw.   I am sure tapering is best, but I also know that sometimes....I say sometimes because I know there are different types of opiates and some are much harder to deal with withdrawing from than others....anyway, sometimes people fear withdrawal more than they should.   I am speaking about hydrocodone....since that was the drug I used for five years.   I feared wd but it was the unknown that was so scary to me...much more than the actual detox which was manageable.   To me it was better to get it over with.   It was nothing that I couldn't handle.   I wouldn't want to do it again....don't plan to have to...but if by chance I fell back into it, I would go CT in a heartbeat and get it over with.