Cold Turkey folks....

[Frivolousz21]

I just want to give anyone who is still in active addiction some advice...I am on day 10 of my clean time...which is amazing.....I can tell you...don't **** around....go cold turkey period.


Your chances of quitting and staying clean are much higher if you just don't use.


I was using 100 mg to 150 mg a day for a long time..if not more some days...for over 6 months.

I can tell you..I feel like I am in a new world..in 10 days...it is amazing...you won't be 100 percent but I am 10000 miles time better of then when you were using.

[stilltrying1965]

Cold turkey from 13 yr heroin addiction 218 days clean worked for me and kim but im not allowed to c/t of my diazepam as a get seziurs but very doable for the opiates with a lot of support at MH but worked for us good post ,,,,,James and Kim

[worriediambad]

I have been on Hydrocodiene 10mg for 4 years. I take 3-4 a day. I am so afraid my 3-4 a day could turn into something much worse. I have a ligit back problem that require some form of relief. I feel like a total idiot for even posting this after reading some of the other posts. I feel like I have no problems compared to some on here, but none the less I do not want this to get oud of hand. If I quit cold turkey what kind of withdrawal am I looking at, how long? God Bless you all and I wish each and every one of you a speedy recovery.

[leeisgettingclean]

its not a fact of what we "did", its a fact that everyone can not do it. I am not stupid snd i am certain that  "cold turkey" is not only refering to opaite w/ds-here is the deff From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Cold turkey" is an expression describing the actions of a person who gives up a habit or addiction all at once. That is, rather than gradually easing the process through reduction or by using replacement medication. Its supposed advantage is that by not actively using supplemental methods, the person avoids thinking about the habit and its temptation, and avoids further feeding the chemical addiction. The supposed disadvantages related to the abuse of drugs such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, and heroin are unbearable withdrawal symptoms from the total absence, which may cause tremendous stress on the heart and blood vessels and -- in a worst case scenario -- possible stroke or heart failure.
So anyways, Like I said I also went "cold turkey" I now have 105 day BE CAREFULL WHAT WE SUGGEST-look words up before you quote the menaings of them

[moonshyne777]

I tend to agree that some people cannot do cold turkey. I have 2 very young children and it's ''all on me''. I have no support so being able to lie on the couch for 3 days dying isn't an option. I have done cold turkey and lasted a few weeks. But that was because I had my grandmother come and stay with me and help with the kids so I could go through withdrawals. I wish I'd stayed quit..but don't we all.

This time around I am looking at methadone as a possibility to help me kick oxys AND hopefully provide pain relief for the spinal stenosis I suffer from.

[narla]

I went C/T from 33 yrs of alcohol abuse and 20 yrs of codeine abuse at the same time,through all this I've been having counselling for childhood sexual abuse perpatrated by my brother who is 10 yrs older than me.I'm now on day 83 don't know how but I'm doing it,this site helps the most.

[freedom007]

Only thing that worked for me...I could never taper...but also feel that tapering sometimes delays things.  I like a challenge tho, with definitive results...and what better way to get that then CT.  

Be prepared, and plan out a 5 day oasis.  Get informed and things will be ok.  My doc is opiates...so I only speak from that POV.  You should look to others for the other drug CT scenarios.

You can do it, either way...your mind and body will prevail!!

[prayformetoo]

I agree with C/T with a little help it's definitly doable.And perhaps it will help to remind you later how bad it was.. Anyway It worked for me.

[CODEINE900]

id like to add that cold turkey is the term used for opiate withdrawl specificially and its not a bad suggestion.......data shows that of the people who stay clean cold turkey is the proven method...i know to get social and get a job and functioning substitute therapy is used but it only postpones withdrawl for everyone who has choosen to abuse opiates....if you are stopping something else like benzos or alcohol or barbiturates yes its definitely dangerous but the withdrawl symptoms are different and they are not called  cold turkey because the term cold turkey specifically describes the goose bumps you get when withdrawing from opiates ......

[seahorse1963]

I did it cold turkey, it's doable and I didn't die...felt like I would but I didn't Thank You God!

[shrimpman]

Been clean 7 days------- Feeling really good ----The only thing is that I have low endurance (fatigue) from going C/t  after 2 years use----my dr. had no problem giving percocet to me for back pain-----I'm taking suppliments and eating well-------Anyone know what I can do to get more energy-------I'm 52 and in pretty good health----Thanks

[troubleinohio]

great post Lee. I am an advocate of COld Turkey but thanks for reminding everyone that it cant be done with ALL drugs, nor all people depending on medical conditions. Thanks.

[leeisgettingclean]

and "Your chances of quitting and staying clean are much higher if you just don't use." really is not true when it comes to cold turkey...I know alot of people that go cold turkey and the pain is so bad they go back to usin, and they start a taper and do good. Stayin clean does not have much to do with route you used to get clean but more so about what you do after you w/ds..AFTERCARE...Hey man CONGRATS on your 10 days, I see cold turkey was the right thing for you, thats all that counts and  that awsome!!!! KEEP UP WHAT YOU ARE DOING. I went cold turkey from a 150-200mg a day habit about 105 days ago : )

[leeisgettingclean]

I went cold turkey and it worked for ME, but your statment about"not fu@king around" IMO is a lil bit of a broad term. Not everyone was the ability to go cold turkey, not everyones health will allow them to go this route, and some drugs can not be cold turkeyed...benzos-cold turkey-NO...tramadol-cold turkey-NO...someone pregnate-cold turkey-NO..heart problems-cold turkey-NO....We should be carefull with what we suggest. I know its  a forum and everyone has the right to their opinion, but we are here to support one another  in our decisions-not make decisions for one another. I am sure you mean what you say in good faith, IMO its just not a fair statement.

[jvette]

I agree with the OP. It's doable! I went cold turkey from about 320MG of Oxycontin! And it was not the first time...You will get through it! No matter how much you think tapering/cutting down will help..the fact is the reason you are tapering is because you are making a decision you want to change your life and get sober! That being said..you're going to have to go through withdrawals at some point..so the way I see it is to just "get to it"! Don't get me wrong it was a week or so of total HELL. I had to go to work through all of it but I made it through it.

Today I'm coming up on 90 days sober from a TERRIBLE addiction to Oxycontin! It was short lived (a year...which is not alot compared to some others) but I lost almost everything in that one year..three months ago I was BROKEN..in all aspects of my life. So to sum it up you CAN get through the withdrawals and you will NOT die. Some might not be able to see this but the honest truth is that once you get through the withdrawals that's JUST the tip of the iceberg of recovery. For so long I was so focused on just the withdrawals but the reality is once you're detoxed....well you're simply detoxed. You're not suffering from a physical addiction..but that's it. You're still stuck with you, your head, and the problems which drove you to addiction..and THATS what needs to be dealt with!

I hope I got through to somebody who will read this. Aftercare is KEY! For me AA has saved my life..I can honestly say that. Without aftercare there is NO chance, ZERO, that I would be sober today!

[bmdad]

My worse day was day 3 when I went cold turkey. Day 4 was still kinda rough and day 5 was the turning point in which I gradually felt better and better. Just keep going strong as you don't want these past 2 days go to waste. Be sure to exercise even though I know it may seem impossible but even a short walk will work wonders. Be sure to eat healthy and push the fluids. It will help your body recover quicker. Have you checked in to the amino acid protocol? It really does help. Best of luck!
Brian

[Lovemyhorse]

How hard was it for you on day 2 & 3?  It's 2 for me and I'm not doing well.