I Don't Understand Why ?

Question

I really don't understand why people on here are putting so much pressure on themselves by trying to stop a dangerous narcotic cold turkey.. I have had to come off several meds in my life and currently coming off Duragesic but I sure am not stopping it cold turkey.. Why not just taper the drug down like the PDR or any doctor would recomend. It's seems like stopping cold turkey is setting yourself up for failure but most of all for a Heck of a lot of pain that you really dont need to go through.. Why not just stop it slowly. It took months to get there let is takes months to get you down and do it in a way that is safe.. Maybe I am wrong. I support anyone trying to stop meds but to just stop everything at once seems dangerous to me.. 
Just my thoughts ...

NautyOne · Answer

if your using the duragesic patch.......your taking the equivalent of many of these people or more......just in a different form.  I't is much more difficult to stop taking the patch than pills.  I don't know what dose your on, but wait till the drops keep dropping, and you will understand.  Those patches whatever dose your on are hell to get off of.  I wish you all the best.

Nauty.......................

flmagi · Answer

It would be great if everyone could have the ideal situation to get off the drugs, hospital, doctors care etc. But it's not always possible. For alot of people it is, like worried said, seizeing the moment.  I know taper wouldn't work for me, I'm not that patient or self controled. I did the cold turkey but relapsed after 2 months being clean the last time. So now I've gone the Suboxone route.
What ever works for you. It doesn't matter how you get there, just get there.

Mrs_onetime6801 · Answer

My husband does the same thing. Today he didnt have any LT'S so he is searching the ouse cant be still saying I know I had another one what did I do with it I know its here.
I dont know why he does that but I hope that one day the want to quit is so strong that he finally does give it up

addictedme · Answer

R2R summed it up,,"a true addict" and alot of posters agreed,,tapering is the addicts dream.Problem is that addiction is obbsession and compulsion. When addicts attempt to taper we obsess that theres a pill somewhere,ANYWHERE in the house,when we dont find that pill the idea is now set in our heads and compulsion takes over,were compelled now to seek drugs outside of the house. Like others I applaud those who can taper,,I applaud those who can flush them down the toilet. My mo was to take everything  and all that I had so I could quit tomorrow and it took alot of years for that tomorrow to come.

Mikeinthesouth · Answer

Can't taper at all tried a million times. Even if I could I sure as hell don't want to stretch it out longer than it takes like this. I sick as hell and sure as hell don't want to be dopesick like this longer than I need to. Do you want a lil flu for two months or alot of flu for two weeks. I'll take the latter not to mention I have no choice I can't wean myself off so my other option is ct or continue on like this. Have a doc who's happy to give me the morph and oxy that I need I have the blasted injury to get em. And I don't want none of it.

feohmoon · Answer

Yes.  We had a different expectation of our detox since we voluntarily entered the clinic, you would think they would respect our wishes regarding the detox.  Not the case.  So, this is the way it has ended...we feel it must just be meant to be this way even though we do not know why.  Everything happens for a reason.  We feel very prepared most mentally and physically.  There are many thoughts that go through our mind regarding this...but none that would include us using opiates (or any drug).  As of March 7, it is all brand new for us and we are psyched...we selected the day, time of monthm time of year and other factors very carefully, so that is why we will not extend our time and will be going ct from 7mg.  We are thankful to have all of you here for support.
 We agree wholeheartedly that tapering to zero would be the ideal method, so we were happy to see Penelope was taking that route.  We are going to note the differences in the methods based on how we each do.

GoingToMakeIt · Answer

After only 8 days I suspect it was the drugs talking to him. Our bodies will actually produce pain to get the drugs.

BornTwoRiff · Answer

Yea I read it.. The main reason I posted is the guy was beating himself up so bad for taking the 1 percoset after 8 days. I just felt he would have done better breaking them in 1/2 or 1/4 and tappering them down.. He was so down on himself for that 1 pill.. He does not need to start over.. He just needed a little relief from the pain and that is what tappering does..  The couple coming off Methadone is wonderful.. that is a huge feat...
thanks you all.. glad you let me say something ...

GoingToMakeIt · Answer

Did you just read the post where someone is tapering down to next to nothing before going off methadone? They said there counselor felt it's better and a higher success rate.

feohmoon · Answer

Very well said...as long as you are detoxing - you doing the right thing!  Of course some drugs pose more threats than others, so it always a good idea to touch base with you dr. 
My fiance and I have been tapering from 110mg.methadone since Aug.'07, tomorrow we will dose @ 9mg, then Thursday will be our last day.  We are definately ready for this.  We are very thankful for this forum because it serves as such a support system,
Best of luck and keep posting.

BornTwoRiff · Answer

I agree with you 100% the best thing to choose is to get off the drugs what ever way works for each.. Its good you guys have this support board to help others. I really enjoy reading and hearing what you all have to say and how you support people that come here and NEVER judge anyone. I like that.. I hate to see so many people mess their lives up with drugs but is an easy trap to fall into.. Weather it be minor surgery, aches and pains or just low esteem and want something to help through the day.. Keep supporting and doing what you all do .. You do it well.. I did not mean any of you here condon c/t .. I can see you let others do what works for them. I just believe a medical enviroment is the best place to be if you are sick and really need help..

worried878 · Answer

lots of responses to that post....everyone out there living different lives and different situations...It is really more dangerous in some cases to continue using than to CT...depending on the drug..the person's health...etc...often like in my situation it is not something that can be broadcasted by going to a rehab...my job would be at stake...i wish you luck at your choice and we support each other whatever method they choose....u will see some choose sub, some choose rehab, some tapering and some chosse CT...The worst thing to do tho is to not choose at all!  keep posting

Penelope14 · Answer

Im doing a long & slow taper off methadone, & Its a bit easier to taper from versus pills that make ya feel good, as methadone doesnt give you that sense of pleasure & bursts of energy in which oxys did for me, I tried hard to taper from pills with no success, I seem to be doing much better with the methadone taper, & If I wanted to I could take as much or as little as I please, as I have plenty of take outs, but I have no desire or want to take anymore then is needed, Im ok at 4mgs, Im content. Take Care Penelope

opi · Answer

i have been tapering for years..lol.....ct is the only way for me......i trully think i have tapered 200 times....it is a constant thought but not do-able for me.......but hey if tapering means that i do a weeks worth in a day or 2 then i am good at tapering...i rock!

BornTwoRiff · Answer

Lot of succesful stories here.. Sure a great support group here from all of you.. Just seems like a hard way to do it... I guess in a way I have never met anyone that has been so addictive to some meds as some of you have been. I could not imagine taking -30 pills a day. Let alone taking a lot of OC... I am not saying any of you promote c/t you dont. You are a good support group for people that  come here..  I sure would hate to have to c/t off something...

cathy5841 · Answer

oh, i dont argue there....i wish i could have tapered....i couldnt

BornTwoRiff · Answer

Just telling you all it just seems dagerous to me.. I know a lot of you have done it that way and its worked out great. Before I would do it like that I would go in a Hospital to make sure my heart or brain did not stop or stroke.. Its just a lot of pressure.. If you can't tapper it seems best to be in a hospital situation where they can monitor one..

Flutterby111 · Answer

I don't think anyone puts the pressure on others to do it one way or the other!  In fact, I recommend tapering if you have the self control....I didn't have the control and I ran out of pills and was naive and didn't know about withdrawl symptoms, so I seen he**.  I think most are supportive and informative and as comforting as possible....it's up to the user....now when it comes to flushing, that's a different story...we have some serious flushers on staff!!!

road2recovery · Answer

I wish i could of done a really good taper, but i am also one that if i had them i would take them....A true addict!!!

MizDemeanor · Answer

Hey Riff
I can give you my answer for going ct. I couldnt taper. If I had percs or vics I ATE em, period. I tried several times to taper, but I'd get a bit of a buzz and it was a tease then I would be headed right for the bottle.
I agree with you logic though. I wish I could have tapered. I just didnt have someone to be responsible to hold them and dole them out because I HID my abuse (or thought I did, turns out peeps knew "something" was wrong)
I was doing 100 - 120 mg per day of whatever opiates I had. I had a legitimate injury and I doc shopped, and I still ran out sometimes. I'm thankful I didnt wind up in jail from doc shopping. I still wonder if it will still catch up with me. Paranoid much? LOL
Just my experience, hope it makes sense. I'm 30+ days off the pills.
Peace.

usarmymedic1 · Answer

some don't have the disapline to tapper and some get so sick of being onit they'll do it the fastest way posible so that is why they go C/T besides the ones that get cut off by there dr or can't find any. I tappered for 8 days and even that dramaticly reduced my W/D so that is the bottom line of it all 

chris 

everyone stay army strong

worried878 · Answer

I did a quick taper then quit...close to CT...I was ready to quit and was scared that if I put it off i would never quit...I had to seize the moment...some drugs have to be tapered slowly...my dose of hydrocodone was do-able...everyone is different...I had been trying to taper without success for 6 months...it was the only way for me as i did not have a sript to cover as much as I was taking and could not afford it either...different stories for all

cathy5841 · Answer

i went cold turkey because i could not taper.  i did not have the will power to do it.   if i had the drugs i took them. one handful at a time.  i stopped c/t and i will be clean 90 days on thursday.  i wish i could have tapered.   but i am glad i am clean....i had to take it any way i could get it.lol

GoingToMakeIt · Answer

Many do not have the self control to taper. If they have a bottle of pills in front of them. They take 5-10 at a time. Tapering is a very good method to quit. But if you can't c/t works too.