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Advice on Detox from Dihydrocodeine

I was prescribed this drug, DHC following a physical attack due to resultant pain but became dependent upon it. I've been using as kind of self medicating to block out emotional  implications of other traumatic experiences for about 5 yrs, up and down.  I function highly even when using but my addiction has only gotten worse and what i used to love, i now hate and desperately need to be off these pills quickly and with the least physical pain possible.  I have my Doctoral thesis due to be submitted MArch 2012 and have so much work to be done, that i know i have to stop now.  
My plan was to find a base at which i cab just manage to function without too many adverse physical symptoms to allow me to work and study. I used to take about 40 dihydrocodiene (an opiate) at 40mg per day but have sig reduced this, and am now wishing to really fully stop. Base seems to be about 15 pills per day, from there i thought that i could go down one pill per day - what do you think? Is that too quick, i.e. will i feel sig w/d symptoms? Do i need to take more time? Should i go down in less increments near the end, i.e halves etc.  If i did as said here, do you think i would feel ok-ish at the end of the detox period? Altho am obv aware there can be llonger term implications for sleep and general well being, and indeed am concerned a bout re-awakwning my emotions which have numbed for so long, but i have a therapist, but maybe i need aan addiction therapist specifically??  ps. i do have some sleeping tablets and diazipam for use only if required as do not want to use benzos in any consistent way, and certainly don't want to replace one addiction for another. V. short Subutex detox could be an option but would involve longer waiting times as have to go private in uk for this so also sig money and my PhD submission date is looming, so don't know ??!

Any advice on how best to detox as painlessly and quickly as possible would be hugely appreciated
Thank you  
Pentangled - eve
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Avatar universal
A related discussion, Subutex was started.
Helpful - 0
1684282 tn?1614701284
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You are obviously a highly intelligent individual but it took you a while to realize that what you are doing is extremely detrimental to your overall wellbeing. Taking opiates long term drasticly changes your brain chemistry and actual anatomy leading to mood changes, depression and hyperalgesia.
I am glad that you are at a point that you are ready to quit.  I don't like the idea of Suboxone or Subutex because a rather large subset of people who go on them get hooked on them and are unable to come off. If you read up on buprenorphine you will fine out how addictive it actually is, so please do your homework before you choose that route.
The basic technique is to space out the pills you take in a consistent manner until you take only one at night, then half at night and then none.You can try asking a physician to prescribe you some Requip for restless legs, Neurontin for overall distress, Clonidine for blood pressure and general anxiety control and maybe get some over the counter Valerian for sleep and sedation and chelated magnesium for muscle relaxation.
But, seriously, you must be completely committed to the goal of quitting.  I have written a blog that has rather detailed information about options for detox. If you click on my name and then click on blogs you will see one under that heading.  Take a minute to read it. I hope you will find it helpful.  
The main thing of course is the decision that you make and making it a priority in your life, because that will determine what your life will actually be and mean in the end.  I don't want to sound preachy but it is not a decision you make one day, it is a decision you will make every day for the rest of your life.  Good luck to you and take a look at my clinic website for even more info www.mdsdrugdetox.com
Helpful - 0

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