How to stop taking narcotics

[Gina_qg]

I wish I knew how to tell my brain to stop taking pain pills. I can't and I don't know what to do? If only I could stop. I'm a mom to a 6 year old. I need help. I tried rehab it did not work for me? Please help I don't know how to stop?!

[Julia M Aharonov, DO]

There is really no easy way of detoxing from home. I have dealt with hundreds of addicts who have all told me horror stories of doing it by themselves.  I would only guess that if are successful in doing it at home you don't end up in my clinic.
Just in case you are curious, it takes us three to four days to detox a patient and get him/her back home drug free and feeling well on Naltrexone therapy (no opiates).
Tapering down slowly is the best way, but you may still experience withdrawals. Tapering means gradually increasing time periods between doses and also decreasing the dose itself in a consistent manner.
See if your doctor can write you a prescription for some Requip for restlessness, Neurontin for anxiety and malaise, some Flexeril or Soma for a few weeks for muscle spasms and maybe some Seroquel low dose, for sleep. and Clonidine for the creepy-crawly feeling and control of blood pressure variations. It will make your withdrawals easier.  Valerian and Magnesium is sometimes helpful remedies over the counter.
The residual symptoms of insomnia and depression can last another few months. Thus, it is not easy, but it gets better and better over time and you can look forward to a drug free healthy energetic you in the future. When you take opiates for a long time like you have, your body's physiology has been altered. Your central nervous system has created a multitude of opioid receptors that all are screaming for endorphins (opiates) to fill them, but your body has now forgotten how to make them by itself.  It will take time - two to four weeks at least, for your receptors to down-regulate (for the brain begin to heal) and to start making its own endorphins. Brain heals pretty slowly, so it may take you as long as a couple of months to get rid of feelings of sluggishness, restlessness and depression. The best thing you can do is take good care of yourself, eat healthy food, stay hydrated, keep active and busy. Stay away from sugar, soda, and simple carbs. Do not consume caffeine at least 6 hours prior to bedtime.
Take a look at my blogs about options for detox and recovery. You may also take a look at my clinic website where I also have my blogs and a lot of other info about drug addiction and recovery. Look especially into the blog and the info on Naltrexone therapy after getting clean. It really improves your chances of staying clean for good by cutting down your physical cravings. Look into my clinic website as well. All this can be done by clicking on my name in blue.
There is a injectable form available now that is covered by all major medical insurances called Vivitrol that you would need to get only once monthly to stay clean. Just keep it in mind for the future. As to whether opiates will kill you in the future once you get off of them, no, they will not. However, you will need to be very careful not to get addicted again, since you know that you have that predisposition, which is likely genetic. Good luck to you and my best wishes.

[edwardcejka]

That depends on the type of drug, the dose, how many drugs are taken simultaneously, and the individual’s responses. Some people succeed at stopping a certain drug after a month or two, others already cannot stop safely after two or three weeks one cannot know in advance to which category he belongs.

[alexkaren]

Giving up drug habit is not so easy, First of all you should be patient enough and you should have control on yourself. I think there will be a Rehabilitation center in your city, attending sessions of the rehabilitation center will be a better idea because you will be surrounded by the people like you.

[LadySailor86]

A friend gave me oxy about 9 months ago. I quartered it and with just one quarter, neck pain, stress went away. I just felt normal. Over time I got more and more and spent more and more. No one knew.  I was even able to cover the disappearing money. But the shame and loathing and guilt and disgust was eating me up. I told them yesterday. They were surprised. It was so humiliating.