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Need a referral.

I have been dependent on 300mg Morphine Sulfate for 3yrs, due to a back injury. I have weaned myself down to 60 mg. I need help to continue the taper process. Prior to this injury I was 11 yrs clean from addiction. I have all medical documents needed. Uninsured. Would be private pay. Im in The Bay Area, Ca.
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Avatar universal
From kicking again. ? If a dose of 60mg Morphine is equivalent to 1.5mg of suboxen,and im detoxing, Cross Tolerance creates a 40% deduction off the potency of the former drug,which means a subox dose of .75-1.0 should hold me. By how much, how often and fast with the least amount of pain can i get to the end w/o a new dependency..        Steve
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1684282 tn?1614701284
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The tapering process needs to be very graduate and deliberate to be successful.  Most, (studies show around 80%) experience withdrawals with even the gentlest of tapering.
In case you are curious, it takes us about three to four days to get a patient off of any opiate including Morphine, and feeling well. We withdraw you from all opiate under sedation and initiate long-term naltrexone therapy ti ensure protection from cravings.
If you choose to go it alone, 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 Klonopin which will be helpful for sleeplessness and anxiety. 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 downregulate (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. My best wishes to you and good luck.
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