Help with Beating opiate addiction

[mickenator]

Swim has been an opiate addict for about 16 years and has come to the end of there tether, swim has got to the point were there body is knackered. In the 16 years swim has only done there withdrawl and got clean once when they where in jail, but swim knows the good feeling swim got from being clean and desperately wants to get it back. Swim also needs to get clean due to health problems caused by there drug taking, a year ago swim was diagnosed with hepatitus C and has been told that there liver is shot. But when swim makes the decision to stop madame opiate keeps caling them back, what also dosen't help is that swim is perscribed DF118's for there Carpul Tunnel Syndrome and knows that they also need to stop these if they are going to get clean( just not looking forward to the pain ). Swim would be gratefull to anyone who could give them advice on whats best to do as swim really doesn't want to go on another medication to detox but can't do a full blown withdrawl as they have to work every day. Also what bothers swim is that they aren't getting any younger and swim doesn't know any addicts who have lived to a ripe old age.

[~lostgurl~]

16 years is a long opiate addiction to come off without some sort of medication. SWIM recommends 4 days using small decreasing amounts of methadone, SWIY certainly doesn't want that addiction but 4 days worth can help SWIY get through the worst of it. also Clonidine does wonders for jonesing. some kind of sleep aid might be helpful too. Immodium is useful for more than just diarrhea, it apparently crosses the BBB like opiates so can lessen the affects of withdrawal slightly. hot baths and showers can really help too, drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and to clean your system out quicker, and something like paracetamol or ibuprofen for fever/chills and headaches.

SWIM was also diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome while she was using heroin, Dr prescribed her with percocets and voltaren, but neither helped in the slightest. She would be in absolute agony some nights with pain shooting through her wrists and up her arms. SWIM was told she would need surgery for it, but when she gave up opiates her CTS got better all by itself..... strange huh. The only thing SWIM found helpful for CTS while using opiates was wearing wrist support bandages, the ones with the hard plastic on one side that keep the wrists from moving or settling at awkward angles. Wearing these wristbands (at night especially) helped SWIM's pain far more than the opiates did.

Hope this helps SWIY, good luck and take care...

[Nagognog2]

For future reference:

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[DrMuffy]

Well even though SWIY doesnt want any meds for detox, SWIlostgurl is right, they would help ALOT with the withdrawel. SWIdr is sad to hear that SWIY has to go through this awful process. The only thing he can suggest is something like Valium for the firs week or so, it can really help with the mental and physical withdrawel.

[CrookedEye]

SWIM was an addict to opioids, including methadone for over half the time, for 7 years.. He tried 7 clinical detoxes (a few cold turkey attempts as well), and finally methadone.. After using methadone for a long period, nearly 4 years, SWIM discovered Ibogaine, and for about $2,200 (including his stay, meals, cannabis, treatment, etc) flew to Amsterdam, where he stayed for a week, was given 5g of iboga alkaloid extract, mushroom tea, and cannabis.. He has been clean since shortly after his return from Amsterdam, and has no cravings whatsoever. He did take about 2 months to get back to normal, but it was remarkably fast for a full methadone addiction.. SWIM posted his Iboga experience awhile back, on the forum, if SWIY would like to read it.. Also, SWIM would be happy to share anything he can to help..

[sciencedj]

Originally Posted by ~lostgurl~

also Clonidine does wonders for jonesing. some kind of sleep aid might be helpful too. Immodium is useful for more than just diarrhea, it apparently crosses the BBB like opiates so can lessen the affects of withdrawal slightly.

This is good advice. In conjunction with the clonidine (catapres) and Immodium, SWIM suggests also using Librium. When SWIM was admitted for opiate addiction, the docs used clonidine and Librium. They then decreased the doses of SWIM's opiates.

SWIM slept through most of the experience. Librium and clonidine have been used successfully in many withdrawal situations.

Good Luck!

[mickenator]

Swim is hoping that when they talk with there Dr they will be able to offer something that swim can use for about a week to get them over the worst of the withdrawl, swim is not keen to go back on a methadone program as swim spent about 10 years on this medication without no reduction in swims opiate addiction. Swim has looked into the Ibogain route before but it is well out of swims sights financially otherwise they would like to give it a go as swim has read alot of good feedback about it. The worst periods for swim are the night times, being unable to sleep really takes it out of you and the aches and pains are no fun either. Thanks alot for all your helpfull advice swim will keep you all posted on there progress.

[Forthesevenlakes]

Although SWIY does not want to get on any medications for the opiate withdrawal, SWIM would suggest that buprenorphine could be a godsend for SWIY if it is available in SWIY's location. The problem is that at times it can be tricky to find rehab programs which offer it, as it is still a relatively new therapy. It will probably not intoxicate SWIY, since SWIY likely has a high tolerance, but it will prevent the worst of the withdrawal symptoms, since it works partially as an opiate agonist. It also functions as an opiate antagonist, meaning that even if SWIY slips up and uses an opiate/opioid, the buprenorphine will block the effect of the drug. This can be a powerful conditioning tool, since in the event of a slip-up, SWIY's brain will "unlearn" to some extent that opiates will create pleasure for SWIY. A bit of reprogramming will occur where SWIY will associate opiates with creating no effect, since any euphoria will be prevented by the buprenorphine. Granted, it would probably take several instances of this for a full rewiring to occur, but the conscious knowledge that taking some dope will not give any pleasure can assist in this process.

The buprenorphine is then tapered off slowly, and eventually stopped, leaving only minor withdrawals, if any. The problem is that this is a time consuming and possibly costly process. If SWIY wants to go cold-turkey and stop within a week, SWIM suggests the following:

Immodium or any other loperamide containing product - to help with the gastrointestinal problems or diarrhea. 2-4 mg is a good starting dose.

Any dextromethorphan containing product (except those with APAP) - this can take the edge off some of the physical withdrawals. Anywhere from 15-60 mg should do it, and SWIY will not "trip" from this small of a dose.

Access to a hot bath - this really helps with the muscle aches and pains.

Movies, books, video games, etc. - to help with getting bored, since SWIY will probably not want to go out much during the first days. SWIY should also consider walking or getting back into exercising as soon as possible, it may be painful but helps a LOT with boredom and depression.

Valium or other benzodiazepines - SWIY may not want medication, but these or a non-benzodiazepine sleeping pill could help counter the insomnia. Just dont take them throughout the day, because SWIY could wind up with a benzo addiction...which could kill SWIY, conceivably, during the withdrawals. Clonidine is supposed to also help in a similar fashion, but SWIM has not personally tried Clonidine.

Vitamins and healthy foods - SWIY may not want to eat, during the first few days, but it's important to keep something in SWIY's stomach, maybe eat an apple if a full meal sounds impossible. Proper nutrition and good food will help SWIY's mood and physical well-being.

Having friends around to entertain SWIY, help him out with what he needs, or take SWIY places also helps alot. If none of them know about SWIY's habit, maybe just find one or two trusted friends to confide in..they'd probably be happy to help. Just make sure they are not friends which use opioids, because even if they are not using around SWIY, their presence could trigger a craving leading to relapse.

Keep us posted as to SWIY's progress and hang in there!

[brown_thing]

once SWIM has got over the withdrawl symptoms and are clean then if SWIM wants to ensure that he stays clean SWIM could look into one of those vaccinations against opiates so that if SWIM relapses SWIM wont be able to get addicted.

[paulcook]

My frind Swim has been on a Subutex (buprenorphine) program for about 8 days and it has worked WONDERS for him. It really is the best alternative. Swim has a full time job aswell and cannot afford the time for the horrible process of "cold turkey". So he is on a step down program that will virtually eliminate any withdrawls that he would have otherwise had to suffer. It really is great. You will not regret it if you can access it in your area. Good luck! Swim knows what you're goin' through.

[INodHardOhYeah]

SWIM recently began working non-profit as an addiction counselor, having personally struggled with opiate addiction, SWIM would HIGHLY recommend checking SWIYSELF into inpatient rehab, especially and at least while SWIY is detoxing. It is much easier and safer having doctors and nurses to assist you and monitor your vitals while you detox (In opiate addicts who have used as long as you I have seen it take from 10 days to 3 weeks) I would recommend staying inpatient until until you feel confident that you will be able to care for yourself (your personal doctor or MHA can assist you with this), as sobering up can be a very jarring transition.

Afterwards, the recovery rate for those who attend outpatient rehab is SIGNIFICANTLY higher than those who forgo treatment when they are discharged.

Also, cognitive therapy, focusing on behavior modification, with a psychologist or MHA is (in SWIM's opinion) the most beneficial outpatient treatment (you should also work on this while inpatient).

What I would NOT recommend is starting on METHODONE or SUBUTEX. It was FAR more difficult for me (and many others) to get off these government regulated money generating drugs than it was to kick H/OC, etc.

Feel free to PM me with any questions.

[DrMuffy]

Oh, also Kratom can help with the first couple of weeks with the mental/physical withdrawals. It (as SWIY probably knows) create effects very similar to opiates and acts upon the mu-opiod receptors (Correct SWIdr if he is wrong), so it could be of some help...

Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia:

"Kratom has the ability to alleviate withdrawal in people dependent on opiates owing to the mu receptor agonism of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine."

[Klaus]

Looks like swim should invest in a spot of Kratom thanks swiDrMuffy .

[Forthesevenlakes]

Keep in mind, however, that while kratom can mitigate some withdrawal symptoms, it can create its own cycle of dependence, addiction, and withdrawal, so use caution if using kratom to help.

[amines2anend]

Swia just read all these wonderful posts about the kicking of the horible Horse, and am so glad to have done so. However, Swia still has a couple of ?'s. Subutex, is it better thatn methadone, or less addicting? Swia tired the 21 day detox at the methadone clinic and it was a mere failure. Swia has been on hop everyday for 11 months and would surely like to kick this habit. Swia is tired of fighting for a vein everyday two or three times a day if not more. Thanks Amines2anend

[~lostgurl~]

SWIM believes the methodone maintenance programs that some people are kept on for a year or more are very bad news, the withdrawal from sustained use of methadone is much longer than heroin and in fact much harder to quit. SWIM has done 2 X 30 day methodone programs in the past but both times found herself back on heroin within a week. If SWIY is just looking for something to get through the most severe of the withdrawals, 4 days of decreasing amounts of methadone is very effective, but then SWIY will still have the following months of cravings to deal with, which is why Subutex is a better option as it is much less addictive so can be taken for many months with a very easy withdrawal process from what SWIM has read. (SWIM has never personally used Subutex)

[NeverSober]

swim pretty mcuh went coldtukey after cutting down day by day...........everynow and then he does play a little but only always one day consecutibe use with atleast 4-5 days in between if not longer. Swim has also found kratom to be very useful and much much much less addicting compared to a full on opiate addiction which he went through

[NeverSober]

good luck btw