Friend needs help forming strategy for a detox this weekend

[sleepless in nowhere]

Hello All!

First I'd like to say hello to everyone since this is my first post here, although I have frequented the board before, I have not registered until now.

I'll get down to business on this situation that my friend of a friend (FOAF) has...

FOAF was using vics and percs, averaging about 60 mg a day for about 6 weeks. Assume FOAF has access to 10mg methadones, suboxone, and vikes to use as wean down tools. What FOAF is looking for is a solid exit strategy. He's ok with discomfort during the day but will not tolerate restless leg/arm symptoms at night that keep him awake for hours on end. Thats where he draws the line in terms of how much discomfort he will put up with during this detox.

FOAF has been using methadone for the past 10 days to break the mental habit of going to grab vics daily. The done schedule started around 20mg of methadone and is now down to 5mg of methdone (gradual decrease every day), over that 10 day period of time.

Now here is where the rubber meets the road for FOAF. Considering this person is down to 5mg of methadone and has a nice long 3 day weekend approaching. What is the best way for him to finish this detox?

He thinks cold turkey would be too sudden for his body. He also knows that if he continues to take methadone for too long, the withdrawal symptoms increase exponentially when he finally does stop. (He once took methadone for a month before quitting and the withdrawal lasted for about 10 miserable days, as opposed to the 3-4 days before the upswing starts). So he feels he's pushing his luck to keep taking the dones much longer. Like I said above, FOAF has access to suboxone, more 10mg dones, or more vics if necessary. From personal experience which option would be the best at this point, considering FOAF has 3 full days of no work ahead, and is in perfect position to defeat this...

[OhCasey]

The best strategy would be to taper from vicodin (Hydrocodone) since methadone withdrawals are way worse then most other opiates. I'm assuming the Hydro's are 5 mgs so id taper from those since the are the weakest and come in the smallest doses and a short half life unlike methadone which stays in your system at high doses for a day and a half atleast. Id go buy some b12 & b6 vitamins they will help with the leg kicks and hurting in the legs. You might want to look itno melatonin for sleeping, kava kava for relaxing or kratom to just totally wipe out most of the effects of withdrawals but that comes with its own risk. Theres also benzos like valium, xanax, klonopin etc.

[sleepless in nowhere]

Casey thanks for the response and information.

FOAF has to admit there's something really strange going on here. For some reason, the wd isnt that bad for him this time around...AT ALL. In its been 75 hours since the last time he took his last 5mg dose of done. The only other thing he took was a 7.5mg vic yesterday. Besides that he's had minor burning sensation in arm and leg muscles but nothing compared to the last 2 times he went through this. He really thinks the main difference is that he wasnt taking oxycontin this time...only vics. In both previous addictions he was at the same mg dosage when he decided to quit...but this has been a total cakewalk. He's pretty sure it wont get any worse than it is right now. He feels extremely lucky.

[OhCasey]

I hope it continues to be easy transtion for you. Good luck.

[sl1p609]

When swim detoxes Benzo's work but at the same time double the come down from WD...so only tetrahydrocanibbol is a simple solution the best solution for the pain. IN my experience.

[sleepless in nowhere]

Hey guys, thanks for helping my friend. Right now FOAF is at 4mg of vic per day (breaking 7.5's in half). It gives him a couple hours of relief each afternoon from the pain and discomfort which is mainly in his hands and tips of his fingers at this point. He knows his body and he's closing to being finished. Just has to deal with a few more restless nights and should be all set. Its hard for him now that the amout per day is getting so low to just say screw it. At the the same time he knows this process usually takes about a week and there's not much he can do to speed it up. He figures he'll take another 4mg on tuesday, and 1-2 mg's before bed on wednesday as his last and just say to heck with it.

He's also been out pretty active this weekend....volleyball, fishing, and a nice 1.5 hour bike ride today. Despite how nice its been, he sometimes still gets the chills and goosebumps, even when sitting in the sun. Everyone keeps asking him why he's wearing a sweatshirt when its so hot out....but its not hot out to him.

sleepless in nowhere added 2 Minutes and 9 Seconds later...

Originally Posted by sl1p609

When swim detoxes Benzo's work but at the same time double the come down from WD...so only tetrahydrocanibbol is a simple solution the best solution for the pain. IN my experience.

Can anyone second slip's opinion on thc as a way to relieve the discomfort? FOAF hasnt smoked in some years but would definitely consider it in very small amounts if it will help him relax and pass out normally at night...

[OhCasey]

Almost everyone gets comfort from smokin some herb for withdrawals, especially before bed.

[Guardian]

swim noticed when he did his kick at them start of this may the herb did help. but good herb was the key tho, swim smoked some regs and he actually felt worse off, but the weed gods showed mercy and blessed swim with some purple and that relaxed swim enough to sleep decent. also when swim smokes cigs he feels shitty during and after for some reason, any other swims get that also?? but its been 26 days off xanax and 5 now off hydrocodone and swim feels 80 percent better, actually left his room to go outside and bbq and open the pool for the summer season. feels good not having to worry bout getting the next fix or money for it, but swim is addicted to the lifestyle and that will always haunt him to the day he dies.

[sleepless in nowhere]

Yep....FOAF notices too that cigs temporarily make things worse physically....but he thinks he does it anyways just to have something to distract his mind for a few minutes.

[Guardian]

yea more addicted to ciggs for the reason of just smoking it, something to do even tho im getting sicker and sicker of the taste and smell now. since i been clean my sense of smell is coming back and i just gag on the ciggs, so i stopped. been 2 days and feeling good. quit because im broke at the moment and cant offord a 6 dollar pack of ciggs.