In this article, I’m going to teach you how to sleep during opiate withdrawal. Opiate withdrawal insomnia is NO JOKE…and like countless individuals, I’ve had my fair share of sleepless nights while I was kicking narcotics.
I mean SERIOUSLY…it’s bad enough going through opiate withdrawal all day long, but then we don’t even get a break at night?! Really?! I’m soooo glad that phase of my life is long-gone, and since then I’ve made it my Life’s Purpose and Mission to help others recover from opiate addiction.
My ULTIMATE PASSION is writing articles that can help you and others reduce opiate withdrawal symptoms, quit opiates for good, and live an awesome life of fulfillment and joy. OK, so enough about me! Now it’s time to really add some value to your life.
I’ve put together the following list of effective strategies so you can quickly learn how to sleep during opiate withdrawal. After reading about these methods, you should be able to dramatically reduce your opiate withdrawal insomnia…thus enabling you to get some rest and start the next day FRESH!
What Causes Opiate Withdrawal Insomnia?
Before we get into the tips for getting sleep during opiate withdrawal, I think it’s important for you to at least have a basic understanding of what’s going on with your body.
Morphine, heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone, Suboxone, and other opioid drugs attach to specific proteins called opioid receptors, which are located on nerve cells in the brain, spinal cord, GI tract, and other organs.
Once these drugs attach to the opioid receptors, their effects come on, which include, but are not limited to:
- Pain relief
- Euphoria
- Sedation
- Constipation
- Nausea
As human beings, we already have an endogenous painkilling system that is capable of producing pain relief, sedation, and euphoria. This natural pain relief system is activated when we exercise, eat certain foods, or perform other activities.
We already produce these natural opioid chemicals in the premise amounts our bodies were designed to handle. The problem arises when an individual has been using an opioid drug for a period of time. After prolonged use of opioid drugs, the production of endogenous opioids is inhibited.
Brain Adaptations
The continuous use of opioids overrides our natural ability to produce endorphins and enkephalins. The brain comes to rely on the drugs to create these neurotransmitters.
Whether an individual is abusing opioids or even taking them as prescribed by a physician, the continued use quickly leads to tolerance.
Tolerance is a state of adaptation in which exposure to a drug induces changes that result in a decrease of the drug’s effects over time. When an individual abruptly stops using opioids, leading opioid-blood concentration to fall below the required level, the now opioid-tolerant central nervous system (CNS) goes HAYWIRE!
With no inhibitive stimulation to satisfy receptors, the pathways of the CNS fire signals strenuously, performing at a level MUCH higher than pre-dependence levels. Now the locus coeruleus responds by triggering the autonomic fight or flight response.
What results is known as the opiate withdrawal syndrome, and it’s one of the MOST HORRIFIC experiences an individual could ever go through.
Some of the most common symptoms of withdrawal include:
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Aching muscles and limbs
- Teary eyes
- A runny nose
- Sneezing
- Gastrointestinal distress
- Irritability
- Hot and cold sweats
- Goosebumps
- Vomiting
- Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)
- And of course…INSOMNIA!!!
How To Sleep During Opiate Withdrawal
Now that you have a general understanding of what causes opiate withdrawal insomnia and other symptoms, we can dive right into some useful tips for ending your suffering. Furthermore, these strategies can help with more than just opiate withdrawal insomnia, as they have been shown to be helpful for other symptoms as well.
And the REALLY COOL part is that the first strategy I’m giving you right out of the gate might be all you need to stop the entire opiate withdrawal syndrome completely in its tracks! Thus, not only will you likely get a decent night of sleep, but your days should be much easier to get through as well. 🙂
1. Mega-Dose Vitamin C
If you’re truly wanting a simple, inexpensive, and effective way to sleep during opiate withdrawal, Vitamin C may be the best way to go.
I’ve been blogging about opiate withdrawal remedies for over a year now, and after I published my article How To Mega-Dose Vitamin C To Stop Opiate Withdrawal, I’ve received plenty of comments and emails saying how well this method works. Studies have also shown Vitamin C to reduce opiate withdrawal symptoms.
If you want to know how to sleep during opiate withdrawal, I encourage you to read my article on mega-dosing Vitamin C.
Here is a short excerpt:
According to literature in the medical school library of the University of Mexico, Vitamin C might block the neuromodulatory response of opioid receptors to opioid drugs like heroin, morphine, oxycodone, etc. Furthermore, in vitro studies have also shown that high concentrations of Vitamin C may inhibit the endogenous opioid degrading metalloenzyme and increase endorphin levels.
Included in the article is a Step-by-Step detox plan using Vitamin C to make it easier for you to get started. I also encourage you to read the comments left by other individuals that have used this protocol to end their opiate withdrawal insomnia and other symptoms.
2. Mega-Dose Gabapentin
Another one of the best ways I can teach you how to sleep during opiate withdrawal is to mega-dose gabapentin. After publishing my article How To Use Gabapentin For Opiate Withdrawal, I received many blog comments and emails saying how well this protocol worked. Studies have even shown gabapentin to be useful for opiate withdrawal symptoms.
Here is some info from my gabapentin article:
Gabapentin (brand name Neurontin) is a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogue that was originally developed for the treatment of epilepsy, pain relief and neuropathic pain. Gabapentin was initially synthesized to mimic the chemical structure of the neurotransmitter GABA. Gabapentin is effective in the treatment of social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. Gabapentin is now one of the most common medications used on people with alcohol, crack, opiate and other addictions.
Included in the article is the exact gabapentin dosages and protocols used in the two studies to reduce opiate withdrawal symptoms. I also encourage you to read through the comments so you can check out the success stories of people having easy detoxes using this method.
3. Benzodiazepines
Benzos are anti-anxiety medications that have been used by countless individuals to get some sleep during opiate withdrawal. For some people, these medications are the only thing they need to stop the opiate withdrawal insomnia.
However, many people have also used these benzo medications to sleep during opiate withdrawal, only to find that it only helped them sleep for a couple of hours. Personally, when I used these medications to sleep during opiate withdrawal, I found that for me they worked VERY WELL. I’ve written articles on how to use the most popular benzo medications for opiate withdrawal.
Click on the links below to learn how to sleep during opiate withdrawal using benzos:
4. Clonidine
Clonidine is a blood pressure medication that is very popular for treating opiate withdrawal symptoms. Clonidine has been shown in studies to reduce symptoms, and the medication has helped many individuals get some sleep during opiate withdrawal.
I encourage you to read my article How To Use Clonodine For Opiate Withdrawal if you wish to learn more about this medication.
Here is an excerpt from the clonidine article:
Countless opiate abusers have greatly ameliorated their withdrawal symptoms by using clonidine for opiate withdrawal. It’s a wonderful medication, and I even used it once in the past for heroin withdrawal. It worked incredibly well at reducing my anxiety, insomnia, chills, goosebumps and racing heartbeat.
5. DXM
Dextromethorphan (DXM) is an antitussive (cough suppressant) drug found in over 125 over-the-counter cough and cold medications, including Robitussin, Coricidin, and Vicks.
DXM has been shown in studies to significantly reduce withdrawal symptoms, and the over-the-counter medication has helped many opiate abusers get some sleep during opiate withdrawal. To learn more about using DXM for opiate withdrawal insomnia, I encourage you to read my article How To Use DXM For Opiate Withdrawal.
Here is an excerpt from the DXM article:
A review study from 2004 done in Germany concludes that three main mechanisms are responsible for opioid tolerance and the withdrawal syndrome dependence, which are upregulation of adenyl cyclase and nitric oxide synthetase and activation of NMDA receptors. Consequently, the use of alpha-2 agonists (e.g., clonidine) and NMDA antagonists (e.g., dextromethorphan, ketamine) can minimize the tolerance phenomenon and decrease the withdrawal symptoms.
6. Mega-Dose Loperamide
Loperamide HCL is the active ingredient in the over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medication known as Imodium AD. It acts as an opioid agonist on the myenteric plexus of the large intestine, thus, it can stop opiate withdrawal diarrhea and stomach cramping very well.
Furthermore, many individuals have eliminated 80-90% or more of their opiate withdrawal symptoms (including insomnia) by mega-dosing with loperamide. I published the article How To Use Loperamide For Opiate Withdrawal, and readers have commented and emailed me how well the protocol worked for them.
To learn more about how to sleep during opiate withdrawal by mega-dosing loperamide, I encourage you to read the article.
7. Baclofen
Baclofen is a centrally-acting skeletal muscle relaxant that was approved by the FDA in 1977 for its ability to reduce muscle spasms, muscle tightness, and pain.
It’s typically prescribed for spastic movement disorders, most commonly in instances of:
- Spinal cord injury
- Multiple sclerosis
- Cerebral palsy
Since its chemical makeup closely resembles the inhibitory neurotransmitter known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), baclofen has been used off-label by many individuals going through opiate withdrawal, reducing symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, and more.
Studies have shown baclofen to be effective at treating opiate withdrawal symptoms, and in one study it was shown to have better success than clonidine. To learn more about using baclofen to reduce opiate withdrawal insomnia, I encourage you to read my article How To Use Baclofen For Opiate Withdrawal.
8. Opiate Withdrawal Formula
Opiate Withdrawal Formula is an opiate withdrawal supplement that has gained tremendous popularity for reducing insomnia, anxiety, and other unpleasant symptoms.
It contains the following natural supplements that have been shown to be helpful in reducing opiate withdrawal insomnia:
- Passion flower
- Valerian root
- GABA
- Kava
- 5-HTP
- Melatonin
9. Phenibut
Phenibut is a truly INCREDIBLE supplement that has powerful relaxation, sleep-inducing, and mood-enhancing effects. If you want to learn how to sleep during opiate withdrawal, I suggest reading up on phenibut.
I wrote a very informative article titled How To Use Phenibut For Opiate Withdrawal that can teach you how to treat opiate withdrawal insomnia and anxiety using this supplement.
Here is a brief excerpt from the phenibut article:
Phenibut is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant and derivative of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that produces feelings of calmness and tranquility. GABA inhibits nerve transmission in the brain, thus calming nervous activity.
Phenibut acts directly on the GABAB receptor sites. Drugs and substances such as baclofen, GHB, and alcohol also bind to these sites. Some believe that high doses of phenibut also bind to the GABAA receptors, which is where benzodiazepine drugs such as Valium, Ativan, Klonopin and Xanax bind to, though this is a topic of debate in the scientific community.
10. Kratom
If you really want to know how to sleep during opiate withdrawal, kratom is a natural plant that might be able to help. However, using kratom does, in fact, delay the opiate withdrawal syndrome, so while it’s a quick fix, it might not be what you’re looking for.
However, it might be a great solution to your dilemma…it just depends on your unique situation.
Kratom is an evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia and is a member of the coffee family. Currently, kratom is not regulated by the Drug Enforcement Agency in the United States (making it legal). Kratom is NOT AN OPIATE.
Kratom, simply put, is an opioid agonist. This means that it mimics the effects of hydrocodone, morphine, heroin, Suboxone, Methadone, and other opioid drugs.
Kratom can help you get some sleep during opiate withdrawal, however, since it binds to your opioid receptors, this means that you are essentially delaying the time it will take to go through acute opiate withdrawal.
You may wish to do this, as tons of individuals have, to end the despair of opiate withdrawal insomnia. I highly recommend reading my article How To Use Kratom For Opiate Withdrawal if you want to learn more about kratom’s potential at reducing opiate withdrawal insomnia.
11. Sleeping Pills
Many individuals have benefited from using over-the-counter or prescription sleeping pills for opiate withdrawal insomnia. These are not at the top of my list of things I would use on myself because I believe there are much better solutions. However, a lot of people swear by them.
Popular over-the-counter sleep medications:
- Diphenhydramine – Found in Benadryl and Tylenol PM.
- Doxylamine – Found in Unisom.
Popular prescription sleep medications:
- Zolpidem – Ambien
- Eszopiclone – Lunesta
More Tips For Getting Sleep During Opiate Withdrawal
In my opinion, the strategies I’ve provided you are some of the MOST POWERFUL ways to treat opiate withdrawal insomnia. However, there are many more things that can also help.
Since this is just an article and not an Ebook, I’m not going to dive deep into anything else. What I will do is simply list a few more tips that can help you sleep during opiate withdrawal.
The following tips can help you sleep during opiate withdrawal:
- 12) Dark Room – It’s important to sleep in a dark room that is cool and quiet. Also, make sure you get to bed before 12:00 am.
- 13) BlindFold – Can help reduce opiate withdrawal insomnia.
- 14) Hot Bath – Relaxing in a hot bath or jacuzzi before bed can reduce opiate withdrawal insomnia. Kick it up a few notches by taking an Epsom salt bath.
- 15) Herb Tea – Herbal teas such as kava root, passion flower, chamomile, and others can help you sleep during opiate withdrawal.
- 16) Marijuana – Some of the more sedating strains of cannabis have been reported to help in the treatment of opiate withdrawal insomnia.
- 17) Exercise – Going for a long walk, jog, swim, or doing other forms of exercise can help the body produce its own natural endorphins, which can help to reduce opiate withdrawal insomnia.
- 18) Qigong – The ancient Chinese forms of exercise known as Qigong and Tai Chi both focus on deep breathing, relaxed movements, and mindful meditation, which can help to reduce opiate withdrawal insomnia.
- 19) Massage – A deep tissue full body massage during the evening can help to produce endorphins, relax the nervous system, and reduce opiate withdrawal insomnia.
- 20) Acupuncture – Has the ability to relax the nervous system and promote sleep during opiate withdrawal.
- 21) Meditation – A very powerful strategy for reducing opiate withdrawal insomnia, anxiety, and other symptoms.
How To Sleep During Opiate Withdrawal Conclusion
There are many prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, natural supplements, natural drugs, and other strategies that can help an individual get some sleep during opiate withdrawal. Now that you have all of this valuable information, you should be able to use at least one or more items off this list to reduce your opiate withdrawal insomnia. Click here now to view my best home detox program.
How To Sleep During Opiate Withdrawal Questions
If you have any questions on how to sleep during opiate withdrawal, please post them in the comment box below. 🙂
I’m currently in the final stages of tapering off a daily regime of slow release 40mg/day oxycodone along with, as needed 5mg fast acting oxycodone. I’m about two months in, then the insomnia and leg pains start, along with trapped gas, which sometime makes me retch. I’ve been using zopiclone while on the opiates together with pregabalin and benzodiazepines. Why all these meds? Post cancer pain and anxiety. The gas problems began first then the sleep problems. The zopiclone seems to have stopped working. I’m now about to completely rid myself of the opiates, but my biggest problem is sleep. I can’t function unless I have a solid 6 to 8hrs. Now I barely get 4 or 5,at best. My sex drive is zero also, likely a result of sleep deprivation. I’ll go through the list of recommendations and report back. Thanks for posting. Philip
I’ve used Loperamide at the recommend dosage already for ten days. It seems too late to use the high dose method, yes? Also, I want to sleep. Everyone says it’ll mess up a normal sleep schedule, and naps are bad, but I’ve had no trouble sleeping and I can’t help but think as a sickness of the brain this PAWS is that extra sleep could only be beneficial for healing. I can’t find any support or that idea, and wondered if you had an opinion. I’m on day ten of abstinence. Still can’t control the diarrhea. Now have quit eating to try and get it under control.
Thank you for the great article! I just got off of suboxone 5 days ago after being on some kind of opiate for almost 20 yrs. I haven’t slept a second in 4 days and I tried a lot of the medications on the list. However I am one of those people who finds a lot of relief and I can finally sleep with benzos but my Dr won’t prescribe them to me. He is my suboxone Dr and he knows I’ve never abused benzos. How do I get my Dr or any Dr to prescribe benzos for opiate withdrawal? I told him how gripped with anxiety I am and how I haven’t slept at all in 4 days. I’ve tried otc sleep aids, Ambien, Robatussin Dxm, Trazadone, clonidine and hydroxyzine with no helpful results at all. My Dr still won’t prescribe benzos. I am so desperate right now and have been thinking about just going back on the sub but I REALLY don’t want to. It seems like my Dr would rather me go back on suboxone rather than me taking benzos for sleep for a few days. I don’t get it. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.
That is by far the most comprehensive, honest and accurate list I’ve ever seen.
As I am old and wasn’t quick to learn from my mistakes, at some point in time I’d used every one of those products/substances in the attempt to mediate the mind blowing pain of opiate detox.
That’s a great list. Right down to the not-personal endorsement of Z drugs and OTC sleep aids. (For anybody who doesn’t think their situation can feel any worse, try taking a bunch of diphenhydramine.. Oh man, I would’ve walked into traffic to make that feeling go away..).
{-please consider adding cyclobenzaprine (flexeril) to your list. Typical dose of 10mg’s won’t do much, but take 50 or 60mg’s and surprise, it’s suddenly morning…It does lose effectiveness after about 3 or 4 times of nightly use though}
-Thank-you for your work.
I just got off of suboxone after being on for 6 yrs.Its been three weeks now and my withdrawals r finally going away, but I can’t sleep at all ,haven’t ate in7 days.im on clonidine ,they had me on lorazepam but haven’t taken any in two days slept good on that but can’t sleep now. NEED HELP should I get back on the lorazepam or will I withdrawal from that and is it ok for long term.
You can always taper off that medicine to prevent withdrawal.
last 4 days i withdrwl opiates flower paste (in india its famous) now my anus rectum burn after ,toilet what can i do
On the mega dose Vitamin C is that all at once?? At 500mg thats 52!!!! Or is it a day??? Not sure, would you clarify please?? I took my last one one monday the 1st, my dad died on the 3rd, my sister called in a fake murder suicide on the 4th and i had a mental evaluation that day and got released 5hours into a 72hr hold!! Im still UNBROKEN but the lengering withdrawls are workin on my foundation. IM SO SICK OF CRACKHEAD BREAK DANCING ALL NITE!! Im ordering the calm support tomarow BY THE WAY youtube has reveiws or testimonials on it and ive been tryin but….i can tell you how i am on EVERY DRUG out there BUT THIS is my first time kickin oxy’s after 11years 20mg 4x a day. I think dr.s should ask before the perscribe those if they dreamed of being a heroin junky when they grew up. The ONLY drug i WOULDNT do….was perscribed BY A DOCTOR!!!! THANK YOU…..You and hurt HATE AND RAGE are the reason i didnt taste the inside of my brain case!!!! Im spreading the news…..oh im in oklahoma, THE ARM PIT OF THE WORLD, and our law enforcement act more like mob enforcers instead of people. Protect and serve MY ASS
wait, wut…
hello everyone,
I am writting this from India, i have been using heroine from last 1 year, and i really wanted to quit and tried several times but i failed. Now again i have been off her. for about 4 days now, and the drugs you mentioned to make withdrawl easy isnt available here, so as substitute to those i am taking spashmo proxyvon which is also a abused drugs here, but i take 1000 mg of it and my withdrawl has been easy but i am suffering from cramps and insomnia and havent had sleep for a minute from 5 days.
I would have gone rehab and start the programme but the society i live in is very orthodox and my family will have to hear all the bullshit from others and i am broke too….
And this article has helped me alot physiologically and is good to see others quitting the same and this gives me a hope that one ay i will be off all medics .
Is this normal??
And sorry for my english…
Glad this article helped your mindset, and sorry that you can’t get these remedies in India. That certainly makes it difficult! And I understand you not wanting to go to rehab for those reasons. I’m wishing you the best of luck, and Day 4 of heroin withdrawal is the worst and starting Day 5 and beyond is where things usually start to get easier, though it takes awhile for energy and happiness to come back.
So after four years of being prescribed 4 10/325 oxycodone and 2x 30mg OxyContin per day. i have decided to want off.
As of last Thursday, today is Tuesday morning, I stopped cold turkey. But I guess I can’t say completely cold turkey cause I still am forced to take a 10/325 oxy at night to sleep. I go as long as I can and then i have to sleep so I take 1. Along with muscle relaxers and ambian. I still only get 6-7 hours of sleep if I’m lucky.
Then I’m taking kratom and I have Kolonipin from the doc. I figure give it a week and I can jump of that last one.
Am I dragging this out by still taking one at night to sleep? I have plenty, no worries there. This is my choice not the doctors.
Is kratom dragging this out then?
At night it’s like a whole different beast. The second I lay down my legs go crazy and anxiety goes out the roof.
I figured I’m doing ok considering I took so much for so long. I’m down to 1. How do I kick this last one? Need help. Willing to try any thing
You simply need to use the right combination of withdrawal remedies and hopefully, you can take 4-7 days off from responsibility. But with the right remedies, you can feel okay while detoxing. The lack of energy sucks though, and that’s why I recommend being able to take some time off work, children, etc.
Do not start subs. Just suffer through a couple days and you will be good. I’m telling you. If you do, then you’ll be on here posting a couple years from now talking about what he’ll your in trying to quit the subs. Which the wds are so bad for so long due to the 72hr half life. So if you take 1-8mg sub, 72 hours later you still have 4mg in your system. 72 hours after that it’s 4 and so on. So to get to 0 takes two forevers. Do not start subs.
I used subs for several years and stepped myself down with zero problem at all. The fact is, that every single story I hear about how subs are terrible, are ALWAYS followed by a story of someone not doing them or getting off of them in the correct way.
The largest portion of the stories are people who got on them, and then for one reason or another had to come off of them quickly. Either they got kicked out of a program, something happened with their insurance,or they just stopped going for some reason. Th next biggest (and is linked with the first) are people who started trading or selling them, then doing other opiods.
The thing I hear that drives me crazy is the “well you’re just trading one addiction for another.” This is pure BS. Firstly, no one tries to get off of drugs because they don’t like doing drugs, they get off because of the negative ramifications of doing them: being broke, losing jobs, friends, family, relationships, getting arrested or being an all around dirtbag. You know, the whole “addiction” part. Will you be dependant on Suboxone? Yes. Is that the same thing as being addicted? No. Not necessarily. The addiction is all the things I listed before, plus the part of chasing the high; doing larger and larger quantities of them in the attempt to get as high as you used to. Being dependant is not the same thing.
Diabetics are dependent on insulin, but they’re not stealing or selling off their possessions to get it. The fact is, to use Suboxone to successfully get off opiods, you’re going to be on them for an extended period of time, at LEAST a year, but probably longer. If you’re hoping to get on and off them in a few months, it’s not going to work (I’d argue that if you’re habit is bad enough to get into treatment and you’re thinking that you’ll be done in a few months and everything will be good: you’re destined to use again anyway, and you’re not really ready to do what’s required).
Yes, you can sit in bed for a week, and have the physical withdrawal run it’s course. But it’s not the first week that subs help with, it’s the 6 months that follow. The depression, anxiety, general feeling of just “not right.” The post acute withdrawal. THIS is what causes people to start using again not the first week. It’s why so many people can be clean for 1 to 2 months in treatment, then within a couple weeks of getting out start using again, same as people in jail.
Addicts that have been using for years don’t even know how to live NOT high. This is why at least a year is necessary. They haven’t gone through birthdays, holidays, anniversaries of events (good and bad), summer cookouts, etc. They need the help to learn how to live NOT high.
I see too many comments about how doing Suboxone isn’t the way to go. My advice is if you are REALLY ready to stop, and you want to try Suboxone, then try it. What’s the worst that can happen? It doesn’t and start using again? Hasn’t that already happened countless times?
I disagree I tried comming off subs and the withdraws where terribke to where I was at the point that my body was feeling like it was gonna shut down and what I did was cut down on the subs, to the point where I was taking her little then I started taking hydrocodone which is an opiate but the pain was not intense like withdraws from subs….it was hell but after a week the jerks will stop but but the insomnia is awful and you stool will stay liquidated for about a month unless you take something for it but after that people relapse ” out of pure bordom” or “missing the high” don’t do it …if you went a month your a solider and why would you want to go there that toucher again…dont do it !!!
Nice post. Every one is different and that worked for you and many others. If nothing else works why wouldn’t some one try it. Kiddos on being clean…
Dude that is one of the best written post i have seen.
I havent done heroin going on 5 days in that 5 days i have taken 2 8 mg subs broken up. I believethey get rid of my craving for heroin. I want to take them for a long peroid of time for that reason but do not know how to get them or any thing about that exept it gets rid of my sickness. Thank you for that post
Suboxone half life is ridiculous and they should make a smaller dose than 2mg.If I knew the ramifications prior to taking them I would have said no thank you
It’s criminal that they don’t make doses smaller than 2 mg. They should go down to 1 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.25 mg, and 0.125 mg. But if they did that it would be easier to quit, and they wouldn’t make as much money.
No I haven’t done any thing for over 3 weeks… And shaky can’t sleep…I decided to leave Ohio and quit at the same time,, not realizing what was gonna happen to me?? I have to get my shit together and fast I can’t even think clearly… And have a lot of nervous anxiety… My plans are on vacation for another week so I need to do something
Weaning off of morphine worst time ever besides that horrible aching skin crawly feeling that I’m having it’s been a week now it’s the insomnia @ night that’s the worst. Nothing’s worse. Staring at the ceiling praying that God for it to stop!
So does the vitamin c work peeps??
I am trying it now no results yet
I am looking for suggestions. A month ago I decided to stop taking Tramadol, a medicine the doctor says is non-addictive, I call BS, I went through medium opiate withdrawal symptoms. I took the Tramadol and Hydrocodone for 16 years. I often ran out of both before refill but refills were at different times so I never suffered wd symptoms. I was getting 180 Tramadol a month and 120 hydracodone. After I stopped taking the Tramadol and went through wd, I used the hydrocodone to minimize symptoms but bedtime was the worst. The RLS and aches and pains in my lower back, hips, and legs made me want to crawl the walls. That was using 1/2 of hydracodone at bedtime. I recently was given Suboxone to stop taking the hydrocodone, but I am scared to take it. I have gone almost 48 hours without any hydrocodone so I am wondering if starting the Suboxone will just be another drug I have to suffer through wd again. I am back to back, hip, and leg pain at bedtime and RLS. I get a few hours sleep once I fall asleep but falling asleep is very very hard. Im up and down, couch to bed, back to couch its so frustrating
I have the Suboxone and its so hard to not try it but the last thing I want is another addiction and wd process. I do take Gabapebtin during the day but no one ever told me to take it at night, i take 1 capsule 3x per day, should I take two at night and 1 in the am or at lunch? Any suggestion would be great! I still have Tramadol and Hydrocodone in the house but I refuse to take them and go backwards, I’ll crawl the walls n fight wd’s before I go backwards. Please just some support on of taking the Suboxone at this point is even worth the wd in the future, or just keep fighting this through at this point? During the day I am okay, very lathargic and zero energy but no longer have flu symptoms, lots of sneezing but I cam handle my daytime wd’s, its at bedtime I want to cut the lower half of my body off. THANK YOU!!
Hi Bernadette, I’m going to put links to articles that I believe will help you determine your best course of action. Here they are:
How To Stop Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome From Opiates>>
How To Use Suboxone For Opiate Withdrawal>>
God I hope you don’t get on sub for hydrocodones. You’ll be fine in like 5 days max with those. Subs, could be months of insomnia amongst other horrible side effects when stopped. Even with a taper. I’m telling you, don’t do the subs! Fucking sub drs. Dumb
Hello I am having big issues with sleeping!!! I was prescribed ambien but its making my rls so much worse!! Please help. Is this normal?
Jasmine,
Low dopamine is a big cause of rls.Using amino acids such as dlpa, l-tyrosine, l-phenylalanine, l-dopamine can help your brain produce dopamine. A supplement called NAC can help your brain facilitate the dopamine, sending it where it’s needed.
Hylegs makes a natural product called Restful legs which can help. Soaking in a hot bath filled with Epsom salt each day is a great way for the body to absorb magnesium which is helpful. Prescription medications Requip & Mirapex are usually given to Parkinson’so disease patients but these dopamine agonist medications also help fight rls.
~Mary
OAS RECOVERY SPECIALIST
*DISCLAIMER – discuss with your Dr any new medications or supplements before taking them
I wonder if you can help me with the name if a doctor that I can get prescribed medicine you recommended like the clonidine and the skeletal muscle relaxer etc. In Reno Nv. Im preparing to get off methadone. Im at a low dose but on for 2 yrs now. I was a heroine user many years ago. Got clean on a cold kick in jail and stayed that way for 10 years. I lost my husband to a heart attack. Started taking pain pills. Kept the dose low. Didnt think I would have withdrawl. Boy was I wrong. As bad as before. Im 54 now and couldnt do it. Got on methadone knowing it was tge mistake of my life. Its robbing me of myself .I hate life. I have to get off. Looking into ultra or rapid detox but know paws will follow. Love to know the dosage on all the things you recommended. Dear Matt thank you for your help. Im terrified to go thru withdrawl again. Took me 4 months to get releif before but it was a cold kick. No help at all. That was true help. Still scared. I know true clean and yearn gor that again.
Suzette,
Clonidine and baclofen are common medications that can be prescribed by any primary care physician. Neither are considered substances of abuse. Most Dr’s who know that a person is dealing with opiate withdrawal will prescribe clonidine; as its the most commonly prescribed medication to help with this. Baclofen – a muscle relaxer, works to relieve symptoms for some, but not all receive benefits from it. If you read through the blog, you’ll find other medications that have helped people in your situatiin. Prescription medications that have helped many include Gabapentin (neurontin), Pregabalin (lyrica), dopamine agonists >usually prescribed for Parkinson’so disease- Mirapex & Requip> help combat symptoms of severe Restless leg syndrome (sometimes affecting other parts of the body), sleeping medication, an anti-anxiety medication. * Some of those listed can be abused, so be watchful. There are OTC meds that have helped also. Immodium (loperamide) has helped with multiple symptoms associated with the withdrawal from opiates. An anti-histamine can also provide relief; not only with sneezing and runny noses but also with sleep. However, for some, the use of an antihistamine can make rls symptoms worse. It’s all about finding what works for you.
It’s always best to taper your methadone. Even for rapid detoxes, it is recommended to get to a low dose of methadone. The side effects that many have while on methadone or suboxone- loss of emotions, loss of motivatiin, lack of energy, severe sweating, weight gain, lack of libido, etc., can be dealt with by a change in diet and using supplements to balance brain chemistry. There are two products designed specifically for methadone patients with side effects. They are Vitadone & Nutradone. Many have found that these supplements have helped give them the motivation to continue tapering it to a lower dose. You can also use supplements individually, if you don’t want to use a supplement formula. Amino acids that produce dopamine and serotonin that is lacking in most opiate addiction sufferers, can help build these brain chemicals back up.
All this just shows that there are options! The thing is….just try try try…until you find what works for you!
~Mary
OAS RECOVERY SPECIALIST
* Disclaimer-Please take any medications or supplements only under the advice from your Dr.
Matt. I have been on 150 mg of Oxus per day for about 15 years. I broke two vertebrae in my back which was the start of my bad luck. I have tapered off as you suggested but now I am on day six without having slept. The insomnia is undescribable. Are there any other home remedies you can suggest. The local doctors in my city will only prescribe clonidine. I am very concerned over my body just shutting down.
Taylor,
Kava kava , Valerian root & Magnolia Bark are good for sleep. Personaly, I used a combination of valerian root, melatonin, and l-the a nine which can be found in green tea. There are teas you can buy like Sleep-time or Slumber time tea, that have no caffeine but still provide the benefits of adding l-the a nine to your diet. There are otc sleep aids that help many and some choose to add the supplements to the otc med, making it work better for them. There are also prescription sleep aids that may provide you with relief.
Good luck, but most of all, KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!
~Mary
OAS RECOVERY SPECIALIST
3rd day off opiates and I found 1 pill. Haven’t taken it. Smoked some weed. But can’t stop thinking about it. Help
Nino b,
Flush it now!
~MARY
OAS RECOVERY SPECIALIST
I took it. And I still had rls and I got bad sleep. Is that normal.
Nino,
It probably wasn’t strong enough to relieve your symptoms, or if you took it awhile before bed, the analgesic effect may have already worn off, considering that this effect lasts only about 3-4 hours in many short acting opiates.
~Mary
OAS Recovery Specialist
kratom rocks compared ton opiates
My son has been going through Opioid withdrawal for 2 weeks and he has not been able to sleep for at least 6 days. He went to his primary physician and was prescribed anti-depressants. They are not working. What will help him?
Try 2 capsules of Calm support and 3000 mg of Vitamin C. I use Kratom but like Matt says it is helpful but one day you might want to get off of it, It is better than Opiods though, IMO.
Hi Matt, I have been on methadone almost 2 1/2 yrs. Was on 95mgs for over 16 months. Been on 50mgs for right at a year now. I haven’t dosed in 52hrs as of now. Insomnia hit me first before ne bad rls
ive been up for 3 days straight now, im going nuts!!! not only do i live the nightmare ALL DAY LONG, EACH MINUTE TICKING SLOWER AND SLOWER, BUT NOW IM LIVING IT THE WHOLE NIGHT TOO!? AHHHHH!!! I DIDNT EVEN KNOW OPIATE WITHDRAWAL INSOMIA EXISTED UNTIL NOW. I CAME OFF PERCOCETS, LORATABS, ECT AND THIS DIDNT HAPPEN? BUT NOW THAT IVE DECIDED TO GET OFF THE METHADONE, IM FRIED NOTHING IS OPEN RIGHT NOW. I WILL TRY YOUR IDEAS TOMORROW, ERR.. WELL, IN 6 HOURS. ILL LET U KNOW IF IT HELPS! I GUESS GABA PENTIN PASSION FLOWER AND VIT C. I ASSUME U NEED A PRESCRIPTION FOR KRATOM? HELP!!!
ps- ive tried z quil, clonidine, vistiril, robaxon, melatonin, chamomile tea, aroma therapy “sleep lotions and oils” so many things, NONE WORKED.
Sorry you’re going through so much pain Erin. I hope you are able to find something that works for you. Hang in there.
I have unfortunately been on and off opiates several times in my life both heroin and percocet and have found that a mixture of melatonin and kratom are my ways of getting through the withdrawals….unfortunately I have been withdrawaling for 2 days now and have no kratom im struggling but those two things have been life savers for me
How did u take them.
..once at night ?
You don’t need a prescription for Kratom. You can buy it online. There is also a product called Vivazen. It has Kratom in it as well as other natural substances. I buy mine from JackBGoods. The original Vivazen is what I like. It comes in little shots like those 5 hour energy drinks. It is more expensive than just buying the plain Kratom, however it is convenient. Last night I couldnt sleep and I took 2 calm support along with 3000 mg of vitamin C and that helped very much.
It’s probably hard to look at it this way, but if nothing ends up working for you, you don’t have much longer before you should be out of withdrawal. That’s the hard part, I think. Withdrawal sucks, but after its passed, you’ve got to figure out how to live again. Suboxone works for withdrawal I would only recommend using for a day or 2 at best as its withdrawals in my experience have been about the same as heroin wd, but longer lasting. Good luck w your battle
No percription needed for Krarom.
Ya just take Bbenzos. If you’re a opiate addicts offs are you’ll get addicted to Bbenzos and see what real withdrawal he’ll is like
Took oxycontin for 5 years after severe back surgery and subsequently horrible back pain, tried coming off this and couldn’t so was put on suboxone which have been on for 5 years. Tried coming off a year ago unsuccessfully, after 2 weeks of withdrawal my lower back pain came back with avengence and sent me crazy. Any suggestions please.
I’ve been on opiates for 26yrs, and I’ve tryed reducing the amount and end up feeling awful and end up at square one. I’m from uk. I’m so depesparate to escape this drug. But fear the nightmare with drawal. I need to go work every day as well. Please help.! Karen
Thanks so much for your incredibly informative article. Matt, if you had to only pick two or three of these strategies – what would be your top three picks for you personally in combatting opiate withdrawal and getting a good nights sleep? You mention several helpful strategies but I’m curious to know what your top three strategies that you personally would pursue if you were currently going through this. Thank you for your input.
Well. I’m feeling cruddy…
Tried the megadose of Vitamin C and took 2 clonidine. I’ll let you guys know if it worked for me.
I find it ironic that Kratom is a tool for overcoming withdrawal considering it’s Kratom that I’m having a terrible time withdrawing from…
You’re absolutely right Ben. It is ironic, also that Suboxone and methadone are drugs used to treat opiate withdrawal, and it is ironic that Valium, Librium, and other benzos are used as tools for people going through alcohol withdrawal, even though they both affect GABA receptors and thus have cross tolerances. Ironic is a good word for this.
The difference between kratom and the drugs you mentioned is that kratom is available OTC and completely unregulated, while the other drugs are prescribed to individuals under the care of a doctor and their usage monitored. Suggesting another HIGHLY addictive substance that is legal and requires no prescription to an addict is unwise and can potentially lead an unsuspecting person into a whole other world of hurt. I was addicted to opiates on and off when I was younger and detoxed from them several times. I swore to myself I would never use opiates again. I started using meth and was on it for 5 years. I had 2 years clean from meth when someone gave me kratom and told me it isn’t an opiate but has similar affects, and the best part, it “isn’t addictive”. I guess I wanted to believe it wasn’t, and I didn’t bother to do any real research on it until, less than a month into using it, I woke up in the middle of the night withdrawaling, the same as if I were coming off methadone or oxy. I’ve been doing kratom for 2 years now and desperately want off of it. I found this article when searching for ways to sleep while withdrawling. I appreciate the suggestions in your article and plan on giving some of the OTC options a try, but I’m disappointed to see kratom in this list of remedies. Most people this article is directed toward are addicts that lack the ability to use kratom in moderation to ease their withdrawls and then just quit once the withdrawls are over.
If they try kratom, they will go from being addicted to opiates to being addicted to kratom and will be at square one again. I believe there is a use for kratom, and in some cases it can do a lot of good for certain people, but it isn’t the miracle herb everyone claims it to be, and it certainly is not for addicts. In some ways I feel like kratom is worse than heroin and other opiates, because you can purchase as much as you want, whenever you want, at a reasonable price, and have it delivered to your door without the fear of getting in trouble or the guilt of being a drug user. Please, if anyone reading this is considering using kratom for withdrawls, spare yourself the extra suffering and don’t do it. Go through the withdrawls from whatever you’re quitting and be done with it. Don’t trade opiate withdrawls for kratom withdrawals, it’s not worth the short lived relief.
U used it like a dumb ass then lol
To anonymous,
U minimizing what the hellish nightmare withdrawal is. Yes I know I’ve done this to myself, but I did seek help, and got on methadone cause I could not function or work a job to pay for it, now I’ve spent the last 2 months tapering off methadone only to be right back where I was 12 years ago, before methadone; sad, depressed, NO SLEEP whatsoever, suicidal, severe anxiety, sought help from countless doctors, but nothing that any 1 has recommended works. Cant afford methadone as I’m disabled now. My only child died 4 yrs ago and dealing with all kinds of problems. I am only trying to get help, but what works for some doesn’t work for others. Damn you for making such a comment.
I have been taking subutex for just over a year. I am about to detox myself because it is necessary for me to travel in my line of work. I can no longer allow this medication to dictate my work schedule. I have prepared buy purchasing White Vein Borneo, Classic Red Bali, Passion Flower, Valerian, Vitamin C, Kava, and Melatonin. I also have Baclofin, Gabapentin. What procedure would you use, using these ingredients, if this is what you had to work with. I still take up to 12mg of subutex a day and plan to start tapering as I only have 15, 8mg, tablets remaing? Please HELP!!
I just wanted to introduce myself and make sure I was notified when i got a response to the comment above. I dont have long before I start my journey. Please, all replies welcome!
I would like to add here that until I started taking large doses of magnesium “citrate” my RLS was unbearable, some of the magnesium only absorbs 4% so it’s very important to research and get the right kind. I’ve been a year and a half without opiates or Xanax, I quit cold turkey with kratom and kava. Now if I could just get off the Kratom. I tried the vitamin C trick once but my RLS was too severe, I have since found out about the magnesium so I guess it’s time to try again. Thanks for all your help!
Thanks for the input Will! I write about magnesium for RLS in the following article:
How To Stop Restless Legs From Opiate Withdrawal
Using Keaton is not cold turkey, it acts on your opiate receptors.
When you were getting off opioids can you tell me what miligram Magnisium and brand that you take
I have been clean now for more than 6 months, and I am loosing hope and strenght. I still have severe insomnia and RLS which in it self is enough to drive anyone crazy. I really love reading your articles for tips when I dont sleep, and I have started taking passion flower which is relaxing but doesnt help, I exercise, stretch and take magnesium, I get massage but nothing helps. Then I read another site in which they claim this ca go on for 2 years. I dont think I can take another 1,5 of this. Please advice Matt, I know you been through this and survived. I thought the first week was rough but its nothing compared to 6 months insomnia and RLS . Appreciate any tips you can give me. Thank you!!! ❤️
I want you to be able to sleep really bad! That’s aweful to hear. Listen, when I came off Suboxone once I couldn’t sleep at all, and so I went to the vitamin shop down the street and bought GABA
and melatonin
.
Even though GABA is reported to not be able to cross the Blood Brain Barrier, I took a ton of it. I believe I would take 2,000 mg of GABA, along with a super high dose of melatonin, perhaps at was like 30 mg (VERY HIGH), but I can’t remember exactly because it was so long ago. Anyway, I would take this mixture before bed and it helped me sleep 8 hours, then I would wake up and feel like this natural high/hangover weird feeling.
Unfortunately, after a week or less that combination of supplements stopped working 🙁 I mentioned the supplement phenibut in this article, which I believe is a very sleep aid. The only problem is you can only take it 3 days on, 3 days off, otherwise you can go through intense withdrawal symptoms from it. Hang tough, don’t give up, and keep on trying until you find something that works. This article has plenty of options.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. This comment is for informational use only. It’s not intended to treat, diagnose, or prevent any disease. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, trying any new supplements, medications, exercise or opiate tapering programs.
Matt, I found my salvation to sleep ? Taking sleeping pills have not helped but now I combine them with the passionflower and I can finally SLEEP again. I also started taking melatonin My next step is getting of the sleeping pills and think I will try the megadose of vitamine c next. Thanks for being there ?
Awe I’m so happy to hear things are going so well for you Anna 🙂 I’m always here for you! Take care.