(Click here to watch the video on YouTube)
Many opiate abusers have eased their withdrawal symptoms by using The Thomas Recipe for opiate withdrawal, an at-home self-detox regimen designed by a long-time prescription opiate addict.
I also used The Thomas Recipe for opiate withdrawal several years ago. As a result of following the protocol, my opiate withdrawal symptoms were almost non-existent.
I love both the simplicity and the strength of The Thomas Recipe ingredients, which consists of the following…
The Thomas Recipe For Opiate Withdrawal – Thomas Recipe Ingredients
- Valium (or another benzodiazepine such as Xanax, Ativan, or Klonopin) – Powerful anxiety medications available by prescription only.
- Imodium AD – Over the counter diarrhea medication that acts as an opiate on the stomach and reduces gastrointestinal discomfort.
- L-Tyrosine (500 mg) – Amino acid supplement available at health food stores that helps you produce dopamine, enhance mood, decrease stress, and increase energy.
- Multivitamin/Mineral Supplement
– Helps to relieve Restless Leg Syndrome (make sure the supplement contains at least 100% RDA of potassium, zinc, copper, phosphorous, and magnesium. - Vitamin B-6 – Promotes the absorption of L-Tyrosine.
- Hot Baths – Or jacuzzi or hot shower. Soothes aching muscles and limbs and calms the nerves.
– Helps to relieve 
– Promotes the absorption of L-Tyrosine.
The Thomas Recipe For Opiate Withdrawal – Step 1
Take the multivitamin/mineral supplement with food every day during opiate withdrawal. Doing this can help relieve Restless Leg Syndrome. Start taking Valium or another benzo on the first day.
Make sure to take enough to make you fall asleep, but be extremely careful to not take too much. Start off with a high dose, then lower the amount you take every day until day four or five, then stop. You shouldn’t need it anymore at this point.
The Thomas Recipe For Opiate Withdrawal – Step 2
Take hot baths or dips in the jacuzzi as much as you can while using The Thomas Recipe for opiate withdrawal. Doing so can greatly reduce muscle soreness and aching limbs. It can also help to relax your nervous system and promote better sleep.
The Thomas Recipe For Opiate Withdrawal – Step 3
Use Imodium AD as often as you need to stop diarrhea during opiate withdrawal, but only take the bare minimum needed to achieve this. You shouldn’t need to use it anymore after the fourth day.
The Thomas Recipe For Opiate Withdrawal – Step 4
On the fourth day start taking 2,000 mg of L-Tyrosine with B6 on an empty stomach an hour before eating breakfast. This will counteract the opiate withdrawal malaise and provide you with physical and mental energy.
If it gives you the “jitters” reduce your dose as needed. Continue to take this combination for at least a week or two. Continue to take the multi-vitamin/mineral supplement with food every day.
The Thomas Recipe For Opiate Withdrawal – Step 5
Start exercising as soon as you feel ready. This really helps you produce endorphins, which are our bodies natural painkillers.
Exercise is one of the most powerful home remedies for opiate withdrawal.
Bypassing this important step will surely impede your progress, so make sure to do a type of exercise you enjoy, that way you will be more likely to stick with it.
The Thomas Recipe For Opiate Withdrawal – Modifying The Thomas Recipe
Not everyone has access to Valium or other benzos, so this can make things difficult since this is the most powerful ingredient in The Thomas Recipe.
The reason benzo anxiety medications are so effective is that they increase the amount of a chemical in the brain called gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA).
GABA is often referred to as the brain’s natural Valium. Actually, a better way to describe it would be to say that Valium is just unnatural GABA!
There are two herbs, valerian root, and passion flower, that have been shown to reduce anxiety and treat insomnia in the same way that Valium works, by increasing levels of GABA in the brain.
A great way to boost the effectiveness of The Thomas Recipe is to take this Opiate Withdrawal Supplement which contains both valerian root and passion flower, among other beneficial ingredients for opiate withdrawal.
This awesome opiate withdrawal supplement is incredibly powerful on its own. If I ever had to go through opiate withdrawal again, I would be buying some!
If you can afford it, I also highly recommend taking this awesome supplement, because the benefits are just too good to pass up.
The Thomas Recipe For Opiate Withdrawal and The Finch Formula
Click here to read about “The Finch Formula,” which is a much more powerful version of The Thomas Recipe.
Click here now to view my best home detox program.
If you have any questions about using the Thomas Recipe for opiate withdrawal, please post them in the comment box below.
Hi, I’ve been taking 8 mgs of Suboxone daily for 10 months, I want to stop. I’m thinking about going inpatient and medically detoxin. Anyone feel like I shouldn’t?
Help please. Im so terrified of withdrawals especially because im a workaholic and cant miss any work during this process. Is it possible to be well enough off these remedies to continue going to work. Or will the benzo put me out too much to function? Im using on average 300 mg of oxycodone a day. And the worst part of withdrawal for me is the hot cold flashes. Any suggestions on how to handle those and continue working? ? TIA
Speaking from experience your best option would be to wean down slowly, 10% decrease every 3 days or so. You won’t avoid withdrawal otherwise without using other drugs like suboxone or methadone.
So I have a question. I have been tapering off methadone for a couple years slowly because the first two times I came down to fast and didn’t work for me. Anyways I have tapered down to 10 mg a day but have been feeling the withdrawals since I went below 20 mg. Should I continue tapering until below 5 mg then stop and start the recipe then or just stop taking methadone now and start the recipe. And how much valium should I take a day in the beginning?
Andrew,
Matt’s article: https://opiateaddictionsupport.com/how-to-get-off-methadone-without-withdrawal/
has some very good information. I suggest you read it, and follow the advice of beginning the “morning tonic” that he has advised.
But I will give you a quick outline. In order to start some of these suggestions, it may be best to not only stop your taper for a little while, but also go back up by about 5mg. This way you’ll feel less withdrawal or more than likely no withdrawal. Just a slight increase can make a world of difference.
The two suggestions above should give you energy and motivation to begin exercising (which is SUCH AN IMPORTANT FACTOR in every detox plan). Start eating a protein rich diet (also very important) and start supplements that will improve dopamine production. The best for this are DLPA, L-tyrosine, L-dopa & mucuna pruriens. Start a good multi-vitamin if you don’t already take one.
Just stopping without making the above changes to prepare your body & brain will probably bring with it some heavy withdrawal symptoms. Once you’ve made these changes and have been doing them for about a month, you can try reducing by 10% at a time. You should be able to handle the reductions better this time.
~MARY
OAS RECOVERY SPECIALIST
*Disclaimer- Any advice given here is not intended to replace any medical advice. Before beginning any supplements or starting an exercise regime please get your Dr’s approval.
Does anyone have any experience with the new FDA approved med for withdrawl called Lucemyra? It works like clonidine, but supposedly better with less affect on lowering blood pressure.
I have utilized The Thomas Recipe during multiple attempts to kick multiple opiates. It does work well to barely take the edge off of acute withdrawals and even less for PAWS. If it weren’t for kratom I would still be struggling with making it past that second week of symptoms and relapsing over and over again. Adding doses of kratom to a variation of The Thomas Recipe, and using things I’ve learned from Matt Finch’s infinite wisdom “cured” my extreme 13 year opiate addiction. With his help, for which I am eternally grateful, I made it to the 8 month mark. I’ve never had so much clarity and fervent zeal for life. I still use kratom from time to time but the urges to feel like king of the world, at Disneyland, on your birthday, and numb to all pain are completely gone. All one needs to beat opiates is Matt Finch and kratom. My only regret is not discovering those two things sooner.
I agree with you 100%. That is what I have been doing kratom a and Matt’s suggestions. It has been fairly easy I am at about 3 weeks into and will not go back. Best thing I have ever done!!
I’m go happy to find this site. I have been on 3-4 10mg of Percocet per day for around 4 years due to chronic lower back pain. Much due to an injury and subsequent weight gain, 277 max weight. I believed as soon as I could drop the weight and get the hernia fixed, I could rebuild my core muscles and get off the pills. Got kidney stones and subsequent surgeries to remove them and have been in a difficult recovery as nothing has helped reduce the pain. My doctor at the same time pushed me off to a pain management doctor who couldn’t see me for weeks. So I’m out of pills, recovering from the kidney stone procedures and now on my 4th day without pain meds (I went to the hospital 7 days ago because of overwhelming pain from the surgery and they gave me some sort of pain patch as he could only prescribe Tylenol 3, and nothing stronger). I’m not sure what the patch does, not much my opinion. My energy is near 0, I’m hurting all over, muscles, joints, everything. I threw up everything I ate the first 4 days after ceasing the Percocet. I have been unable to understand the pain and my sickness until I read about withdrawal from opiates. Now I believe I could have a plan, with this site and the Thomas recipe, I believe I can get thru this. We got the vitamins, and supplements needed, I got all the goods in the guide. I actually have some Xanax which I had been also avoiding taking so I feel good I can get maybe some relief from that. Thank you, I’ll update as relief comes! Being its been 7 days since I had a Percocet and well 4 days since the doc put the pain relief patch on me at the hospital, what phase of this whole thing am I at currently? How long to go? I don’t think 40mg/day Oxy is very much but my symptoms match what I’m now understanding opiate withdrawal to be. I’m 54 yo and actually down to 215lbs so, as soon as I can get busy with exercise I will resume biking a few times per week, which has greatly brought my weight down.
Mojo,
How are you doing? I thought I had replied to your comment, however I do not see it now. I hope you are doing well. ~Mary
OAS RECOVERY SPECIALIST
It’s not for everyone, as it requires true discipline and control, but I do have a remedy that not only relieves your withdrawal symptoms, but has multifaceted benefits. The vitamin regimen from the Thomas Recipe is certainly helpful for MINOR opiate addiction. Those with a more intense addiction simply require stronger remedies.
Kratom, a heavily debated, is a 100% natural plant with the ability to relieve most, if not all, opiate withdrawal pains. It’s main constituent actually attaches to the mu-opiod receptors, similar in action to suboxone, yet not NEARLY as harmful. I say harmful because Suboxone, though certainly a better option than being forever addicted to opiates and heroin, is so horribly addicting and long-acting one can only believe it to be a worsened version of opiates, only leading to a more intense addiction and a hell of a lengthened withdrawal timeline. Having stopped both at In Europe, where it has been used much longer than in America, they prescribe Suboxone at a maximum dosage of 2mg… For heroin addicts. People in the US are given 8, 12, 16mg of Suboxone, typically split into to doses a day. Explain how a drug that is designed to last 36-48 hours necessities daily double-dosing!
I digress. Kratom, though, is more than just a withdrawal aid, it’s antidepressant qualities, as well as its ability to stimulate or relax (based on the different strains, each having its own unique qualities), while providing antioxidants for your body. It eliminates the diarrhea, and, better yet, actually has very effective analgesic qualifies. Before anyone says “This sounds like a miracle plant! I want it!”, I would encourage two things. 1- Research Kratom. For one, it is legal in 48 states. Two states have included it in a blanket “substances of concern” acts, as head shops gave it a poor reputation by advertising it as a legal high. Though Kratom certainly can cause a buzz in high doses (it’s actually one of those substances that is most effective in lower doses, though), high doses often accompanies nausea. 2- though related to the coffee plant, many users claiming it’s as easy to stop as a coffee addiction, others find it to be fairly addicting itself. This is why I urge anyone planning to utilize Kratom as a withdrawa aid research the plant, and find a dependable friend that will ensure you don’t abuse the plant itself. The switch from opiates to Kratom is a seemless process, and the tapering of Kratom is very manageable. However, many addicts have a tendency to overdo things. Don’t overdo it. Get it in your mind that you want to be off everything, and keep it that way.
Other useful aides: kava (anxiety), Muira Puama and Catauba bark (restorative and balancing properties for the dopamine system), true cocoa (the pure dark chocolate (stimulates and repairs dopamine functioning), Cats Claw (laugh all you want, but this, in particular, is scientifically proven to reduce inflammation in joints, the bowels, etc, build the immune system, repair damaged DNA, optimize body functions, reduce allergies/the allergic response, and so much more. It’s even being used as an adjunctive therapy for chemo patients for its DNA/cell repair properties), and so many other natural substances.
Opiate withdrawal doesn’t have to be hell. Products endorsed on this site (i.e. Elmedrol) are certainly valuable and hold weight as mildly effective aides to withdrawal. Bottom-line: there are plenty of options, and what is effective for some may not be so effective for others. Play around a bit and see what is most effective, but no matter WHAT your chosen route is, if you don’t have the commitment to truly quit, you’ll end up back where you began, oftentimes with a worsened addiction than before.
Time, tapering, EXERCISE (the ONLY thing that truly knocked out the end of the seemingly everlasting sub WD), and a strict sleep regimine, along with your chosen aides, will make it al possible.
Hello,
I have been on Suboxone for 3 years now , and Im ready to come off of it. My Dr got mad at me for failing a drug test for pot and he kicked me out of his program, wrote me a script for 15 Subs and told me good luck. I am not mad at my Dr at all, he told me to quit smoking and I did not. I found 2 stashed in my girlfriends bathroom , so I have 17 Subs. I can get Xanax and klonopin from family members. I have already purchased the DPLA and the Calm Support. My gut has been telling me its time , and I usually follow my gut.
From 2007-2013 I took 900 mg of Roxycodone daily as well as 50 mg of Methadone and 2 mg of Klonopin. I am currently down to 4-5mg of subs a day. I think I can get down to 2 mg in a couple of weeks, then start to really taper, but Im worried that I dont have enough to do a proper taper.
I work full time and have a very full life. Obviously Im prepared to go through some discomfort , but Im very worried that I will run out before I can even get comfy in my detox.
Can you guys give me any advice as to how to proceed ?
my daughter has done the 7 days now here it is day 9 and she says she feel worse than the first day I don’t understand I did the recipe as stated and on the 8day I started giving her b6, potassium and 2000mgs l tyrosine and multi vitamin on day now day 9 she feels so bad she took a shot of Dayquil; and 2 Tagamet along with the b6 potassium and 2000mgs l tyrosine and multi vitamins PLEASE HELP WHAT DO I NEED TO DO SHES GOT THE SWEATS CHILLS RESTLESS LEG JUST ALL THE WORSE OF THE WORSE FEELINGS.
Get her back on methadone,then reduce her slowly,5mg a month.Then try this way.When finished,try to have regular saunas,as lots of toxins accumulate in the fatty tissue.Take care
You don’t say how much she is on.What ever,it might be better to put her back on it,then have her reduce 5mg a month until she is down to 0.5mg.Then stay there about a month,before starting this program.I don’t know why,but it’s different for everyone,in one way or another.If her habit I’d real bad,look up iboga(ibogaine).?✌
Hi Matt
Thank you for setting up this site. I have been taking Codeine 240mg for 20 years due to Crohns Disease. I’m pretty sure it has been causing on and off depression. I have followed the Thomas recipe. Day 1 I used diazepam 2mg 3 times a day. I took loperamide a great multivitamin and ate a banana drank 2 litres of water and 500 mls of electrolyte drink containing potassium and magnesium. I took a St. John’s wort supplement and 5 HTP supplement.. Day 2 I continued with this although haven’t been able to stomach any other food. I worked a night shift on day 2 and felt bloody awful. It’s day 3 and I’m stopping the diazepam and replacing it with valerian root and Passion flower. I will start the L -Tyrosine tomorrow. The support from reading all the posts has been invaluable. Keep up the good work. I couldn’t have attempted this without all the info you have provided. For any spiritual souls out there embarking on this journey I recommend a lovely Anerhyst crystal to carry with you also. It helped me for sure. God Bless you
Regards
SJB (UK)
So on day 8 I reached a crescendo it was so awful I did some research on taking loperamide to ease the symptoms. I am prescribed loperamide for my ileostomy but took a much higher dose than normal. I wouldn’t recommend anyone do this because although I felt wonderfully normal for about 2 days the after effects were devastating. Burning nausea throughout my digestive system heart rate through the roof, diarrhoea and chronic malaise. This all hit me during a night shift which I had to endure as I couldn’t leave work. Obviously I didn’t do enough research and just seen that loperamide can help. Yes it does in the short term but the longer effects are much much worse than the original opiate withdrawal. Loperamide is an opiate and it is claimed that it does not cross the BBB therefore is low risk for addiction. Although this will not make you feel euphoric the addiction comes from relieving the withdrawal so please stay away. Hard lesson for me but one I will not repeat!!!
I’m on day one. I have L-tyrosine, Xanax. At least a bit. I just got off hydrocodone/ oxycodone. The tyrosine has helped in the past but I struggle at about a few weeks in. My degenerative disc disease just messes up my back. I have a son and it’s really hard to sick to anything with no energy. I really appreciate this article and I’ll try the dlpa as well.
I wish you the best Mel. And I’m glad this article was of benefit to you. Take care.
I’m 42 year old guy living in NYC. In my twenties I had a heroin IV habit which lasted three years before I decided I had to quit in 2000. (It got to the point where if I continued I would have to start stealing from family, friends and strangers and I’m just not that guy.) I started on the methadone program and then years later weaned myself off that horrible crap. I had not even thought of using smack again since my last injection in 2000, so believe me when a neighbor in my building asked me if I knew anyone who might want to buy some H, no was more surprised than I when I answered, “I’ll take a bundle please.” This was the first week of November 2015. From the beginning I decided to treat it as a “lost weekend” and determined that the the first week of March would be stopping date. (Admittedly, this is always risky and can be fanciful, but I do have a strong will which has proven itself numerous times.) During my three month binge of sniffing 3-5 bags daily I researched heavily withdrawal methods since I was determined to stay away from methadone. I found the Thomas Recipe, sniffed my last bag this past Wednesday morning and began following the regiment. It has been wonderful. I had the luxury of taking days off at work, but my withdrawal symptons have been similar to a mild, annoying flu. The benzos – I used xanax – certainly helped me sleep and I confess I continued my nightly regiment of drinking a bottle of wine to further knock me out. I’ve forced myself out of the house daily and by day 3 (Saturday) I had returned to the gym. This Sunday morning (day 4) I have begun the tyrosine and wanted to write this before I left to meet a close friend for brunch. I think I’ll have a full body massage later because the worst of the symptons are the dull but persistent body aches. Everyone’s detox will be different, and I was determined to quit which lessened any cravings or mental agony, but this is my story. I hope it can be beneficial for some in the way many of the others posted inspired me. Today is a good day.
Wonderful post David! Thanks for contributing to the discussion, as I’m sure this will help many people when they read it. And deep tissue massage is awesome! Highest I ever felt naturally was after a 90 minute SUPER DEEP tissue massage. Better than any opiate high I ever had in the past.
Thanks for the shout out. However, I wasn’t too aware or ready for the PAWS and it really sucks. I’m on day 8 after my last bag and returned to work on day 5. The depression, boredom, anxiety and listlessness are much more annoying than anything I experienced in the first four days. Every task requires robot-like functioning to complete. The worst part is not knowing how long this will last. Is it the same for everyone (more or less) regardless of the duration of abuse? I hate to sound less positive but its taking its toll for sure.
Please check out this article:
How To Stop Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome From Opiates
Currently im on day 6 of detoxing off 125mg of liquid pink methadone that Ive been on for 4 years. honestly after i got on it and found out how addictive it was and what all the people that have been on it for years, I figured it was impossible to get off this stuff. Trying this recipe and I’m not JOKING YOU PEOPLE THIS DETOX PLAN IS REAL AND IT WORKS!!! i didn’t even come across this sight until i was already on day 2 kicking like CRAZY! I had my mind made up months ago i tapered down from 125mg to 30mg and on the 14th of this month I started my 14 day vacation from work to cold turkey this stuff! Thank god for people like you guys that actually care about us addicts and want to help. Anyways Im on this recipe and i feel sooooo much better you have no idea! My brain feels like a massive HUGE cloud has been lifted off my brain and I can see the world so much diferently, I think the only thing ive had a problem with so far today was EXTREME depression, and then out of nowhere i swear im starting to finally feel again, what I mean is, i feel emotion again I feel remorse again I feel love again I feel alive finally. So whoever thinks this recipe doesn’t work. You don’t even know till you try it 🙂
I would have relapsed if i didn’t have this plan. I mean my brain seems to be producing these chemicals I haven’t felt in years just from these supplements, I swear if i knew this back then the world would be a changed place for addicts.
Please help me I’m desperate
That’s Great,hope I get there.✌
I start the Thomas recipe Sunday! I’m so very nervous 🙁 … I have been an iv user for almost 4 years now and have tried to conquer my addiction several times now with no success. I have reached my end and want a better life for myself and my children! The stories I read here definitely gave me hope and actually have me looking forward to this new journey!!! Wish me luck! And thank you to all who have shared their inspirational stories ….
Good luck Mandy!!! It worked for me and I wish you the best! 🙂
Hi Matt,
I used norcos for about four years, starting at 20-40 mgs a day for the first two years…I would take random week long breaks throughout those first two years and did not experience any major w/d symptoms except for diarrhea one time. Unfortunately, I started to up my dosage and at my max, I was taking up to 100 mgs a day…and then a “friend” introduced me to opium (smoked) and I’ve been on that for the past year. This last week I was forced to stop because I went out of town and I’m too scared to travel with it. The withdrawals were agonizing and I couldn’t take it. I wouldn’t wish it upon my worst enemy. So I got more when I got back home but I’m using much less now (before I had been averaging 1-1.5 g/day), about .5 g a day. I am looking at this thomas recipe. I want to quit. I really do. I just feel like I am really damaging my body by dropping cold turkey. I want to have a plan and kick this sensibly, using exercise, and the supplements you recommend in this article. Can you help me? Should I start the regimen while still tapering down my dose? For me, the worst symptom of w/d is RLS. I cannot STAND it. Not being able to sit or lie down still makes me feel like a crazy person. Will this method reduce or even eliminate that feeling? If anyone else reading this has suggestions, I’d appreciate your input. I realize that smoking opium is probably a uncommon method of opiate abuse, but I’m glad I’m not shooting it up. Thank you so much to anyone who reads this and has input. Much love to you all. Opiates are a waste of money and life. I can’t wait to be clean and happy naturally.
Hi Canaan,
This is a cold-turkey detox method and most people don’t use it to taper. You would probably do better by using the plan on the following article to taper, then use the Thomas Recipe after your taper ends:
How To Taper Off Opiates Without Withdrawal: The “Art” of Tapering>>
And here is another article on how to overcome RLS:
How To Stop Restless Legs From Opiate Withdrawal>>
Hi mandy, just out of curiosity, I just wanted to see how you were holding up. I hope your doing good and are conquering your demons. Stay courageous for you and your kids. I wish you well and hope you get all that you wish for.
Hi all
the magnesium helped sooo much!! this worked for me been off subs for 2 months..
Hello fellow addicts. I’ve been a opiate addict for about 11 yrs now. Never had an accident or injury that caused a start to my addicition it was purely recreational. I’ve relapsed 6 times and so far this has been my longest streak of 1 yr and 6 months clean and with my mind on the right path I hope to continue this streak because you know that addict in you is showing nothing but speed bumps along your road to recovery. I started my opiate addiction on heroin. Being from Baltimore, MD it was everywhere around me and the addict in me always found ways to chase that high. From jumping CVS counters to finding shady doctors to get any sort of opiate possible just because the addict me allowed me to. I started with iv’ing since the day 1 and once you start there’s no other way you wanna go. I could always afford my addiction for most of my addict life but there that one thing that makes it difficult; tolerance. By the last few months I was getting high I was up to about 3g of raw or up to 30-40 30mg oxys daily which is insane when I look back at it. I always knew I had a problem but never fully accepted responsibility as it’s hard for addicts to do. I decided I was going to shopt one last time in the amount of .5-1g of dope plus an Ambian to commit suicide because I was just sick of myself. I loaded the shot and went straight in. It was the first time I nodded out ever. Woke up about 10 mins later with massive headache from the fall and a buzz that left me feeling super guilty. Enough was enough. I tried to od and my addiction wouldnt let me. I ended up buying suboxone from dealer. Good dealers always had these just in case they are out of dope which was still rare. With my 20 x 8mg suboxones I went home and did all the research I could before I started administering my own detox when I Found this page. Started my taper process and vitamin regiment and away I went. Never in my 6 times quitting dope did I ever have and easier time detoxing. It was almost like I Never even felt withdrawal symptoms and trust me when I say that I know all about the agony and misery withdrawing ours you through (sweats, headaches,diarrhea, RLS, insomnia, etc). This was a game Changer for my recovery process. Follow it with a Will to live and all will be well I assure you.
Help
Hi rozie my name is chris…i can say first hand that this recipe in fact works if you are able to remain strong willed and confident. Heres my story…
I took my first vicodin in the summer of 2009 for a headache. Didnt really do too much. Then, i took 2 more about a week later and man was my productivity sky-rocketing. From there i began taking 2 a day on days where my job was labor intensive and not taking them on off days and days where my job was not as physical. 2 years later my best friend became strung out on heroin and eventually committed suicide. I was in a really bad place mentally and not concerned with my well being. I wasnt exactly on pills very bad at this point but that changed when i got into a car accident. I was prescribed 3 10mg norcos a day but lord knows 3 becomes 4, 4 becomes 5 and so on… 2 years after that i was hit by a car crossing the street. 5 became 6 and 6 became a problem I wasn’t willing to address. I went back and forth between suboxone and norco but hadnt gone a day without either since that first one back in 2009. In may of 2015 my son was born. He has proven to be a godsend. So as my habit escalated, my script deteriorated, i had to rebuy and my funds began to deteriorate as well. I have kept this all in to myself because there is a great deal of guilt associated with the fact that i basically took money away from my family to support my secret habit. I never tried anything stronger than a norco and was unwilling to. I was also unwilling to give in to this habit and i decided now is the time to try to get this bullshit out of my life once and for all. I googled all day and night trying to conoct a good formula/method for trying to eliminate this problem from my life. I stumbled across the thomas method and i am here to tell you 3 weeks after beginning my taper i am feeling better than i ever have. Im not one to make new years resolutions but this year i did and i have stuck to it for my family, myself and most importantly my son. Im not willing to die young and not see my son grow up because i chose to continue to destroy my liver.
The best advice i can give is to take at least a week and half off work. The feeling is shitty but it does progress every day. I didnt have benzos so the insomia remained but the l-tyrosine, potassium, b6,immodium,Tylenol, and multivitamin recipe helps significantly. As recent at dec 20th 2015 i was taking 10 10mg norcos a day…starting jan 5th 2016 i began taking 3 day and reduced my doses every other day. As of today i am taking less than one a day and next week i will no longer take norcos…you have to stay strong. It is ok to confide in ppl you love and you can do this. All you need is to be strong willed and conquer whatever it is youre going through and at the end you will feel much better for it…good luck
I could really use some help and info. I need advice. I need stories of experience. I just need help. I feel like I can’t live like this much longer These pills have taken over my life. I have NO ONE to talk to. NO ONE at all knows, not a single living soul. I know everyone has a completely different healing and W/D process and symptoms but I am hoping if I give some back ground on my usage maybe by the grace o God someone was similar to me and can share their story and help me. My story starts back in 2010. I had weight loss surgery and it began after that. Never had an issue with any kind of addiction with drugs or alcohol. I know now that I was a food addict and when I had that surgery I guess unknowingly I put myself at risk by addressing those issues and I replaced food with drugs. It started like everyone I’m sure, innocent treatment that lead to addiction. My medical history background is that I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, I take Methotrexate and plaquinel for that for the disease itself but neither treat joint pain. I partly did this to myself because I can’t take NSAIDS (motrin, ibuprofen) at a quantity to help joint pain because of the surgery I chose to have to lose weight. It puts me at very high risk for bleeding ulcers because mt stomach is so small. I also have (like most people on here I’m sure) have 2 herniated discs and 1 herniated disc in my neck. I get epidurals to help with that pain but that only lasts a short time and then it comes back. I want off of these pills SO BAD!!!! They are ruining my life. I know no one will have the same symptoms during withdrawal but I am praying someone on here is similar to me at my usage level and can at least tell me their experience PLEASE. I have been taking Norco for 5 years. I take (average) 12 a day of the Norco 5mg. PLEASE someone talk to me. Share your experience. I have NO ONE. My spouse doesn’t even know. I am I guess what is considered high functioning because no one ever seems to have a clue. I work full-time. PLEASE anyone out there who can help me???
I had the same problem….. But not exactly. I’m a 120 lbs on a good day. I’m on my first day of withdrawal. I take 30 mg of oxymorphone a day sometimes more. No one knows but my boyfriend. You need to tell your husband because you can only be a high functioning addict for so long. Trust me I know I used to work up to 60 to 105 hrs per week. Ask for his help. Have him stash your pills and administer them to you or you will be in big trouble! I’m starting over so that I can take them the right way, only when I’m in pain..,.. It’s gonna be hell! But it’s worth it to start from scratch….. Oxymorphone is a high as it gets if I’m not mistaken, so if I can do it so can you.
See my comment above
I am in the same situation except i lost my full time job and benefits just a few months ago. I have a wonderful boyfriend who has no idea im an addict neither does my family or my bff. Im ashamed so i pray constantly. Im just on day two it seems like im living mnute to minute the days alone are the worst. I get out around people as much as possible on top of trying to find a new job. Im using immodium multivitamin and magnesium supplement. I also have .5 alprozolam i take 2 times a day in halves jus to take the edge off. I have very addictive personality and i needed to tell someone. I hope u push through this and feel better soon? we are gonna be fine?
I was on oxycontin dir 5 weeks dollowing surgery. I started at 90 mg a day for abfew days, then 60 mg a day for about 3 weeks then 50 for about a week then 40 for a few days before i stopped. I cant believe that just this short amount of time and i am having such powerfull withdrawal symptoms. My worst symptom is lack of sleep. I am on day number 5 and getting only 2-3 hours of sleep. How long can i expect this to continue. I have never used any medication like this before. What can I do?
Matt, I just sent you an email. I know you’re busy so will post a quick post here also. I’ve been on gabapentin 900 mg and tramadol 300 mg for about 7 years for fibromyalgia but only allowed this because I was told tramadol was non narcotic! I found out otherwise 6 months ago when I tried to wean off.
I was able to get down to gabapentin 400 mg and tramadol 100 mg a day but can’t seem to go lower. My main concern at this point is getting off the tramadol but when I try, the symptoms are horrendous. Back painagony, restless creepy skin feeling mostly in my back, horrible diarrhea, sneezing funnily enough, but what kicks my butt every time is the weak feeling where I get to the point I can barely even use my arms. That’s when I break down and take a tramadol. 6 months ago when I tried to wean off I also broke out in hives…. I wonder if anyone else has had that happen…
Any advice at this point would be appreciated. I’m concerned because I’ve been on this medication for such a long time. I’m not looking forward to months or years of withdrawal.
Thank you everyone.
Tram is the worst. I’ve got off them and now wear a fentanyl patch. I’ve got severe neuro probs. Will be on meds forever. Body won’t function otherwise. Good luck
My boyfriend is trying to come off of fentanyl (street not rx) he’s currently on methadone but still using small amount of fentanyl to help with achy restless legs and sickness. He’ll do great for a couple of days just resting and powering through, but then feels like he has to do things and uses a bit just to get out of the house. I’m not sure how to help. We live in Canada and many things are different here as far as prescription drugs go. Is it bad for him to start on the vitamins and valerian or clonadine etc right on day one?
One must ask a doctor if these supplements and medications are healthy for them to take.
I megadosed with vitamin c and detoxed after 20 yrs of opiate use. I was amazed and still am. I know it sounds stupid but it works.
What else did you use? How severe was the withdrawal>?
Day 16 blood pressure high tachycardia is there anything natural to help
Sorry i meant I was still getting 70 milligrams a day
Im two years at the clinic getting 75 mgs a day. WAnted to tapper they said one mili a week. And I trued it for 5 weeks….and gave up. I am on day four of self detox with this Method and a few small tweeks. I am going to work today even. Im an LNA. This method has worked so well thT im having hard bowel movements and im actual gona work today. Im scared but with a hot shower; whixh I havent done for four days and this method I rhink I can do it.
I can’t seem to get past 2 – 10mg a day. I shake I’m sick to my stomach. I have some clonasapams. Not many. Lately my 69 yr old mother fell at work so I’ve had to stay with her. Getting her up her flight of stairs to her apartment. Back and forth to the bathroom. Doing her shopping and cleaning. All the while taking care of my own sick husband. His 17 yr old grand daughter living with us. My body cannot take the pain. What am I going to do? In 2 months I have to go stay with my daughter for 3 months in California. She has to have shoulder surgery. She’s 5 years in remission of stage 4 brain cancer. Leaving most of her left side paralyzed. It’s her right shoulder she has to have surgery. Leaving her with no working arms and 1 good leg. She’s close to 300lbs. By body can’t handle this. I need some excellent advise. Please anything
This sounds like a very difficult time for you, and I want you to know there is still a way out. Study this website, as the articles have many valuable tips that can help reach your goals. This article is just one detox plan, however, I’ve written many other detox plans that might resonate with you more. If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know. Take care Dee, and hang in there.
Honey please dont be upset but at some point it has to become mind over matter. Im on day four and I was still on 70 milligrams a day. This can be done you have to want it. And be willing to fight your mind and physical pain to get it. You can do this. You have to do this by the sounds of it……
Brandon again. I forgot to mention ive been on Methadone last few yrs & im down to quarter pill a day of 10mg! Sounds lik im good but everytime i try on my own i cant get past 3-4 day of mental part!! Intense anxiety & racing thoughts!! My mind doesnt shut off & w my wife & 3 younger kids its psychological nightmare!! I really think im losing my mind!!! Any help or guidance id appreciate! Thx again!
Take spirulina, chlorella regularly
My name’s Brandon, an opiate abuser last 5 yrs! Been treatment but want try T-recipe! I hav everything to start but the Benzo! Id really lik to go by the recipe , but afraid to ask Dr in fear of being a seeker!! Any tips ob how i would ask & should i use this as a refference! Thx, I really want to do this!!
Hey Brandon,
My belief with doctors is that honesty is always the best policy. Also, most doctors know how well benzos work, and I’ve heard of many prescribing these for withdrawal. If the doctor doesn’t end up prescribing you benzos, you aren’t out of luck. Read the following article that may benefit you:
How To Mega-Dose Vitamin C To Stop Opiate Withdrawal
I replaced the benzos with gabbapenten/neuroton. Im on day four and I was still getting milligrams a day. Hope that maybe this can help you.
Works great. On day 3 and not so bad.
Thanks for sharing your experience with the Thomas Recipe Kev. Take care.
After appendicitis in December and bracketed by two total knee replacements, I was addicted to oxy. After about 3 months I started a slow taper down to 1/2 tablet twice a day but couldn’t go lower due to extreme withdrawals. Then I found the Thomas recipe. Took 7 days and I was cured. I’m still amazed at how quickly the recipe worked for me. I only had to take 1/2 valium twice a day and 3-4 imodiums twice a day.
Awesome success story Dan. I had really good results using the Thomas Recipe as well. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Appreciate the recipe but short reply after I told my whole personal life were others wer spoken to more as there problem was bigger. sent reply with couple questions for mat wich I asked at beginning didn’t get one back.. Sad stories feel everyone’s pain horrible to wd but recipe very good and glad I found site. Thanks. Keep strong everyone ?
Hey Simon I just responded to the comment you were speaking of. I get about 20 comments per day, and I missed yours in the mix. I’m glad you posted another comment here so I could go back to where I overlooked.
Thanks Matt much appreciated I realise Ur a busy man. I will do as u say
Take care. by the way I live in a small fishing village in the south West off England look it up its beautiful it’s called looe in the county of Cornwall. Wot I,m saying is there are worse places to w/d. I spose. cheers mate keep up the good work ?
Wow those pictures on Google of Looe are gorgeous! East Looe Beach looks really nice to take my daughter to. And I also saw a great picture of Lansallos Cove…I want to visit that whole are now. Thanks for telling me about it. And yes, there are worse places to withdrawal, indeed. 😉
Glad u looked matt yeah it’s a beautiful place very busy this time of year. I moved down from London wen I was 5 and we didn’t go back. Its funny as I’ve had this problem for last 6 years now I,m getting better memorys r coming back it’s like I’ve been in a daze all that time. Also I take this place for granted sometimes as the beach is about 20 yards from my parents house and I go for a walk with sun going down and c how lucky I am to live in a place like this cus wen I was a full blow addict u don’t c the beautiful things right in front of u..u just worry about were the nxt little pills Ur gona get. Were about 10 miles from Lansallos I’ve worked there couple times beautiful as well. Anyway if Ur ever over here and u want a tour e mail me and I,ll show u around. Ur a good man matt. And Uve helped alot of people keep it up and take care mate. Simon ?
Wow Simon that means so much to me that you would show me around town! I plan on doing more traveling in a couple of years after I finish my book and online recovery course. Busy busy! And I can relate to your story. For a lot of my addiction, I lived a few minutes walk from the Pacific Ocean in California. People would be out having a fun time and I would just be a mess!
You are most assuredly lucky to live where you do, and it’s by far good enough to enjoy without those darn pills! Take care Simon, and I hope you’ll stay in touch and keep us all posted on how you’re doing. 🙂
Thanks Matt take care. Srry bout the kip name it’s my nickna-me.from my mates. Take care bud. ?
Matt I’ve been on norcos and oxycodones since my cervical surgery in January. All prescribed by my PM doctor. My max was about 30 mg a day . The past 2 weeks I have been tapering down and now at 12 mg per day. Well the wds started but I am getting through. My family doc has put me on Valium at 2 mg twice a day for 3 days then once a day for four days. I also ordered some Calm Ease? To help. I start the Valium this morning since my last Oxycodone was 12 hours ago. Does this sound like a good plan? Thanks
This sounds like a great plan. You actually have 2 of the main ingredients in a powerful formula similar to the Thomas Recipe, only I believe it’s even better. Please read the following article:
The Finch Formula is a Super Potent Opiate Withdrawal Remedy
Disclaimer: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. 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’ve been taking dehydracodeine 30 mg for six years and sometimes methadone but haven’t touched meth for a goor few weeks now so not so worried about that I’ve lost my family as I’ve a lovley wife and 3 beautiful kids. I’ve gone cold turkey 2/3 times now and relapse like a fool as I did the hard bit. My wife was very supportive for for the first 2/3 times I tried but now she said she can’t do it anymore so I,m currently living at my mum’s Jesus scared isn’t the word. Mt wife says she may take me back if I actually do it but she said even then she will not b sure if she could trust me again. Or b happy together even tho we still love each other
Anyway I stated takin 3 dhy 6 years ago just for a buzz as a friend told me to give em a go anyway 5 years later I was taking 10 at a time in morning and another 7/8 in afternoon all at once. I,m on my last chan
ce to try and get my familyback. I was basically takin 20 ish a day. The last chance came 3 days ago wen I wen to my house and had a chat with my wife so for the last 3/4 days I’ve taken just 3 in the morningjust to take edge of but it dosnt last long and it’s obviously it’s not enough so feeling terrible I’ve come down significantly and am determined to carry on is this a good way will I plain out and start to feel better or should I just not bother with the 3 in the morning and just do cold turkey. And can I do the Thomas plan wen just on 3 tablets in.morning cus I am withdrawing. Simon
Hi Simon,
The Thomas Recipe has been used with great success by many individuals on much higher doses than you. Also, please read the following articles that might benefit you:
How To Mega-Dose Vitamin C For Opiate Withdrawal
How To Get Your Energy Back After Quitting Opiates
How To Stop Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome From Opiates
Disclaimer: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. 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 thanks I appreciate the advice but I did ask if coming down to 3 dhy is worth doing In Ur opinion and will I feel better after a while and can I still do the plan wen only taking 3 in the morning or do I have to come of them totaly to do the plan as I,m still trying to work while doing this. Simon
Hi Simon,
In my opinion, the Thomas Recipe could work well for coming off your habit in a cold-turkey withdrawal, without the drag of having to taper. I would personally not do the Thomas Recipe while still taking opiates, because then you would be mixing opiates with benzos, and the benzos should really only be used for a few days according to this plan.
I’m not sure if you will feel better after a while like you asked, because everyone is different. Some people are able to feel good soon after the withdrawal, but for most it takes weeks before real progress is made. Some people even feel delayed post-acute symptoms for months.
Coming off opiates while going to work is hard, so I feel your pain, because I was in a similar situation in the past. I was able to take a 3-day weekend and get back to work and be ok, I wasn’t close to 100%, but I was able to get it done and it wasn’t all that bad.
I highly recommend the articles I linked to. Especially the 2nd two, as they can help you get your energy and positive mind set back quickly after the acute withdrawal is over. Best of luck to you Simon.
Disclaimer: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. 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.
Thanks Matt that has helped alot. Take care
I am going to try doing this today. I am on 3 oxy 10 325 and fentynal 100 MG patch. Went through a withdrawal lastnight for no reason. Carried over into today. I’m done with this and will live with the pain. I had 2 hip surgery and have a herniated disc. Severe back pain. Been on this junk for over a year. But tried to stop once and it was bad news the first day. Hope to god this works.
I’m on 5 MG’s the pill form, I’ve been trying to stop completely but I have a job, I have 20 ativan if I don’t take any methadone tomorrow and have all the ingredients for the Thomas recipe would I be okay for work Monday?
There is no way for me to know this Allie. I’ve known many people who have come off 5 mg of methadone and been fine to work, then I’ve also seen people come off and have difficulty. Based on your individual biochemistry, health, age, how long you’ve been on methadone for, and many other factors, I just can’t guess what it will be like on your body. However, this Thomas Recipe has certainly helped a lot of people. It even helped me to go to work on day 4 coming off opiates many years ago.
Hello, Matt please help ? So , I have been on methadone for 71/2 yrs and I am so done with this whole lifestyle but I was at 190 milligrams for 6 yrs and then 130 for awhile and now the past 3 or 4 months I have been tapering down but I have been going down 5 milligrams a week and now that I am down to 58 milligrams my body is dying ,for the past couple of weeks I have with drawling severely and so I went and seen the doctor and now I’m going down 5 every other week instead of 5 a week but I really need some help here . I am going down way to fast huh ? Should I just stop for awhile ? I do get a script of zanax every month so that should help but do u think this Thomas thing will work ? Really ? I’m super scared and am so lost on what to do anymore , I have barely gotten out of bed for the past two weeks. What should I do ?
Hi Kris,
First of all, you’re doing absolutely amazing! Down to 58 mg after being on 190 for 6 years then 130 for awhile?! That is very, very impressive, and I’m really proud of you. Now, as for you questions:
1) I would not use the Thomas Recipe if I were in your situation. That is for a cold-turkey withdrawal, and you’re going to be on methadone for quite some time still.
2) Read the following article and replace the word “Suboxone” with “methadone”
How To Taper Off Suboxone Like a Champion
This article is 6,100 word eBook I wrote that I posted as an article for all to read for free. One could use the strategies in this article for tapering off Suboxone, methadone, hydrocodone, oxycodone, etc.
3) Make sure to also read the following article in addition:
Tapering Methadone: Tips For Success
Disclaimer: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. 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,
Looking for help. I have been on pain meds following 4 shoulder surgeries and I have spinal stenosis. My surgeon says there is nothing more that he can do for me but would not renew my script for meds. Pain clinics make me feel more like a criminal and a low life than a patient in need of help.
I am currently taking 10-12 vicodins 10 mgs per day. I need recommendations, assistance, schedule or anything you can provide in terms of a taper and withdrawal program. I’m not sure if I should start the Thomas recipe when I start tapering or if I should wait until I am in the process of tapering.
Thank you for all of the great information on this site. I’m sure I can get through this with the help and support I am finding here.
Most people use the Thomas Recipe for coming off opiates, not tapering. The Valium or another benzo is only recommended in this recipe to use for a few days, so that wouldn’t work for tapering as this recipe is states.
As far as tapering and withdrawal program, the following two articles can point you in the right direction:
How To Get Off Hydrocodone at Home
How To Get Off Vicodin at Home
How To Taper Off Norco Naturally
Hi matt im going to be attempting the thomas recipe and just looking for some advice. I have been doing perc 30s for a little over a year now sometimes up to 150 mgs a day & just want to know the best way to get through this ? Ive began to start tapering down before i start the thomas recipe ? What do you feel is the best way to taper & how long should i taper & if i taper when should i start taking the ingredients in the thomas recipe ?
Hey Nick,
To learn about tapering off Percocoet, please refer to the following article:
How To Get Off Percocet At Home
Most people would use the Thomas Recipe as soon as the acute symptoms arise from stopping the use of Percocet, so about 8-12 hours after last dose.
Disclaimer: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. 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.
Hello, I have been taking 3 7.5MG of Narco three times a day for a month. I went cold turkey yesterday, and today was horrible. I know this is a “baby” problem to some, but I am scared. I bought all the stuff for the Thomas Recipe, am I over reacting? I have panic issues so I realize this may be a problem more in my head that anything else. I have been on and off Percocet in the past, I guess the only gap I have had is about a month in the last two years. I want do be done with this so bad. My biggest problem right now is that the chills make me hurt.
Congratulations on getting the supplies for the Thomas Recipe. While your habit is smaller than many, it’s still very difficult and hard on the body and mind to come off the dosage you’ve been taking. I don’t think you are over reacting. In my own history, I would do whatever I could to minimize my symptoms.
Beginning norco 40mgs a day DETOX
im 60 years old.relspsed 2 mo ago after 3 years of sobriety. How long til i feel decent again. Thx.
Butch, are you coming off 40 mg cold-turkey? Are you using the Thomas Recipe?
Going cold turkey in about 6hrs from 4-5 10mg norco a day.going to b off work for 7days.i hope thats enough time.Going to tr Anderson recipe.wish me luck.
Good luck!!!
Fixing to go
Hi
I’m in my 12th day of been clean from taking up to 60mg physeptone (methodone) for chronic pain. I was prescribed this after my pain specialist said it was a far mor effective drug than oxy’s, due to the extended half life. I guess that’s why the past week has been one hell of a nightmare.
I researched the Thomas Recipe before doing this, but after successfully detoxing of physeptone at home with Clonodine and Valium about 5 years ago I didn’t get all the Vitamins. After reading this thread tonight I will rush out and get the Vitamin component tomorrow.
I had a facet joint block done today and whilst I was weak on waking this morning, prior to going into the hospital, I felt I had finally turned a corner. Sadly I fell into a huge hole this afternoon. Will this EVER end? It is going far longer than when I detoxed before.
I sweat profusely in my sleep. I have the worst pain in my legs. My back pain is still there. Heightened even.
My pain specialist has put me on a fairly new drug called Palexia (tapentadol). My research on this drug is that it is still an opiate. Although far milder according to my doctor. I’m taking 100mg of this day and night. I’m wondering if this is actually making the withdrawal process longer? Or should it be assisting? My doctors believe I’m tapering my physeptone very very slowly. I’m not great with willpower to taper, also I have overused my medication due to tolerance issues. I’m a single mum with two children so need to be functioning. I was lucky enough to organise a break from the kids so I could go through the withdrawals alone. I feel like I have been hit by a truck, run ten marathons back to back plus have gone to the darkest parts of my mind.
My skin has felt like it is crawling, anxiety is through the roof, the fatigue is unbearable. Sometimes it is to hard to even pick up my glass of water to drink!
I don’t know if anyone else has experienced this….? The shame and guilt and anger at myself for landing in this position? I can’t seem to shake those feelings. I can’t talk to anyone about this as the shame is to immense. My mother is the only one who knows and has been supporting me through this time. Although even she doesn’t know that instead of taking 2x 10mg of physeptone I was taking up to 60mg sometimes more.
I had to go cold turkey simply because I’m out of medication. I know that in 6 days time I will be given a script for my normal dose. I don’t want any of it. My only concern is that I have to be functioning as a mother. I probably have 4 more days without the kids to continue to tough this out. Will this be enough time? When will I feel better.
It actually took 3.5 days for me to start to feel acute withdrawal symptoms. So I guess that makes it 8 days of pain.
Do I continue to hold out after making it this far?. To me it would seem a waste to go back on 20mg a day and taper….?
Does anyone know anything about Palexia and whether it may be prolonging the symptoms?
God this has been tough! Please tell me I will come through…..
I apologise for any spelling/grammatical errors I wasn’t able to go back and edit beginning of post.
I wish for success and strength for anyone travelling this road.
The tapentadol is biding to your mu- opioid receptors in the same way that methadone does, only in a much weaker fashion, so in essence, you are actually not even in full-blown opioid withdrawal yet. It’s just minimizing symptoms. If you stay on it forever, there will be withdrawal symptoms coming off tapentadol as well. However, if you just use it for a a few days or maybe a week or two to get off methadone then stop, it could be a nice transition off a much stronger full agonist drug. If you have any more questions, I’m here to assist you along the way. Please review this website as it has all the answers you seek within it’s pages. Take care.
Disclaimer: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. 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.
Thank you, I will start to taper the Palexia as well then as I wish to be opiate free. Have managed to get out and get all the Vitamins for the Thomas Recipe and have commenced them. Was thinking about using this recipe in conjunction with Dextromethorphan for a few days?
Still feel so weak and fatigued… I’m just about to go and try a Qi Workout on YouTube.
I have also made contact with people in Vietnam about having the medication Heantos shipped to me. I’m in Australia and your recommended supplement for methodone withdrawal isn’t available here :(.
Once I have discontinued the Palexia how long should the withdrawal symptoms continue? It sounds like I am just prolonging it by continuing to take the Palexia? I so appreciate your feedback. Sadly the pain specialist are quick to hand out these drugs but have very little understanding of the symptoms coming off them.
Your reply meant a lot to me.
Wow sounds like you’ve been studying the articles on this website! Good for you. No way for me to know how long your symptoms will last. Everyone is different. The acute symptoms usually only last a few days, but sometimes the lingering post-acute symptoms stay for weeks or months. Study this site and you’ll learn many ways to ease the process. Take care.
Your website is the most professional and informative I’ve come across. What you have put together has been such a valuable resource for me. I can’t thank you enough.
Thank you so much for the kind words, and glad you’re finding value in the articles. I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. It’s always great to get feedback. Take care.
matt im trying like hell to stop the suboxone i was prescribe for pain, yes pain.. that was 4 years ago, this is day 6, and i coulf not sleep.so i got a muscle relaxrs well a fewof them,and after 48 plis house of being miserablr i got some sleep and could go xmas shopping the next day when i took one that morning now i have taken 1 the last 4 nightsn(2w last night) and this is when i found out i am on a mild opiate called ultram.. i don’t know what to do,i have ativan , the highest dose (that’s a problem for another day!) Im wondering if i can continue to take these ultrams so i van stop the RLS and sleep or should i just not sleep?? tried everything the first 2 days, i mean everything,nothing worked!! not even the baths..
Let me first say thank you for taking the time to help, I’ve been reading a lot and it has gave me so much inspiration and strength just knowing I’m not the only one and I as many others WILL succeed in our journey to get life back without depending on a pill(s) just to get through the day.
As many others, due to health issues over 15 yrs. ago doctors put me on hydrocodone for my pain. It worked wonders for the pain not only the pain but I felt unstoppable, felt great! The longer I took them the less they helped so of course the dr had no problem upping my dose, not only did he up it, I would too. Then my spouse got severely injured at work and he hated meds, he would rather deal with pain than take meds. Which enabled me oh so much more! His dr was giving him a ton of meds, which he never took, I did, along with the meds I was already on! So for the last 10 yrs I have been consuming daily a minimum of 3 opana 40mg, 4 roxy 15mg and then between 8-10 hydro 10s…everyday!
About a month and a half ago i finally opened my eyes! My adult daughter sitting holding my brand new granddaughter baby talking to her. My grand baby turned her head and coo’d my way and my daughter said, “yes you love your Gamma, I love her too and I promise I will try to be as good a momma to you as your Gamma is to me”! I can’t explain both the happy and sadness I felt. Because if she thought I was a good mom during the biggest part of my addiction to these damn drugs, without them I could’ve been a fantastic mom! She never knew I was addicted to any pills, actually that whole time only my husband knew. But it was that moment I made a promise to myself, I’m not going to give part of me to my addiction, I’m going to give all of me back for me to enjoy life again and give my babies all of me and be that fantastic Gamma!
It’s not a matter if I will because I WILL! I’m just reaching a hard spot in trying to get completely clean!
The day I made that commitment I didn’t know how else to do it and didn’t think to turn to the Internet until today but I had tapered myself down pretty quickly. I tapered off the opana first. The first week I tapered off the opana, second week I got off the roxy and I’m already feeling several withdrawal symptoms even though i still have the hydro going in my system for this 3rd week but I’ve cut myself down to only one 10mg in the morning and one more in the evening. I have enough hydro to last me three more days…. Sorry for excess info but here is where my question comes in, if I’m reading right I need to take the mega dose of vitamin c starting immediately, I noticed it is sold on amazon but is that something I can go into the stores locally and find, and does it have to be powder? And then follow the Thomas Recipe after I’ve taken my last opiate?
Again, I want to thank you tremendously! And everyone else for posting their stories!it is truly inspiring!
Wow Cindy!
What an incredible story…thank you so much for sharing it with us. And Congratulations for tapering so fast and having such a strong mindset! I’m very proud of you. It just goes to show that if you want something bad enough, you’ll go for it.
As for your questions:
1) Studies have used both sodium ascorbate or ascorbic acid (type you’ll find in the store) with great success. The reason I like the sodium ascorbate is because it’s gentler on the stomach. However, a friend of mine used the Vitamin C protocol and just used regular Vitamin C packets; he experienced virtually no symptoms except fatigue, and was able to sleep through the night. Other people have used chewable Vitamin C or even regular capsules, thus, they all work, it’s just a matter of what is available to you in close proximity.
2) Many of the readers have combined the Thomas Recipe with the Vitamin C mega-dosing protocol, and have even done many other hybrid plans. While the combo plan you’ve mentioned can help you get through the acute withdrawal phase, it won’t do anything for the post-acute phase.
For that protocol I recommend reading the following article:
How To Stop Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome From Opiates
Thanks again for sharing your inspiring story Cindy. I hope you’ll update us on your progress. You’re going to make it!!!
Attention: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. 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.
Hi I have recently been taking Tramadol for two months for a server disk prolapse and have just tried to come off the drug and have suffered bad withdraws symptoms. I was not at all prepared for this and my doctors did not warn me of any side effects. I have been suffering from very bad anxiety, can’t sleep, very angry, restless legs syndrome and very irritable. I have managed to reduce the tramadol to 50 mg at night, but when I try to come off the drug within a day I lose the plot and can’t cope. I now feel more anxious about coming off the drug and whether I will be able to cope
Any advice from anyone would be greatly appreciated
Hi Graham,
You’re going to get through this. Read through articles and comments on this website and you’ll find many answers. Also, the following article might really help you:
How To Get Off Tramadol Without Withdrawal
As far as any other readings, I would start in these two blog categories:
Natural Remedies For Opiate Withdrawal
Medications For Opiate Withdrawal
Also, this Thomas Recipe has helped many people, as the article stated. Good luck, and please post any other questions that you might have along your journey. Take care Graham.
Always check with you doctor before starting any new supplements, but I’ve known many people on SSRI drugs like Zoloft and other that have used these opiate withdrawal supplements at the same time with great benefits. Again, however, check with your doctor.
I take 15 mg of perc 2 -3 times a day I have to stop I need this bad I never want to take another pill again what’s the best way cold turkey using the method or to lower my dosege first. I have no time to stay at home im way to busy but it seems like I can’t start my day without pills and the worse is the pain in my legs help me. Please
Tapering is systematically lowering your dosage over a period of time. The longer and slower you taper, the less withdrawal symptoms once typically experiences. Cold-turkey is a massive shock to the body.
I am on day 4 off of suboxone, it is so hard! I never ever want to feel this again! The best advice I cn give is to ween yourself, trust me the withdrawls are like getting hit by a car! Opiates are no joke!!! Its hard to sleep at night, and your brain will tell you just take something and the pain will go away, but you have to stay strong if this is what you REALLY want! I was taking 8mg a day of sub, cut that to 4mg for about a month then started taking 2mg a day for a couple days. I then decided it was time and jumped! I am keeping God close because I know I can’t do this alone. Still going strong even though there are moments of weekness! I had been taking pain pills for medical reasons which turned out making me depend on them, this went on for about 7 years, i coud take 90mg of perc’s at a time after being on them for so long! someone introduced me to suboxone to get me off the pain pills, well it definitely did its job thats for sure. So I no longer wanted pills but needed suboxone. It started with a small dose then over 2 years i was taking between 8 and 12mg a day!!! Im just ready to be me again 🙂
Hi Matt, I am going to be starting your Thomas remedy tomorrow morning. I am preparing all the things I need today. I have Klonopin available to take thru the day. One of my questions is am I completely off vicodin while I am doing this? Is this basically cold turkey and not taking another pill once I begin the process? I am currently taking 5-6 vicodin 10mg on a daily basis. I am very very nervous about doing this if it is cold turkey since I have been told by several in the medical field the worst way is to just stop altogether. I see the comments that it does work. Also, am I to be eating during the duration of the withdrawls? I will try to keep my body very hydrated by drinking water and gatorade. I really appreciate your guidance.
The Thomas Recipe is used to come completely off opiates. Most people use it for a cold-turkey withdrawal, but the best way to use it is after coming off an opiate taper schedule. Tapering is systematically reducing your opiate dosage over a period of time.
For instance:
6 Vicodin per day for 4 days.
5 Vicodin per day for 4 days.
4 Vicodin per day for 4 days.
3 Vicodin per day for 4 days.
2 Vicodin per day for 5 days.
1.5 Vicodin per day for 5 days.
1 Vicodin per day for 6 days.
Then start the Thomas Recipe on first day off taper. This would be much better than a cold-turkey withdrawal.
Eating anything you can hold down that doesn’t upset your stomach will work. I often ate saltine crackers and bowls of cereal, protein bars, fruit, easy stuff to give quick energy. Eat whatever sounds good and makes you feel better. Everyone is different.
If you have any more questions I’m here to help and happy to assist. Take care and don’t fear the withdrawal. Maintain a strong mindset and you’ll get through it!
Disclaimer: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. 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
Hello. I use oxy everyday. It’s been a year now. I have use up to 70mg a day. I went one day without a few days ago and lost it. It was the worst feeling I have ever felt. I really wanna kick and I’m sick of this stress that comes with the pills. If I can’t get Xanax or anything what do I do? I’m really scared to go thru this. Do I taper down and try to take something else with the taper? I only have a shower soooo no baths. Ugh help 🙁
Thank you Matt for all this useful information. I have been using percocet over the last three years following several health issues. I ended up using 30mg to 40mg every 4hrs!!! I’m ready to get my life back and decided to rapid taper to quit about 3 days ago. Day 1 used 60mg the entire day…Day 2 down to 45mg the entire day and today is day 3 so far I’ve used 30mg. I’ve never felt such terrible pain and have never been through wd. I only have 2 30mg percs left and I’m terrified of the wd symptoms I’ll have once they’re gone. I did some research to try and ease the wd symptoms and here I am. I’ve bought all the supplements for the Thomas Recipe but I’m confused on how much L-Tyrosine to take Day 1-3. Also is it too late for me to use the Vitamin C method since ur instructions say it should begin 3 days prior to stopping. Which method do you think will work for me? I have a demanding job and can’t take any time off which has been extremely difficult. Please help!
I’m glad you found this information useful, and thanks for sharing a bit of your story. The Thomas Recipe can work wonders when all of the ingredients are used together. According to the originator of the recipe, you don’t actually start L-Tyrosine until day 4. I believe it is more beneficial to start using it as soon as possible, however.
If I were in your shoes and had all the ingredients I would use the Thomas Recipe over the Vitamin C protocol. However, if one were not able to procure the Valium or another benzo the Vitamin C protocol could work amazing, although it’s efficacy is diminished slightly without the pre-withdrawal loading phase.
Make sure after you get off opiates successfully to read the following article:
How To Stop Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome From Opiates
You can do it and you’re gonna get through it! If you have any more questions I’m happy to assist you.
Disclaimer: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. 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.
Thank you for the advice. I will start taking 2000 mg of L-Tyrosine tmrw morning. Maybe this is the missing link because I’m still feeling alot of chills, sweats and restless leg syndrome especially at night. I did get about 10 xanax and it does help with the anxiousness but it makes me very sleepy during the day. Also the multivitamin I’M using is called Core Daily 1 women. Is this ok or is there a better one you could recommend? I think Im close but something feels like it needs to be adjusted since I’m still having so many wd symptoms. I NEED this to work I have so many responsibilitis between work, bills and my teenage daughters. I would really appreciate your advice and thank you so much for your time and help.
Sounds like you’re doing everything really awesome. Are you also taking the hot baths? Many people really benefit from this. After a few more days the worst symptoms should be behind you. And L-Tyrosine is commonly used for RLS. Good luck!
Thanks to Matt and all of you that post helpful, hopeful, positive information on this forum. I am SO ready to “kick” -as I have 100s of times before – but, this time I am absolutely terrified sh**less of going through WDs. Even though the information posted is regarding opiates in general, this time I am entering a world unknown. See…I made the mistake of trading my 15 year heroin habit for Methadone. I have been a patient at a local Methadone clinic for almost 5 years. I, apparently, didn’t realize what street in Hell I had turned down because I thought I would start low (30mgs) and taper down to 0 within 3 months. My plan has back-fired. Btw….did I mention that my DAILY dose is 240 mgs?? All was good…until recently…when my insurance was cancelled and I no longer can afford to keep my account current with the clinic. The medical staff and counselors are GREAT and really care if you relapse or not…..IF you have a $0 balance. I am getting ready to start what the clinic calls an “administrative detox” on Monday. My 240 mg dose will be divided up, every day getting less and less, over the next 5 days. That’s it. All done. Good bye. Your on your own. I AM SCARED!!! I read and hear how bad detox and WDs are. Way worse than ALL the other opiates! It lasts longer and is much harder on your body than heroin. I don’t have a choice, but to do this. I’ve wanted to quit for a while now, but NOT like this! Any insight or words of wisdom on Methadone detox? I’d appreciate any advice or feedback. P.S. To ALL of you that have already overcome this sh**…CONGRATULATIONS & stay strong! To ALL of you that WILL soon overcome this sh**…remember that one day soon this will be just a memory of one of the many battles we fight in this life! Good Luck…<3
I’ve been on percocets since a really bad accident herniated 2 discs and punctured my sciatic nerve 3+ years ago. I’m ready to be done but I’m not able to get Valium. I’m scared of the withdrawal but I want out of this “gotta get meds” mentality.
Hello life back in tx.. I just read your msg and I’m so excited cuz I’m not alone AND feeling motivated right now to kick this nasty habit. Let’s do this!! We got this!
I’ve been on perc 30s for 2 years now. Both my boyfriend and I. We want to try this, but has anyone also used suboxone along with this? Is it recommended? Is it dangerous? Please desperate for help…thank you in advance
Hi MotherRussia,
The Thomas Recipe can most assuredly be used in conjunction with the Thomas Recipe. Since you aren’t supposed to take Suboxone until 48 hours or more after your last dose of Percocet, the Thomas Recipe could help alleviate your symptoms during this time.
Once the Suboxone is taken, there will be no need to use the Thomas Recipe, since the medication is strong enough on it’s own to stop Percocet withdrawal. However, I believe a great strategy would be to only use Suboxone for 1-3 days, then use the Thomas Recipe again once you start feeling withdrawal symptoms.
This sounds like a great plan. So many people get on Suboxone for years, then have a horrific time coming off. If you follow my plan or create your own based on it, you could get off opiates quickly with very minimal withdrawal symptoms that are easily manageable.
If you have any further questions I’m happy to assist you.
Attention: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. What I write 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.
I am a 53 year old woman who has been taking up to 10 tylonol #3 a day. i went through deliverance yesterday and no longer have the urge to take the meds or smoke, my main addictions. Anyway, I have 2 kids depending on me daily and i can’t decide if I should keep trying to find a doctor to withdraw using suboxone or if I can manage to keep myself together through these withdrawals. I tried the suboxone a few weeks ago and it helped but couldn’t find a dr to prescribe it and am not sure if it would start my cravings to opiates again. Any advice?
Hello,
Thanks for leaving your question and a little bit of you story. Suboxone helps a lot of people (it helped me), though it is extremely hard to come off if you use it for awhile, as most people do. My favorite method for getting off opiates without getting sick is mega-dosing with Vitamin C. That might work well for your situation. Here is an article that you might benefit from:
How to Mega-Dose Vitamin C to Stop Opiate Withdrawal
Here is an article on the #1 anti-craving supplement that I recommend EVERYONE getting off opiates take:
DLPA: A Miracle Supplement For Opiate Addiction Recovery
I believe if you were to use the mega-dosing Vitamin C protocol and then take the amino acid DLPA for cravings, it could greatly benefit you. If you have any more questions, please post them and I will respond promptly.
Have a wonderful day.
Attention: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professoinal advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. What I write is for informational use only. It’s not inteneded 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.
I am about to come of all my prescribed pain meds because I am simply tired of being treated like a liar and low life scum by pain clinics. My clinic refuses to help me come off my meds I am sure because that means less revenue for them… pathetic right? Anyway, I am on my own and I am planning on using the Thomas recipe as best as I can (no xanax or the like available to me) but have a couple of questions. 1st my doses do not seem to be as heavy as most. I take 30mg morphine er twice daily and then 10mg Norco up to 4 times a day as needed. I have about 6 days worth of the morphine left and about 10 days of the norco left. Since I cannot simply reduce the amount of morphine I take in a single dose, should I simply try to gradually increase the time between doses and if so, how much time should I add with each dose (4 hours, 6 hours, etc.) and since I do not have the xanax related drug to help, would it be a benefit to supplement the morphine doses with norca then come off the corco after the morhine is gone or should i stop both at once? Any advice would be helpful.
Me
I live in a rural area where the closest store is a few miles away. I had a brain tumor removed in 2007 and have suffered cluster migraines/attacks ever since. In order to get off the Oxycodone 30mg, Morphine IR and Hydromorphone 4mg I had to do it home alone. I’ve found that a bit of marijuana is a game changer. It suppresses nausea, makes you want to drink which is great because diarrhea is a great way to become dehydrated and waste away. And I’m sure everyone on this board knows the unpleasant effects of chemical imbalance and the effect it has on your physical and emotional wellbeing. If you’re familiar with the high of pot it gives you a bit of a reference point on how you should feel and how the pot improves this. If you don’t smoke pot or for whatever reason you can’t tons of Gatorade and hydrotherapy (hot baths, hot tubs and the like should work with nausea/dry heaves, but not so much with the appetite suppression. I’m opioid free now, and with the recipe I was dope sick a total of 3 1/2 days. Most important of all, if at all possible have a friend there to help around a bit. Running baths, getting gatorade, rolling joints and just being there to hold your hand is paramount. Best wishes and I pray you all get clean…..remember, you’re not a junkie. You’re an individual who somehow was introduced to on of the most addictive compounds known to man.
With Much Love,
Chris
Hi Chris,
Thanks so much for sharing those great recommendations. I knew a guy in New York who told me that he used copious amounts of marijuana to stave off the most severe withdrawal symptoms from coming off 200 mg of oxycodone per day.
I’m so glad to hear that you are opioid free now…and I really appreciate your detailed comment sharing your experience and tips with the readers.
Have a great day Chris and I wish you well.
For everyone that has posted recently, listen to Matt’s advice. It is accurate. I too have been through withdrawals from high dose of OxyContin. 200mg/ day at my peak over 3 years. I wanted to add a few things that make a world of difference. 1st off, if you can, taper. Anywhere from 10% daily reduction to 10% weekly reduction and even slower once 1/3rd of original dose is reached. Also, vitamin c. And lots of it. Studies have shown high doses of vit-c occupy opioid receptors. This worked wonders during my taper. I cut my dose 30% every 3 days the whole way through (lightning fast) and withdrawals were mild. Some anecdotal reports from people say that vit-c alone in high doses resulted in zero withdrawals when going cold turkey but I didn’t find that personally. The net has plenty of info on how much to take but basically you take it to bowel tolerance. This just means that too much vitamin c causes diarrhea. Keep taking it throughout the day until this is reached, then scale it back a bit. People with opiate tolerance, for some reason, can handle much large doses of vit-c than normal people. I was taking up to 50 grams per day at the peak. Not mg, but grams. Use the buffered version called sodium ascorbate. Regular ascorbic acid is murder on your stomach and very, very sour. You can find SA in bulk online for cheap. Just mix it with water and chug it back. It tastes mildly salty but not too bad at all. Also, hot baths and heating pad like they’re going out of style. A hot bath takes away the aches and RLS for a good 60-90 minutes. Heating pad does the same to a lesser extent. These definitely aren’t a long term solution, but the temporary break from the pain is wonderful. If you combine these and Matt’s suggestions, you should be able to get through it without it being pure hell. The hardest part I found was having the discipline to taper. No easy fix for that. You just have to want it bad enough. I tried to think of it as a game. When the back ache and yawning started to kick in, I would time how long I could hold out before taking more. It took me about 30 days to be off completely but having a month of being in mild wd several times per day was nothing compared to a week of pure hell and post acute wds to follow. Tapering seemed to make it so I had no post acute symptoms and I’m not sure really why except that perhaps it’s because I had never let my body get into the horrific full blown withdrawals. I sure hope this helps you guys. Hang in there. It WILL get better. I promise.
John, thank you so much for your detailed comment. Your information on tapering and Vitamin C mega-dosing is spot on! I appreciate you taking the time to let other readers know additional tips that can help them have a comfortable withdrawal. Furthermore, I just wrote an EPIC article on mega-dosing Vitamin C that I think you will find unmatched in detail, visual design and ease of understanding:
How to Mega-Dose Vitamin C to Stop Opiate Withdrawal
I also recommend using sodium ascorbate in my article. Again, thanks for the great response John.
If any other readers want to share their experiences with the “Thomas Recipe”, tapering or mega-doses of Vitamin C, please feel free to chime in.
Attention: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. What I write 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.
All this sounds wonderful but i have no one that knows or can help and i dont have a Dr. Or medical coverage im scared and alone any suggestions
Hi Melissa. Don’t worry about not having a Dr. or medical coverage for coming off opiates. There are EXTREMELY POWERFUL ways to detox with minimal symptoms that are natural and safe. I’m going to provide you with a few links to articles I believe will help you.
How to Use Kratom For Opiate Withdrawal
Opiate Withdrawal Home Detox
If you have any questions or need any guidance please feel free to email me and I will respond.
Click here to send me an email
I was on methadone for chronic pain for around three years and have taken the same dosage of 20mg 3 times daily. Also for break through pain I was on 15mg IRs up to 6 a day. But prior to being on methadone I was on all different forms of opiates for the last decade or so but always through a doctors guidance if that’s what you want to call it. At the time right after my accident I was just relieved to be out of pain but as the years went I grew to hate my dependency. So I talked to the doctor and on month one he had me taper down to 50mg methadone the first 2 weeks then 40 mg the next 2 weeks. Probably not the smartest thing but after that I went cold turkey off both methadone and the IRs. It’s been 3 weeks and I’m slowly feeling better but I had horrible withdrawals and I wish I would of known about this sooner. So I have a couple questions is it to far in to use some of these remedies? Also how long does the withdrawals from methadone last? Last question, after the physical withdrawals are going away I just feel so empty inside, is there anything to help out with the mental well being? Well Thanks for letting me babble.Remember never look back. Good luck to everyone going through this hell but remember your strong and only you can do this for yourself.
Hi Amber,
Thanks for sharing your story. Methadone withdrawals usually last the longest out of any opioid drug. I was a counselor at a Methadone clinic, and many patients that went off cold-turkey had withdrawal symptoms for months, and even then they still didn’t feel good when the worst symptoms passed.
What happens after the acute withdrawal is Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS). Opiate PAWS is a set of symptoms that come a few days to weeks or months after the acute opiate withdrawal is over. I just wrote an article that will tell you everything you need to know to start feeling good soon.
How to Stop Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome From Opiates
If you really focus on doing at minimum steps 1-7, you should start feeling better within a few days.
Also, you asked whether The Thomas Recipe would still work this far into your withdrawal.
The Thomas Recipe will totally work this far in, and it will work extremely well. However, make sure you still look at the article on PAWS, as it has more strategies for rebalancing your brain chemistry in the long run.
Once again, thanks for your comment and for giving the other readers some encouragement! I wish you good luck, and if you need any further assistance I’m happy to help you Amber.
Attention: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. What I write 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.
I’m know how you feel . I’m alone also . I had surgery on my hand and now I can get my day started without taking two Norco . I’m really ready to stop because I’m not taking them for pain anymore . I’m scared of what my family might think of me because I’ve always been the strong level headed one . I’m the baby of 7 and they have always looked up to me and always come to me for answers & support . I feel like I’ve let them down now because of this . This is the first time I’ve admitted that I’m addicted to drugs . I’m going to try this Thomas Remedy . It seems like it really works from all the reviews . I have some Xanax already so that’s my second step to recovery . The first step was admitting I have a problem . On my way picking up the other items I’m stopping at Church for Prayer . I have faith that this recipe is going to work So that I can have my life back . I don’t see a screen name for you . I want be posting my name either . I’ll just call myself Life back in Tx.. If you would like to support each other in this message me back with a screen name & I’ll be more than happy to do my best and try to help support you as well as you helping to support me . I see that it’s been over a month since you posted this . Hopefully you’ve already done it . Even so I would love to hear back from you . Just to know your doing well . Take care . God Bless you . I’ll be waiting on your response .
I’m feeling real motivated right now reading your post life back in tx! Let’s do this!!
Im a 16 year old girl and I have been taking heroin for exactly 5 month nows..im not sure how i should say the amount because i use the red little cap in an insulin to measure it..i take about the half of the little red cap like 5 or 6 times a day.. I have access to xanax but only that.. Is there any medication to help me with the muscle aches because RLS is the hardest for me.. I need your help.. Would mean a lot if you repl to my comments
Hi Ruth. The best I’ve tried for muscle aches and RLS is Self-Heal Balm. It’s a strong topical pain-relieving and muscle-relaxing cream that has a combination of organic herbs, essential oils and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). For RLS, simply rubbing a generous amount of Self-Heal Balm on the calves and other problem areas works wonders. There is nothing else quite like it, it’s an over-the-counter medication, and it works within a few seconds.
Attention: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. What I write 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.
is the self heal balm hard to find. I have never looked for it in pharmacies or places like CVS, etc. just wondering where I would be able to find. That is the one thing that bothers me so bad now is my legs hurting so bad.
Thank You for any suggestions on where to find the Self Heal Balm
Hi Alice,
It’s only available online. Self-Heal Balm>>
I am going to begin this process tonight. I am a 62 year old female who is prescribed a 10mg Opana ER tablet every 12 house by mouth with 10 mg Percocet 3 times a day as needed for breakthrough pain. I have access to Xanax to help with the sleeplessness. My concern is my age. I know this is hard on the body and very stressful. I do take the medication as prescribed. I am not sure if that will make the withdrawal any better or not. Anyone on this site with a similar experience that could offer advice, I would appreciate the help.
Thanks so much for sharing your story. The Thomas Recipe for opiate withdrawal works wonders. You said you have access to Xanax, so combined with the other ingredients you have a great chance of coming off Opana and Percocet without feeling too horrible. I used The Thomas Recipe many years ago when I was sniffing 80 mg of Oxycontin daily on average. The Xanax and Imodium for me took care of about 80% of the symptoms, and the rest of the ingredients helped too. The dosage you are taking daily doesn’t sound high enough that The Thomas recipe won’t help. Furthermore, your age might come into play a bit. Someone going through opiate withdrawal using The Thomas Recipe in their 20’s most likely would not be zapped of their energy as much as someone in their 60’s on the same dosages.
Attention: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. What I write 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.
Help! I’m on Day 2 of Dilaudid withdrawal, having tapered to 1/2mg every 4 hrs at last dose. My problem is, the 2nd-to last day of the taper, I lost my mind. I took way more than I should have, as per the process, and I’m terrified that that is going to mess with the withdrawal! So far, I haven’t felt too bad, and I’m doing a combination of the St Thomas method and the Withdrawal Ease method (sans products)… I’ve also been told that copious amounts of Vitamin C will help.
I guess my question is… Did I blow the whole tapering process with one stupid mistake??
Jaime,
No you didnt. Continue as you have been doing and you should be fine.
~Mary
OAS RECOVERY SPECIALIST
Hi Matt thanks for all of your information it’s saving my life the Thomas Recipe I modified putting in Lyrica and I feel great the multi vitamins work really well and I am about to get some vitamin C but what I take is 100 milligrams of Lyrica, 2 Centrum Silver, 1methocarbamol, 1clonidine, 3 times a day, then 1 50 milligram trazodone and 100 milligrams lyrica at bedtime. Usually I awake at 3am to take more lyrica. I also resumed jogging to produce endorphins. I am at day 4, with NO WD SX.
Glad all the info has been helping Duane. Thanks so much for sharing your experience based on the protocol you have used. Sounds like a great one! Well done!!! 🙂
To All , I’ve tried this recipe and it does work if you do it correctly don’t deviate from the plan , you will experience some WD symptoms and no matter what don’t PICK UP, and I seen a comment that a woman asked if her and her boyfriend should take suboxone to detox DONT do it that just keeps you inbthe vicoious cycle of active addiction and eventually you will have to KICk So let’s all put our big boy/big girl pants on and get out of this situation I recommend a 12 step fellowship before and after your detox and learn how to live life without the use of drugs , being clean and serine is the greatest thing in the world Hope to see you on the other side and good luck to all!!!!!!! You can do it be strong
Yes, hon, you need to wean yourself slowly from these meds. When quitting time comes take Cal Support and Kratom
Day 9 off hydrocone still having hard time have gaptein how do i take it how long