The key to living a happy life after discontinuing opiates is to GET HEALTHY!!! I’m talking about supreme health in the spheres of body, mind, and spirit.

Opiate addiction is a disorder that affects your brain, and so the main component of an effective treatment plan is correcting the brain chemistry imbalances with supplements, nutrition, exercise, adequate water intake, healthy breathing exercises, and proper sleep cycles.

Without proper attention to biochemical issues, things like counseling, psychotherapy, spirituality, and Self-Help meetings can have only moderate success at best.

The following example treatment plan focuses on correcting biochemical deficiencies caused or exacerbated by opiate addiction. Once you come off opioid drugs, it’s going to take a lot of work to feel your best fast.

Luckily, with the following information, you’ll learn how to repair your brain and body and thus feel great quickly after detoxing from opioid drugs.

With the biological aspect of recovery as the foundation of treatment, the psychological, social, and spiritual elements can then do their part to promote the facilitation of a holistic recovery.

Here is how to feel good again after you quit opioid drugs…

Step 1. Take an Opiate Withdrawal Supplement

Opiate Withdrawal Supplement is a very powerful formula that is specifically designed to help people feel better after stopping the use of opioids. It contains a synergistic blend of herbs, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that have been shown to be effective at reducing both acute opiate withdrawal symptoms and post-acute withdrawal symptoms.

This product has two different formulas that are intended to be used together: Daytime Formula and Nighttime Formula.

The Daytime Formula provides the following benefits:

 

The Nighttime Formula provides the following benefits:

 

PAWS dosing guidelines:

 

Step 2. Take DLPA

Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome leads to many biochemical imbalances. Primarily, long-term opioid abuse creates severe endorphin and dopamine deficiencies in the user. Fortunately, I’ve found an incredible supplement that treats both of these deficiencies.

DL-Phenylalanine (DLPA) is a combination supplement consisting of both the D- and L- forms of the amino acid phenylalanine. The L- form is found in protein-rich foods such as turkey, chicken, beef, and fish. L-phenylalanine increases the amount of dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine in the brain.

These are neurotransmitters that promote:

 

D-Phenylalanine is made synthetically in laboratories. It slows the action of the enzymes (particularly carboxypeptidase A and enkephalinase) that destroy endorphins.

DPA does this by acting like a “downfield body blocker” in football.

When the endorphins are trying to reach the traumatized area, the endorphin-degrading enzymes are on their way to eat them “Pac-Man” style. DPA comes right up and blocks them from reaching the endorphins, thus enabling the endorphins to successfully reach the traumatized area.

In one study, a man that took a single dose of DLPA experienced a 300% increase in endorphin levels, and they stayed that high for six days.

Taking DLPA during PAWS can result in a rapid increase in dopamine and endorphin levels in the brain, thus boosting mood and energy levels (and decreasing opioid cravings).

PAWS dosing guidelines:

 

Step 3. Take a Multivitamin/Mineral Supplement

PAWS symptoms originate from a combination of biochemical imbalances caused or exacerbated by opioid abuse and stress. It’s important to take a multivitamin/mineral supplement while you’re suffering from PAWS.

A multivitamin/mineral can provide you with many essential nutrients that are required for psychological and physiological health.

The brand “Rainbow Light” makes an excellent one-a-day that I’ve been taking for the last year. I absolutely love it.

PAWS dosing guidelines:

 

Step 4. Supercharge Your Body With Adaptogens

In the late 1940’s, a Russian scientist named Dr. Nickolai Lazarev coined the term “adaptogen” while working on a molecular compound found to stimulate nonspecific resistance of organisms. Dr. Lazarev defines an adaptogen as an agent that allows an organism to counteract any adverse chemical, physical or biological stressor by generating nonspecific resistance and thus becoming “adapted” to a diversity of demands imposed upon it.

Adaptogen herbs have a double-direction normalizing effect. 

So if a person is stressed, an adaptogen will calm them down and relieve anxiety. If that same person is fatigued, an adaptogen would increase their natural energy.

Adaptogens, simply put, facilitate the promotion of homeostasis in the body. Taking adaptogens daily for a few weeks or more can seriously reduce or eliminate post-acute symptoms.

Adaptogens:

 

They’re called adaptogens because of their unique ability to “adapt” their function according to your body’s specific needs. Though the effects may initially be subtle and take time to make themselves felt, they’re real and undeniable.

Adaptogens work a bit like a thermostat. 

When the thermostat senses that the room temperature is too high it brings it down; when the temperature is too low it brings it up.

The “Supreme Elixir of Energy”

One of the hardest post-acute symptoms to endure is EXTREME FATIGUE.  It’s also one of the most detrimental symptoms to recovery. I’ve seen countless individuals get back on opioids after only a few days or weeks clean time, stating they couldn’t get out of bed and needed the opioids to get their energy back.

The Supreme Elixir of Energy is a concoction you can take to supercharge your adrenal system.

It’s a mix of powerful adaptogen herbs that can radically spike your natural energy levels, giving you that much-needed boost during PAWS.

I take this elixir all the time and it gives me the adrenal support I need to live a life filled with energy and passion. 

The Supreme Elixir of Energy consists of the following ingredients:

 

PAWS dosing guidelines:

 

Adaptogen Herbal Teas

I realize the Supreme Elixir of Energy is very expensive, and not everyone will be able to afford the ingredients. If this is the case for you, there is no need to worry. You can still get great adaptogen benefits by consuming certain herbal teas.

The following teas can be used instead of (or in combination with) the Supreme Elixir of Energy:

 

PAWS dosing guidelines:

 

Step 5. Take Additional Supplements

To help you further reduce the severity of PAWS, it is also EXTREMELY useful to take a few more supplements in addition to the ones listed previously.

The following supplements are also recommended:

 

Take these for at least 90 days after quitting opioids for optimal benefits. Vitamin C is a very powerful antioxidant, and Liver Rescue contains herbs such as milk thistle and dandelion, which naturally detoxify the liver, resulting in better PAWS recovery.

Nordic Naturals DHA is a fish oil supplement and a great source of essential fatty acids (EFA’s).

Research has shown that omega fish oil could possibly play an important role in substance abuse recovery, since a deficiency of these omega-3 fatty acids can lead to low levels of dopamine and serotonin, often resulting in depression and tendencies to abuse addictive mood-altering substances.

Magnesium is known as the “anti-stress mineral,” because it has a calming effect on the nervous system.

Magnesium plays a major role in neurotransmitter release, which affects the discharge of brain chemicals such as serotonin which helps you feel emotionally relaxed. B-Complex is essential for energy production and stress reduction.

Step 6. Focus on Nutrition

Nutrition plays a critical role during PAWS. Without the proper nutrients, you’re much more susceptible to drug cravings, anxiety, depression, insomnia, fatigue, and other symptoms.

I’ve developed a nutritional protocol that is custom fit for the majority of people going through post-acute opioid withdrawal. The foundation of this nutritional protocol involves the regular consumption of high-quality proteins.

Protein foods are made up of amino acids.

The body converts these amino acids into neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitters are responsible for many functions, and many of these chemical messengers significantly affect our behavior and moods.

Below is a list of the most important neurotransmitters for health:

 

A deficiency in these neurotransmitters can lead to you experiencing the opposite effect. For example, if you aren’t producing enough catecholamines you will tend to be tired and have a hard time concentrating.

If you are deficient in GABA this can easily lead to anxiety.

A lack of serotonin can cause depression. Become deficient in endorphins and you risk becoming overly sensitive to both physical and emotional pain.

Drugs Mimic Neurotransmitters

If someone were abusing amphetamine or methamphetamine drugs, they would become deficient in the class of neurotransmitters known as catecholamines. Alcoholics and individuals benzodiazepine drugs find themselves suffering from a GABA deficiency once they stop using these substances.

And as I’ve mentioned, opioid drugs specifically mimic endorphins, our natural painkillers. To see a complete chart on the relationship between drugs and neurotransmitters, click here.

During PAWS, it is very common for people to have severe endorphin and dopamine deficiencies because their brains have not yet returned to homeostasis.

To speed up this process, one should establish and maintain a healthy nutrition plan specific for reestablishing healthy brain chemistry.

Importance of Protein Consumption During PAWS

It can be very beneficial to ingest plenty of high-quality protein foods during PAWS. Protein contains amino acids, so it has a powerful effect on enhancing mood by increasing neurotransmitters in the brain; including endorphins and dopamine.

Thus, I cannot stress enough the importance of a high amino acid diet while recovering from PAWS.

You certainly don’t have to eat like this for the rest of your life, but it can boost your mood and energy levels a great deal during the first few months after quitting opioids.

Here are some examples of foods high in protein:

 

Here are examples of meals to eat during PAWS:

 

PAWS protein guidelines:

 

Consume Fruits, Veggies, and Healthy Fats

In addition to focusing on quality protein foods, make sure to consume plenty of fresh fruits, veggies, and healthy fats. This nutritional protocol is all about boosting mood, increasing energy, and overall health and well-being.

Therefore, don’t leave out these important foods!

Fruits and veggies are packed with nutrients, fiber, and water, they provide the body with alkalinity…and they taste delicious.

Healthy fats such as extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, hemp seed oil, avocado, nuts, and seeds can help boost brain chemistry functioning, along with many other health benefits.

PAWS Nutritional Guidelines

I understand that everyone has varying levels of biochemical uniqueness, so there is no “one-size-fits-all” nutritional plan that is best suited for the people of the world. However, there are certain nutritional guidelines that can lead to increased health and wellness regardless of what type of diet a person follows.

And when it comes to recovering from opioid addiction, the following PAWS protocol can have very real benefits:

 

Getting Healthy is a Process

Learning how to eat healthily is a process. Start taking small steps right away, and continue to work on improving your diet. Don’t worry about overnight perfection…in fact, don’t worry about perfection at all!

Don’t stress out about it; strive to eat healthy 80-90% of the time, and the rest of the time eat whatever you desire.

Also, you might go through withdrawal while you’re cleaning up your diet…FOOD withdrawal!

Reducing or eliminating sugar, white flour, cheese, chemicals in processed foods, caffeine, and other dietary ingredients can make you feel horrible.

Hang in there. 

Once you’re no longer addicted to these foods you will feel much healthier and more emotionally balanced.

Step 7. Become Addicted to Exercise

One of the most important components of this treatment plan is exercise. In addition to increasing levels of dopamine and serotonin, regular exercise during PAWS will stimulate your endogenous opioid system.

These natural painkillers can significantly decrease drug cravings while increasing positive mood and feelings of euphoria and tranquility.

Below is a simple overview of the difference between a human’s natural painkilling system and opiate/opioid drugs:

 

One of the main reasons I was finally able to quit opioids for good was because I made exercise a huge part of my life.

I started surfing, swimming, and circuit training about 3-4 days per week. As a result of this dramatic increase in natural opioids flowing through my brain, I had next to ZERO cravings for opioid drugs.

More About Endorphins…

Endorphins are chemicals (peptides) made by the body. They are released by a number of things, including exercise, or even eating certain foods like chocolate or spicy peppers. Endorphins also reduce the appetite for drug and alcohol-seeking behavior.

If you don’t exercise, eat enough protein, or take DLPA after quitting opioids, you’re at risk of developing Endorphin Deficiency Disorder (EDS).

Some of the possible symptoms of EDS include:

 

Developing an Exercise Routine

There are many different types of exercise to choose from. The trick is to find something you enjoy, that way you’re more likely to stick with it. If at first, you have trouble getting motivated, listen to some upbeat music while you’re working out, as this has been shown to boost performance and enjoyment.

Also, exercising outdoors produces more endorphins than doing so indoors.

Starting an exercise program is sometimes hard in the beginning.

But once your body and mind get used to it, it keeps getting easier.

Furthermore, after you’ve been working out for about six weeks or more, your body will need it (CRAVE IT), and you will look forward to your workout days.

Some popular forms of exercise are:

 

PAWS exercise guidelines:

 

Step 8. Establish Healthy Sleep Habits

Insomnia is one of the most common symptoms, so I know how difficult it can be to sleep well during PAWS. If you take the recommended supplements, eat healthily and exercise, it will be much easier for you to fall and stay asleep.

At this point, you should focus on getting to bed between 10-11 pm, and be waking between 6-7 am.

Great quality sleep gives the body a chance to recover, repair, and heal.

The physiological recovery period is between 10 pm and 2 am. The psychological and nervous system recovery occurs between 2 am and 6 am.

One of the main reasons people wake up sore, tired, and not mentally alert is because they’re going to bed late.

If an individual is habitually going to bed at 12 am, they are missing out on two hours of physiological repair and restoration every night.

This compounds over time and can lead to many health problems as a result.

To create more energy, positive emotions and overall health during PAWS, follow these guidelines:

 

Step 9. Slow Down your Breath and Mind

Life can become extremely stressful in this age of technology. Furthermore, our brains are designed to keep us safe and alive. They are not programmed to make us happy all the time (that is for us to work on). After quitting opioids, an individual typically experiences greater activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS).

The primary function of the SNS is to stimulate the fight-or-flight response (accelerate the heart rate, constrict blood vessels, raise blood pressure, etc). This increased SNS activity during PAWS can lead to anxiety, insomnia, and other unpleasant symptoms.

To slow down the SNS, one must activate the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS).

The PSNS is responsible for stimulation of “rest-and-digest” or “feed and breed”  activities that occur when the body is at rest (serves to slow the heart rate, increase intestinal and glandular activity, and relax the sphincter muscles).

Choose from the following activities to activate your PSNS during PAWS:

 

Meditation calls for an individual to slow their breathing while emptying their mind of thoughts. Qigong and tai chi can be thought of as “moving meditations.”

The person practicing these ancient Chinese forms of exercise maintains slow breathing, a still mind, and slow, graceful movements.

All three of these activate the PSNS and promote mental tranquility, among other psychological and physical health benefits.

PAWS guidelines:

 

The following DVDs can be used in the treatment of PAWS:

 

Conclusion

As you can see, there are a great number of things you can do when “Biohacking Your Opioid Recovery.” Of course, psycho/social/spiritual elements of recovery are extremely beneficial, but you should focus a lot of attention on using these biohacking techniques to repair your brain and body.

Use things like supplements, nutrition, exercise, sleep, hydration, and more to feel your best FAST after quitting opioid drugs.

And if you have any comments or questions on biohacking your post-acute symptoms, please post them in the comment box below.

Please review this post!