The purpose of this article is to give you a step-by-step plan on how to detox from opiates at home. I used to be addicted to Vicodin, Percocet, OxyContin, and other prescription opiates, and later went on to heroin abuse. Throughout my addiction, there were many times where I ran out of opiates and money. Since I couldn’t afford detox and didn’t have insurance, I had to learn how to detox from opiates at home.
How to Detox from Opiates at Home
At first, it was HORRIBLE. The withdrawal symptoms were so bad I wanted to jump out of a window! After my first experience detoxing from opiates at home, I ended up relapsing a week later, but the next time I ran out of opiates and went through withdrawal I had researched in detail what I needed to do to ease my symptoms.
Over the years, I learned everything there is to know about detoxing from opiates at home. I’ve since made it my life’s purpose and mission to help other opiate abusers get through withdrawal and learn how to stay clean and love life without drugs.
By using the following nine strategies, you will not only know how to detox from opiates at home, but you should also be able to reduce your withdrawal symptoms to a tolerable level.
1. Make Detoxing from Opiates A MUST
If you’re serious about learning how to detox from opiates at home and doing whatever it takes to achieve your goal, this plan is for you. If you want to be successful, you’ll need to decide right here and now that detoxing from opiates is a MUST, not a SHOULD.
Get out a pen and piece of paper and write down all of the reasons why you MUST detox from opiates. Commit to your goal. Know that you might fail several times, but as long as you keep going for it and learning from your mistakes, you’re sure to succeed in the long run.
To help increase your chance of succeeding the first time, use the following strategies I’ve outlined for you. They can give your body and mind a significant boost; thus helping you feel happy and energized while detoxing from opiates at home.
2. Start Tapering
The absolute best strategy available for minimizing opiate detox withdrawal symptoms at home is to complete a taper regimen. Tapering is systematically reducing the amount of opiates you take over a period of time. Opiate withdrawal is so intense because coming off these powerful drugs cold-turkey is a HUGE shock to your body.
By tapering, you allow your body to gently adjust to lower amounts of opiates slowly, thus decreasing withdrawal symptoms.
There are a few key points to know about the art of tapering:
- Go Slow – Slow tapers are easier on your body than fast tapers (the slower you go, the fewer withdrawal symptoms you experience).
- Make Adjustments – Everyone is biochemically unique (what works for one person won’t necessarily work for everyone).
- Prevent Sickness – Take only as many opiates as is necessary to prevent you from going into withdrawal (you’re not trying to get high or feel good, only to keep from getting sick).
- Ask for Help – It takes serious discipline to adhere to a tapering protocol (giving your opiates to someone you can trust and having them only give you the dosage on your taper schedule is highly recommended).
Note: Since everyone reading this article is going to have varying levels of opiate dependence and their own unique biochemical makeup, there is no way I can outline a “one size fits all” taper plan. However, I will provide you with some detailed examples so you can get a good understanding of how to implement an opiate taper plan into your own life.
Example of a Fast Taper
A man who has been using 80 mg of hydrocodone daily for two years decides he wants to detox from opiates at home and starts a taper. His goal is to be clean for his daughters fifth birthday in three weeks. He could take 60 mg per day for the first week, 40 mg per day the second week, and 20 mg per day the third, so on the last day he would go from 20 mg to 0 mg.
He could also choose to lower his dose by 5 mg each day of the taper and be clean in a little over two weeks. Both of these examples would be much less of a shock to his body than detoxing from opiates cold-turkey. However, he would get even better results if he decided to make his taper longer in duration.
Example of a Slow Taper
Let’s say the same individual who’s taking 80 mg of hydrocodone per day chooses to taper for two months. In this case, he could simply reduce his dose by 10 mg every week until his taper is complete. Reducing his dose by 10 mg every seven days would be easier on his body, but I would also recommend slowing the taper when he got to around 20 mg.
At this point, it would be beneficial to start decreasing the opiate dosage to 5 mg drops per week rather than 10 mg. This would help to further decrease withdrawal symptoms due to it being less of a shock to your body. I believe a good taper length to shoot for would be around 30-90 days, depending on how much opiates you’ve been using, as well as how long you’ve been using it for.
Note: When it comes down to it, you’ll have to write out your taper plan and stick with it. If this is too hard for you, I suggest giving your opiates to someone you trust who will only give you the amount you’re supposed to have every day. It takes strict discipline to adhere to the taper plan when you have all of the opiates in your possession.
3. Start Taking an Opiate Withdrawal Supplement
Opiate Withdrawal Formula is a very powerful supplement that is specifically designed to help people detox from opiates at home. It contains a synergistic blend of herbs, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that have been shown to be effective at reducing opiate withdrawal symptoms. If you taper, exercise, eat a high amino acid diet, and take your Opiate Withdrawal Supplement, these mega-strategies combined will help you detox from opiate at home.
The best time to start taking your Opiate Withdrawal Supplement is right when you reach your personal “threshold” on the opiate taper schedule. The threshold is the point at which you start to feel symptoms. For some people, this will be around 30 mg of oxycodone, others might feel fine until they reach 2 mg of Suboxone. It all depends on what opiate you are taking, how long you’ve been on it, as well as many other factors.
The most effective way to use the Opiate Withdrawal Supplement is to start taking it when your symptoms from tapering arise, or at the very latest, seven days before your opiate taper ends. This gets your body primed and in top shape for the impending withdrawal. Continue taking the supplement for at least three weeks, as this takes care of the lingering symptoms such as low energy, insomnia, depression, anxiety, stomach problems, etc.
Note: The first time I tapered and used an opiate withdrawal supplement in this manner was five years ago. I ended up feeling good enough to go to work during my withdrawal, which I thought was pretty amazing since the withdrawals before that were so bad I couldn’t even leave my house due to being extremely sick.
If you can afford it, I also highly recommend taking this awesome supplement, because the benefits are just too good to pass up.
4. Start Exercising
All drugs mimic different neurotransmitters in the brain, and opiates specifically mimic endorphins, our natural painkillers (natural morphine). After taking opiates for a period of time, the brain gets used to this artificially-induced, massive supply of endorphins. Detoxing from opiates at home can be difficult because even though you’re creating less drug-induced endorphins, your body doesn’t supply you with the rest. This can lead to a massive endorphin deficiency, which makes you more susceptible to physical and emotional pain.
When people ask me how to detox from opiates at home, I always encourage them to exercise as part of their overall taper wellness plan. Swimming, jogging, walking, weight training, yoga, and other forms of exercise can help your body produce endorphins within minutes.
Exercise can help you detox from opiates at home because it:
- Improves mood
- Boosts endorphins
- Improves sleep
- Reduces pain (both physical and emotional)
- Promotes well-being
- Reverses anxiety
- Reverses depression
- Increases energy
- Improves physique
- Boosts confidence
5. Start Eating a High Amino Acid Diet
When people ask me how to detox from opiates at home, I always tell them about the endorphin-boosting and mood-enhancing effects of protein. Protein is made up of amino acids. These amino acids are directly responsible for the healthy production of neurotransmitters. Eating a diet rich in high-quality protein foods can help you produce endorphins and other mood-enhancing chemicals in the brain.
While you’re detoxing from opiates at home, it can be very beneficial to consume at least 20-30 grams of protein three times per day. I’ve been clean from opiates for over three years now, and I still eat plenty of quality proteins on a daily basis.
The following nutritional guidelines can help you detox from opiates at home:
- Eat plenty of turkey, chicken, fish, beef, cottage cheese, and other quality proteins (free-range, organic, and wild-caught are best).
- Drink plenty of water (half your body weight in ounces per day).
- Consume lots of fresh fruits, veggies, and healthy fats.
- Eliminate or decrease sugar, processed foods, and refined carbohydrates.
- Eliminate or decrease caffeine and alcohol.
- Focus mostly on organic whole foods.
6. Take Time off
Okay, so you’ve tapered your opiates, started taking your Opiate Withdrawal Supplement, and you’ve been eating healthy and exercising. Now what? Do you really want to know how to detox from opiates at home the right way? One of the most important things you can do is take time off. I encourage you to do everything in your power to ensure the first week you come off opiates you don’t have ANY responsibilities.
I don’t know if this is possible for you, but I seriously can’t emphasize the importance of doing so enough. If seven days is too much time try and at least schedule four days off from all responsibilities. The worst of the withdrawal symptoms are usually over after day four (with short-acting opiates).
7. Make an Opiate Detox Shopping List
A few days before you come off opiates completely, you’ll need to make a shopping list and gather supplies from the store.
The following items can really help:
- Water – Maintains hydration
- Gatorade – Replenishes electrolytes
- Peppermint tea – Eases nausea
- Ginger ale – Relieves stomach pain
- Imodium AD – Stops diarrhea and stomach cramping
- Advil – Relieves pain
- Icy Hot – Soothes aching and restless limbs
- Dark Chocolate – Produces endorphins and other “feel good” chemicals
- Heating pad – Eases pain
- Epsom salt – Add to hot baths to relax nervous system
- Whey protein powder – Supplies amino acids that improve mood
- Apple juice – Use as base for protein shakes
- Bananas – Rich in potassium to help relieve RLS
- Berries and other fruit – Quick energy
- Healthy food to cook – Proteins, veggies, healthy fats, and carbs
- Saltine crackers – Easy to digest for quick energy
- Blindfold – Helps you sleep
8. Complete your Opiate Detox from Home
If you’ve done the above steps correctly, you’re finally ready to detox from opiates at home. Typically, if you’re taking a short-acting opiate, the first day of opiate withdrawal is the easiest, the second day gets harder, and days three and four are the worst.
However, that being said, if you’ve done a good job tapering and are taking your Opiate Withdrawal Supplement, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.
Regardless of whether you’ve taken these steps or not, the following schedule should help you detox from opiates at home easier:
- 7:00 am: Wake up and drink a big glass of water.
- 7:15 am: Go for a long walk, jog or swim. Exercise stimulates the production of endorphins, which are your natural painkillers. This natural morphine eases opiate withdrawal symptoms quickly and effectively. I know the last thing you probably feel like doing during opiate detox is exercising, but let me tell you, it’s the absolute best natural remedy there is.
- 8:00 am: Drink a glass of water or Gatorade. Eat breakfast. Have something like a fruit smoothie with whey protein powder or a breakfast sandwich. Eat a big piece of dark chocolate.
- 9:00 am: Take a long, hot bath with two cups of Epsom salt. Taking a hot bath during opiate detox soothes aching muscles and limbs, relieves anxiety, and promotes relaxation. Adding Epsom salt helps you calm the nervous system even more, while also stimulating the production of ATP and serotonin, improving the absorption of nutrients, and flushing toxins.
- 10:00 am: Put on some extremely comfortable clothes, lay down on the couch and watch either a comedy or an inspirational movie. This will take your mind off the opiate detox and get you into a positive mindset.
- 12:00 pm: Eat lunch. Try to eat something with fish, turkey, beef or chicken if you can stomach it. The amino acids in the protein will help bolster mood-enhancing chemicals in your brain. A sample lunch would be grilled chicken, rice, and steamed veggies. Eat a big piece of dark chocolate.
- 1:00 pm: Watch another movie (comedy or inspirational).
- 3:00 pm: Take a long and hot regular bath.
- 4:00 pm: Drink a big glass of water. Eat a snack if you’re hungry.
- 4:30 pm: Watch an inspirational movie.
- 6:30 pm: Go for a long walk, jog or swim.
- 7:30 pm: Drink a glass of Gatorade and take a hot bath. Drink a glass of water after your bath.
- 8:30 pm: Eat dinner. Some good examples are fish tacos or a turkey burger. Eat a big piece of dark chocolate. 30 minutes after dinner drink a cup of peppermint or chamomile tea.
- 9:00 pm: Turn off all the lights in the house. Light some candles and listen to relaxing music. You want to avoid bright lights, the TV, computer, and any other electrical devices after 9 pm. This is when your brain starts producing melatonin to help you fall asleep. Staring at the computer or other lights tricks your brain into thinking it’s still daytime, and this interferes with the production of sleep-inducing melatonin.
- 9:30 pm: Start writing in a journal. Write about all of the things you are going to do with your life once you complete your opiate detox from home.
- 10:00 pm: Start reading a self-help book by candlelight and go to bed as soon as you get sleepy. Make sure to get to bed before 12:00 am. Also make sure the room you sleep in is cool, quiet, and dark. If you don’t get good sleep then don’t worry, lack of sleep won’t kill you.
Note: This is just a sample of what a day of a planned opiate detox at home could look like. You can switch it up and adjust things as you see fit. Make sure to drink plenty of liquids throughout the day. Avoid alcohol, coffee, and energy drinks at all costs!!!
*If the food I mentioned doesn’t sound good then don’t worry…simply eat what sounds good to your body. If you have any diarrhea take Imodium AD. If you have aching muscles and limbs take Advil and rub Icy Hot on the problem areas.
*Don’t Google anything about opiate detox! Stay out of the forums! Most of the people on forums aren’t professionals and give horrible advice. I’ve cringed after reading several of the things people on these sites have recommended. Sometimes there is good information, but usually, this is not the case.
If you want more information about detoxing from opiates at home, just read my blog. There is a ton of information that you will find valuable.
9. Stay Clean!
If you follow the first eight steps detoxing from opiates at home can be easy. I know it’s possible because I’ve done it! The real challenge is staying clean. You are going to feel like using in the next few weeks or months. Don’t give in! Continue taking your Opiate Withdrawal Supplement, exercising, and eating healthy.
Continue writing in your journal and reading your self-help book. Start another book as soon as you finish the first one. Feeding your mind is essential for developing a healthy recovery free of addiction. If you’ve been purchasing opiates illegally then I recommend deleting your dealer’s phone number. It would also be wise to change your number.
Natural Pain Relief and PAWS
If you are one of the many people who was originally prescribed opiates for issues with pain, you might benefit from learning about natural remedies for pain relief.
I’ve written an article completely devoted to this titled:
Also, now that you’re going to live life without opiates, there is a high percentage chance you will go through Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS), which is a set of symptoms that manifest after the acute withdrawal.
To combat this disorder, please refer to the following article:
Final Thoughts
Learning how to live life without opiates can be difficult. We get so used to using opiates to give us energy and happiness. The next few months after detoxing from opiates at home will test you. The first 90 days after getting clean is when 90% of people relapse. Don’t let it happen to you!
I’ve been clean for over three years now, and I feel better than I have in my entire life at the age of 36. It took me about six months to really feel amazing after I got clean, so I encourage you to be patient. It takes the body some time to recover from all the brain chemistry imbalances that opiate addiction created or exacerbated.
Find other people who have quit opiates to talk with and use them as your support group during this early recovery phase. I have faith that you will stay clean now that you’ve learned how to detox from opiates at home. Click here now to view my best home detox program.
If you have any questions on how to detox from opiates at home, please don’t hesitate to post them in the comment box below. Good luck, and take care. 🙂
Hi Jay, I’ve been using opiates for roughly 20 years- I have a bunch of Methadone as I was on clinic and stopped taking it as I was using so I stored up thousands of MG. I was going to try to use it to taper, but am torn between doing it quickly like 14 days 30mg to start down 2 a day- or maybe 30 days coming down 7 a week. Do you think this would help using the methadodone like they do in many detoxes to get thru the brunt of the symptoms then going at it from there? Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated!!! Please help I cannot do this alone but have too many responsibilities to just stay home for weeks in bed. ANY ADVICE IS APPRECIATED!! Thanks again
I have diydracodine 30mg with a detox chart of 15 days I’m injecting 2 grams a day but want to switch to smoking it before I attempt switching to dyhdracodiene is the possible to switch from injecting to smoking and how long roughly would it take and save amounts to start the detox
Im read this article cause I want an change an life. I’m tired of happening to depend on needing Percocets to get through my day, I’m tired that I feel that I need them everyday. It’s an addiction already and I don’t like it, these things are eating me inside dead. Im working as beast as I can to get off them but since February I’ve been taking then non stop. My mom passed away on March, I started abusing them more. I wanna stop.
Hi Matt, I left another comment on another article as well. I’ve been trying to get in touch with you for a couple months. Looking for support in getting off of Kratom properly. I’ve read as much info as you’ve provided that I can. Thank you! I’m looking for some support. I wrote to you about working with you in coaching twice a month/2months ago though never heard back and I just emailed again today. I’d also be interested in just having one phone session with you and see what’s possible. Please let me know if there’s any possibility of that. Also curious what you’d recommend for tapering with kratom and when to fully stop. Also do you take the Opiate Withdrawal Supplement during tapering or only when you get off? If I taper for a certain amount of time is it possible to have no major withdrawal symptoms? I’ve already tried to stop CT on my own though way too much suffering than I wanted to handle. I’ve considered getting rehab help from local detox centers & doctors though I don’t want to go on suboxone or methadone I know that with the proper natural supplements and tapering and lifestyle I could make it through. It would really help to be able to communicate with you. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks for all youre doing.
Jerry,
This is my story. 7 years ago I began taking Hydrocodone for a bad back injury at work. I have not worked in the last 4 years due to my back pain and I am not a candidate for back surgery on my herniated discs in my lower back due to other problems in my back. My Doctor has listed me as a person with chronic pain…I have been taking approximately 80 – 100 mg. of Hydrocodone and washing them down in the evening with at least a few beers. I decided to quit the pain medicine cold turkey about 35 days ago. It has been complete HELL!! I have No energy and I mean No energy to do anything and I am a person that walks 5 miles a day and very active this is killing me and I am willing to try other things to help ease the pain. I am looking for suggestions here?
I’m on day 4 of a detox from 4 years of continuous MST for nerve injuries from a car accident.
I decided to stop from fear I may not be able to and decided it was now or never, plus the painkilling effect seemed to have been lost through tolerance. Like a negative feedback loop the solution of increasing dose and making it harder to quit did not appeal to me, besides even at best the MST dulled my nerve pain rather than making it vanish.
So I slowly reduced my dose until I got to 20mg, thought of my experience with quitting cigarettes and took my last dose. I expected it to be tough, I was wrong it has been beyond tough. I expected fairly mild withdrawal effects but what Iv experienced has been anything but mild, easily worst Iv felt during my life – worse than serious injuries in a car accident, worse than failed back surgey and much worse than any illness I have had. However I am determined and I think Iv got through the worst of the physical symptoms.
I should feel pleased with myself, but I feel really flat – I guess if I could sleep that might help and realise that the battle has just began. I will have severe nerve pain for life and will have to find an alternative non opiate painkiller.
I really never enjoyed taking the MST and don’t wish to take it again, but one repeating thought does rather frighten me – I know there is no way I could get through this again, so if I do relapse that’s me stuck on these things for good. That’s not what I want, so I guess that’s my motivational tool.
Seriously? How do you get the strengths for OxyContin to fast taper?
I blew it. 250-270 mg OxyContin and ran out after I got down to 240 mg.
Now I am calling an ambulance – what now?
Well good luck to everyone there’s a lot to deal with getting off opioits. I’m 35 days in opiot Free and feel so good my support was minimal due to me not working. I used a lot to get off and wasn’t taking any chances of failure Kratom valium Imodium 6 three times a day 4-7 Grams Kratom 3 times a day Conazapan 1.0 3 times a day for 5 days then dropped valium in gym everyday Zumba classes started L-Theanine 1200 a day to calm me went down on Kratom to 4 grams a day pretty emotional day 4-day 10 also took 4000 mg C & B 12 multi vitamin still but I’d have to say being in the gym everyday and getting energy from Kratom I’ve done it and I’d say I’m Never going back my sex drive is back strong my head got clear by day 21 I’m Normal again and love it. I did it without Withdrawals I’m working out 7 days a week and in the gym too pumping iron. I was on Percocets 300 a month for years and in the last 8 months Herrion and fentanyl daily omg so good to be clean
Kratom is God’s gift to us it will deal with pain and your energy aswell sleeping wasn’t easy for 15 days or so and now I passout as I’m falling to my pillow lol
Thankyou Matt for all the people you’ve helped
I’ve done it yaaa
Good luck to everyone there’s such a better life now
Kirk
Thank you for this – truly inspiring!
Hey Matt,
When you first start quitting opiates in my case it’s hydromorphone(snorted). What helps with the strong urges on thinking it’s ok to use again after feeling like crap for a few days. As soon as I start feeling good it consumes my thoughts, its so depressing and a viscious cycle.
Hi Josh,
I have the perfect article for you to answer this question in detail. It has a detailed plan that shows you all the things you can do after the acute opiate withdrawal to lessen or eliminate those urges. Here it is:
How To Stop Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome From Opiates>>
Matt,
A family member of mine did the tapering and hasn’t taken her pain medication OxyContin sine August 8, 2017. She is doing this on her own and still working. She was also diagnosed with sleep apnea about 4 years ago. Her dependcy symptoms are gone. However she’s having stomach issues, no taste buds, lost 20-30 lbs, and still is not sleeping well at all, and constantly has to urinate. Sleep medication does not help either. Was on colonopine but stopped taking it. Agitation level is still high on some days. Now a little over 30 days into this. Any suggestions on if any of this is normal and what helps.
Thank you.
Hi Mike,
Does rivotril fall under the category of opiates.
Also I am in the process of tapering from 2 mg rivotril. I do some weight training. What I would like to know if its ok to take mass gainers as I have lost weight and in the process muscles.
do you advise taking calm support and elimidrol or just use one of them?
thank you,
lots of good info
Hi Sonda, Elimidrol or Calm Support but not both. Simply choose one.
Love all the stories definitely helps you stay strong
Glad you enjoyed the stories Donna. Stay strong!
I been following your guidelines and this is my 4th time detox at home. Your guideline has help me keeping a routine!! Which helps a lot when you feel crappy. Also I just wanted to add I been taking one red Kramton pill every other day for the first 6 days and that helped a lot with rest legs!! Good luck all .. God bless
Matt I was on meds for my back for ten years. I was injured in an auto accident . they told me I was lucky to be alive but I would be having back pain for the rest of my life. All of a sudden he decided to take me off cold turkey. I cannot take this.
Hi, I’ve been taking Subutex for about 10 years and I’m finally at a point where I am motivated to stop taking it. Unfortunately I have been insuffelating it for at least the past 6yrs. I am thinking about doing the mega sodium ascorbate method to help minimize withdrawal. I am also curious about kratom and I was wondering if using kratom along with mega dosing sodium ascorbate is something that would work. I am terrified of going through withdrawals remembering how horrible and how long it lasted when quit taking tramadol years ago. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Dave
Have you heard of the Bridge Device? It has helped many people.
Apologies if this comes out as naive but I’m trying to research as much as possible.
Background, cycling accident two broken wrists and ribs. Co-codamol 30/500mg then codeine phosphate 30mg. It’s been four months since the accident and my amount increased even though pain had gone. Max per day I was taking was 240-300mg a day sometimes up to 400mg. I now take roughly 90-120mg after a slowish taper. I know it doesn’t compare to oxys or H but if I stop taking them I still feel bad withdrawals and can’t take time off work again. I’m hoping that next week I will be down to 60-90 a day and then I’m just going to try and use a bit of Imodium for cramps and vitamins for anything I lack. I recently bought some dlpa l tyrosine and ltheanine along with 5htp as the reason I have used codeine in the past was because I don’t think I’ve ever stopped for long enough to recover completely. Since some dental work ten years ago I been off and on chasing silly highs. Used Kratom too. All work but I’ve never had the knowledge to tackle the smallest withdrawals. I finally feel ready to quit now and I just wonder what I’m going to expect over the next few weeks. I’m hoping the PAWS won’t really apply to me for such a small time user but I thought the supplements might boost my happiness and stop me seeking pleasure from fast acting drugs.
I know you’re not a doctor but any input would be great.
Date quitting should be roughly 1/06/2017
Thanks
Hello……so glad to find these posts and comments, I was going in circles scouring various info boards, getting nowhere.
Desperate to quit a ten year Tramadol addiction, and definitely need support for atrocious muscle and joint pain, with RLS that can make me scream in misery. Month after month I run out of Tramadol very early, and endure precipitate w/d…..at 60 this is no joke. I cannot live like this any more: effectively sornding 6 months in 12 ferling likectoadkill, due to sudden withdrawal ….as it is I have let me entire life go down the drain…..dunno if I am still there, without Tramadol.
(Lyrica has helped the RLS, a lot… but not a scrap of the pain)
Rambling away here…..just, thanks for clean and clear info here…it has helped me decide that this time I will succeed, and find my old self again.
Who wants to be a desperate pill-popping 60 year old?
🙏🏻
Hi Cal,
Glad you are liking the info here. And I have an article that is tailor-suited for you that I know you’ll love:
How To Get Off Tramadol Without Withdrawal>>
Thanks so much Matt xc
My pleasure. 🙂
Thank you Matt for all your help. I am on day 16 of jumping off after tapering down to 10 mg/day of methadone. The PAWS are still very rough and I know they will be for some time. Mainly unbearable fatigue and muscle/joint pain (that “ass feeling,” so to speak…..and pardon my French, sorry).
Hi Jay, I’ve been using opiates for roughly 20 years- I have a bunch of Methadone as I was on clinic and stopped taking it as I was using so I stored up thousands of MG. I was going to try to use it to taper, but am torn between doing it quickly like 14 days 30mg to start down 2 a day- or maybe 30 days coming down 7 a week. Do you think this would help using the methadodone like they do in many detoxes to get thru the brunt of the symptoms then going at it from there? Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated!
i am trying to taper down my tylenol 4’s. i used to take 2 at a time 2-3 times a day, now i take 1@3/4 twice a day. i just started this. once in the a.m and once in the p.m then after a week, go down 1/4 each week. the problem i have is that to make it through the day i rely on 10 grams of kratom. it gets me through until night time. this is probably wrong…but isn’t kratom easier to get off of than codeine? i would love some input if you can give it…………lisa
Lisa,
Most say that Kratom is much easier to stop than opioids, while there are others that do have a difficult time. To answer your question about using the same protocol -Yes. Taper the Kratom. You may want to consider Calm Support for the taper and a couple weeks when you’re off, or start supplementing with dopamine producing supplements. I would highly recommend having loperamide (generic immodium) on hand for Kratos withdrawal.
The blog has a ton of articles with different medications and supplements that help fight any withdrawal.
~Mary
OAS RECOVERY SPECIALIST
*DISCLAIMER – Any suggestions given here should not be considered medical advice since I am not affiliated with the medical field. Please consult with your Dr before starting any supplements, otc/prescribed medications, exercise regime or changing your diet.
BTW- melatonin is a life saver.. just thought you should know.
I can get thru the restless legs, the UTI, the many trips to the potty, the am I cold- no I’m hot as hell nights, I CAN NOT GET OVER THE MIND FUCKS- the “this would be sooo much better of a day if I only had a perc” I love taking that pill- it makes me the life of the party- it helps me be the me I want to really be. I’m usually shy. an introvert – but a Percocet makes me want to talk to people, I’m nicer, I’m outgoing, it helps me get thru a family gathering without a fight…. but I know it’s killing my body & I hate the idea of turning into a junkie when this wonderful pill no longer works it magic making me want the next level. 30 pills used to last 30-45 days.. now I’m lucky to last 10! used to be a half now I need a pill and a half to have that I love everybody feeling.. the withdrawals suck but I’m not a pussy- I’ll live. I just don’t know how to get over THINKING ABOUT WANTING JUST ONE MORE!! Everything is better with a pill- help me to reset my thinking!!
Margo,
This takes nothing other than time. Putting your Recovery first and foremost and working every minute of every day to have a better life. Remember, urges only typically last about 10 seconds. However if you dont get your mind off of it there are 8,640/10 seconds a day, so this is a whole lot of urges to have! lol. The trick is when you think of percs, get busy. Vigorous exercise will help get your mind off it, and will help produce dopamine making the withdrawal symptoms much less. Start writing if you like that or start a new hobby that you enjoy. It takes work to reset our brain’s reward system that has become agitated with you because you are trying to stop giving it what it wants. Just keep fighting those thoughts and they will get easier.
~Mary
OAS Recovery Specialist
Hi Matt, my name is Kim i’ve been an opiate addict about 24yrs have gone cold turkey from Heroin MANY times and finally started getting my Heroin behaviour under control going onto the methadone programme. Over the years I’ve been in and out of rehabs specifically to get off Methadone, after tapering down over long periods. Reading some posts from above I felt compelled to give my account of “Lofexidine” must have been mid to late 90s I was living in London at the time I had managed a reduction down to about 5 or 10mg of Methadone and went into a detox unit that were trialing Lofexidine i can say without a doubt for me it was THE WORST DRUG I’ve ever had the misfortune to use. I lasted 10 days of a 14 day programme and signed myself out. I was lucky enough to have a great doctor who listened to me and accepted my experience and wrote me up pure Codeine I stabilised on Codeine and then slowly reduced out. I will write more of my story later but really wanted to share about Lofexidine, Ive yet to meet an addict who had anything good to say about the drug. The side affects were worse than cold turkey on METHADONE. Everyone is different and it may be ok for some, anything is worth a try. I can write more on Lofexidine if anyone is interested. All these years later I still quiver with the sheer thought of that drug. I remember telling nursing staff that the drug company needed to go back to the drawing board.. My history is long and complex. I now live in Sydney Lofexidine is not used in Australia. I agree strongly with your advice a slow tapper, exercise, good food, supplements and for “some only” very short term Benzodiazepines at certain stage of detox in the long run is THE best way to beat Opiate addiction. Im finally clear of Heroin and Methadone now slowly tapering off last legs of Suboxone 8/2mg strips 1 strip now lasting me about 5 days. Hard to know exactly what I’m on, as i cut strips up. At 1st cutting one strip down to 3/4 then half etc now one strip I’m cutting into 5 pieces. My aim is to be free within 2 -3 weeks TOPS. Im buying strips on street BUT have had advice from from great doctors and drug workers as well as addicts. Im going slow and steady as Im nursing a dying mother and have other big responsibilities on my plate. Im SO close now and finally see a future Opiate free. Id like to thank you for the endless help advice and encouragement that you are giving addicts. Its a long hard often isolating lonely journey. I wish everyone the best and know from my own story living substance free is achievable, its an individual exploration and we must each find our personal way in our own time frame. I would appreciate any advice from anyone who has long history like myself and who has also tapered off Suboxone. warmest regards KIM
Matt, thank you and God bless your continued efforts to help those of us who struggle. My drug is Tramadol for 5yrs 400 to 600mg / day. At 68 y/o after many attempts to come off, I know God orchestrated my finding your course. I am working through each section, also reading info re: supplementation.
Hi Sadie,
I’m so happy the course is helping you! Also, very pleased God is guiding you on your path! As for your question: If it were me, I would use both of those together during a taper, however, one must always check with a doctor before trying any new supplements. They are awesome supplements.
Matt,
Great site. Has been super helpful. I’m wondering something…..would a mixture of gabapentin, tramadol, and immodium help to really minimize withdrawals. I need to get clean but I have two young ones and I can’t be dope sick with them around. Any advice is great! Thank you again!
As an opiate addict I would like to say that contrary to what some believe. …Tramadol is one of the worst drugs I’ve ever had to detox from……its not as bad in the long run as Vicodin ect….but the onset of withdrawals were immediate for me. And almost unbearable. I asked my Dr and pharmacist both what family is tramadol considered a part of and both told me A sister of demerol…..only it is said that the makers of tramadol took out certain habit forming ingredients. While this may be true……they forgot or didn’t know and missed something. And this is now why it is considered a controlled substance. Stay away from tramadol if you can. Granted it is a great pain reliever but the consequences of taking it are not pleasant At all;< Just be careful of this drug….research it and then decide. Good luck
I can agree with tramadol. Dr’s have been giving it to me for over 30 years due to severe car accident. 1 missed pill I feel symptoms. Brain schocks, this noise in my head. It’s horrifying. Then once in awhile they give norco to. Then laws or diffrent doc comes along everything changes. So sick of living this way.
I have been on 25 to 40mg of oxycodone for approx eight months for severe back, hip and knee pain! I never took pain meds like this until now and I am 69 years old! Please help me get off of them without getting too sick as I have very high anxiety, panic attacks and depression all chronic since I was a teen! Thank you!
As someone who has used just about every opiate known to man, most of the information on this website is good advice. I used to go through medicine cabinets and Google every prescription I wasn’t familar with to see if they had any effect on my opioid receptors so I could go another day without being sick. One time, without reading all the way to the side effects, I took a handful of Talwin, which relieved my sickness, but also gave me severe out-of-body hallucinations for the next few hours. The only thing I would suggest changing here is the use of opiates to detox off of opiates. I think the decade-old question of whether Imodium crosses the blood-brain barrier has been answered by the epidemic we’re in the midst of. Go look at the empty Imodium section in your local Wal-Mart if you still have doubts. They now sell 200 count bottles. Because of the half-life the withdrawals go on. and on. and on. Please do not use Imodium, an opiate that gives you a great opiate high in large doses, to detox from other opiates. You will regret it. I have several friends that can attest to this. Cheers!
Hi Matt, I’m about to go to bed so haven’t managed to read all your site but will do tomorrow. I have been trying to get clean from opiates for 3 years now, been doing really well lately, managed to taper down off my methadone but I’m suffering withdrawals as expected, I hate the sickness but don’t want to relapse now, I’ve been to doc to ask for something for withdrawals, I’ve done a hell of a lot of research and I know there are drugs that help but if they’re benzos docs are reluctant to given them, clonodine is apparently supposed to be very good but doc said NO!! I asked for a small script of Xanax, Valium or clonazepam, I only want 1-2 weeks supply to get me through this tough time but the doc is not giving me anything and I’m being forced to buy street drugs that I don’t even know what’s in these tablets, if they’re even real or fake, prob fake and too costly. I have spoke to a person over the phone at a rehab centre who mentioned lofexidine (Britlofex) brand name. I’m at the docs today not the one I spoke of earlier, my methadone doc, the guy who told me about lofexidine said it is not a benzo and is not addictive/habit forming. I’d this is the case then I can’t see why a doc can’t prescribe for me it is designed primarily for opiate withdrawal and is non habit forming or addictive I’m really hoping he will prescribe it for me. Have you heard of this lofexidine and can you advice me about it in any way PLEASE!!! I’m at docs at 4pm uk time. If you can reply before then that would be great. Thanks for all your hard work your doing to help others do the hard work themselves. I salute your work.
Kind regards
Dean
Hi Dean,
I hadn’t heard about lofexidine until you mentioned it. But upon doing some research, I quickly found an article which shows that it had better results than clonidine in patients detoxing from opiates. Here is the study:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11516922
Also, gabapentin is another medication that has been shown in multiple studies to reduce symptoms, and many people I’ve talked to personally stated they used it with great success. Here is an article I wrote on it:
How To Use Gabapentin For Opiate Withdrawal
Gabapentin has horrible withdrawal symptoms… DO NOT TAKE UNLESS YOU WANT TO COME OFF IT W/BAD WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS… THEY ARE JUST AS BAD AS OPIATES…FAR WARNING…ALSO, GAB IS HIGHLY ADDICTIVE…SIGNED, BEEN THERE, SO DON’T TAKE GAB!!!…
misses pinkie,
Many have been able to use gabapentin as a short term solution to dealing with acute withdrawal symptoms. Yes, as it states in the article about using gabapentin, dependence to gabapentin can occur if it is used for very long. This dependence will cause serious withdrawal when stopping. That is why it is only recommended to use it short term.
~Mary
OAS RECOVERY SPECIALIST
Hey Matt do you think oxycottons will help me get off heroin if I took 5mg tablet for three to four days
hi matt how do you know when the sypmtomes from withdrawal of methadone at home is gone, today is my son’s 5th day without it, he still can’t sleep and he’s too quiet is this normal?
Victoria how long has your son been on methadone and at what does was he taking it on a daily basis?
I am on my own have eno friends or family that don’t understand no girl friend also why I ask why give heroin up but am sick of the well any advice on giving heroin up I gett paid in 2 days time butt I been off heroin just 3 days I don’t inject just smoke a small rap a day about 7pounds ad say been off it 3 days am 38 now no mates no wife or girl everywhere I go I go alone also I AV had bad anxiety very long now years long time
Matt. Your website has been our go to as my husband detoxes from a severe Suboxone addiction. Thank you for reaching out to others going through the same thing! I have a quick question. I know you said the blood pressure meds Clonidine help w restlessness and anxiety and might help the body spasms that have been plaguing my husband at night. What about Carvedilol (Coreg)? Would that prescription help similarly? Thank you!
Maddie I’m so glad to hear this website has been a helpful resource for your husband’s Suboxone detox. As for your question:
In my opinion as well as many experts, carvedilol doesn’t work nearly as well as clonidine for opiate withdrawal, which is why doctors prescribe clonidine and not carvedilol. Clonidine is a sympatholytic medication while carvedilol is a beta-blocker, so while they both reduce bp, and while they can both be helpful for withdrawal, their mechanisms of action differ, and clonidine wins for reducing symptoms in my opinion.
Here is a comparison chart of these two medications I encourage you to review:
Carvedilol vs Clonidine
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. This comment is for informational use only. It’s not intended to treat, diagnose, or prevent any disease. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, trying any new supplements, medications, exercise or opiate tapering programs.
Try the Kratom..My husband ran out of pills yesterday and the pain clinic discharged him because his pill count was off. No one would give him a script last night and we just happened to have Kratom we purchased several weeks ago for when he was going to try to wean off pills. Kratom kept him from going through withdrawal symptoms COMPLETELY!!!! He took to much because he was freaking out about it and ended up with a hangover this morning but he is doing great.
Where can u get thiz frm
Where do you purchase kratom from please let me know I’m quitting cold turkey and I’m in bad way