Best Way to Kick

[Pandora]

Alright, I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. For a long time I have been able to maintain my habit without too much trouble. However, over the past few months, it's been getting more and more out of control. In the past, I never wanted to quit because I had everything under control, but I really no longer feel like I do.

So, I'm asking your opinion: what's the best way to kick?

A.) Cold Turkey
B.) C/T with comfort meds (i.e. clonodine, immodium, benzos, whatever)
C.) Sub or Methodone Maintenance
D.) Taper
E.) Other

If other, let me know what it is!

[drkstarcrashes]

Alright, I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. For a long time I have been able to maintain my habit without too much trouble. However, over the past few months, it's been getting more and more out of control. In the past, I never wanted to quit because I had everything under control, but I really no longer feel like I do.

So, I'm asking your opinion: what's the best way to kick?

A.) Cold Turkey
B.) C/T with comfort meds (i.e. clonodine, immodium, benzos, whatever)
C.) Sub or Methodone Maintenance
D.) Taper
E.) Other

If other, let me know what it is!

If you have insurance and are able to use it, I would suggest checking into a detox center...or have it done at a hospital. Whether you decide to stick around for the rehab part would be up to you. I would avoid subs or MMT if at all possible...cause you'll still have to kick eventually. I've always been a fan of getting the shit over with ASAP, but to each their own. If you have comfort meds mentioned above...and you don't already have a problem with benzos...you could always try doing it yourself. The obvious problem with doing it on your own like that is the relative ease in which you can give up and go cop. Good luck with whatever path you take. There is a lot of support available on this forum...

[Oxydation]

Once upon a time, almost a year to this date, I checked myself into a Detox Facility here in SoCal; after realizing I no longer had 'things' under control. I made the mistake of letting myself run out of all my favorite Opiates, no more usable 'pins' and no funds to turn back. I thought I could handle it. I mean, okay, a couple days of hell and I'm all good, right? Fuck that...I had just abruptly stopped a voyage that had begun almost 27 years ago (specifically with Opies - about nine years). I thought I was going to die. I did not realize how much help all of those previous tapers had done for me in the past and figured I could just jump off if I had the will.

I did pretty well after 10 days in Detox and managed to regain a normal life for almost two months before I was back at the same game I had left. My big faux pas was that I simply did not want to quit bad enough to make it last.

Long story short, I believe for me the best method of kicking would be a well planned taper off Opiates accompanied by a manageable dose of Benzo's, exercise and decent diet. Unfortunately, I am not ready to give it all up.

Currently, I am on Suboxone although I taper off of those periodically for little vacations here and there. I still continue to fill my scripts for Subs...just in case I need help in the future but the simple fact is it's just another evil to kick when you want out.

[pharmboy]

Best way to kick? = Not at all

.
But if you insist, Valium tons and tons of Valium.

[RxQueen]

i guess it really depends on a lot of factors, like how long you've been using, your tolerance, the substance you're trying to kick, and your own personal preferences and inclinations.

for any opiates, i prefer the CT w/ comfort meds. for benzos, there's no way to go but a taper. but everyone's different. if someone's been keeping a habit going for a long period of time, it may be possible to kick only with some form of replacement like done or subs. and some people just don't have the ability to do it on their own without an inpatient detox. (that says absolutely NOTHING about anyone's strength or willpower... it's just differences between individuals).

then again, maybe i don't have much room for speculation on this topic... i've never ever had the urge to really quit anything for good. i've had to kick opies several times for various reasons, and i went through a horrible benzo WD to get myself away from a long physical dependence. but i never had any intentions of NEVER doing any of them again. hell, i've never even tried once to quit smoking cigarettes!

but i suppose my main point is that the "best" way to kick is a really subjective thing. everyone has to find the method that works best for them.

[SpecialGuy69]

If you have the willpower, a long, comfortable methadone or sub taper is the least painful. The problem most people have with tapers is they jump off at too high of a dose. A lot of people think they will be okay jumping off at 30mg/day of methadone because that's where they got on, or at 2mg/day of sub cause it just sounds so low.

I wouldnt jump off a methadone taper until I had spent several weeks at 5mg every other day, or .1mg every other day for subutex.

Let me know if you need some help! Good luck!

[Raz]

Pandora. The best way for you and advice about kickin is; put your old pic back up and you;ll have more responses then ya can handle!!!!http://forum.opiophile.org/images/icons/icon12.gif

Seriously though, a slow taper wiv some meds that you wont get opi high on...B4 i got sucked in, a methadone 2/3 week taper always worked for me...

But if your addiction/tolerance isnt that high, maybe sedating yourself,through a detox would be ok.All depends on how much feelin like shit ya can handle.And if ya can sleep/sedate ya self through the worse, youll be ok.Trust me ;im a doctor.........And a brain surgeon etc...

Wishin ya well...

[limitless_euphoria]

Having just been through kicking I have a few things I can offer up in terms of advice.

First, I find whatever I've had to do the many times I've kicked it helps a lot to make sure you keep up your intake of fluids and force yourself to eat SOMETHING along the way albeit crackers/toast or what not. If you have access to benzos, they help the process along quite a bit. Marijuana is also helpful FOR SOME PEOPLE during EARLY w/d but if you use it when you start to w/d hard it might make things even worse.

If you have bupe as an option, I think a bupe taper works very well. If you happen to have methadone or be more partial towards it and have experience using it to taper I suppose that's a viable option too. I know some detox centers use bupe, some methadone, and still others just clonidine. Clonidine hasn't done jack shit for me in the past but it works for some (hit or miss) kind of like tramadol.

Now if you don't have bupe/methadone and you have to use your DOC you could try reducing your dosage by the 1/3 every 4th day formula (I've verified with a doctor that it's a very legit and commonly practiced protocol).

If that's not doable due to $ or availability you could always try stepping down to less and less powerful opiates. Let's say you reduced the number of bags of H you did over the course of the last few days you planned on using. Perhaps after that you could fall back on some OC and then norco/lortab. For some people that can work (if you're not using a monster amount of dope) and for others it's a waste of time.

I guess if all else fails and you have to go C/T thank goodness for loperamide and whatever other OTC things you might be able to get your hands on—assuming that C/T is saying you're restricting yourself to only what's available OTC. If you want to go "balls to the wall" and NO HELP WHATSOEVER from ANY SUBSTANCE all the power to you!

Also, make sure you have something to do whether it's a book to read, TV/DVDs to watch, video games.... anything because kicking with nothing to do the whole time makes it a LOT worse.

I've finally just gotten stable after my last kick. I guess I do have bupe to thank but a lot of it is just knuckling down and dealing with whatever happens as best you can. Good luck to anyone out there who is about to go through it as I just did (I'm just about nearing the 96 hour mark).

IT DEFINITELY CAN BE DONE HOWEVER STAYING CLEAN IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT MATTER.

[candyshop]

i voted for bupe or methadone

i simply do not have the self control to taper(if i have enough to taper with ,then i have enough to ingest all at once and get really fucked up)

way way way too pussy to go ct

comfort meds bring me no comfort

i do not know if i will ever be able to get off the bupe now (weirdly for me it helps quite a bit w/the pain)
am much more likely to switch back to meds ,or methadone,or go street pharmacy

pretty sure i will need something forever

[allover]

I've gotta say that suboxone has been working great for me. I don't really think about getting high anymore. I still think about it occasionally, but it's not like a real craving anymore like it used to be. This is my first time kicking for more than a couple of weeks without heroin or oxy. So I would say that subs have worked GREAT for me. I am still on subs and probably will be for a couple more months. I hear what you folks are saying about it just being another thing to kick, but I just feel it will be much easier as I can just taper down. Since the subs don't get me high there won't be that mental craving urge to go back to it/opiates. Maybe I'm wrong about that as I havent tried to get off the subs yet, but it seems like it would be much more easy than trying to taper or go cold turkey.....I will find out in a couple months for sure though.

[Narkotikon]

I think RxQueen was right--it depends on several factors. If you've got a small habit or haven't been using very long, I'd vote for CT with comfort meds. If you've been using for a while and have a fairly high tolerance though, I'd say tapering is the best. Ideally I'd say the best way would be to check into a detox center, one that uses either methadone or Subs to gradually ween you off. That way you wouldn't be as likely to go out and use, because you'd be in an environment with professionals you could talk to. Tapering at home is possible, but it takes a lot of self-control. I would never advise plain CT. I know that opiate w/d is rarely fatal, but it's hell. For me, it's like you're loosing your mind, and I become a raging bitch. I've never been able to go CT without meds unless I've already weened myself down to a ridiculously low amount. Oh, and I voted for tapering.

[Suboxstitute]

I had to go on bupe. I could NOT taper. "If it was in the house it was in my mouth". I could have 90 pills (I was only doing hydro or oxy IR at the time) and it would always be "well, I'll take 5-6 and get high, and worry about how to get more.... tomorrow."

Then tomorrow would come. And tomorow and tomorrow and tomorrow. And I could NOT taper. Tried EVERYTHING and having a significant other hold the pills is, in my opinion, a recipe for disaster especially if said SO (in my case, husband) is totally straight and does not GET it. Does not GET the addiction.

So I had to go the bupe route, and I've tapered from 24mg starting dose to 5mg, often 4 never more than 6mg. Except for a little binge I went on a about a month ago. Different thread.

So that is my story. I am comfortable, not chasing the next high, can think clearly, and it makes the family happy.

I hope to hell to be on bupe no more than 8 months (I started in August 07) since it is fucking up everything from an oral surgery (can't have IV sedation since it uses fent and bupe will knock it off the receptors) and can't even have a colonoscopy (and I am the age to have one - same reason).

So it causes other unforseen problems. But at your age you shouldn't have to worry about pain management and what will happen if you need it while on bupe (unless you are in a car accident or something).

So unless you think you have the willpower to taper, I'd go the bupe route.

CT never worked for me either. Day three I was crawling the walls and seeking shit like crazy.

My .02. GOOD LUCK. And bupe does not have to be forever, where 'done can often turn out that way.

[I-Nod]

Time... that's all it takes, and nuttin' else. Well... unless I could be on a medically induced coma for the duration.

Hope you get things back under control, Pandora! Sending good vibes. :)

[skank69]

I think anyway you do it it's gona suck . i know someone that did it with the done long and slow it was a year after takeing her last dose of done and she said she still did'nt feel 100 % better and far from it . i wonder how long it really takes to be back to the way it used to be .

[jonny-5]

the best way comfort wise would be taper a lil bit and then use bupe. but ive found that going cold turkey and experiencing a few weeks of withdrawls gives me more strength to stay away from heroin. it makes me remember what i went through to get off, and it sticks with me for a long time and i dont wanna go through it again. when i kick with bupe, i tend to relapse much sooner cause i know that i can just use bupe and not have to feel as sick.

obviously, we use pain killers because we dont like pain, whether it be physical or emotional, so we tend to choose the least painless way possible. the only times i have ever been able to kick cold turkey were when i had absolutely NO access to any opiates. unless that is the case, there is no way im able to do it. i mean, ive found that i cant even switch to bupe even though i have enough to last 6 months because i still have access to money and dope. it sucks because i want to quit, but i cant. i guess i just dont want it bad enough.

[youwonhundred]

As far as I'm concerned, the best way to kick is not to. Seriously though, methadone and subs are really just prolonging the inevitable, so not my choice. If I had the willpower (I don't) to do a proper taper down to negligible doses, then just go cold turkey with support meds, thats probably what would work best for me. Since I don't have the requisite willpower, I generally have as much fun as possible with the meds I have on hand, then just go CT with some lope, benadryl, phenergan, benzo's and clonodine (or whatever combination I can manage to scrounge up). A couple shots of Jager generally help too, but some folks end up developing a problem with the sauce, so YMMV on that.

[Chicago]

I GOTTA SAY b,c,d,e.
all but cold turkey.

meth I take to get my life back together, to go back in the real world & work & get structure back in my life, while feeling ok then slowly tapering.

If I use meds, k-pins,clondine, levsin for the runny eyes +nose & stomach cramps, methocarbanol for all the leg & back cramps. Then for sleep to make it not another benzo, I say serquel 20mg b4 bed, trazadone or elevil, will help a bit w/all them as a combo.:)

Alright, I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. For a long time I have been able to maintain my habit without too much trouble. However, over the past few months, it's been getting more and more out of control. In the past, I never wanted to quit because I had everything under control, but I really no longer feel like I do.

So, I'm asking your opinion: what's the best way to kick?

A.) Cold Turkey
B.) C/T with comfort meds (i.e. clonodine, immodium, benzos, whatever)
C.) Sub or Methodone Maintenance
D.) Taper
E.) Other

If other, let me know what it is!

[nick]

I hate to say this,but whatever you do it's gonna hurt.Much luck and I hope your pain passes quickly.

[Chicago]

you %100 correct, anyway u gonna do this it gonna be hard, but it's the long hall that is the worst.
STAYING CLEAN:rolleyes:

I hate to say this,but whatever you do it's gonna hurt.Much luck and I hope your pain passes quickly.

[underide]

you %100 correct, anyway u gonna do this it gonna be hard, but it's the long hall that is the worst.
STAYING CLEAN

Yes, them Long Halls are most certainly a bitch.
WAY too much walking! ;)


(wasn't trying to be a dick just saw a nice parallel)

[scikid]

I'm in pretty mild withdrawls myself from pods. You get physically addicted to those things quickly.... I wasn't even using that long or that many. I did a taper down to two pods (for 3 days) and today just said fuck it, use the weekend to get over the worst of it. So I'm going to be throwing out my pods soon... but need to keep them today just in case this gets way worse. Marijuana and booze (I don't drink enough to get drunk though, that would be hell) help me for the mild WDs+Lopermide+lots of fluids and OTC pain killers. If its a really bad withdrawl then forget it. But I always wait awhile to take lope to "clear out my system."

Anyways it seems the older you get and the more often you use the harder they get. The worst for me is the restless leg and the no sleeping part. I already have enough sleeping problems as it is. Plus my emotions get so magnified but my body feels so old.

I should mention I really want to stop... having a good attitude and a true desire to quit makes it alot easier. I just don't really feel like fucking around with opiates at this point in my life. I just graduated college, a few years later but whatever. Anyways at least this time I stopped this "run" pretty early into it.

Anyways, I'm going to go to the store to buy a six pack for later, mainly because its going to give me something to do for a minute. I'm gonna watch the White Sox tonight and take my mind off this.

[antigonemuse]

i chose other, cause i am convinced that the only way i will ever allow my self to get totally opiate free again is in a five to seven day detox... medicated, tapered, and with medical staff. After many years of various kinds of kicking methods, this is the only way i have ever had any success that lasted, and that was tolerable. Even better was a 30 plus day stay in rehab, so i had a chance to come out totally clean. its been five months and i still have not built back up a physical tolerance where i have to use every 6 hours just to stay well. 9 months or so, i had to use all day every day just to stay well, and getting high was a memory. Now i use to enjoy... but honestly its more of a struggle to quit...

im just filling time waiting for the methadone clinic to call me.... i hope my number comes up soon. every time my weakness shines through and i tap a vein, i know im getting closer to being a slave to dope again.

[rockbottom]

my favorite way to kick is methadone for 10- 14 days, walk away from the clinic then have a stash of sleeping pills---seroquel, elivil, xanax, valium etc. whatever -then add alcohol and sleep for 4 days straight. wake up a new man--during the time i would have to wake up to take more pills i would also take megavitimines and protien with sugar with my sleeping pills---its so painless.:)--then its your choice to go on another run or go straight for as long as possible.:cool:

[I-Nod]

So I'm going to be throwing out my pods soon... but need to keep them today just in case this gets way worse.

Wish you the best, brotha! You might wanna think about holding onto those pods for 3 or 4 days tho. Pods half-life are so long, sometimes you'll feel pretty damn good for the first 3 days... kinda gives you a false sense of hope. I know you're well-versed in the pod arena, but thought I'd throw this out there for those who aren't.

Pod WD's are weird... what they lack in intensity, they more than make up for in longevity!! It's almost like all kicks are the same... H is the concentrated version, whereas Methadone is pretty diluted but there's a lot more "water" (water = days) to deal with.

My best to you, String-Cheese Kid!! :D :)

[frankie]

i voted for taper as i found when i kicked for some periods time i had mj and kolonpins on hand for the light w/d's, i also found that drinking plenty of fluids and most definetly keeping myself busy played a major role as alot of people who use drugs usually start out of boredom or pain. go out for a walk but keep busy... it worked for me for awhile but like jonny said i guess i just didn't want it bad enough

best of luck to you and my thoughts are with you!!!

[Raisin]

The best way to kick is to do it tomorrow.

[NoEggsForFats?]

Pod WD's are weird... what they lack in intensity, they more than make up for in longevity!! It's almost like all kicks are the same... H is the concentrated version, whereas Methadone is pretty diluted but there's a lot more "water" (water = days) to deal with.


Holy cow, I experience just the opposite. H withdrawal is much less agonizing than methadone kick. Not only does methadone keep you awake for almost a month straight, but the physical symptoms of acute withdrawal are much more intense. Most people, when outside of a controlled medical kick, rather than try to quite 'done (when looking for a short-term physical w/d that doesnt go on forever) switch to H for a few weeks to get the bulk of meth outa their system, then start their H-- or whatever-- kick.

[Dune]

My vote:

Taper down as best as you can, then do everything you can to stay busy(something fun, not work). Keeping your mind off it seemed to help me the most. I did it once when I was unemployed and it was the worst. All I did was think about it. Best of luck!!

[scikid]

Wish you the best, brotha! You might wanna think about holding onto those pods for 3 or 4 days tho. Pods half-life are so long, sometimes you'll feel pretty damn good for the first 3 days... kinda gives you a false sense of hope. I know you're well-versed in the pod arena, but thought I'd throw this out there for those who aren't.

Pod WD's are weird... what they lack in intensity, they more than make up for in longevity!! It's almost like all kicks are the same... H is the concentrated version, whereas Methadone is pretty diluted but there's a lot more "water" (water = days) to deal with.

My best to you, String-Cheese Kid!! :D :)

Thank you so much. I really appreciate it! Pod WDs can be really tricky, and I think I will hold onto the pods at least until past fathers day (I've got a few relatives staying at an Uncles so I have to stop by and do the family gig)... just in case. I'm not worried about taking them, they are about 3 steps away from right now haha.. kinda feels good having them sit there wanting me to use them and me telling them to fuck off... I'm weird :D

Also I agree with the above poster... taper, then keep yourself busy if possible. I've been pretty damn bored over the past few days... to the point where I'm going on "errands" I don't need to do right now. With gas prices now a days... :rolleyes:

Anyways back to the White Sox game and beer... if I don't check back tonight then good night all.

[starglazer33]

I wish you the best but my option is not available so i didn't choose.












Post-mortem.......Sg33

[HandMeSomeOpiates]

If you have insurance and are able to use it, I would suggest checking into a detox center...or have it done at a hospital. Whether you decide to stick around for the rehab part would be up to you. I would avoid subs or MMT if at all possible...cause you'll still have to kick eventually. I've always been a fan of getting the shit over with ASAP, but to each their own. If you have comfort meds mentioned above...and you don't already have a problem with benzos...you could always try doing it yourself. The obvious problem with doing it on your own like that is the relative ease in which you can give up and go cop. Good luck with whatever path you take. There is a lot of support available on this forum...

drk I love your avatar

[Indy]

Not at all. But for me a staggered taper is the best if i HAVE to stop: i go as long as possible, then dose, then go as long as possible again, and repeat. It works surprisingly well.

[rockbottom]

Not at all. But for me a staggered taper is the best if i HAVE to stop: i go as long as possible, then dose, then go as long as possible again, and repeat. It works surprisingly well.


thats a good way, a really good way -but it takes a hell of alot of willpower-:cool:

[tasteuvheaven]

Alright, I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. For a long time I have been able to maintain my habit without too much trouble. However, over the past few months, it's been getting more and more out of control. In the past, I never wanted to quit because I had everything under control, but I really no longer feel like I do.

So, I'm asking your opinion: what's the best way to kick?

A.) Cold Turkey
B.) C/T with comfort meds (i.e. clonodine, immodium, benzos, whatever)
C.) Sub or Methodone Maintenance
D.) Taper
E.) Other

If other, let me know what it is!


I say and always have said since day one that I wanted to cold turkey it everytime and almost have because when I feel the pain for them few days and the mental for a few months, it makes me think twice about it the next time. Maybe everyone else isn't lik this, (I didn't read all the replies, on a time restriction) but for me ti seems to work better. If I aint feeling the pain, I will just do it again.

[EleusisII]

I'd have to go with CT with comfort meds! Seems to reset my tolerance too, for some reason. I don't get THAT bad WD's though. I mean, sure I feel like shit, can't sleep and run to the bathroom every ten minutes, but none of that puking nightmare some of you guys describe...

[OxyContinuously]

i am on withdrawal day 2 of a half-bundle NY heroin habit and I am a maniac, can't lie but i always preferred CT to any other method b/c it's quick and to the point...although getting sick never gets any fuckin easier no matter how many times it has happened in the past....

later

[Papa Verine]

I'm starting to feel it today and I have nothing available to ease the pain. A few weeks ago I couldn't imagine cleaning out 4 produce markets of all the available poppy seeds but that's exactly what's happened. I can't find any seeds within a few miles that will work, I can't drive and I'm broke.

So, I'm really starting to panic and I think I'm making my situation much worse then it should be. Just knowing they're there if you need them is a great feeling when kicking, but knowing I can't get anything, has me losing my mind and I feel like I'm on the brink of a panic attack.

I don't know what to do...

[pharmboy]

Pandora, wheres the avitar hun ?

Tapper + Valium + clonidine would be my vote.

You will still want to die but not as bad.

[nick]

Papa and OxyC,Guys I hope your pain passes quickly.

[devilsdrug]

there is no best way they all suck forever and ever

[underide]

Ibogaine.

Not quite from personal experience just yet, but this is what i would do if i decided to kick.
Which i have, actually. Just not quite yet. In a few months time, hopefully.

I've done quite a bit of research on it, by now. Spoke to a few people who have gone through it, too.
If all goes well, it can be the most painless (well, at least physically, if not psychologically too) and probably the fastest detox that there is.
Ofcourse on the other hand, worst case scenario - you could die (heart complications or liver failure), but thankfully such cases are far and few between and are almost unheard of if done under proper clinical settings and thorough medical supervision.
Initial ECG and liver tests can tell you whether there are any major risks to be expected. Quite frankly, it's probably a hell of a lot more likely that i'd die of an opiate overdose rather than going through Ibogaine treatment.

It is just such a pity that this compound is not studied more closely and not known to that many people, simply because of it being a strong hallucinogen and medical/pharmaceutical communities don't want anything to do with it largely because of that.
As well as not being able to market it properly or make enough money out if it. (at least in their opinion)

Overall, from what i can tell thus far - it looks very promising. And i'm actually almost looking forward to it.

[jonny-5]

i am on withdrawal day 2 of a half-bundle NY heroin habit and I am a maniac, can't lie but i always preferred CT to any other method b/c it's quick and to the point...although getting sick never gets any fuckin easier no matter how many times it has happened in the past....

later


you know it doesnt ever get better. if you ask me it gets worse every time.

there is no best way they all suck forever and ever

this is the truest statement yet.

[Chicago]

best way 2 kick is to go in2 an orgy, for 3 days str8, & u the only one of ur sex, the rest are the other gender, so for me i would be the only male & have 10-15 females. U never get bored,
In this case if u pass it up u will not be able to live w/ur self. So start sucken & fuck'n away, all my opiophiles.:whip:. OH YEA.........:party:SOME SWEET LOVE MAKEN.....:drool:

[devilsdrug]

yea i dont know if if got better just can handle it better, but the doc said i was gonna die , when u get older i gues ur body cant do it anymore fuk who knows

[SHELLEY]

best way 2 kick is to go in2 an orgy, for 3 days str8, & u the only one of ur sex, the rest are the other gender, so for me i would be the only male & have 10-15 females. U never get bored,
In this case if u pass it up u will not be able to live w/ur self. So start sucken & fuck'n away, all my opiophiles.:whip:. OH YEA.........:party:SOME SWEET LOVE MAKEN.....:drool:

when i'm sick i get horny as fuck and can have bout 30 orgasms/day
so this might work for me
but i wouldn't want to be the ONLY chick... maybe a couple of us
just me with a large group of guys would get kinda obnoxious unless they were bi
but then, men fuckin each other in the ass is gross

[ZodiacKiller]

but then, men fuckin each other in the ass is gross


Well, it's not my cup o' tea either, being straight, but some gay men might disagree with ya there, Shell......


ZK

[clonaze-whammed]

find something in your life thats not boring unless you're nodding your way through it.

[duck]

find something in your life thats not boring unless you're nodding your way through it.

Exactly. The best way to kick for me has always been to really keep myself busy and entertained. It takes a shit ton of effort and will to get your ass up and go do something when you're rattling, but my god does it work. My favorite is to get on my motorcycle and just drive for as long as I can stand it away from my house--maybe a 150 miles or so--so then I have to drive back. It's tough on your body but it is so incredibly therapeutic.

Also, going out with good friends has helped me out so, so much. A good laugh and being around people who aren't junkies is some of the best motivation to get off this shit.

But I voted for taper.

[webay]

Also, going out with good friends has helped me out so, so much. A good laugh and being around people who aren't junkies is some of the best motivation to get off this shit---------DUCK

you said it duck def best way to go about staying sober an it does help while in WD however sometimes i feel almost guilty or depressed sitting there looking at the "normal" people who you know are going to sleep like a baby haha...can't wait to be one of those fukers again in a few days

[StinkyPickle]

I chose CT with comfort meds. I usually try to cut my dose significantly a day or two before I'm out, but it's by no means a taper. When I think taper, I think cutting the dose down every couple days over the course of a couple/few weeks. I'm actually getting a Sub tonight, so I'm gunna try that for a while. One 8mg (with the sword on the pill) will last me, no joke, a week. I can take 1mg and be good for about 24 hours. I don't care for the way the Subs make me feel, definitely not my DOC, but I figure a few day break will be good for me. I'm going to try taking 1mg and waiting as long as humanly possible to re-dose. I think it's more psychological than anything. I feel weird when I don't have to pop some pills every few hours.

[ouaisOut]

Not at all. But for me a staggered taper is the best if i HAVE to stop: i go as long as possible, then dose, then go as long as possible again, and repeat. It works surprisingly well.

This works best for me too. But I add comfort meds. I just don't have the willpower to do a long taper. I can deal with three weeks of feeling like shit because I still remember how it feels to wake up finally that one day and feel like, Shit, it looks nice out, it's early in the morning, I feel kind of fresh and energetic and I'm going to take a walk.

And it's weird, once I quit one drug, my desire for other drugs kind of goes down. It's almost impossible for me to cut down on smoking right now because I'm on the pods. Once I get the opes out of my system, I can cut down on everything. I am partial to chain-smoking anyway, so the opes just feed that evil cig fiend in me. I dubbed myself Yul Brynner ten years ago and I'm getting tired of hearing my friends ask, "You still Yul-ing?"

This thread is inspiring me. Right now I'm on a stupid taper that's not really working. I'm stuck at a certain not-getting-high dose and it's just driving me crazy. Quick and dirty has been my method in the past, and I gotta girl-up and do it.

If not for me, then at least for my dog. This low-energy shit is keeping me from giving him the exercise he deserves. We used to go out three time a day and now it's one measly walk. He deserves better.

[hydro chris]

taper, no dough

[PrisonHer]

I've kicked CT more than any other way..mostly not by choice though. The worst being a few years ago I got cotton fever like 3 times in a 4 day period. Anyway, during the last episode I attempted to use the bathroom at the market with an insanely high fever and fell out. I ended up in the hospital with endocarditis. Once the ER doctor realized I was an IV opiate addict he wouldn't give me ANYTHING..nothing..not nothing.

This was in a small ass town I was in while traveling. They couldn't get a vein and had to call a doctor from a near by town to stick me (right above my womanhood too). I was suffering so bad..seriously..well you know I don't need to explain. Finally after 5 days..yeah I said it 5 days this old ass doctor came in and booted D's into my line. When the nurses told him was up he said "look at her..she's suffereing..leave me alone.." praise jeebus! That was the only time that doc came into my room. I spent 21 days in that hell hole. When I could finally stand up straight I walked my ass out of there.

Anyway..kicking sucks..if I had it my way it would never be needed.

[poonwhalla]

Damn PH that sounds like a nightmare. Good thing for that compassionate Dr.

[PrisonHer]

word! It sucked. Cool doc and certainly wanted to help me. the only bad thing about it was the by the next night I started w/ding all over again.

[Thebane]

And it's weird, once I quit one drug, my desire for other drugs kind of goes down. It's almost impossible for me to cut down on smoking right now because I'm on the pods. Once I get the opes out of my system, I can cut down on everything. I am partial to chain-smoking anyway, so the opes just feed that evil cig fiend in me.


Well, that's good for you at least. When I'm clean or even just maintaining I crave anything terribly - alcohol, pot, adderall - doesn't matter as long as I'm not sober and bored all day. I don't have a problem kicking right now (I'm maintaining on a lot of kratom but it's easy to kick compared to pods), but once I've kicked I just turn into an alcoholic so I can barely function and feel like death all the time. (Alcoholic may be the wrong word, since I've never stayed off opiates long enough to get physically addicted to alcohol, thank God. But I drink 10+ drinks everyday no matter what when I'm off opiates.)

[Raz]

Dis one still running...

I'm on day 13 no chaseing....For the last 2 wks i just been knockin myself out when it gets too bad.The cravins etc...

I been cuttin down on my methadone mix, been adding more water since i have stabillised, which took about a week of just methadone and a few beers/wine at night....
A couple days its been really bad and i've reached for the xanax and vodka...Fuck it, get today outta the way and deal wiv manana manana.

Also i guess if your able to walk and function, the mental aspect of it is staying away from dope friends/hoods etc....I'm seriously gonna be tested on mon....Hope its one of them days when willpower is on my side....Yaaarrrrrggggg....Grab dem will power days wiv both fuckin hands, even wrap ya fuckin legs around em....

[I-Nod]

Well, that's good for you at least. When I'm clean or even just maintaining I crave anything terribly - alcohol, pot, adderall - doesn't matter as long as I'm not sober and bored all day. I don't have a problem kicking right now (I'm maintaining on a lot of kratom but it's easy to kick compared to pods), but once I've kicked I just turn into an alcoholic so I can barely function and feel like death all the time. (Alcoholic may be the wrong word, since I've never stayed off opiates long enough to get physically addicted to alcohol, thank God. But I drink 10+ drinks everyday no matter what when I'm off opiates.)

Man, Thebane, I could have wrote this post of yours... we're so alike... two Opea's (err, Opi's) in a pod, you could say. I'm the exact same way. Drink myself into oblivion, smoke weed til I zone-out staring at a blank wall, anything, as long as I'm not 'sober'.

Funny thing is, there's no reason... not like my life's so horrible that I can't deal with it clean and sober. Just some strong desire to alter my perception. Why? Because I can, I guess... maybe reality is too drab, or I'm just an addict grasping for some kind of justification :D Great post, man, good to see ya!

[nycjrt]

CT route w/ comfort meds is def. the best way- I am a pussy however and choose subs, been maintaining for a long time, the past year with jumping back and forth to some good nyc dope- i've been trying to stick with the subs only (down to 2mg/day) and in the past i would drink way too much (a bottle of vodka/rum) to compensate, i've got that down to bottle of wine a day, w/ out the benzos- my track marks are clearing up, and that is a huge motivator since spring/summer is coming- my problem is tapering down the subs, once i get to every-other day time i am just too weak and go back to the dope- sub maintenance really isn't too bad but i worry about the long-term effects (although i don't think the prognosis for shooting dope long-term is the best either)

[JunkBombJamie]

From my experience a two week suboxone taper is the best way to go, its practically painless for me. Though I still cant sleep as well and my appetite isnt that great, its not too bad. Just gotta stay busy, smoke some weed, and take some valium and melatonin at night. A dihydrocodeine taper works pretty well, though not as good as the subs. With the subs I like to start at 16mgs a day and go down to like 1 or .5mg, then stop.

Usually I dont have all that stuff though. Most times if I am going to detox at home, the day before I start, I will go online and order some tramadol, generic fioricet, and soma, with my almost maxed out credit card. You can get them overnighted, and theyre not controlled substances so you can get em pretty cheap and easy. I end up taking alot of tramadol when I do that, and the soma I just take at night. The fioricet contains a mild barbituate so its kinda like a benzo. This method is certainly not my favorite, it just seems to be the most common.

If I am able to get into a detox for free, and I have the time, I like do that. Not only is it alot more comfortable cuz of the meds you get, it is nice to get away from the streets. Plus it makes it a little harder to relapse cuz you have to go through the process of signing out, and usually a few of the people you have gotten to know will try to get you to stay and help you chill out a bit. They gotta have TV though, I cant stand a detox with no TVs or outside reading material. I like the places that use subs alot more than the places that use methadone. While Ill feel better in the detox with the methadone, when I leave, coming off the methadone is worse than coming off the subs.

[Duckfeet]

Call in sick, get some movies, stock up on junk food, turn off the lights, prepare for life totally sucking for a few days...

[HandMeSomeOpiates]

Call in sick, get some movies, stock up on junk food, turn off the lights, prepare for life totally sucking for a few days...
I like what this ^ guy said

[Morfiend]

Cold turkey... and maybe some Melatonin at night (which makes it even hurt more but last not as long) and tylenol XR in the day

Just time it so you have the 2nd-4th days of withdrawal off from work/school or w.e you do and ball yourself up in your bed. Every minute feels like 10, but before ya know it you start feeling a little crazy. By that I mean suddenly maybe on day 5 (depending on what you've been doing, could be any day that's the point) all of a sudden you almost feel high... everything is funny and you have a strange burst of energy. And that's my clue that I'm just about to get better. And the next day is like crawling out of a hole and experiencing life for the first time!

and then you get high again the next day cause your tolerance is down :P

No really... although cold turkey hurts it's the fastest way to do it and just requires you to look at the situation objectively and ignore the pain because it's temporary.

I have a really interesting idea for dealing with withdrawal that I don't think anyone has even considered yet, but I don't want to discuss it yet until I research it and maybe try it on myself first because I don't want anyone trusting it and ending up being in more pain because of my error. However, my hope is that this changes the way we think about treating opiate withdrawal. It's something only a junky could think up :) ... I promise I will share this as soon as I can confirm it is effective and perhaps refine it to something better than what I currently have.

[Morfiend]

Fuck it... be responsible here ya go: the idea (http://forum.opiophile.org/showthread.php?p=376633#post376633).

[duck]

Fuck it... be responsible here ya go: the idea (http://forum.opiophile.org/showthread.php?p=376633#post376633).

you test it first, buddy.

[DCBA]

I think it just depends! I have "quit" many times and by many means, and all had their moments, it just depends on a lot of things, but for me if your really into quiting then switching to codeine/tramadol and then tapering them was the best "wds" for me. I think a gradual tapering reduces PAWS if not completly eliminate it ..

Just my one cent, sorry but didnt have 2, lol..

[Duckfeet]

LOL: yeah, we need like a whole new forum dedicated to: "Opiate Withdrawal Plans That Really Do Work...." Ha ha...

If I ever get another tattoo, it'll be the one enduring legacy of 40 years of this shit: "No Free Lunch"

...on the other hand, maybe I'll get another naked viking girl w/a ripped off head in her hand, instead :)


you test it first, buddy.

[HandMeSomeOpiates]

If I ever get another tattoo, it'll be the one enduring legacy of 40 years of this shit: "No Free Lunch"


Hell yeah man, hell yeah

[milky_tears]

I've quit a fair few times over the years now and while I wouldn't ever dream of saying that it's easy, I've now got it down to a fine art. A fine art for me that is.

Here's the condensed version of my regime- as it's quarter past six in the morning and I'd like some sleep. (I just remembered my login/pw/email combo for this site though and I've missed it :))

Prior to day one- taper your usage down to at least one bag a day- less if you can.

Day 1) Have your "last bag" (wrap or whatever) early- before midday, get your bedroom/detoxroom nice and tidy, now for the shopping list:- Sort out a truck load of movies/books/mags/comics. Some valium/xanax/temazepam (whatever benzos you can get hold of. (I assume you're familliar with benzos and their effects/strengths.) Some loperamide. Some multi vitamins. Some paracetamol/ibuprofen/aspirin etc. A few tubs of ice cream and some cerial and milk. I like to buy a liter of vodka too- even though there's not much chance I'll be able to drink even one sip of it- if you can handle a big glass of it, (and keep it down) with some fruit juice, it will make you feel a bit better. (I also use GHB/GBL which I find a HUGE help, but I know that for some people this might be very hard if not impossible to get, so I'll leave it out this time and make some notes about it afterwards.)

Have a light breakfast and/or lunch and then a decent and fairly big meal early evening- nothing too heavy or fatty though.

Stay up late, think about how proud you are of yourself that you're doing this and how it's not going to be as bad as you've built it up to be in your head.

Now, take to your pit- where you wont be moving far from for the next few days- put a movie on and decide on the next two or three to watch after that one. Sit up in bed and stay awake for as long as possible- all night if you can and, as much of the next day as you can.

You're probably feeling pretty damn shit by now, but, you know you can sleep- even though you're junk sick and, feelpleased with yourself- you should now be about twenty four hours in! Which means...

Day 2 Lay down and watch some crappy telly- even though you feel shit, have a few vallium and as you're pretty sleep deprived- you should sleep through most of day two, skipping a good chunk of the worst WD's...

***Sorry guys- 6:45 in the morning, can't keep my eyes open- please comment up to this point and I'll edit/finish the post tomorrow.

Good luck.

[mikey5string]

whats the hot turkey method?

its when someone slaps you in the face with a hot slice of turkey when your whining about wd's and tells you "shut the fuck up bitch!"

then they throw the turkey they slapped you with on your face and say "heres your free lunch" and walk away disgusted.

its intended to shame you into not using and its not for everyone.

[chopstix]

If I ever get another tattoo, it'll be the one enduring legacy of 40 years of this shit: "No Free Lunch"


Saw a tat once that was of this little guy trying to hold up this HUGE syringe - got the point across immediately.

Can't say I haven't considered it.. No free lunch is fucking right and sometimes I think I need a reminder.

[HandMeSomeOpiates]

Love the sig Chop!

[nhop]

the best way for me to kick, though I hated it at the time, was to get myself locked up.(I didn't do this intentionally...) Once you find yoursself in this situation you realize that there is nothing you can do about your sickness, you resign/steel yourself to the pains of wd's. Here in SD county Ive always been able to get 4 days of benzos (librium) by telling them Im alocholic (though Im not really...) and this helps with the first few days, usually the worst days. One of the bad things about kicking in county is that as soon as I start to feel a little better & start getting the long gut, the food is so bad that I cant eat most of it. I ended up trading my lunch baloney and dinner hot trays for any kind of fresh fruit or ramen soup from commissary. The last time I did 7 wks I came out 30 pounds lighter than I went in.

Dope cravings never really went away though, and I ended up using ASAIC after getting out.

[hydro chris]

the best way for me to kick, though I hated it at the time, was to get myself locked up.(I didn't do this intentionally...) Once you find yoursself in this situation you realize that there is nothing you can do about your sickness, you resign/steel yourself to the pains of wd's. Here in SD county Ive always been able to get 4 days of benzos (librium) by telling them Im alocholic (though Im not really...) and this helps with the first few days, usually the worst days. One of the bad things about kicking in county is that as soon as I start to feel a little better & start getting the long gut, the food is so bad that I cant eat most of it. I ended up trading my lunch baloney and dinner hot trays for any kind of fresh fruit or ramen soup from commissary. The last time I did 7 wks I came out 30 pounds lighter than I went in.
Dope cravings never really went away though, and I ended up using ASAIC after getting out.

well thats interesting anyone else like this method?