I was a full out opiate addict for two years [2017-2018]. I would use 1x hydromorphone 30mg pill and 1x oxycodone 80mg pill daily during that time. One day, I used as many as 4x hydromorphone 30mg [nasally]. I started quitting in March of 2019. In August of this year, I used 1x 18mg hydromorphone pill the whole month, and last month in September, I used 2x 18mg hydromorphone pills, but only because I had a falling out with the person who was supposed to take the second one [no big loss, lol].
While I still don't consider myself "cured", what I would attribute to getting myself to this point is Xanax and Kratom. Keep in mind that both of these substances can be dependence-forming, and also keep in mind that benzodiazepine [Xanax] withdrawal is said to be MUCH worse....much worse...than opiate withdrawal.
I was able to use 10g of Red or Green Bali Kratom daily for about five days with no withdrawal effects that I can detect - but everyone is different. Where I am in Canada, I know the owner of a THC store, and he has done an AMAZING job sourcing out great stuff.
I can tell you that Kratom has been nothing short of a godsend for me. I really don't want to be on methadone or Suboxone, or even Naltrexone [I was prescribed it, but haven't picked it up yet]. And it appears like I will get my wish. If I continue to use once a month - that's fine. Probably even optimal, to be honest. My years of using in moderation [about once per seven weeks] were much better than my years of abstinence. And I think it's nice to have something to celebrate with.
Also, as a recovering addict, I don't think jumping straight to a year of sobriety is the way to go. But who knows? I'll have to figure that out as time goes on. I'm just happy to be sitting here, a full six days after I last used 1mg of Suboxone, and 13 days since I last used any methadone, and be feeling perfectly fine.