I am new at this, so here is my rant.
Some little tricks that helped me...
- vitamin C gummies- I took that max mg you should take daily, about 6 gummies. There is a lot of inconclusive evidence about C but I wanted to try it anyway.
- Vitamin B complex/ multi-vitamin- I researched each vitamin in my supplement and what it does, it may be mental, but I believed it helped my body and brain. Different vitamins can restore cell function, help brain restoration, restlessness, leg cramps, lethargy... I took a page of notes I should find and start sharing in threads for the scientific explanations. I would discuss with a doctor or the pharmacist because taking too much of particular vitamins could do damage to your body (spoken from a pill abuser, but we are trying to be healthy, right?)
- Antidepressants/ Xanax- I am prescribed them regularly but through my addiction, went on and off. I made sure I took them every day. The xanax (.5 mg) helped significantly for me, lay in bed and actually relax. I have never abused my xanax script and only use them if I think I really need them with the exact dose.
- Lots of water- for my first 3 days cold, I forced myself to drink. I wanted all the toxins out of me. I wanted my body hydrated to function and start healing.
- Healthy foods- I cut sugar, breads, and carbs out. The body normal reacts to glucose by crashing after a large intake so I tried to avoid this at all costs during withdrawal. I ate avocado, almonds, milk, cheese, yogurt, foods high in fat and low in sugar. I wanted to give my body any chance to get nutrients. Eating may be hard, but a handful of almonds will get you a long way.
- Bath/ hot shower- Somehow, I managed to get myself up, and sit in the tub. This took all my energy the first day. But I felt relief and mentally imagined the drugs seeping out of my skin. The Xanax helped make this possible too, I could relax.
- By the 3rd day, I made myself go for a walk- I can't believe what a difference it makes to get in some light exercise and nature. I read various studies about being outside, sunlight, even related to withdrawal. I sat outside for an hour one day, and the time flew by. I was thinking positive thoughts, watching the animals, listening to the sounds. For someone who felt like they were dying, this gave life to me.
- Night Sweats- This is one of my favorite tricks. No matter how many over the counter fever reducers I took, it just wouldn’t help. I ended up sick and tired of waking up and not sleeping because of the hot to cold my body was experiencing. I put on my Nike workout shirt, the sweat prevention ones, and I slept all through the night as it soaked up my moisture and let out my body heat. I can’t believe how something so little, made a huge improvement on my life and sleep.
Sleep- I have read numerous studies on sleep. Even, just laying in bed. You, of course, feel some symptoms physically. But, you wont be able to feel your brain in absolute distress. Sleep, as we know, promotes healing. Every time, I need at least 2 days off work in bed. If you can take off longer, than do, but don’t waste those sick days if you are not really going to try your hardest. I also, went on vacation for a week, with a friend who had no idea my habit (about 100 mg of roxy a day). I was tired, almost the whole trip, but I was laying on the beach, in paradise, sleeping all day, on a boat, surprisingly, my symptoms were minimal. I was also stimulating my brain, I was “happy” (I put in quotes because happy is relative) and felt little depression.
*Get ready! The first day without anything, I have no motivation or energy to do anything. I needed to make a to-do list, with things to get, to set myself up for a successful hellish few days. I needed to do it while I still was using so I would actually get it done.
For me, it takes about 3 days cold turkey. The 2nd day is always the worst. By the 4th, I am ok to do my normal day activities. The tiredness stays with me longer, but I run and drink coffee to try to tick my brain. I recently tried taking subs to get through withdrawal and they worked like a miracle. One day, my 2nd without, I was handed a tab, put 1/4th under my tongue, and went about my regular day. I was hardly able to sit up and walk around to get a glass of water, then, 15 minutes later, I feel myself? I couldn’t believe it. After 5 days of that amount, I stopped and was myself. After a few days of low subs, I can come off and feel fine. It’s then, trying to not make the mistake and reward myself for going a while without any pills. I personally, couldn’t tapper down with pills. I see how it would work with withdrawals, but I know I would be lying to myself if I bought them to spread out. So funny how you get to know your addiction “you” so well when you can see clearly.
Be Good
