Michael_25
Bluelighter
Does it help? I've trying to get off Percocets but the physical withdrawal is difficult. Also, can you use alcohol to help with opiate withdrawal?
Thanks guys.
Thanks guys.
-
BDD Moderators: Keif’ Richards
Diazepam for Opiate Withrawal
- Thread starter Michael_25
- Start date
Viṣakaṇṭha
Bluelighter
This is something Im pretty familiar with after using almost every class of psychoactives in an attempt to get off of heroin. For me, Diazepam was helpful (in fact quite necessary), but it was limited in scope. Their main benefit in this situation is in the ability to help one sleep, which (depending on the seriousness of the withdrawal) can become near impossible. Diazepam is personally my favorite as well, with xanax being a close second....things like clonazepam generally did nothing for me. But while having them is a HUGE ally in coping with withdrawal, it didnt seem to help me whatsoever during the day. Mundane tasks like getting up to make food, shower, etc (and worst of all...going to work) become battles with depression, lethargy, pain, etc. For me Benzos just didnt seem to have the ability to alleviate these symptoms in any noticeable manner. For that, I needed to look to other substances to get me through the day. After several years of H addiction, what really helped me to quit was a regimen of stimulants during the day (to give me the physical strength/energy to still function in my daily life) and Benzos at night to be able to sleep. This was then halted shortly after to keep from developing another addiction. I realize this is a harm-reduction site so I can't really recommend that method...but it did do an amazing job for me.
As far as alcohol, that's an even more interesting issue. In his book "Junky", the elder statesman of opiate use sir William Burroughs stated, "When you use junk you don’t drink. Seemingly, the body that has a quantity of junk in its cells will not absorb alcohol. The liquor stays in the stomach, slowly building up nausea, discomfort, and dizziness, and there is no kick." Ive personally found this to be the case as well. During an opiate addiction or during acute withdrawal, alcohol use is often uncomfortable and by the end of the night usually turns dysphoric. On the other hand, after the acute withdrawal stage is over alcohol can be an *extremely* helpful tool. After the more intense acute symptoms began to subside, I still suffered from physical pain, depression, and severe cravings for months afterward. Alcohol was really a life-saver in helping me to pull through the after-effects of this situation. Pragmatically it does work well as a pain killer and the alcohol euphoria will start to come back after a bit...so it does help immensely both mentally and physically. I've only known one opiate addict personally who still enjoyed drinking during full addiction all the way into the withdrawal stage, and alcohol helped him...so it might be possible, but it depends on how bad the symptoms are and how long you've been using. But my generally opinion is that alcohol is a poor choice during acute withdrawal, but can be a very valuable ally directly afterwards.
As far as alcohol, that's an even more interesting issue. In his book "Junky", the elder statesman of opiate use sir William Burroughs stated, "When you use junk you don’t drink. Seemingly, the body that has a quantity of junk in its cells will not absorb alcohol. The liquor stays in the stomach, slowly building up nausea, discomfort, and dizziness, and there is no kick." Ive personally found this to be the case as well. During an opiate addiction or during acute withdrawal, alcohol use is often uncomfortable and by the end of the night usually turns dysphoric. On the other hand, after the acute withdrawal stage is over alcohol can be an *extremely* helpful tool. After the more intense acute symptoms began to subside, I still suffered from physical pain, depression, and severe cravings for months afterward. Alcohol was really a life-saver in helping me to pull through the after-effects of this situation. Pragmatically it does work well as a pain killer and the alcohol euphoria will start to come back after a bit...so it does help immensely both mentally and physically. I've only known one opiate addict personally who still enjoyed drinking during full addiction all the way into the withdrawal stage, and alcohol helped him...so it might be possible, but it depends on how bad the symptoms are and how long you've been using. But my generally opinion is that alcohol is a poor choice during acute withdrawal, but can be a very valuable ally directly afterwards.
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2006
- Messages
- 19,608
Alcohol is to be avoided at all costs during opiate withdrawal in my opinion. Not only will it increase the gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomach cramps, nausea and diarrhea but having a hangover on top of withdrawals is fucking hell on earth. Not to mention that once the alcohol goes out of your system your anxiety levels are going to go through the roof. So yeah i would recommend not to drink until the withdrawals are completely over.
Benzos are great at helping opiate withdrawals and the more sedating the better. Valium works great as it's pretty relaxing and has great muscle relaxant properties. Temazepam is my favorite benzo for getting through opiate withdrawals because the more sedation the better and it's a good muscle relaxant as well. Z hypnotics like zopiclone and zolpidem work great to.
Benzos are great at helping opiate withdrawals and the more sedating the better. Valium works great as it's pretty relaxing and has great muscle relaxant properties. Temazepam is my favorite benzo for getting through opiate withdrawals because the more sedation the better and it's a good muscle relaxant as well. Z hypnotics like zopiclone and zolpidem work great to.
tyrael
Bluelighter
Good post Viṣakaṇṭha!
In general treatment of opiate w/d's with benzos (typically diazepam due to its long half life and profile) only help in symptomatic relief - jitters, hot/cold flushes, pains, insomnia, etc. It may reduced perceived cravings due to its psychotropic effects (take your mind off the w/d symptoms). Physiologically your body will still starve for a dose, they just make the transition from "too hard to go through" to a claimer "I can get through this".
I'm with paranoid though, I'd stay away from alcohol.
Obviously one must be aware of, and be sure to not exchange one addiction for another!
In general treatment of opiate w/d's with benzos (typically diazepam due to its long half life and profile) only help in symptomatic relief - jitters, hot/cold flushes, pains, insomnia, etc. It may reduced perceived cravings due to its psychotropic effects (take your mind off the w/d symptoms). Physiologically your body will still starve for a dose, they just make the transition from "too hard to go through" to a claimer "I can get through this".
I'm with paranoid though, I'd stay away from alcohol.
Obviously one must be aware of, and be sure to not exchange one addiction for another!
Michael_25
Bluelighter
Thanks for all the replys, guys. It's day 4 of opiate-free day. This is the longest I've gone without opiates since I started using. I have avoided alcohol and have been relying on diazepam to get me through. The worst part of the withdrawal is being able to get to sleep, and sleep well.
At the moment I'm taking 300 mg of clozapine, 5 mg of olanzapine, 30 mg of mirtazapine and 50 mg of diazepam solely to help me sleep. Nevertheless, I have trouble getting to sleep and it takes about 2 hours of tossing and turning because I can't keep my legs still before I doze off. And I find that I tend to wake up after 6 hours of sleep, so it leaves me rather tired during the day. Plus, I shat the bed 2 days ago from some explosive diarehha. However, I'm now taking loperamide to help with that.
At the moment I'm taking 300 mg of clozapine, 5 mg of olanzapine, 30 mg of mirtazapine and 50 mg of diazepam solely to help me sleep. Nevertheless, I have trouble getting to sleep and it takes about 2 hours of tossing and turning because I can't keep my legs still before I doze off. And I find that I tend to wake up after 6 hours of sleep, so it leaves me rather tired during the day. Plus, I shat the bed 2 days ago from some explosive diarehha. However, I'm now taking loperamide to help with that.
Pill2Chill
Bluelight Crew
They are very useful. Try to take enough breaks, a physical addiction to benzos can sneak up on you if you're not careful. I'd say if you want to take them daily for a bit, to not take them for more than 7 days, then leave atleast a 7 day break. That should keep you from getting dependant.
Michael_25
Bluelighter
I think that ship's already sailed. I've been taking diazepam continuously for the past 2 years.
How long before the physical withdrawal symptoms subside? Every joint in my body is aching and my eyes are watering and have sinus problems. This is only from a 40 mg a day oxy habit.
stardust.hero
Bluelight Crew
Michael, have you tried taking Imodium (Loperamide), it helps greatly with opioid withdrawal. Buy a bottle of 90-100, take 4 2mg pills every 4 hours and you will feel relief. The relief will begin to be felt usually after the 2nd-3rd dose. Don't be discourage, continue to take the dosing regimen and it will work.
Loperamide is an opioid-receptor agonist and acts on the μ-opioid receptors just as any other opioid. It does not cross the blood brain barrier so it will not get you high but similar to Suboxone, it will fulfill the receptors need for the drug as it is an opioid and it will subdue the withdrawals. Trust me.
Loperamide is an opioid-receptor agonist and acts on the μ-opioid receptors just as any other opioid. It does not cross the blood brain barrier so it will not get you high but similar to Suboxone, it will fulfill the receptors need for the drug as it is an opioid and it will subdue the withdrawals. Trust me
.
kayaker318
Bluelighter
Michael - I went through Percocet withdrawal 2 years ago and I know exactly how you're feeling. I think you're on day 5 so you are through the worst of it but not out of the woods yet. I absolutely think the benzos help and I like the suggestion of Loperamide above. I wish I had known about that before. I also wish my doctor had given me the proper dosage of Clonazepam so I didn't have to suffer so much. For the first few days I felt like I was jumping out of my skin and my whole body ached. It makes you feel absolutely wired -- can't sleep - and exhausted at the same time. I ended up in Urgent Care mainly from being physically wiped out. They gave me a shot of B12 and some IV fluids since I was slightly dehydrated. Make sure to keep your liquid intake going to avoid dehydration. Keep up the great work. You will get through it!
bunge
Bluelighter
It sounds like you are suffering some RLS (restless leg syndrome) from the WD aswell. The olanzapine although very sedating will cause RLS or make it worse.
Unless your already taking the olanzapine for it normal indication (psych problems) then I would drop it from your regime and the RLS could improve a little.
Obviously, if you HAVE been prescribed it for existing psyche problems then DO NOT stop taking it (sorry about the capitals, just wanted my post to be absolutely clear).
You could give your doctor a ring and ask him/her to up your mirtazapine to 45mg, it should help a bit more with the insomnia and mirtazapine is thought to be helpful in ttreating movement disorders caused by drugs like anti-psychs.
Regarding the 'runny tummy'....loperamide is your friend!lol
Unless your already taking the olanzapine for it normal indication (psych problems) then I would drop it from your regime and the RLS could improve a little.
Obviously, if you HAVE been prescribed it for existing psyche problems then DO NOT stop taking it (sorry about the capitals, just wanted my post to be absolutely clear).
You could give your doctor a ring and ask him/her to up your mirtazapine to 45mg, it should help a bit more with the insomnia and mirtazapine is thought to be helpful in ttreating movement disorders caused by drugs like anti-psychs.
Regarding the 'runny tummy'....loperamide is your friend!lol