Opioids How I avoided Opiate WD and PAWS the easy way

[CitioKid]

This is definitely going to be my last post on this website, but I felt the need to share my experience as I think it may be invaluable to others.

I have struggled with a severe opiate addiction for 10 years, commencing in my mid-teens. Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Demerol, Heroin, Kratom, Tianeptine, Loperamide and, for most of those years, suboxone.

I tried to get sober literally dozens of times and failed due to severe PAWS which never seemed to improve in the slightest, even after my previous record of 75 days sober.

I have tried:

1. Cold Turkey (ouch)
2. Endless switching games (subs to kratom to tramadol to loperamide, rinse and repeat)
3. Ibogaine and low dose ibogaine (tripped for days in a naked haze but quickly was struck by severe PAWS 10 days later, though suboxone in my system may have impaired the experience)
4. Gabapentin (works for a few days, then stops)
5. Anti-depressants
6. Amphetamines for PAWS (didn't help enough)
7. Slow tapers (probably the least pleasant in my mind)
8. Rehab and daily 12-step meetings

I named my addiction-half "Id" because he always comes out and completely overrides all the plans my "true" self makes. I want to get sober one day, the next day "Id" comes out and the plan goes to hell.

Finally, here is what DID work.

Step. 1: Get on suboxone and commence a taper down to 0.5mg a day (this may not be necessary for those not on maintenance)
Step 2. Switch to (non-extract) Kratom for 10 days
Step 3. Jump off the kratom and utilize gabapentin, phenibut, benzos or whatever comfort meds necessary for the mild withdrawals (follow standard safety protocol with use of these drugs, especially phenibut (never use more than two days in a row)
STEP 4. Commence low dose naltrexone after 5 days of sobriety (I use between 1.5 to 3mg before bed at night)
Step 5. Exercise as best as one can twice a day (even a 10 minute swim/hike/run is fine)
Step 6. DO NOT look up drugs online (I've failed at this multiple times as can be seen in my last few month's posting history)

Using this method, I was shocked to discover that the PAWS was practically nonexistent. I attribute most of this to the LDN, as well as the exercise and the feeling of just finally being totally done with opiates. No more excuses - no more "I NEED them for [insert BS excuse] just ONCE!"

I cannot emphasize how much I wish I had done this years back. LDN may not work for everyone, but it was a miracle for me, and the benefits have not lessened at all over time.

Am I totally sober? Sans drinking a fat dose of Kava at night, yes. My cravings are minimal and my energy levels are near 100%. My biggest lesson has been to ignore what I feel and instead focus only on what I do. Feelings lie, especially when you're an addict.

Time to bury "Id" and move onto doing what I want to do, helping others overcome the nightmare of addiction.

Peace be with you all. Sorry for the ramble.

 

[Carl Landrover]

7. Slow tapers (probably the least pleasant in my mind)

That was the easiest of times I've gotten clean as far as discomfort is concerned. From talking to people IRL and seeing numerous posts on here I'm pretty sure majority of people who do a "slow" taper are not going slow enough.

Other than having patience it didn't require much else. I had no other comfort aids other than marijuana. It really wasn't that bad when I went through a slow suboxone taper after having been on it for 12 months. I was on it 14 months total at that point, with the last 2 months being my taper period. I went from 2mg to 0mg in those 2 months. It was 1mg a month and I did awesome in school, had minimal difficulty sleeping, and never missed or had any extra difficulty at work.

 

[CitioKid]

That was the easiest of times I've gotten clean as far as discomfort is concerned. From talking to people IRL and seeing numerous posts on here I'm pretty sure majority of people who do a "slow" taper are not going slow enough.

Other than having patience it didn't require much else. I had no other comfort aids other than marijuana. It really wasn't that bad when I went through a slow suboxone taper after having been on it for 12 months. I was on it 14 months total at that point, with the last 2 months being my taper period. I went from 2mg to 0mg in those 2 months. It was 1mg a month and I did awesome in school, had minimal difficulty sleeping, and never missed or had any extra difficulty at work.

I wish slow tapers worked for me, but they never did. I had to have my fiancee (who learned about this account and will surely read this!) hold my meds, and the "plotting" thoughts always took over once I got down to a certain point or quit entirely.

My big warning sign was always the "plotting" stage pre-relapse ("just some kratom, just some tianeptine, just a little loperamide for a good nights sleep!" etc...) For once, I have not plotted at all.

But to each his own.