Opioids Is there a way to successfully taper from poppy pods?

[mlk_2900]

I have fooled around with opiates for a while, but never truly addicted to them. Then I stumbled upon Poppy Pods and here I am, two months (maybe three) and I know I am addicted. I want out I am just very unsure how to go about it at the moment.

FWIW, I have a part-time job I must attend and am a stay at home mom the rest of the time to a little boy that requires pretty much all of my attention. So, cold turkey is kind of out. Is there any way to taper off of these things without causing too much of a problem? I don't even mind if its taking awhile but at the same time I don't want to draw it out and end up even more addicted. What really gets me is about a month ago I transferred my pod tea useage for vicodin with no problems, was running out of the vicodin but instead of just tapering off the vics (as I have done before) I just switched back to the pods. I wish more than ever I could go back in time now and do that over.

Has anyone ever successfully tapered off the pods in a way that made them feel very little? Is there anything out there that can help with withdrawals? I have a prescription for xanax if that would help, I have just always been afraid to mix the xanax and the poppies. I have even thought about suboxone treatment because I am desperate. But don't want to have to go to that unless I have no other way out. *Well forget that, I just talked to a doctor and evidentally I haven't been on anything long enough to qualify for the Suboxone program.

Here is my current useage as a guide (I take the powdered pods mixed in juice, no tea)

2 Medium-Large Pods (I think, considering I just dosed and haven't gotten any relief I am currently wondering about this) which equals about 8 teaspoons of pod powder. I dose twice a day. I have heard alot about that being bad, but I have already done it and don't know how to get it down now to one.

I feel so lost. I have no idea how to go about this and just want out so bad.

 

[mlk_2900]

Also forgot to mention, in Sept or so it is very likely that vicodin will be available to me agian, likely 120 of them. Do you think I could possibly slowly taper my poppy dose down a bit, then switch to the vicodin, find the dose that works for me at the time (which I have no idea, that could be high) and wean off of them instead? I know that sounds crazy but I have weaned off of actual pills enough times that I know I can do it. Of course I was never taking very many of them at one time. I even have some vicodin now but only like 8 of them, which to me seems like it would be pointless and not enough to do that successfully.

Wanted to add that sadly the vicodin are 5/500.

 

[monstanoodle]

It's definitely possible to taper your dose down yea. It'll just involve willpower and, unfortunately, nothing's ever without a little bit of negativity.

If you can get yourself to only dose once a day, this will help massively. By the sounds of things (reading a lot on here) PPT (poppy pod tea) can last a very long time - people will wake up still high - so if you can get past the mental aspects of the addiction then you should be able to comfortably (enough) dose once a day.

The Alprazolam (Xanax) will definitely be of some help. Taking that when you experience bad Anxiety or at night when you just can't sleep for shit would be the best route to go - but do watch out for gaining a tolerance and dependance to that.
Atleast you're getting that scripted

Gradually, say once every week, drop your dose by a teaspoon. If you find yourself having difficulty then stay at a dose for a couple of weeks until you feel "normal" (enough) on it.

The Vicodin would be best used right at the end of things. Taking a couple at night to help with the worst of the withdrawals (Restless Limb Syndrome, hot/cold flushes, aches and pains) and if you manage to get some more, you'll be able to go slower and taper down your dose to 1 twice a day.

Really hope you can get through it You will be able to but it's gunna require your full attention and all the willpower you can muster. Good luck!

 

[shadyMyster]

no, with the vikes youll go back to the old habit and take them all and not taper. That's what you did before and in all likeliness what will happen again. I suggest you search online for the different methods of withdrawl that will give you a list of different drugs to take and when, according to each specific ailment you may accrue whilst in withdrawl.

That being said, taper down from your dose, cutting it down marginally over 2 weeks. Ex. 1st day you have ____ less, second is constant. 3rd is ___ less, 4th is constant, 5th constant, 6 ___ less, and so on.

 

[monstanoodle]

It's not impossible just because she wasn't able to do it before. This is the attitude that prevents people from thinking they're able to do it, but if they've got the will to do so it's definitely possible.

 

[mlk_2900]

Honestly, the reason I didn't do it before is because I was not looking to quit for whatever reason. I do not think I realized exactly how bad the addiction can be to pods. No matter what I read, I thought I could just use them and then go off when I want to. So when I took the vicodins before it was because I was out of pods. I mainly took them to get me through until I got more pods, not to use them to go off the poppies. Fast forward to this week, I had terrible constipation from the pods that scared the life out of me and therefore didn't dose as normal, which threw me into withdrawals and I realized that I truly was addicted and how bad the withdrawals can be. I of course went back to them then, had no choice really as I mentioned, I had to be up with my son the next day, but it defiantly made me wake up and want to get off of them. I have the will power but I think I almost need to figure out for sure my current dosage and then try to go from there. I really feel if I can at least get it lower, then come Sept or so, I could jump from the pods to the vics and taper off the vics. I have tapered off of them many times. I would come into a bottle, use them for fun for a bit, taper off and be fine. Only this time I really plan to be done for good, lesson learned.

Right now, I just keep reading that the withdrawals are terrible and never ending and that tapering is impossible etc. and it makes me crazy with anxiety to think about and I begin to feel hopeless. Then I start to panic that in just the past two or three months I have ruined my life forever.

Any idea of how to get down to the once a day. I start going into withdrawals after about 12 hours from dosing. I know that it isn't true withdrawals, but enough that I become wrecked with anxiety and restless legs. Should I just take my normal dose every morning for one week and at night take xanax to help me sleep and get through the night? And then if I get adjusted to that, lower the morning dose and go from there?


Also want to mention that I have access to clonazepam as well, if that would be safer to use or less likely to build an addiction to. For what its worth, I have had my script for xanax for maybe a year and a half and barely ever use it, never been addicted to it, never even wanted to. I actually let several prescriptions expire with refills left on them. Just has never been my thing, so I am not too worried about mentally become addicted to the Xanax but do worry about becoming physically dependent on them through out this.

 

[JayJohnson]

Pod tea is a nasty withdrawal (I've been through it before) - so I tapered down my use and got off them a few months back. Another user here also tapered off (and he is almost done.)

If you search for "poppy pod taper" you'll find Bojangles69 and my thread about our taper. Basically it takes determination to get off them, and some will power to slowly (over weeks, not days) measure your dosage and cut it down. Just like you would taper off pills.

It can be done, with minimal discomfort. Using things like loperamide, kratom, even marijuana can help ease the withdrawal symptoms you might feel. Exercise and proper diet are also very helpful in making the withdrawal less painful. Honestly, for my taper I felt very very little withdrawal. Far far less than a full cold turkey withdrawal.

Read up, make a plan, and stick to it. Good luck!

 

[mlk_2900]

Pod tea is a nasty withdrawal (I've been through it before) - so I tapered down my use and got off them a few months back. Another user here also tapered off (and he is almost done.)

If you search for "poppy pod taper" you'll find Bojangles69 and my thread about our taper. Basically it takes determination to get off them, and some will power to slowly (over weeks, not days) measure your dosage and cut it down. Just like you would taper off pills.

It can be done, with minimal discomfort. Using things like loperamide, kratom, even marijuana can help ease the withdrawal symptoms you might feel. Exercise and proper diet are also very helpful in making the withdrawal less painful. Honestly, for my taper I felt very very little withdrawal. Far far less than a full cold turkey withdrawal.

Read up, make a plan, and stick to it. Good luck!

Oh you have no idea how much hope you have given me! I know its not going to be a walk in the park, but the minimal discomfort thing sounds good because I have to be able to function. In the little bit of withdrawal I did experience earlier this week (which wasn't for long because I ended up dosing again) the anxiety was the worse, and I do have the xanax that hopefully can help with that.

I will search for those threads now! I have personally never had any dealings at all with marijuana and wouldn't have a clue where to get any. But I have had some Kratom before. I guess it would be good to have some of that on hand if I need it?

 

[JayJohnson]

Yeah, forget the marijuana if you aren't familiar with it! Kratom can be very helpful for opiate/pod withdrawal. Also, check out the loperamide threads. It's an over the counter anti-diarrhea med that helps with the withdrawals because it has opiate effects on your GI tract. (It doesn't pass the blood-brain barrier so it doesn't get you high - although some people argue it does a little - but it helps with opiate withdrawal.) A lot of us who have gone through opiate withdrawals a few time swear by loperamide.

Suboxone might still be an option. Doctors will vary on their opinion. Most doctors don't have a clue what `poppy pods` are, in my experience. In any case, if you decide to look into suboxone more, if I were you I wouldn't consider it except for a short 4-5 day taper. (Some people go on suboxone maintenance, but I don't think you are in that far with opiates to consider that route.)

I'll just say again: read, make a detailed plan (consider what can go wrong in the plan, and make contingency plans), and stick to it. I don't know what kind of support you have from family/friends/bluelight, but the more the merrier. Support is good.

I wish you the best - for you and the little one!

 

[HamClamp]

Yes you CAN taper off pods successfully!

I've done it before and I'll be starting a taper (again) in about a week.

As suggested above: Stock up on Loperamide, maybe some Valerian and Melatonin for sleep/anxiety, vitamins for general health, maybe some Kratom. Anything to take the edge off.

Try to taper your afternoon dose first and leave the morning dose for last. That's how I'm gonna do it. I've done it before and it worked out well. I, like you, dose twice a day.

I will be dropping 20% by weight every fourth day unless I'm not stabilised. Past experiences tells me that by the third day at the new dose I'm stable and ready for another 20% drop. You can go very slow if you wish and drop 5%. I usually cut my drops to 10% and stretch the last leg out to 5 days befrore each drop as it gets a little wiggly right at the bitter end. Listen to your body- Do what works FOR YOU!

I strongly concur with Jay Johnson regarding his advise about using Suboxone only for a shoort fast taper. Persoanlly I think you are at a low enough dose that you ought to be able to pull off a taper/jump with a relatively small amount of misery if any. Discomfort? You bet? Misery? Nah I think you'll be okay.

I'm gonna be starting ym taper in about a week so how about we keep an eye on each other? I'm an old pro at this (cuz I'm I'm pretty freakin stupid) and I'll help you out any way I can.

I hope you'll keep us posted as things progress.

Peace, courage, and strength to you!

 

[monstanoodle]

I wish you the best - for you and the little one!

Great posts there Jay Informative and very helpful (it showed in her response)!

About getting down to one dose a day - I reckon if you can get yourself into a position where you're taking your dose closer to night time that this would help.
I personally find the lack of sleep makes everything else about withdrawals so much worse, so using something like Kratom and / or a couple of Vicodin during the day for your mu-receptors and taking Alprazolam or Clonazepam for the Anxiety (I totally appreciate how bad that can be but they should help lots ) and at night for sleep too should make things so much more bearable

Definitely work out a good tapering plan before you commit to it It's good for your frame-of-mind too, as well as cutting down in general, because you know what you're going to do and the feeling of "Right! I know what I've got to do and I'm gong to do it!" can really help

 

[mlk_2900]

Thanks to everyone who has replied, you have no idea how much it has already helped!

JayJohnson...Thanks so much for your kind words and advice. I read up on the threads you mentioned. It really gave me strength to see that you were able to taper successfully in that amount of time and at that dosage. I have ordered some kratom to have if needed once I start tapering my morning dose.... You mentioned support, unfortunately, I don't have any. My husband does not know about my problem at all and I know everything says you should tell the people around you in order to stay clean, but I can not tell my husband. He isn't normally a judgmental person, but in this he would be and the fall out that would follow would most likely suck away any strength I have to do this. I do however have bluelight of course which I am quickly finding to be a wonderful strength, and another close friend of mine who knows now and is helping me along the way as much as she can being that she lives hours from me.

Yes you CAN taper off pods successfully!

I've done it before and I'll be starting a taper (again) in about a week.

As suggested above: Stock up on Loperamide, maybe some Valerian and Melatonin for sleep/anxiety, vitamins for general health, maybe some Kratom. Anything to take the edge off.

Try to taper your afternoon dose first and leave the morning dose for last. That's how I'm gonna do it. I've done it before and it worked out well. I, like you, dose twice a day.

I will be dropping 20% by weight every fourth day unless I'm not stabilised. Past experiences tells me that by the third day at the new dose I'm stable and ready for another 20% drop. You can go very slow if you wish and drop 5%. I usually cut my drops to 10% and stretch the last leg out to 5 days befrore each drop as it gets a little wiggly right at the bitter end. Listen to your body- Do what works FOR YOU!

I strongly concur with Jay Johnson regarding his advise about using Suboxone only for a shoort fast taper. Persoanlly I think you are at a low enough dose that you ought to be able to pull off a taper/jump with a relatively small amount of misery if any. Discomfort? You bet? Misery? Nah I think you'll be okay.

I'm gonna be starting ym taper in about a week so how about we keep an eye on each other? I'm an old pro at this (cuz I'm I'm pretty freakin stupid) and I'll help you out any way I can.

I hope you'll keep us posted as things progress.

Peace, courage, and strength to you!

I will most defiantly keep everyone posted as things progress. And I would love for us to keep an eye on each other!

I don't know how much I currently dose by weight only by actual amount, 7-8 teaspoons actual pod powder mixed in juice, so I can't go down by weight. However I am going to go down a teaspoon at the time. I like your plan to drop every fourth day unless you aren't stabilized, which is what I am going to try to do. For now I am working on my evening dose as you mentioned and then move on to my morning dose. Tonight is a trial for me, currently I haven't dosed at all since 8:00 am (its currently 10:30 pm here) and I am going to really try to not dose any unless I have to. If it comes to it I have a much smaller dose already allotted out. I am getting anxious and restless, but so far so good. I do plan to take a xanax later to help me relax and sleep. I am also going to stock up on the loperamide, valerian, melatonin and ordered some kratom just in case.

Tomorrow when I can actually see if not dosing tonight worked, as well as have the ability to be still for a bit and think clearly I am going to make out my actual taper schedule and will post it here. I am currently so much more positive about this than I was this morning. It won't be easy I know, but I am starting to believe it can at least be doable!

 

[HamClamp]

Way to go!

You're already testing the waters tonight- courageous!

I actually bag and date my doses and put them in a tupperware, in order, and that really seems to help me out. That way I'm not only tapering my dosage but also breaking the routine/ritual and eliminating that as well. Might be something to consider.

Something else to think about: Right now dropping one teaspoon is only 1/8 of your dose. Later, one teaspoon dropped will be 1/2 of your daily dose- BIG drop! While at first it's a small percentage, towards the end it's a BIG drop. Do you see what's happening here? Dropping a mere eighth of your dose is nothing but as you taper down it become a larger percentage. Dropping ones dose to half, even at low doses, is drastic and will hurt. Try to think in percentages for a smooth ride.

Great job so far- keep up the good work!

 

[mlk_2900]

Well, I didn't dose at all last night! I got up this morning not feeling too well but had a couple things to do first so I dosed just a bit ago, at 11:00 am, 26 hours after my last dose! That dose isn't tapered yet though, so it is a full dose. Right now it hasn't kicked in so I feel very jittery and anxious, pupils aren't pinpoint so I know at least some of what I dose yesterday has left my system.

Way to go!

You're already testing the waters tonight- courageous!

I actually bag and date my doses and put them in a tupperware, in order, and that really seems to help me out. That way I'm not only tapering my dosage but also breaking the routine/ritual and eliminating that as well. Might be something to consider.

Something else to think about: Right now dropping one teaspoon is only 1/8 of your dose. Later, one teaspoon dropped will be 1/2 of your daily dose- BIG drop! While at first it's a small percentage, towards the end it's a BIG drop. Do you see what's happening here? Dropping a mere eighth of your dose is nothing but as you taper down it become a larger percentage. Dropping ones dose to half, even at low doses, is drastic and will hurt. Try to think in percentages for a smooth ride.

Great job so far- keep up the good work!

You are right about the teaspoon thing. I didn't even think of that, shows my mind isn't working that clearly. When I sit down later to develop a schedule I will think of that and try to figure it out that way.

 

[JayJohnson]

^^ Ditto the dropping a percentage thing, especially the lower the dose gets.

I also want to note that for me, right at the start I was able to drop my dose by a lot without any problems. I was using like 50grams of powdered pod material to feel real good, so a dose of like 20grams was enough to hold me (and actually still feel a bit of a energized high.)

mlk 2900: it sounds like you are actually consuming the pod powder in juice? Is that right? Because that usually means the effects are felt for longer, so I would guess it wouldn't be a problem to drop to dosing once a day. I guess we'll see how it went for you when you report back today.

 

[mlk_2900]

^^ Ditto the dropping a percentage thing, especially the lower the dose gets.

I also want to note that for me, right at the start I was able to drop my dose by a lot without any problems. I was using like 50grams of powdered pod material to feel real good, so a dose of like 20grams was enough to hold me (and actually still feel a bit of a energized high.)

mlk 2900: it sounds like you are actually consuming the pod powder in juice? Is that right? Because that usually means the effects are felt for longer, so I would guess it wouldn't be a problem to drop to dosing once a day. I guess we'll see how it went for you when you report back today.

Yes I am actually consuming the pod powder in juice.


I wish I could say I was doing well so far, but I am not too sure. I spent the last hour and a half in a nervous, shaking, crying frenzy. Even the diarrhea hit me. I am guessing its because I didn't dose at all last night and then this morning it is taking awhile for everything to get in my system. Even now I still don't feel great. How long does it take the pods to get in your system? I will be honest and admit that I also took 1/4 a xanax (.5 mg) and 1/2 of a vicodin (5/500) a few minutes ago. I hate this because yesterday I felt able to go through with this. I did well through all of last night and today I am doubting myself all over again. And I haven't even tapered my morning dose yet. I guess I might can say I have cut my total dose in half though, being that I didn't dose last night. Currently I am wondering if I can get through tonight like that though. Does your body perhaps treat it that way? I know the effects should last me 24 hours, though they never really did for me. But does the body look at it as 16 teaspoons a day instead 8 teaspoons twice a day? If so perhaps my body is reacting as though I did just cut my dose in half. If I am able to keep this up will I likely become stable with just this one dose in a few days? I will explain the main reason I am asking below...

I have a 3 day (all day, each day) event coming up this next weekend that I have to go to. I am getting stressed about going through that (wrangling a toddler as well no less) with the slight withdrawals. Should I perhaps just continue to work on the not dosing at night, hopefully get that evened out, and not taper my morning dose at all until after that event?


**Just wanted to add that now at about 2 hours after my dose I think it has kicked in. I have the energized feeling a bit and must admit there is still a bit of that warm, comfy opiate feeling of the pods but I do not feel that really, really good bliss that they can bring. So, in short I am a bit over comfortable but not truly high, if that makes any sense. Of course this is at my full dose (which I think was just a bit over maintaining me and I was already growing a tolerance to) so I guess it would feel that way. I think once the pods are beginning to work their way out of my system (like this morning) it likely takes about 1 1/2 - 2 hours for the next dose to kick back in. I never really realized that, probably because with the dosing twice a day I was dosing before they ever even began to die off. Now I really wish I would have given them a chance to take effect and not taken the 1/4 xanax and 1/2 vicodin. I guess they (the xanax and vicodin) could be causing this current feeling, but I don't really see how at that small of dosages.

 

[Levvytation]

I was on the grounds glugged down with GFJ for over six months, and like you OP had previously only dabbled with codeine....but suddenly I was in real trouble, in the boat you are now. But tapering DOES work, do it at your pace with all the hints & tips mentioned above by other posters.

I was where you are now last christmas, now I'm on codeine, one dose per day and haven't touched a pod for months. You CAN do it, good luck.

 

[mlk_2900]

^ Thanks so much for sharing your story! Hearing the success stories really makes a world of difference. I am trying to concentrate on those instead of the stories where people tried and couldn't, where people talk about how hard it was, etc. They make me doubt that I can taper and I truly believe so much of it (with me at least) is a state of mind. Sounds like our stories are a lot alike as far as how we took the pods and how we went into it perhaps a little naive in the other drugs we had done. I had only messed with codeine and vicodin. Now I realize, these pods are nothing to fool around with. When I get off, I am promising myself I have no desire to ever touch one again. This has made me learn my lesson!!

 

[monstanoodle]

That's fantastic that you only dosed once! Seriously well done with that ^_^
If you can keep that up then you're well on your way to getting this done

I've noticed actually, when I've been in withdrawals and waiting as long as I can to take a Codeine CWE that it does take a while for the withdrawal symptoms to disappear. I try take comfort in the knowledge that they will do soon. I'd imagine that Poppy Pod Grindings will take even longer than tablets, but they will come on eventually

I hope that you can eventually make it so you're dosing at night instead of the day. It all depends on how badly it's effecting your sleep and how badly your sleep is effecting everything else

Anyhoo, again - Well done! Keep it up!

 

[JayJohnson]

Taking the grounds will definitely take longer for it to kick in completely. Your body has to digest the grounds. (The grounds also make it last longer, so dosing once a day should be no problem.)

Here are my thoughts on what I would do: Stick to dosing once a day. Make a tea with your dose (using just hot tap water, letting it sit for 30 minutes, strain and save the grounds.) Drink the nasty tea (it's an acquired taste), then mix the grounds in with juice and drink that. This way you are still getting everything from the grounds, but the tea will make it kick in faster. This should make adjusting to once a day dosing a piece of cake.

Now because you only dosed once today, and 8 teaspoons, you have cut your dose in half. Maybe too quickly! SO, if after another hour you aren't feeling well enough to function, I would take another 4 teaspoons worth. This way, you have a total of 12 teaspoons for the day which is still cutting back your dose. I *think* that should hold you really well for the day.

At this point, work on one thing at a time. That is keeping your dose to once a day. You should adjust well to that in a day or two, then you can focus on reducing the amount. If you end up taking a total of 12 today, use 12 tomorrow. Stick with 12 for a couple days, then try dropping to 10... but for now, just find what amount it takes to stabilize.

Keep us updated on how things go, and we'll help you figure it out. Don't worry about the benzo and vicodin. That's a tiny detail in the big picture you're working on!