OP- what is/was his daily habit like?
how long was he using for?
has he previously tried any methods to quit?
does he actually want to quit or is it more that he has to for some reason(s).
these factors will help determine his best course of action.
i personally would suggest trying to go cold turkey before anything else. i say this because with methadone//suboxone he will basically be trading one addiction for another if he plans to use it for maintenance. before everyone freaks out about that last statement, i am well aware and completely understand that for some people this is truly their only option. however, i use suboxone and often feel that i am lying to myself about being clean. methadone//suboxone can also be used for a quick detox, which i feel is the best way to utilize them, it can take years to get off of either substitutes. another issue with using methadone//suboxone, is cheating. many people feel that they can cheat whenever they want because they have the methadone//suboxone to fall back on following a binge. in my opinion, this only makes matters worse in the long run. don't get me wrong, i am currently using suboxone to free myself from my oxycodone addiction- but i often take suboxone for a few days and then binge on oxycodone, and start over with the suboxone. this is a bad thing because i don't experience any negative repercussions from my using.
if he does plan to give cold turkey a go, he should speak with his//a doctor and try to get clonidine and maybe even a small//short script for a benzodiazepine (such as lorazepam). the clonidine will help with blood pressure fluctuation, chills//sweats, RLS, and aches. the benzodiazepine will help with anxiety//depression, insomnia, and the overall shitty mood that comes along with withdrawals. however, i say a small//short script so he does not end up with a dependency which can be even more devastating that an opiate addiction. i would not use benzos consistently for more than five days and would only take them sparingly. many doctors are hesitant or unwilling to prescribe benzos for detox//withdrawal purposes because of the risks, so if he does ask for them, i suggest asking for only 1, maybe 2 weeks worth.
some over-the-counter products to stock up on would be loperamide (immodium) to help with stomach cramps, diarrhea, and body aches. an antihistamine (such as benadryl) to help with watery eyes, runny nose, and chills. a sleep aid (5-htp, melatonin, valerian root) if he is unable to obtain a benzodiazepine prescription. excedrin back & body is great for muscle aches, but any anti-inflammatory/NSAID will come in handy- and muscle creams such as icey-hot are good to have around as well. taking a daily multi-vitamin is good practice too.
some general things to keep in mind are to stay hydrated. being dehydrated will make anyone feel like crap in general and cause muscle cramps//aches, so it's essential to drink a lot of water//juice//gatorade during withdrawals. try to eat fruits//veggies. eating can be difficult during the first few days, but eating as much healthy stuff as possible will help a lot. it will provide vitamins and minerals that the body needs to feel better. exercise! maybe not in the first couple days, but as soon as he can stand it. this will also help with aches, but the main thing with exercise is to get natural chemicals flowing- like dopamine- which will make him feel a whole lot better. lastly, get as much sleep as possible. insomnia during withdrawals reeks havoc on the body and is one of the main reasons he will feel so awful while withdrawing. the more sleep the better, as it will rejuvenate his body, put him in a better mood, and make him feel better overall.
after trying cold turkey, if he feels that he absolutely can't bear it anymore or ends up relapsing. then i would recommend suboxone over methadone. i know this was a long post, but i hope it helps. if you can, get back to us with some more detailed information about his addiction so we can further help you. good luck to him and i hope it all works out. remember, we at bluelight are always here to help you with support and advice!
