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Depression after quitting opioids.. How long?

Lynn8514

Lynn8514

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Sep 19, 2015
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I've been on some form of opioid for about 7 years. I've had one sober break for a few months and remember feeling bored and nothing was enjoyable. After starting opioids again, then heroin, I finally went to the methadone clinic where i stayed around 2 years.
i recently tapered from 70mg to 3mg and quit. This is the end of the 7th day and I don't physically feel that bad but mentally, I feel empty and I can't really enjoy anything. I wasn't expecting to feel this from methadone, I don't know why.
I read about opioids making your brain produce more dopamine- mood hormone- and your brain doesn't know how to function without it at first.. But how long will it be? I wish I'd never touched an opioid ever in my life. 7 days of withdrawals that probably aren't over and now I feel mentally screwed too.

Im just really upset. Drugs feel good for a little while but they take everything from you for payment.
 
Sorry lynn done is probably the longest to get over. Basically that low energy, depression, no zest for life stage takes for ever. My only suggestions are what I do and it still takes a while. Eat way healthier than normal vegetables/ fruits etc. And run everyday till you feel like you are going to keel over. Usually takes about 2 weeks of that. After that you will probably have a day where you do not feel terrible. Now here is the important part; Remember how you feel and how good it is and remember you do not need a substance to feel like this it comes naturally. Remember that even one slip up you will likely go back to square one.

That is how I do it in a nutshell
 
Droppersneck said:
Sorry lynn done is probably the longest to get over. Basically that low energy, depression, no zest for life stage takes for ever. My only suggestions are what I do and it still takes a while. Eat way healthier than normal vegetables/ fruits etc. And run everyday till you feel like you are going to keel over. Usually takes about 2 weeks of that. After that you will probably have a day where you do not feel terrible. Now here is the important part; Remember how you feel and how good it is and remember you do not need a substance to feel like this it comes naturally. Remember that even one slip up you will likely go back to square one.

That is how I do it in a nutshell
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so after you got over the acute withdrawals, you ate super healthy and ran to your max for two weeks, and then it got better? I'm beyond serious about quitting opioids- I have a 1 year old and I'd do anything for her. I don't want her growing up around drugs. Opioids and heroin will take everything from you until they end up taking your life. I've had too many friends overdose on accident.
Anyway, I just wasn't prepared to be depressed and feel completely lifeless. 2 weeks isn't too bad- how long were you on methadone?
 
No I think what he is saying is that he got over the acute withdrawals ran for 2 weeks then had 1 or 2 days before the depression came back. I'm not going to lie to you there is a good chance that you are going to feel like shit for a good little while. It's called post acute withdrawal syndrome and the severity of it is generally linked to your length and severity of use. When I was in rehab the counselors told me that a rough guide is to expect 1 month of PAWS for every year of use. Now it's going to be different for each person. Some people say they never feel right again and some say they never have PAWS so it runs the spectrum of experiences.
 
Lynn8514 said:
so after you got over the acute withdrawals, you ate super healthy and ran to your max for two weeks, and then it got better? I'm beyond serious about quitting opioids- I have a 1 year old and I'd do anything for her. I don't want her growing up around drugs. Opioids and heroin will take everything from you until they end up taking your life. I've had too many friends overdose on accident.
Anyway, I just wasn't prepared to be depressed and feel completely lifeless. 2 weeks isn't too bad- how long were you on methadone?
Click to expand...

No I was talking subs @ 1mg jump off. The excercise/diet thing is not BS it is soooo important. Also sex
 
Ugh I don't think I can exercise yet. My body just hurts. I'll try in a few days..

Hey crimson, do you know if that counselor meant a month for every year on methadone or a month for every year you were on anything? This is really getting ridiculous. Nothing on earth is worth what opioid addiction causes.
 
^^

Honestly I wouldn't go crazy over PAWS and trying to overanalyze and think it to death;

The be honest if you've spent the last 7 years on opiates you have to imagine it will take quite a bit of time before you will feel "normal again"

I know Methadone in general takes forever because of how long it lasts;

really i wouldn't focus on this and just try to not USE 1 day at a time; I really wish i was in your situation right now....

Also if you are really mentally unable to handle it after even months you might want to just check out and do some research into Ibogaine;

I'm not saying do Ibogaine I'm just saying look into it and see if maybe it might be an option for you.

Im about to do it soon but first I'm gonna switch over to Morphine from methadone.
 
7 years on and off... But now, I'm not even sure what normal feels like. I'm just going to be glad it's almost day 8 and all I have is RLS. Since gabapentin gets rid of that, I'm thankful for right now.
 
Just realize that everyday it will get better Lynn;

How was your experience tapering all the way down to 3ml?

Was it hard to get down that low?

I still think diet, exercise, and a good support group are your keys to long term success;

If you can try to get some therapy as well it can be very useful; Remember there is usually an underlying reason why we decide to start using and become addicted long term...

When you get rid of the addiction you still have to deal with yourself and life; and you wanna start really analyzing your behaviors and past to get an insight into what any of your underlying issues may be so that you are more aware of them in the future..

Good luck and stay strong.... Remember the avg craving only lasts a few minutes; I've been on benzos for a few months and often get cravings to take a benzo but it usually subsides after a few minutes
 
Lynn8514 said:
Ugh I don't think I can exercise yet. My body just hurts. I'll try in a few days..
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Don't exercise until you are out of acutes.

Emotional response is greatly elevated in acutes and especially in PAWS.

Keep it simple.. really simple.. everything will work itself out when you make it:)

Keep your thoughts in the moment.. if we fall into the past we can get hit with uncomfortable resentment, guilt, anger, etc.. I we wander into the future we can get slammed with anxiety, fear, self doubt, hopelessness. Just keep it in the moment and simple as possible. Keep it in the NOW.. most people almost entirely miss it.. always trying to make sense of the past or worrying about the future. Get someplace awesome and leave all that past future misery alone for a few minutes. Take a real look at whats going down rite then.

Post Your Best Mindfulness Resources and Experiences

Our experience of life is determined by our perception of what happens to us. Our perception is determined by our thoughts. We control our thoughts, so in essence we control our experience. We have little to no control over what life throws our way, but we have total control over how we choose to look at whats happening.

Change how you think and your whole world changes. TRUE

Good things about being off drugs/getting sober
Share Something Positive from Your Day vs. It's All Around You
Today I Am Thankful For... Ver. 4 Infinite Chances in an Amazing World
Daily Personal Affirmations Log Vs IM THE SHIT & NOT a piece a.. not playing me. NOPE
Managing depressive thinking

Your doing amazing.. have you taken even a second to give yourself some love and respect for the amazing things you have already accomplished.:)
 
it depends, as you said 7 years, that's a while. So I would think of it like this. Why did you use that long? It's likely you had depression and other PAWS symptoms before you even started using, likely due to depression, anxiety, or another mental illness or even physical issue. Nonetheless, know that you will eventually be happier one day once you realize your life is so much better without the drug controlling your emotions.
 
First, I want to thank all of you for responding. I just turned 26 and had my first child a year ago. She makes me want to be better, but I had already quit heroin and pills before I got pregnant. I was only on methadone.

It honestly wasn't very hard to go down to 3mg. I occasionally got uncomfortable but it was bareable and I never used anything else. I did taper very slow. The clinic I went to would only go down in 5's so I used take homes to get myself down to 3mg. I went down very slow and it made it so much easier.

It's day 8 and I've been feeling a little better everyday physically. I just can't seem to enjoy much of anything.

I haven't had much of a support system- my husband still goes to the clinic. I respect and support his decision to stay, but he doesn't like seeing me suffer so I haven't had anyone to talk to about it.

I've never been to a support group or anything but I've been considering it. I'm close with my mom and she doesn't even know about any of this. The depression has just really taken me off guard. I don't crave anything I just want to feel normal and be happy.
 
Nsa,

Thank you for the support and the links. I'm will definitely check them out.

I'm so thankful for all the encouragement. You really have no idea how much its helped.


And sorry I've posted like 3 times I'm just so greatful!
 
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There are no hard and fast rules for how long it might take, but you will continue to get better.
I knew i was out of the woods when i stopped craving and feeling like something was vaguely missing.
Distracting myself from those thoughts as much as possible really helped. Cravings pass after a while, and once you learn some coping strategies that dont involve drugs, you can put a bit of time between you and your habit.
The longer you have abstained, the easier it gets, i find.
 
Hey spacejunk! Did you ever go through a time where the normal things (watching movies, etc.) Just didn't feel fun anymore? I'm a stay at home mom so maybe I just need to get my ass out the house lol
 
Middle of day 8. I don't know if I can do this. I feel like shit and now I'm depressed too.
 
I'm reading your thread and wanted to say KUDOS for your efforts. I don't have addiction, but I suffer from chronic pain and it's sidekick, DEPRESSION.

I empathize with your feelings of emptiness, nothingness, etc. YES, ABSOLUTELY get out of the house as often as possible. Put your baby in a stroller and go for walks and/or runs. FOCUS on all that is good and all that you are grateful for.

The suggestions of healthy eating and drinking tons of water to cleanse your system are spot on. Even if exercise is the last thing on your mind...DO IT, even starting with once around the block. Your child's face is your motivation...your kick in the ass, so to speak. :\

I view the battle as white dog (good) vs. black dog (evil). Which one wins? The one you feed the most. FEED YOUR WHITE DOG well with positive thoughts of a healthy lifestyle, along with exercise, distraction through hobbies or volunteer projects. Those things will feed your soul as well.

YOU CAN DO THIS!
 
If could I would get out but I just can't. I'm still withdrawing and it's all I can do to move around the house. I've just basically been crying all day. This is horrible. None of the comfort meds are working anymore :(
 
Lynn8514 said:
If could I would get out but I just can't. I'm still withdrawing and it's all I can do to move around the house. I've just basically been crying all day. This is horrible. None of the comfort meds are working anymore :(
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stay strong!! <3

have a warm bowl of chicken noodle soup, have a nice warm shower, and put on some relaxing music. you can do it!!
 
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