Help tapering off heroin addiction

[poppyqueen]

I have been a heavy opiate user for years now: started when I was younger with Vicodin, moved up to Oxys & Roxys, the 30 mg blues, and averaged about 10 a day (300 mgs). This was my life for a couple years. I was a functioning addict until I wasn't and my world came crashing down, quickly and dramatically. Ended up in rehab about 7 months ago, after quitting blues cold turkey. Well, my opiate addicted, 300 mgs a day body said hell no and fraught back with the most intense and traditionally horrible withdrawal symptoms: I felt like my body had been hit by multiple busses, I could not stop throwing up, shaking, sweating, going to the bathroom and experienced the worst restless leg syndrome. Needless to say, those around me watching this checked me into a detox center, where I went on a 4 day suboxone detox. It was amazing. Detox wasn't, but suboxone is like a miracle drug for people going through opiate WD. To make a long story short, here I am 7 months later in the throws of heroin addiction. I started using heroin about 6 months ago, snorting turned into shooting, shooting up randomly became shooting up regularly and regularly soon became a strict schedule of shooting up heroin and cocaine every morning before work, every afternoon after work, and every evening before bed. Everyday. Like clockwork. I have to end this cycle. I feel like I have lost control of my life. If I don't do my shot at the time my body is used to doing it, I will start to get dope sick, and I know first hand the hell that really is, so I use to feel normal. So I wanna quit, can't quit because I'm so physically addicted, but need to stop or I know I'll loose everything, again. So I have three, 8 mg suboxone strips. The last time I did dope was at 6pm yesterday evening. I woke up this morning & left to go to work at 8:30 and took half of the sub (4 mgs) then. I have 4 mgs left from that strip, and 2 other 8 mg strips. Anyone have any advice on how to best taper off? Any advice for me in general, been through what I'm going through? Anything helps right now as I'm fighting this battle alone, none of my friends and family know I'm using again, and not only using, but shooting up speedballs 2-3 a day. Thanks y'all xx

 

[Cliffy78]

I have been a heavy opiate user for years now: started when I was younger with Vicodin, moved up to Oxys & Roxys, the 30 mg blues, and averaged about 10 a day (300 mgs). This was my life for a couple years. I was a functioning addict until I wasn't and my world came crashing down, quickly and dramatically. Ended up in rehab about 7 months ago, after quitting blues cold turkey. Well, my opiate addicted, 300 mgs a day body said hell no and fraught back with the most intense and traditionally horrible withdrawal symptoms: I felt like my body had been hit by multiple busses, I could not stop throwing up, shaking, sweating, going to the bathroom and experienced the worst restless leg syndrome. Needless to say, those around me watching this checked me into a detox center, where I went on a 4 day suboxone detox. It was amazing. Detox wasn't, but suboxone is like a miracle drug for people going through opiate WD. To make a long story short, here I am 7 months later in the throws of heroin addiction. I started using heroin about 6 months ago, snorting turned into shooting, shooting up randomly became shooting up regularly and regularly soon became a strict schedule of shooting up heroin and cocaine every morning before work, every afternoon after work, and every evening before bed. Everyday. Like clockwork. I have to end this cycle. I feel like I have lost control of my life. If I don't do my shot at the time my body is used to doing it, I will start to get dope sick, and I know first hand the hell that really is, so I use to feel normal. So I wanna quit, can't quit because I'm so physically addicted, but need to stop or I know I'll loose everything, again. So I have three, 8 mg suboxone strips. The last time I did dope was at 6pm yesterday evening. I woke up this morning & left to go to work at 8:30 and took half of the sub (4 mgs) then. I have 4 mgs left from that strip, and 2 other 8 mg strips. Anyone have any advice on how to best taper off? Any advice for me in general, been through what I'm going through? Anything helps right now as I'm fighting this battle alone, none of my friends and family know I'm using again, and not only using, but shooting up speedballs 2-3 a day. Thanks y'all xx

Fuckin hell poppyqueen I'm really sry to hear ur goin through this shit again. And u gotta kick coke too, it's gonna be rough to kick both at the same time for sure. I'm not really knowledgable about the rapid taper so I don't want to give u bad info but I'm sure someone will be along shortly that has a much better idea how to best do a sub taper. I just wanted say hi and give u some support for what that's worth. You might want to make your own thread so that more people will see it, here your just gonna get the people who are following this thread. Either way I'm sure someone, maybe a moderator even, will be along and be able to move your post for u. I know what your going through with the ridiculous restless legs and what not and I'll be following ur story and if I can help I'm more than glad to, stay strong and good luck!!!

 

[Matheus]

I have been a heavy opiate user for years now: started when I was younger with Vicodin, moved up to Oxys & Roxys, the 30 mg blues, and averaged about 10 a day (300 mgs). This was my life for a couple years. I was a functioning addict until I wasn't and my world came crashing down, quickly and dramatically. Ended up in rehab about 7 months ago, after quitting blues cold turkey. Well, my opiate addicted, 300 mgs a day body said hell no and fraught back with the most intense and traditionally horrible withdrawal symptoms: I felt like my body had been hit by multiple busses, I could not stop throwing up, shaking, sweating, going to the bathroom and experienced the worst restless leg syndrome. Needless to say, those around me watching this checked me into a detox center, where I went on a 4 day suboxone detox. It was amazing. Detox wasn't, but suboxone is like a miracle drug for people going through opiate WD. To make a long story short, here I am 7 months later in the throws of heroin addiction. I started using heroin about 6 months ago, snorting turned into shooting, shooting up randomly became shooting up regularly and regularly soon became a strict schedule of shooting up heroin and cocaine every morning before work, every afternoon after work, and every evening before bed. Everyday. Like clockwork. I have to end this cycle. I feel like I have lost control of my life. If I don't do my shot at the time my body is used to doing it, I will start to get dope sick, and I know first hand the hell that really is, so I use to feel normal. So I wanna quit, can't quit because I'm so physically addicted, but need to stop or I know I'll loose everything, again. So I have three, 8 mg suboxone strips. The last time I did dope was at 6pm yesterday evening. I woke up this morning & left to go to work at 8:30 and took half of the sub (4 mgs) then. I have 4 mgs left from that strip, and 2 other 8 mg strips. Anyone have any advice on how to best taper off? Any advice for me in general, been through what I'm going through? Anything helps right now as I'm fighting this battle alone, none of my friends and family know I'm using again, and not only using, but shooting up speedballs 2-3 a day. Thanks y'all xx

As someone that went through my entire opiate-using history without telling anyone, I know how you feel. It's the worst feeling being alone like that. No one understands what you're going through, you don't feel like you can tell anyone for fear of being judged or outcast. Your work suffers, all you can think about is your next dose. Even when I had a full stock of pills I'd still stress about where I'd get my next stock, how much it was gonna cost etc.

I've been on suboxone maintenance treatment for over 3 years. I do have private insurance so that helps. As I said before to the OP you should try and secure a legal prescription for subs. That way you know you'll be set for the perceivable future. I can't stress enough how important it is to find a doctor that understands addiction treatment. One that is willing to work with the patient through relapse (it will happen, I've done it a few times), monitor your dose and make sure you're getting enough medication.

I tried doing treatment by myself getting subs through a friend. It's not a reliable way to treat yourself because when that source is out, what other choice do you have but to endure withdrawal or relapse?

It sounds like you're fed up and ready to quit. Which is the first step. I also think you should tell your loved ones. Even just one person close to you that you can confide in. I told my husband before we were even married and although he's never had to go through what we've been through, he is fully supportive and that's important when you're in treatment.
You need someone on your side.

I wish you the best in your recovery, I have lots of experience with subs and maintence treatment. If you have any questions or need advice I am more than happy to help. Good luck.

 

[SiCc]

I have been a heavy opiate user for years now: started when I was younger with Vicodin, moved up to Oxys & Roxys, the 30 mg blues, and averaged about 10 a day (300 mgs). This was my life for a couple years. I was a functioning addict until I wasn't and my world came crashing down, quickly and dramatically. Ended up in rehab about 7 months ago, after quitting blues cold turkey. Well, my opiate addicted, 300 mgs a day body said hell no and fraught back with the most intense and traditionally horrible withdrawal symptoms: I felt like my body had been hit by multiple busses, I could not stop throwing up, shaking, sweating, going to the bathroom and experienced the worst restless leg syndrome. Needless to say, those around me watching this checked me into a detox center, where I went on a 4 day suboxone detox. It was amazing. Detox wasn't, but suboxone is like a miracle drug for people going through opiate WD. To make a long story short, here I am 7 months later in the throws of heroin addiction. I started using heroin about 6 months ago, snorting turned into shooting, shooting up randomly became shooting up regularly and regularly soon became a strict schedule of shooting up heroin and cocaine every morning before work, every afternoon after work, and every evening before bed. Everyday. Like clockwork. I have to end this cycle. I feel like I have lost control of my life. If I don't do my shot at the time my body is used to doing it, I will start to get dope sick, and I know first hand the hell that really is, so I use to feel normal. So I wanna quit, can't quit because I'm so physically addicted, but need to stop or I know I'll loose everything, again. So I have three, 8 mg suboxone strips. The last time I did dope was at 6pm yesterday evening. I woke up this morning & left to go to work at 8:30 and took half of the sub (4 mgs) then. I have 4 mgs left from that strip, and 2 other 8 mg strips. Anyone have any advice on how to best taper off? Any advice for me in general, been through what I'm going through? Anything helps right now as I'm fighting this battle alone, none of my friends and family know I'm using again, and not only using, but shooting up speedballs 2-3 a day. Thanks y'all xx

What I would do with 2.5/ 8mg strips...

Take the other half when you start to feel the WD's again. Then follow that by another half soon as the WD's return. With the remaining one and a half I would take quarters until I was down to a half left which is 4mg's. With the remaining 4 I would take I would take 1 mg a day until I was out and use low doses of loperamide or kratom after that if I felt WD's.

You might feel some WD's during this process, but with only 2.5 strips you can't expect to feel 100%. Bupe is stronger than most think. I didn't quit IV heroin until I was truly ready to quit.

Seek a maintenance program if you relapse again. Make it last option as trading one addiction for another happened too often.

This is based on what "I" would do and not would anyone else should or would do. I wish you luck Miss.

 

[Mysterie]

hi poppyqueen

keep us updated on how things are going, if at all possible reach out to people you can trust for support. your not alone here at least, lots of people who have been through addiction or are still in the process of getting clean. take it 1 day at a time, you are doing great just through your volition to quit and reaching out through this post.
--
i moved your post to this new thread just so people can reply to you here separately from the topic of the other thread.

 

[corcgaigh]

What SICc said. That's exactly how i would use the subs you have and just so you know, i have detoxed from IV heroin with inly 2 or 3 subs. Its not fun but the subs will get you through that 1st week. The rest is on you. I look at withdrawals as part of the using. They cannot be avoided, they can however be made more manageable. Best of luck

 

[Bropiace]

What I would do if you still have this option is taper down your usage before quiting.

It is not for everyone as it takes a lot of self control. It is risky because you effort needs to be constant for months. I am not saying that is your best option since you are fed up and want to change your life now which is great. I am just saying that I think in the long run, if you can successfuly taper, it is my opinion that increase your chance of recovery and staying sober. Also it is the last steps that are the harder but if you can get to the point where you only need minutes amount to function, PAWS and withdrawal will be a fraction of what they would have been. And I suppose at that point a Sub fast taper would make this even easier.

There are however numerous reasons why getting clean right away might be best for you. If you are, be strong and know that the Sub will relieve you as much as possible and then you just need go though it up.

Good luck and keep us informed.