I'm sure some disagree with my approach but when I cut opiates(oxy) I saved one last pill for a few days in and I feel like it really helped that week. Going from lots of something to nothing, I feel is not the best approach. Lots of something to nothing to a tiny bit to nothing is less stressful.
I enthusiastically concur and second the motion.
I mention in my post above that I have withdrawn from all manner of substances - consumed in varied lengths of time, with varied ROA, varied quantities, and while in states ranging from medically-induced unconsciousness whilst in septic shock, to over-amped after an extended massive IV/IM fentanyl/fentalogues + cocaine run, to naked, assaulted, well-bled, and rarely conscious on the frigid floor of an isolation intake cell in a prison.
What has always mattered most in mitigating symptoms and managing perceptions during any of my experiences of withdrawal was were not only what tools I had available - if any - but precisely when I timed their use.
Through changing reactions, I tended in favor of one set of behaviors before and during withdrawal, particularly anopioid-induced, but also, very notably, SNRI withdrawal.
Eventually, withdrawals generally became reduced in impact on me. No more projectiles going out on at least two vectors simultaneously, no relentless restless legs, no dark-comically profuse sweating. Granted I still go through it to some degree whilst withdrawing. But timing and size of doses starting near the final 72-144 hours of use, habit depending, can lead to what I've informally recalled as a "soft landing." Essentially, it seems to me that opioid withdrawal can be substantially mitigated, even ameliorated, with adequate bu at substantial and perhaps somewhat irregular intervals.
I haven't yet nailed down my thinking on the matter. But I think there could be potential for a helpful protocol in that, albeit one whose output would vary significantly depending on the substance being withdrawn and other factors.
Then again, that would quite potentially be an advantage. You know, future-modern healthcare - which in notion is highly individualized, both precise and accurate, very discerning and scientific indeed, but all-too-soon, because of tariffential changing cost-run estimates, to be delivered exclusively remotely and by quasi-sentient algorithm and enormous amounts of energy, but a real doctor and nurse occasionally peruse the camera you were tasked with inserting into your rectum for a 7-day observation what is this really medically necessary and why is there still a $25,000 co-pay on a $666,667 bill for something I had to insert up my own butthole, remotely, for seven days? "Because it is HIGHLY MEDICALLY TAILORED to YOUR VERY PARTICULAR rectum, and a real doctor briefly reviews something." MEDICINE.HELL YES.
Sorry, point is: my suggestion in the above post is derived from experience and thinking exactly aligned with what you are saying - excellent observarion, and well and succinctly put.
Practically: *knowing* that you have 100% of x.xxmg of yyy substance coming to you, if you can just tough it out 36 hours, and half as much in 24 more hours, but 115% as much 60 hours later, yet then you run out - there seems to be some potential substantial tangible effect in subjective and possibly objective experience of [opioid] withdrawal. In a sense there is a taper there, but I suspect something very distinct in a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic capacity occurs in this abnormal, staggered, gaited withdrawal approach. Wish I could say so more decisively for you. Mais c'est ça.
Not looking to derail your thread OP - quite the opposite. But I'd hate to posit my offhand, albeit consistent, and apparently to some extent shared, experience to you as necessarily suited to your endeavor, least of all because I have yet to grasp it myself. Worth noting perhaps, though, as you develop your course of action. O' captain my captain, I salute you in your cause. Sally forth when you are well fortified. Will happily share more
