mygreenbic
Bluelighter
With all of the intelligent people on bluelight, I don't see why we can't perfect the perfect guide for home detox. Going to a rehab straight off of a habit can be very unpleasant IME. I've been stuck in many detox where only the minimal care was provided and I was left in physical and mental agony. Every time I ended up relapsing mentally and planning where I would go get bags within a couple days of being there. After much trial and error I have successfully detoxed at home in as comfortable manor as possible. I'll provide my at home guide and hopefully bluelighters which are much more intelligent than me can critique and add to the guide until we have the gold standard of at home detox guides. Never again should someone have to lay awake kicking the sheets in a mental hospital with non empathetic drs just because they want to better their lives.
This guide applies to heroin withdrawal as the model. You can substitute for most any opioid that converts to morphine in the body i.e. hydromorphone ...
First off I want to say that if you intend on quitting heroin you need to consider more than the physical withdrawal. If you aren't prepared to face the enormous psychological dependence that comes along with it, you will just end up right back on it or substituting another drug for it. It's such a complex situation that it can't be defeated using your own thoughts and ideas. I'll list some drugs that will help you deal with the pains of withdrawal but I strongly suggest you have a friend or family member that really cares about you to give you the medications at a certain time every day. Tell them no matter what you say, stick to the plan. You will try to manipulate the drugs off of the person and let them know that.
.
1 Clonazepam If you could get your hands on a supply of it. Give it to someone else to give it to you twice a day [2mg a day]. It is imperative that you taper the clonazepam before stopping it. Google Ashton manual for advice on benzo tapers. If you quit abruptly you will have a problem on your hands so severe that you'll forget you ever had a heroin addiction.
The clonazepam will help the restlessness and racing thoughts. It could also deal with restless leg syndrome which can be a big issue while coming off of heroin. Panic attacks and anxiety manifest during heroin withdrawal. The problem with this is you will eventually have to face your anxieties and learn how to deal with them head on. Talking the clonazepam at a scheduled time every day is important. Do not tale it prn for anxiety or you will just substitute addictions temporarily then end up back on opiates. I understand how painful anxiety and panic attacks can be, but this is something that you will learn to get through in time. Try to just stay in the moment and take solace knowing that things will get better. You might think you're going to die while having a panic attack in withdrawal but this will pass. The clonazepam has a long half life and you can be assured that you won't have a convulsion or seizure while coming of opiates if it's in your system. (If you have a condition that is unrelated to withdrawal such as epilepsy, please consult your doctor before using anti convulsants.)
2 Nyquil I know you might be thinking "How the hell is Nyquil going to help a severe opiate withdrawal? ' Well you would be surprised at what a clever otc elixir it is. The Tylenol in it will help with the aches. Don't take more than the current maximum recommended amount on the label. It could cause irreversible liver damage and death when you take it in excess. Also included in Nyquil is doxylamine succinate. This is an anti histamine that really helps with sleep and relaxation. Imo it is better than diphenhydramine which has very potent anticholinergic properties which you really wouldn't want during opiate withdrawal. The third and most important ingredient in Nyquil is dextromethorphan hbr aka dxm. This is a wonderful chemical if used in the proper dose range. It is extremely dose dependant. For withdrawal purposes try not to go over 90mg at a time unless you are highly experienced with it. Dxm is an nmda antagonist which has been shown to reverse dependencies and break addictions. It also has some seratonergic properties which could help with the severe depression that might come at night while coming off of opiates. Just please don't take too much or you'll find yourself waist deep in a psychedelic crisis that you may not be prepared to handle in your already weakened mental state. Also it should be mentioned that to take high doses of dxm via nyquil you will also be talking too much acetaminophen (apap, tylenol).
Dxm is highly underrated for attenuation of withdrawal symptoms. It actually cured my methadone dependence and alleviated all of the symptoms within 3 weeks. I am highly experienced in using dxm, however, and I don't recommend any first time psychedelic experiments while in the throws of withdrawal. Yes dxm is a psychedelic and a dissociative. Those properties are something that you don't have to worry about playing with right now. Let's focus on getting well first before we become psychonauts
To be precautions i will provide a link that contains everything you need to know about dxm http://is.gd/dxmfaqww I highly advise you to raff that faq if you are going to experiment with dxm. Not only does it contain the important dose information, but it also includes a wealth of knowledge on other subjects that can be very helpful to a person in your condition.
3. Loperamide I am not a huge fan of this medication. Many swear on it as a cure for all of the peripheral opioid withdrawal symptoms. This is not something you want to take for anything other than diarrhea. Remember that you are detoxing and although it may be unpleasant to make bowl movements so often, it is a necessary part of detox. Your digestion was most likely irregular for a long time. It is only natural for your body to rid of all the toxic fecal matter stored in your body over all the months of getting high. Talking loperamide for anything other than diarrhea is counterproductive to your recovery. Only when you can't hold water and diarrhea hits should you take loperamide. Dehydration could cause a domino effect of issues and you already have enough on your plate. So while it is good to expel waste, it is troublesome when you can't even hold liquids. So my rule of thumb is to only take loperamide when you have liquid diarrhea. Otherwise you'll find yourself taking it every time the urge to take a bowel movement hits which will cause you to become constipated. If you are in a grey area and making a lot of loose stool type bowel movements, you can take pepto bismul to slow things down. Pepto is also good for mild nausea
4. Beer This will most likely be a touchy subject to a lot of people who have a preconceived notion that recommending alcohol is automatically a bad thing to do. Whoever says this has most likely never been through 72 plus hours of withdrawal from a vicious opiate addiction. I'm simply saying that 2 or 3 beers a night could really help the agony. If drank in moderation while doing something relaxing like watching a movie you like, beer can really be a positive mental lift. This was very helpful to me. After spending a whole day thrashing around in bed, crying for heroin, it was a blessing to have something to look forward to and to take some of the tension and stress off of my mind.
5 Some random tips: Get rid of all of your dealers phone numbers. Find a room you could have to yourself with a comfortable bed, a tv, and a near by toilet. Shower often. Stay hydrated. If you have obligations, cancel them. They may seem very important to you but if you keep using opiates you're going to be dead and not a help to anyone. If you have to tell people you have a really bad stomach flu and you need to be alone for a few days to recover. Try to eat light meals. If you can't get yourself to eat then drink a nutritional shake like an ensure. Get as much sleep as possible. If you are a man, shave every day. This helps you to get back into a routine of taking care of yourself. Just trust me on this one. And find someone that cares enough about you to help you through this. Quitting opiates is a very noble and brave action, but it's a lot to hold up on your own shoulders . If you tell a loved one it takes a huge load off just knowing that someone knows what you're going through and is there for you when times get tough. If you don't have anyone then I'll try to make some time to talk to you. Just tweet @sp0r412 ! There is always someone willing to help if you show that you want it.
All of the above mentioned, save klonopin, are easily obtainable by everyone. Yes there are many more useful sustenance which I will list a few, that might not be so easy for everyone to obtain. I'm not going to go in depth on them so people who can't find the chemicals don't get triggered into craving. If anyone else wishes to expand on or add to the list please feel free to do so. Also, before taking any medications or chemicals, please do research to ensure your safety. This is a list of suggestions, not recommendations. I am not a Dr. I'm just an ex heroin addict who has tried a myriad of different detox methods before finding one that worked. I want to share this with other people who are desperate to get clean but don't want to place your life in the hands of the rehab industry who's sole purpose is to profit off of your misery. I look forward to seeing this guide refined to perfection by the many geniuses that frequent bluelight. I'll leave you with a list of other drugs that have helped to keep me off the horse. Just remember, no matter how hard things get, please remember that it does get better. If you've made it this far that you are willing to try to save your life, it shows you still have a sole to be saved
Other helpful detox med list :
Marijuana
lyrica
Catapres
hydroxyzine
gabapentin
trazadone
librium
baclofen
amphetamine (very small and controlled doses in morning)
multivitamin
thiamin
Ibuproferen
antacid
gas x
phenobarbital
suboxone (see suboxone thread)
Bently
diazepam
This guide applies to heroin withdrawal as the model. You can substitute for most any opioid that converts to morphine in the body i.e. hydromorphone ...
First off I want to say that if you intend on quitting heroin you need to consider more than the physical withdrawal. If you aren't prepared to face the enormous psychological dependence that comes along with it, you will just end up right back on it or substituting another drug for it. It's such a complex situation that it can't be defeated using your own thoughts and ideas. I'll list some drugs that will help you deal with the pains of withdrawal but I strongly suggest you have a friend or family member that really cares about you to give you the medications at a certain time every day. Tell them no matter what you say, stick to the plan. You will try to manipulate the drugs off of the person and let them know that.
.
1 Clonazepam If you could get your hands on a supply of it. Give it to someone else to give it to you twice a day [2mg a day]. It is imperative that you taper the clonazepam before stopping it. Google Ashton manual for advice on benzo tapers. If you quit abruptly you will have a problem on your hands so severe that you'll forget you ever had a heroin addiction.
The clonazepam will help the restlessness and racing thoughts. It could also deal with restless leg syndrome which can be a big issue while coming off of heroin. Panic attacks and anxiety manifest during heroin withdrawal. The problem with this is you will eventually have to face your anxieties and learn how to deal with them head on. Talking the clonazepam at a scheduled time every day is important. Do not tale it prn for anxiety or you will just substitute addictions temporarily then end up back on opiates. I understand how painful anxiety and panic attacks can be, but this is something that you will learn to get through in time. Try to just stay in the moment and take solace knowing that things will get better. You might think you're going to die while having a panic attack in withdrawal but this will pass. The clonazepam has a long half life and you can be assured that you won't have a convulsion or seizure while coming of opiates if it's in your system. (If you have a condition that is unrelated to withdrawal such as epilepsy, please consult your doctor before using anti convulsants.)
2 Nyquil I know you might be thinking "How the hell is Nyquil going to help a severe opiate withdrawal? ' Well you would be surprised at what a clever otc elixir it is. The Tylenol in it will help with the aches. Don't take more than the current maximum recommended amount on the label. It could cause irreversible liver damage and death when you take it in excess. Also included in Nyquil is doxylamine succinate. This is an anti histamine that really helps with sleep and relaxation. Imo it is better than diphenhydramine which has very potent anticholinergic properties which you really wouldn't want during opiate withdrawal. The third and most important ingredient in Nyquil is dextromethorphan hbr aka dxm. This is a wonderful chemical if used in the proper dose range. It is extremely dose dependant. For withdrawal purposes try not to go over 90mg at a time unless you are highly experienced with it. Dxm is an nmda antagonist which has been shown to reverse dependencies and break addictions. It also has some seratonergic properties which could help with the severe depression that might come at night while coming off of opiates. Just please don't take too much or you'll find yourself waist deep in a psychedelic crisis that you may not be prepared to handle in your already weakened mental state. Also it should be mentioned that to take high doses of dxm via nyquil you will also be talking too much acetaminophen (apap, tylenol).
Dxm is highly underrated for attenuation of withdrawal symptoms. It actually cured my methadone dependence and alleviated all of the symptoms within 3 weeks. I am highly experienced in using dxm, however, and I don't recommend any first time psychedelic experiments while in the throws of withdrawal. Yes dxm is a psychedelic and a dissociative. Those properties are something that you don't have to worry about playing with right now. Let's focus on getting well first before we become psychonauts
To be precautions i will provide a link that contains everything you need to know about dxm http://is.gd/dxmfaqww I highly advise you to raff that faq if you are going to experiment with dxm. Not only does it contain the important dose information, but it also includes a wealth of knowledge on other subjects that can be very helpful to a person in your condition. 3. Loperamide I am not a huge fan of this medication. Many swear on it as a cure for all of the peripheral opioid withdrawal symptoms. This is not something you want to take for anything other than diarrhea. Remember that you are detoxing and although it may be unpleasant to make bowl movements so often, it is a necessary part of detox. Your digestion was most likely irregular for a long time. It is only natural for your body to rid of all the toxic fecal matter stored in your body over all the months of getting high. Talking loperamide for anything other than diarrhea is counterproductive to your recovery. Only when you can't hold water and diarrhea hits should you take loperamide. Dehydration could cause a domino effect of issues and you already have enough on your plate. So while it is good to expel waste, it is troublesome when you can't even hold liquids. So my rule of thumb is to only take loperamide when you have liquid diarrhea. Otherwise you'll find yourself taking it every time the urge to take a bowel movement hits which will cause you to become constipated. If you are in a grey area and making a lot of loose stool type bowel movements, you can take pepto bismul to slow things down. Pepto is also good for mild nausea
4. Beer This will most likely be a touchy subject to a lot of people who have a preconceived notion that recommending alcohol is automatically a bad thing to do. Whoever says this has most likely never been through 72 plus hours of withdrawal from a vicious opiate addiction. I'm simply saying that 2 or 3 beers a night could really help the agony. If drank in moderation while doing something relaxing like watching a movie you like, beer can really be a positive mental lift. This was very helpful to me. After spending a whole day thrashing around in bed, crying for heroin, it was a blessing to have something to look forward to and to take some of the tension and stress off of my mind.
5 Some random tips: Get rid of all of your dealers phone numbers. Find a room you could have to yourself with a comfortable bed, a tv, and a near by toilet. Shower often. Stay hydrated. If you have obligations, cancel them. They may seem very important to you but if you keep using opiates you're going to be dead and not a help to anyone. If you have to tell people you have a really bad stomach flu and you need to be alone for a few days to recover. Try to eat light meals. If you can't get yourself to eat then drink a nutritional shake like an ensure. Get as much sleep as possible. If you are a man, shave every day. This helps you to get back into a routine of taking care of yourself. Just trust me on this one. And find someone that cares enough about you to help you through this. Quitting opiates is a very noble and brave action, but it's a lot to hold up on your own shoulders . If you tell a loved one it takes a huge load off just knowing that someone knows what you're going through and is there for you when times get tough. If you don't have anyone then I'll try to make some time to talk to you. Just tweet @sp0r412 ! There is always someone willing to help if you show that you want it.
All of the above mentioned, save klonopin, are easily obtainable by everyone. Yes there are many more useful sustenance which I will list a few, that might not be so easy for everyone to obtain. I'm not going to go in depth on them so people who can't find the chemicals don't get triggered into craving. If anyone else wishes to expand on or add to the list please feel free to do so. Also, before taking any medications or chemicals, please do research to ensure your safety. This is a list of suggestions, not recommendations. I am not a Dr. I'm just an ex heroin addict who has tried a myriad of different detox methods before finding one that worked. I want to share this with other people who are desperate to get clean but don't want to place your life in the hands of the rehab industry who's sole purpose is to profit off of your misery. I look forward to seeing this guide refined to perfection by the many geniuses that frequent bluelight. I'll leave you with a list of other drugs that have helped to keep me off the horse. Just remember, no matter how hard things get, please remember that it does get better. If you've made it this far that you are willing to try to save your life, it shows you still have a sole to be saved
Other helpful detox med list :
Marijuana
lyrica
Catapres
hydroxyzine
gabapentin
trazadone
librium
baclofen
amphetamine (very small and controlled doses in morning)
multivitamin
thiamin
Ibuproferen
antacid
gas x
phenobarbital
suboxone (see suboxone thread)
Bently
diazepam
