Diet Is it possible to put on muscle if you are opioid dependent and lift?

LucidSDreamr

LucidSDreamr

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I have an opioid dependency of 5 mg methadone per day. My testosterone level is in normal range.

No matter how much I weight lift I can’t put on mass. I get more cut but I don’t gain actual weight.

I have been eating more than normal and I take proteins supplements.

Tried posting this topic on OD once but didn’t get much response and figured this might be a better place to ask:

Anyone gotten swole while on opioids or opioid maintenance?
 
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What's your basic body type? Are you an ectomorph? (ie built long, lean and slender?) If yes you will gain wiry muscle with training, but you're not really going to put on bulk. That's just a physiology thing.

If not I can't explain it. If your testosterone is at normal levels, you work out and you supplement, then being on opiates in and of itself should not really prevent you building muscle.
 
I've heard of plenty of major weightlifters actively dependent on opioids. It's certainly not impossible, but surely doesn't help.
 
Quasimoto said:
I've heard of plenty of major weightlifters actively dependent on opioids. It's certainly not impossible, but surely doesn't help.
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That’s good to hear. Were they not using steroids tho?

I’m not trying to get huge or have a build of a weightlifter. I just want 10 lbs of muscle gained to help me in a sport I play, and that’s it.
 
cycloprop said:
It's possible you might just not be eating as much protein as you think aim for ~2g of protein per kg of body weight
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I’ve been eating half or a 3rd of that and I thought that was more than enough. Guess not?

Adding an extra shake is all I can think to do I can’t really eat that much more food.
 
2g/kg is a good protein level but also make sure you're in a caloric surplus of at least 500kcal. I would shoot for 1000 kcal over maintenance

Also make sure you're progressing in your lifts, adding small amounts of weight or reps or sets. As long as you're increasing volume over time and pushing the intensity you should be good

This channel has tons of great info on putting on muscle
 
LucidSDreamr said:
I have an opioid dependency of 5 mg methadone per day. My testosterone level is in normal range.

No matter how much I weight lift I can’t put on mass. I get more cut but I don’t gain actual weight.

I have been eating more than normal and I take proteins supplements.

Tried posting this topic on OD once but didn’t get much response and figured this might be a better place to ask:

Anyone gotten swole while on opioids or opioid maintenance?
Click to expand...

Your goal is minor in the grand scheme and should be obtainable regardless of your opioid intake.

The main issue is that the opioids may desensitize you to the endorphin and stress signals of weightlifting so you may be able to push beyond what is reasonable. So you have to watch for that.
 
Previous moderator Guido was in methadone and did well. Previous poster Redleader (RIP) also managed to get in great shape while also managing a habit. However they were on gear. You can always build muscle unless you're in some crazy catabolic state which would be more of a concern than getting swole (HIV wasting, severe burns, muscular wasting conditions). You might gain more slowly but it's still possible to make some gains
 
Very possible, on tram+benzos i was in form in less then 3months without any great diet or something ..u don't feel exhausted and somehow feel capable of lifting more.
 
LucidSDreamr said:
That’s good to hear. Were they not using steroids tho?
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Some were I bet.

I've heard of opioids being an issue with NFL players, who obviously get beat up and need it for pain, but the team doctors would hand out vicodin like candy, many became addicted.

I've also heard of several WWE wrestlers having major opioid dependencies, and a lot of them surely use steroids.
 
I put on muscle years ago no problem when i was using hella morphine so ya can be done. As the guy above me pointed out almost every fucking wrestler is on hella opiates and they are still jacked.

I would keep a eye on your test levels though cause methadone can lower then alot. Im on test now myself because of antipsychotics
 
Not really... Opiates lower testosterone. I was able to gain muscle as usual when not on methadone or buprenorphine... but when im on bupe or methadone i really struggle with muscle building.
In my experience the longer lasting opiates really mess up your bodybuilding capability.
I was addicted to IV heroin and did a cycle of TEST E no dramas.. but while on methadone or suboxone i just quit the gym.
 
LucidSDreamr said:
I have an opioid dependency of 5 mg methadone per day. My testosterone level is in normal range.

No matter how much I weight lift I can’t put on mass. I get more cut but I don’t gain actual weight.

I have been eating more than normal and I take proteins supplements.

Tried posting this topic on OD once but didn’t get much response and figured this might be a better place to ask:

Anyone gotten swole while on opioids or opioid maintenance?
Click to expand...

Depends on appetite/diet and or gear use.
 
garygroundwork said:
Depends on appetite/diet and or gear use.
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I’ve been force feeding myself
Ore than normal. Lots of meat, protein shakes.

No gear at all; side effects are too worrisome and I’m too old to compete meaningfully in the sport.

I put on about 3 to 6 lbs of muscle so far since I posted this thread.


I did have to give up on weightlifting per se because the training for my sport is too taxing. But we do tons of push ups, sit ups, during training in addition to the sport specific practice itself which is taxing on the legs heavily.


The goal is to have enough strength to avoid injury. Not sure if I can actually gain strength without gaining muscle weight.? Can the muscle weigh the same but have gotten stronger?
 
LucidSDreamr said:
I’ve been force feeding myself
Ore than normal. Lots of meat, protein shakes.

No gear at all; side effects are too worrisome and I’m too old to compete meaningfully in the sport.

I put on about 3 to 6 lbs of muscle so far since I posted this thread.


I did have to give up on weightlifting per se because the training for my sport is too taxing. But we do tons of push ups, sit ups, during training in addition to the sport specific practice itself which is taxing on the legs heavily.


The goal is to have enough strength to avoid injury. Not sure if I can actually gain strength without gaining muscle weight.? Can the muscle weigh the same but have gotten stronger?
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Your not going to get strong while on methadone... Or bupe for that matter.

Yes , I did fine as a heroin addict. I could go to the gym and make good gains but not with long acting opioids.

Having said that, I just got off Buvidal about four months ago and starting back at the gym this week. So I'm hoping that I get some good rebound testosterone production and good gains
 
LucidSDreamr said:
I’ve been force feeding myself
Ore than normal. Lots of meat, protein shakes.

No gear at all; side effects are too worrisome and I’m too old to compete meaningfully in the sport.

I put on about 3 to 6 lbs of muscle so far since I posted this thread.


I did have to give up on weightlifting per se because the training for my sport is too taxing. But we do tons of push ups, sit ups, during training in addition to the sport specific practice itself which is taxing on the legs heavily.


The goal is to have enough strength to avoid injury. Not sure if I can actually gain strength without gaining muscle weight.? Can the muscle weigh the same but have gotten stronger?
Click to expand...

yeah I'm not suggesting to do gear but it's just info required to help answer your initial question.

Methadone, opiates won't help at all. However It seems like you are doing your best with your diet and force feeding. So you are giving yourself best chance possible to best you can be. Stay consistent and disciplined.

Using wrestlers on opiates for a comparison is not helpful. Wrestlers were full test, deca and dbol.
 
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