Questions about withdrawal

[theonlychefm4]

Hello. I have been smoking/insufflating heroin for about five months, around 3-4 times per week. Recently, my habit has picked up to the point where I go on binges of four to five days, with two or three days in between. In those two or three days, I experience some of what I believe to be withdrawal symptoms, including a runny nose, difficulty maintaining internal temperature, and a general uneasy feelings. Assuming that I continue to detox and refrain from using any sort of opiate drug, what should I expect from my withdrawal? I know that many sites claim that the worst of heroin withdrawal is over in 5-7 days, but I've been off drugs for somewhere between two and three days (fifty-something hours) and I'm still not feeling that terrible, at least not as bad as some people say that withdrawals can be. So, considering my pattern and method of use, what is the most likely timeline of what I should experience when withdrawing from heroin? Also, since my use was fragmented and not daily (other than the binges, etc.), is there a chance that the withdrawal symptoms won't kick in until after I've gone 7 or 8 days when my body realizes that it will not be receiving its usual dose of opiate narcotics? Thanks a lot for all of your help.

It might help to say that I have indeed had an odd tickle in my throat, and a bit of intermittent nausea, but nothing anywhere close to the agonizing withdrawal symptoms that many people complain of.

 

[pasha]

Some people can handle it better than others.

For me its mostly psychological. It's nowhere near as bad as say GHB or benzodiazepine withdrawal. It's just a really bad flu with a lot of anxiety and depression.

Still though, a "tickle in your throat" and "intermittent nausea" is outrageously mild. You should be in full blown withdrawal by now meaning sweats, joint pain, temperature changes, fever, etc. If you're not experiencing those symptoms then consider yourself one of a kind and extremely lucky. Maybe your usage pattern also has something to do with it.

Homeless -> Sober Living

 

[Black Rabbit of Inle]

Welcome to Bluelight theonlychefm4

You are exceptionally lucky if you do manage to avoid any withdrawal symptoms than what you've described. Even though I had a fairly short period of usage the withdrawals weren't pleasant, it was like I had a severe flu for about 5 days.

Even if you don't get any more symptoms of withdrawal, you may still have to deal with PAWS.

 

[neversickanymore]

I would consider eliminating the herion and opiates from your life. although you seem to maintaining this well.. IMO you are really at the end of a really slippery slope and maybe just a real good batch or a little longer bend and you may find yourself in the shackles of this drug. I used herion recreationally for years and years before I got hooked. But it was kept as a once and awhile thing. IMO it is not unusual that you are not physically dependent at this point but what will happen is your tolerance is likely to continue to grow slowly even with the time off. The withdrawal will continue to get worse a little bit every time. Then there may be something in your life that may cause you to have to use opiates (surgery or something) or there may be something that happens that makes you want to try and escape like a death of a loved one.. something like this could then cause you to fall from that tight rope your successfully walking. Once we fall off the rope then we hit the ground hard and start digging that hole thats so damn hard to get out of. I wish you the best with this.

 

[Wobblier]

^ Listen to this

You're not really experiencing real withdrawals yet as you are having 24-48 hour breaks between a lot of use. Though you are playing with fire.

I feel you are at the 'get out while you can' stage.

I would relocate or at least learn your triggers and alter your life-style and friends who use.

I predict if you don't it is going to f**k you hard

 

[Morphling]

Heroin(in my experience) hooks your mind harder than other opiates/oids, so yeah I'd say quit while you're ahead. Sounds like you haven't really been bashing it all that terribly hard(comparatively) so really, you should get out while you can. It's really fucking miserable to be a heroin addict.

 

[Wobblier]

It's really fucking miserable to be a heroin addict.

plus one

 

[Cancerdead]

I would stop use immediately, when I first started sniffing morphine and percs I had the idea that as long as I only did it every once in awhile I'd be fine. Then it became, only on weekends, then every few days, before I knew what was happening, I needed the stuff everyday just to feel normal. It's just not worth risking it you know? If you can get out now and not go through too much hell, I would take that and run with it.

 

[motherofearth]

I wouldn't say you are an anomaly, or very lucky. I'd just echo that you are simply in the get out while you can stage. Things will absolutely get worse at the doses you are taking.... and if you keep using at those levels it would be nothing short of a miracle if your use didn't increase. Really, using opiates even twice a month is asking for escallation.

Run! Run for your fucking life!

 

[Wobblier]

Run! Run for your fucking life!

This sounds dramatic but it's not. It might take you a decade before your REALLY consider quitting. What a waste of a life, all zombie-d up staring at your shoes for 4 hours straight days at a time.

 

[puffingBlue]

The effects of withdrawal differ from person to person so it's all up to a person of what he feels and how he counteracts. The thing is, if you think you're so weak to resist is, then medical attention is advised.

 

[RedRum OG]

youre likely just not going to get that intense of withdrawals because you take 2-3 day breaks, that can make a huge difference. also the fact that you havent been using all that long

id say even in your case after 4-5 days the worst will be over, and it will improve from there. there is no way it could get worse after that, that only happens with incredibly long lasting opioids like methadone and suboxone, never heroin.

 

[deaf eye]

it improves ..., slowly

 

[Wobblier]

Once you cross the line and become addicted you can't go back to playing with it anymore even after years of absence,. The withdrawals appear quicker with less use needed.

'One day is okay
Two days pushing it
Three days addicted (again)'

Though everyone is different.

 

[MONSTA!!]

You're just starting down a dangerous path, each withdrawal WILL get worse, and so will your urge to use to alleviate the symptoms.

GET OUT NOW.

Take it from someone who has lost so much in life from this shitty drug.

It gets the better of just about everything, go back to party drugs, pills, clubbing, having fun. Opiate addition is a dark path that only goes so far back in the other direction. It may seem fun and alluring now, it won't in a year or two.

Please heed this advice.