starting my withdrawal today

[scranner]

I am a user of heroin, I only smoke it never injected. Have been hooked for 4 years. I was on gram a day but have now cut it down to about 0.3 gram a day. Now I will go into withdrawal. A mate told me if dramatically tapered down i would only get sweats and yawns and insomnia. I feel its going to be alot worse. I have never managed a cold turkey past 3 days.

Have had enough of the habit and I really care about my job so have decided to pack it in. Plus I want my money going on me, not the dealers.

I have to be back at work on Monday but looks like i will call in sick.

In the uk, I live in London, its hard to get medical help if you work, as you have to see doctors, councillors and you to take your  medication supervised for first three months.

Its impossible for someone in fulltime work due to the time consuming crap it takes to get medical help.

Anyway I hope anyone can give me some advice on how to deal with the worst aspects of withdrawal. I am skint too so cannot get any meds....well i will get imodium.

Thanks people wish me luck

[sorryone]

My son was a herion user & had to quit cold turkey the 2nd time in jail. He is just got out of rehab 8 days ago.  From what he says it is wise to have immodium & something like benadryl to help calm you down & sometimes it helps with sleep. There is also a reciepe on line called the Thomas Recipe to help with withdrawal. Also something like advil for pain.  Everyones experience is different so maybe it wont be as bad as you are anticipating.  If you tapered down then you have already begun the process of quitting.  Just the fact that you were able to cut down is showing the time is right for you.

Don't think about the "days" so maybe you will pass day 3 and continue on..what usually happens on day 3 tht makes you want to use again? 

Can you tell me what "skint" means?  Please try to keep posting & I will be here to give you support, you can also private message me if you like.

Good Luck! Be Strong!!
Robyn

[gamegirl]

Hi Scanner!

Welcome to the forum. I had a vicodin habit so I am not too familiar with the whole herion aspect. But an addiction is an addiction and knows no bounds.

I would suggest immodium for stomach issues,benadryl for watery eyes and sleep,hot baths and showers for chills and aches, advil for pain. I would also suggest video/computer games, books, puzzles and any other hobbies you might have. These will hopefully help distract you and help through the withdrawal process.

Try to keep busy and focus on the positive things in your life. I know it's easier said than done. Also it helps me to think of the dark hell of withdrawal and relapse. When I think about it,it reminds me that I never want to go back down that road.

Congrats on the taper by the way. Hopefully your taper will shorten your detox time. I was using 10-12 vicodin 10's and 3 50 mg demerol a day. I have been clean 26 days now and feel better than I have in a long time. I know you can do this. If there is anything I can do let me know. I be here for you.

Remember we can do this!!!

Amanda

[scranner]

My son was a herion user & had to quit cold turkey the 2nd time in jail. He is just got out of rehab 8 days ago.  From what he says it is wise to have immodium & something like benadryl to help calm you down & sometimes it helps with sleep. There is also a reciepe on line called the Thomas Recipe to help with withdrawal. Also something like advil for pain.  Everyones experience is different so maybe it wont be as bad as you are anticipating.  If you tapered down then you have already begun the process of quitting.  Just the fact that you were able to cut down is showing the time is right for you.

Don't think about the "days" so maybe you will pass day 3 and continue on..what usually happens on day 3 tht makes you want to use again? 

Can you tell me what "skint" means?  Please try to keep posting & I will be here to give you support, you can also private message me if you like.

Good Luck! Be Strong!!
Robyn

Thanks for your message,

On the third day I was usually in such a bad way I just went out and scored. But I never tapered down, I just quit after being a heavy user hence the withdrawal was absolute hell.

Oh and skint means broke. A bit of UK slang for you there.

I dont actually feel that bad today. and its been nearly 24 hours without any heroin.

[scranner]

Hi Scanner!

Welcome to the forum. I had a vicodin habit so I am not too familiar with the whole herion aspect. But an addiction is an addiction and knows no bounds.

I would suggest immodium for stomach issues,benadryl for watery eyes and sleep,hot baths and showers for chills and aches, advil for pain. I would also suggest video/computer games, books, puzzles and any other hobbies you might have. These will hopefully help distract you and help through the withdrawal process.

Try to keep busy and focus on the positive things in your life. I know it's easier said than done. Also it helps me to think of the dark hell of withdrawal and relapse. When I think about it,it reminds me that I never want to go back down that road.

Congrats on the taper by the way. Hopefully your taper will shorten your detox time. I was using 10-12 vicodin 10's and 3 50 mg demerol a day. I have been clean 26 days now and feel better than I have in a long time. I know you can do this. If there is anything I can do let me know. I be here for you.

Remember we can do this!!!

Amanda

Thanks for your message

I think immodium and benedyrl would be the only meds i could get hold of anyway.

Pretty sure advil isn't available in  the UK. However Diphenhydramine is sold as Nytol over here...so that could be an option.

I have wasted so much of my time avoiding the eventual conclusion that I would have withdraw.

Thanks again for both your messages really helped.

[scranner]

i am ashamed to say it but i relapsed after 30 hours.

I plan to taper down more, and when i have more money I can get some decent meds to help.

I just wished i never answerd my phone, a friend came over and i had a smoke.

Still, i am not abusing the drug, just doing enough to not withdraw.

I plan to taper down to the point you need a hit every other day, my friend done that, and thats my plan.

Thank you people for your advice, I will beat this addiction!

Take care

Scranner

[gamegirl]

Scranner,

I am sorry that to hear that you relapsed. But it does happen and you shouldn't be ashamed. It sounds like you have a pretty good taper plan set up. So that is a positive thing. I know you can do this! If there is anything I can do to help or anything let me know. I am always around.

Good Luck with the new taper plan and please continue to write so we know how you are doing.

Remember we can get through this!!!

Amanda

[scranner]

Thank you for your message Amanda,

yeah i need to taper down much more and have a plan in place.

I have never been more determined, also with work next week i need to book time o or my withdrawal. I plan to do it in in two weeks and book a week of work for it.

there is no way I am having to use heroin for this whole year.

I will keep you all updated anyway.

I have the belief, I know i will beat it.

Take care all

[sorryone]

Scanner
  Dont stop posting!  We can still support you.  You are wise to take time off to quit.  I did not plan mine well.  I had to work & it was Christmas.  I had a really hard time quitting. I would taper then blow it.  It takes some of us (dare i say most of us) many attempts before we stop.  With each attempt we learn something.  Keep me posted on how you are doing.
Sorryone

[gamegirl]

Scranner,

How are you doing? I hope everything is ok. Keep us posted and when the time comes you will be able to kick this habit!!

Amanda

[sealgaire]

I started taper off of norco about 2 weeks ago.  a couple time during I did take some percs just to stop the headaches and help me sleep.  I take muscle relaxers to help me sleep and to help my back pain which is why I had the norco.   I had been taking them or vicodin for several years and I detoxed several times when I ran out thinkin that would be the last time.  Did not happen.  I am hoping I do go back.  I think I have gone through the worst which lasted about 5 days.  The restless leg and not sleeping was the worst and I only had that for one night.  I still deal with not sleeping and just tossing and turning.  It is not consistent.  I am not sure id the 5 percs ad 2 norco I took last week got the addiction back to the start or not.  I just feel like I have no energy now.  I would love to do something for that.  To anyone trying to detox, you have to be committed to not to ever want to take them again.  I am but have done it anyway.  I am a strong willed person and would never go into a program.  I wish you all good luck with this terrible problem.  If anyone can recommend something for my loss of energy I would appreciate it.  thanks 

[Patrick]

Honestly, forcing yourself to get some exercise, eating right and probably taking a multivitamin are the best thing you could probably do.  Meditation and yoga are also good for relaxation but can also energize you.  Good luck, I hope you get your energy back.

Also I wonder how Scranner is doing...

[jagannatha]

I completely agree with Patrick. Even though it feels counter-intuitive and exercise and eating well may be the last thing you want to do, but they are exactly the thing you need to strengthen your body (and brain) especially at this time.

Don't give up. We are ultimately much more powerful than these drugs.

jag

[living2die212]

I would be careful with how u use the loperamide (immodium) TRUUUST me...i know that pill all to well....dont take more then recomended...or u cud wind up takin 200 a day everyday for years.....just b careful....everyone says its a godsend for withdrawal and it is....if you use it correctly....loperamide...is an opiate...IT IS...it just takes a lot to cross the BBB...keep that in mind wen using it while tryin to quit opiates...just trust me...its not good.

[scranner]

hi all

i am on my 3rd day of cold turkey by tommorow should be clean. yesterday was hell. still feel rough but its managable

cheers people

scranner