“What are some ways to help with getting through withdrawals?”
(Disclaimer: if you happen to be withdrawing from alcohol, stop reading this and go to the ER. Alcohol withdrawal is extremely dangerous and it can KILL YOU)
1. Sleep - this should be a complete no-brainer. If you are going through some really crappy withdrawals, then the preferred method of coping with it is to sleep right through it. When I finally managed to kick cigarettes successfully, I pulled a little trick on myself where I stayed up all night and got really, really tired, and I timed it so that I would be starting to go through the worst of my withdrawal symptoms right then. It was a piece of cake at that point to fall asleep and stay down for a good twelve hours. When I finally woke up, I showered and grabbed some quick food, then managed to fall asleep again. After waking up that second time, I was well on my way to being through the worst of my nicotine withdrawals.
2. Burn off nervous energy – If you can’t sleep, the next idea on the list is to find creative ways to encourage sleep. You can stay up all night and try to time your withdrawals accordingly, like I did with cigarettes, or you can also try other things to help you sleep. Depending on what substance you are detoxing from, you might very well be wired wide awake, and full of nervous energy. If that is the case, try taking a really long walk, say for a couple of hours. This will burn off a lot of that nervous energy, and also facilitate the detox process by producing some sweat. You’ll also develop an appetite, which will come in handy later so you can eat a big dinner. The extended exercise (nothing to strenuous, just long and consistent) combined with a fairly big meal, should do wonders at producing some level of sleepiness in you.
3. The Power of Distraction – If you just can’t figure out a way to sleep through the worst of it, then the next best thing is to not think about it. That’s right: you have to find some creative ways to distract yourself from the misery that you are going through. One popular method of doing this is to lay on your couch all day and watch television or movies, although this is not necessarily recommended. If you are well enough to move around, then getting out and moving around is going to benefit you much more in the long run. Go to the mall or take a walk in the park. Chances are good that you can burn up some energy and hopefully be able to do a little sleeping when you get done moving around.
4. Medically supervised – If you can afford it or have it arranged, then try to get into some sort of medically supervised facility for your detox. This is definitely the safest route to go, and is absolutely essential if you are coming off of alcohol. There are other benefits to going to a treatment center detox as well, and the medical staff can usually give some sort of non narcotic medication that will ease your withdrawal symptoms, depending on which substance you are coming off of. Out of all the detox centers I’ve seen, they only make you do one thing: sleep. That makes this the safest and most comfortable route to go.
5. Take a Vacation – This one might sound a bit bizarre, and it certainly doesn’t fit for every detox, but planning and taking a major vacation can be a huge opportunity to make it through your withdrawals. Another interesting idea is to time it so that you go through the worst of your withdrawals at home, and then immediately following that, you leave on a vacation. The power of distraction comes into play here, and the excitement of going on a trip can help to offset what you are no longer doing/using/drinking. It can also feel like a reward for yourself to be on a major vacation, as you are starting out on a new healthy lifestyle.
6. Ween Yourself Down – There are bound to be lots of mixed results and opinions with something like this, so always shoot for a fully medically supervised detox if you can. Barring that, attempting to ween yourself off of a substance can sometimes yield good results. But again, this method is controversial at best, and can be somewhat dangerous, so always try to encourage a medical detox instead. Remember, getting through the withdrawals are just the beginning….they are the key to your new life. Now you have to learn how to live and be happy without chemicals. (It’s possible, I promise!)
Finally, I want to remind everyone out there to be especially cautious regarding alcohol withdrawal symptoms, as they can be fatal. I urge you to seek medical help if you or a loved one is detoxing from booze.
First time here? Be sure to check out these posts:
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I know this may sound stupid and ridiculous, but I’m 14 and have been taking over the counter sleep aids (Equate) since I was four, and I haven’t taken them in two days, and those days have been crappy to me. I have bad insomnia, nausea that comes and goes, and loss of appetite. Do you think it’s just a cold, or am I really going through withdrawal from a stupid over the counter pill?
@ MiKayla – I think Equate is just the brand name, no? Not sure on that. I know there are some OTC medications that can definitely be abused, such as Benadryl, Nyquil (this is alcohol), and also any medications with Dextromorphan or whatever in them.
I have seen people who preferred Benadryl as their drug of choice. Same with the other two. So it is not unheard of.
Hi I’m 22 yrs old and I been taking ocycotin for about 4 to 5 months stright…the doctor didn’t even give them to me I just started gettin them from a friend that hhas them and he wasn’t really taking them but I did and got very addictted. Now I wanna stop doing them cuz all I wanna do is stay home and relax and I just wanna get on withh my life. The whole day yesterday I didn’t take any ocycodin but then when it came to the night I took some vicodin and felt better but then all last night I could sleep having bad pains in my stomach like butterflys just keep tickleing me and it hurts really bad. Now its 8 am in the morning and I feel like crap my stomach is turning my head is pounding and I’m so tired but can’t sleep, what should I do and will it get worst and how long will I go threw this for??please help the best you can, thank u for listening
@ Peter – If you stop taking ALL opiates then detox will probably last from 3 to 5 days.
If you take an opiate (like Vicodin) then you start back over from scratch, and will prolong the agony of withdrawal.
Sounds like if you are really miserable then you are almost through the worst of it. Tough it out and you can be free again. If you fail, ask for help and go to rehab…..just my opinion. Good luck.
Is day 2 as worst as day one or does it get easile?? Does anyone know??
i have been taking roxycotins for the past year. I take anywhere from 1 to 4 a day.. I buy them from friends that has a script. There has been days that i havent had any and i break out in cold chills and we i go to bed ill take a ambien to sleep but when that wears off i wake up at 3 or 4 in the morning. I went out of town for 10 days and ran out of pills, which i was wanting to quit them while i was gone. I ate methadones the last 3 days i was away. I ate one day and felt actually ok when i ran out of them. But when i got back home i started getting the roxys again..BIG MISTAKE. I know im better than this and need to stop and starting today i am. To much money and time running around trying to find them. I have found if i smoke a joint or a bowl it will help me out alot. Maybe its just me bu if anybody is going through what i am maybe you should try, hell its cheaper and better than pills right? if it dont work then what you loose? If anybody has any other helpfull ways plz let me know
@ Mateo – That is a tough situation and I would encourage you to try and get to rehab to try and get off of all opiates.
I have heard some people say that the weed eventually leads them back to their drug of choice, and I experienced this myself before I really got sober a long time ago. But whatever works for you is great, stay safe….
will you have withdrawl symptoms from methadones if you just take one a day for 3 days? im trying to get off roxys?
Less withdrawal symptoms if you have used it for less time, of course, but Methadone in particular is a VERY sticky drug to get off of, much worse than the Roxy’s. That said, if you were using heavy amounts of the Roxy’s for a very long time, compared to just one Methadone pill, then the Roxy withdrawal would be worse of course.
I would recommend detox in a drug rehab and to be treated with Suboxone or Subutex to get off the stuff….good luck.
I’m going thru withdrawals from perk 10s but I took like 6 a dayeveryday for almost a year. I quit 2days ago. Constant diarhea and I can’t sleep much, cold then hot sweaty and noo energy, head leg pains. I stand up n wana suck back to the bed, but I can’t sit still! Yepp we all wana crawl out of our skin, its soooo tempting to just take a pill. I need to get thru this dammnit! I don’t wana take a lil piece cuz I want it allout of my system! Hottshower running over me, taking tylenol and vitomens, nyquil for sleep, prayer, tears, sweat and I don’t wish this opon nobody its so sad and terrible. :( I know I just have to go through it, I’m alone, home. I gota get through this!
I have been reading all of these emails and I never thought in a million years this would be me. Coming to terms with my pill addiction is the hardest thing I think I will ever have to overcome. I am a single mom of two wonderful boys and how am I any example for them if this is what I am doing. I started on percocets for severe headaches and jaw pain i suffer with. My doctor perscribed them, but if I dont get them from her I get them off the streets. I dont want to feel the pain, but i also dont want to have this running my life like it does. Im so careful about hiding it because I am so embarresed about what people will say about me. I dont want this to be put on me as a label or who I am. I’m very scared of the outcome of it all and I just hope I can get through it.Have to for my boys. They deserve to have there mom their, and I deserve to be honest with myself and healthy. Thank you for listening.
I have been on tramadol for maybe 6 months for migraines but I decided I didnt want to take them daily anymore I just want to take them when I have a migraine but when I stopped taking them I started to withdrawl, it’s been 8 days is it to soon to take one for my migraines or will I go through withdrawls again?
For all those going through opiate/pain pill withdrawals, I have found that what works wonders is a heating pad on the stomach, under the legs, and under the back (I know this is a lot, and you’ll need an outlet, but I promise this eases the pain). Drinking plenty of milk and vitamin C also are helpful. Taking long hot baths, and getting massages help tons! Put an ice cold wash rag over your head because opiate withdrawals can cause a feeling of heaviness in the head. Rubbing yourself down with a de-stress oil works too, such as lavender. Make sure to put a bath oil that promotes relaxation in the bath as well. And, to rush detox along try to sweat it out and drink plenty of fluids. Prenatal vitamins can help women especially, even if they’re not pregnant. Turkey is also good to eat b/c as we all know it makes you tired. It will take a while (or maybe not) to get your endorphins back depending on how long you were addicted so you may feel depressed for a while, but your endorphins should start becoming normal around the 1-2 yr. mark. Good luck to all and it is very possible~!
I have diabetes and hypertension on top of the constant pain and fatigue from lupus. About 2 yrs. ago my Dr. put me back on Percocet again after 4 years of trying about 20 other different meds, one at a time, and realizing that it is the only thing that works for the pain. Then I can be more active, more productive and my self-esteem goes up and the depression lessens because I get out and do things again. [I'm actually back in college] But I’m having the same problem again, I start running out a few days before my next prescription is due and have to go through withdrawals, and my whole life comes to a halt. I hate living like this, but I don’t know what else to do? I need something for the pain, but I can’t stand getting sick from withdrawal all the time :’(
oh sorry, I just wanted to ask, what else could I possibly take for joint pains over my entire body, especially hands, wrists, fingers. And for the depression & fatigue that seems to go along with getting off of it? Any advice of any kind would be appreciated at this point, I really just don’t know what to do.
I have read everyone’s story and tried to detox like 4 diff times in the past 5 yrs let’s say I should b clinically dead I was taking 40-60 loratab 10s, 20zan barz . And drinking a half gallon of vodka a DAY, id wake up take 20 within 6 hrs id be goin thru withdraws and I grew such a high tolerance that that’s what I had to have to survive and function during the day sad and sick story . One day I took 132 blue 10s.that was a year ago .make a long story short as I am writing this I am goin thru withdraws I am having seasures and no sleep for four days I took 15tz 7 days ago I’m still taking bars only one a day and went cold turkey on the alcohol still smoke a pac of cigs a day and all I’m sayn is this shitt sucks I need help to sleep before I go to rehAb I have a high tolerance I don’t know what to do anyone;????
the best thing to do is go through the hell of withdraw so you know that hellish feeling so you never get back on the drug. you know what will come if you do them again.
I unfortunatley am addicted to Oxycodone, I was in and out of hospital for 2 years having operations etc., and that was what I was given, when I didnt have any I thought I was having a breakdown, I soon realised that it was the withdrawal symptoms from not taking the oxycodone. Thanks to the health trust I am now addicted and feel ashamed and like a scumbag. If I had gone to a dealer and stuck a needle in my arm I could say well I deserve the mess Im in, but I didnt. I was never even told that it was habit forming, now Im stuck in HELL and need to get out. Ive tried tapering, but the cravings and withdrawals are terrible, I feel really down and get fed up real easy, my life feels like its gone down the pan. I was I had the money to go and pay to have the opiates flushed out of my body while being sedated but I cant afford it. What should I do ?
I was wondering after taking percocet if you can develop offbalance when quitting them but after quit taking Sat evening unyil Monday is when I got up and couldnt walk wihout getting pulled over to the left! How long does it take to get better? Please let me know!!!!
Just hang in there guys. I know you all are feeling pain right now but I promise you will have healing. The solution is time. Keep yourself sober. You can do it. You are strong. The pain will gradually start to decrease until you start feeling normal again.
I am on my third day of wd’s. I used Kratom to stop using vicodin. I’ve taken Kratom for 6 months and now this is the end of this chapter of my life. Prayerfully I’m getting through this. I have slight cold symptoms, a little dirreah, one night was sleepless. If you have been on narcotics for a while this may be the way for you to go. Not to take them forever but just a little while. Without me crying out to the Lord I wouldn’t be able to do this without Him.
I’m So Scared Right Now. I’m 26 Years Old And Have Been Struggling With My Addiction For Alomost 5 And A Half Years. I Took My Last Pill About 7 Hours Ago. I’m So Scared. My Boyfriend Is Tryin To Stay By My Side But He Has To Work. I Can’t Sleep For Nothing. My Legs Ache So Bad That I Can’t Hardley Stand It. I Have Been Takin 20 To 25 A Day. I’m Loosing Everything And Need To Stop. Just Scared Of What’s Goin To Happen To Me. So What Can I Do To Make This Not So Hard. I’m Inspired By Readin All Ur Storys. Thanks Everyone
I’m on day four of Subutex withdrawals, and I’m at work (physically). I have been on Subs for two years and have tried to stop numerous times. Now I’m done, I WILL NOT take any more opiates period… I’ve tried all manner of things to ease the pain, so far DXM (12-hour Delsym) is the ONLY THING THAT HELPS (along with Benadryl and Immodium).
I feel weird (never tripped on DXM until lastnight, took too much and had immediate body-high like LSD) but I am just sticking to 2.5x the normal dose and I’m still crawling out of my skin every few minutes or so. The main problem is my stomach. I can’t eat ANYTHING, my throat is shut tight.. Food goes into my mouth, gets chewed, but then nada.. Can’t swallow.
I just want to go home and sleep but I can’t miss work… And I can’t sleep. The circles under my eyes are so black people are looking at me weird.
Luckily I have a three day weekend in two days, and a trip to Disneyland with the family in a few weeks. Just want to be done. Hurts so bad. I pray tomorrow I can feel normal again… But I’m not counting on it.. Almost 3 pm.. Two hours til I can lay down.
No one to talk to that understands… Won’t go back to 12 steppers.. But reading ur posts helps a lot. Good luck everyone.
“The body’s a beast, and I am a rider..”
“this pain is an illusion…”
Still hanging in there, couldn’t sleep at all lastnight, just tossed n turned on the bed, then the couch, then the bed, etc.. Ended up not going to work and practically begging my boss not to fire me. I did manage to make it down to my dr and get a prescription for clonodine, I just swallowed it so we will see.
Today s day 6 and it’s the worst yet. I hope, pray, wish this to go away now. I haven’t eaten anything solid in 4 days. Ensure and Slim Fast are my only friends.. Of yeah, I’ve lost 12 lbs too. That can’t be healthy.
Not going to take any opiates though. Period. I’m done. I used H when I was a teenager, who would’ve thought the little white pills could make you so much sicker (and I’m 34 now not 18, my body doesn’t bounce back as fast).
For anyone that tells you to ge on Suboxone or Subutex: BEWARE- Buprenorphine is an opiate, it is NOT A WONDER DRUG. It’s another addiction. And it hurts to get off of. Glorified Methadone I’m telling ya.
Must sleep soon or I’ll lose it..
I’m still hanging in there. It’s day 7, still no marked improvement.. Only blessed moments of lucidity and giggling while watching my 4 year old play transformers. I hope it ends, really soon, but it makes sense that if I’m still this sick- I will be for a few. I’m starting to become very very weary, still have not been able to eat much more than bananas, fruit, slim fasts by the case.
I think I’m through the “medicate it” phase though? Like maybe I need to only take the clonidine at night? Anything I take during the day except alcohol and thc are making me even more groggy. I have managed to sleep through two nights, although waking up twice (at the same times, 1:30, 5:30.. Weird?) both nights. I also was able to scrape a nap together today around 2.. I can tell my fiancée is getting fed up. I never told her I was on this medication.. I’m a liar and deserve this, because I should have known…
I have hope. My head keeps playing games… “just a little.. Maybe a couple percocets? A vike or six? But I know better. This is bad. And it should be.
Keep me in your thoughts for awhile.
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