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You know by now that there is really no easy way of detoxing from home. Realization that you have hit the bottom sometimes makes your determination to get clean more serious and lets you get the the tough points of withdrawals with the help of your commitment. The road up is not easy.
I have dealt with hundreds of addicts who have all told me horror stories of doing it by themselves. I would only guess that if are successful in doing it at home you don't end up in my clinic.
Just in case you are curious it takes us three to four days to detox a patient and get him/her back home drug free and feeling well on Naltrexone therapy (no opiates). I know we help many people get clean and stay clean
Now that you are off your opiate and got through the toughest few days it can get only better. See if your doctor can write you a prescription for some Requip for restlessness Neurontin for anxiety and malaise some Flexeril or Soma for a few weeks for muscle spasms and maybe some Seroquel low dose for sleep.
Clonidine is very helpful for the creepy-crawly feeling and control of blood pressure variations. It will make your withdrawals easier. Valerian and Magnesium is sometimes helpful remedies over the counter.
The residual symptoms of insomnia and depression can last another few months. Thus it is not easy but it gets better and better over time and you can look forward to a drug free healthy energetic you in the future. When you take opiates for a long time like you have your body's physiology has been altered. Your central nervous system has created a multitude of opioid receptors that all are screaming for endorphins (opiates) to fill them but your body has now forgotten how to make them by itself. It will take time - two to four weeks at least for your receptors to down-regulate (for the brain begin to heal) and to start making its own endorphins. Brain heals pretty slowly so it may take you as long as a couple of months to get rid of feelings of sluggishness restlessness and depression. The best thing you can do is take good care of yourself eat healthy food stay hydrated keep active and busy. Stay away from sugar soda and simple carbs. Do not consume caffeine at least 6 hours prior to bedtime.
But as hard as it is to get clean staying clean as you already learned is even harder. That is why I am a big believer in post withdrawal long term Naltrexone therapy. This is what we practice in our clinic. Our goal is initiation of long-term Naltrexone therapy which will guard you from physical cravings and enable you to participate in viable talk therapy which can actually produce result without the constant pull of opiates. Because Naltrexone induces withdrawals if you are not completely clean and opiate free we initiate that therapy under sedation so that the bulk of the acute withdrawals happens while you are asleep.
However if you happen to be clean of all opiate - including of course Suboxone you can just get a shot of Vivitrol. Vivitrol is - injectable Naltrexone that is slowly release into your system over a month period. It allows your brain to heal and slowly restructure itself back to its original pristine condition. It will also let your psyche to become used to being sober and clean as a "new normal". Talk to your doctor about it. If your physician does not prescibe it go on Vivitrol.com site to find a doctor who does in your area. It is usually completely covered by insurance.
I have written several blogs on this exact matter. You can reach them by clicking on my name and than following that to blogs.
It would be a very good decision for you to get on a long term Naltrexone therapy by getting a Vivitrol shot for at least six months if not longer. You have so much to live for and so many people to love you. Good luck to you.
2014-12-08 05:05:58
Amy