This is the most complete detox instructions i have ever come across and i wanted to share them. I hope this helps! Some of it is know with some new interesting advice.

SAMPLE HOME DETOX RESCUE OPTIONS

Substance Abuse in any form substantially depletes your body of nutrients. In order to be effective during WDs most people state they needed to increase doseage levels beyond the recommend dose level; some substantially. Levels are for intensity of Detox WDs; post-detox WDs would be less. Use your own judgment about your needs and what you feel is best for you and what you are comfortable with and customize your own detox list to your preferences/needs. These things may help lessen WDs; others have reported good success.

What Symptoms To Expect

Vicodin has a half-life of 4-8 hours; therefore, WDs will begin for most between 8-16 hours after last dose taken. Most people express that detox feels like the worst flu they have ever had in their life. You will likely experience severe achy joints, weakness, restless legs syndrome, headaches, lack of clarity in thought, irritability-does not play well with others, severe “coffee jitters” to the extent that it is difficult to sit still and some experience involuntary muscle twitches, general feeling of “the all overs”, nausea but most do not report vomiting, and most report diarrhea. WDs will increasingly worsen up to about days 3-4 and then begin to turn the corner and stabilize.

It is best to plan your detox needs and shop in advance of starting. When you externally provide the body with chemicals that alter the brain, the body reads the signal and reacts by stopping its own natural production levels. So, when you cold turkey stop the external source, it jolts your body and whiplashes your system into wakeup mode. All those little workers have been snoozing for however long you have been administering the external supply source. Now the alarm bells are ringing all throughout your system, and they are running around like keystone cops screaming “oh s**t!!!!” They will get back on the job for you again, but it takes a while for them to get synchronized and functioning efficiently again.

1-2 weeks Ahead of Planned Detox
If possible, plan your detox 1-2 weeks ahead and commence with the Multi-Vitamin, Multi-Mineral, B-Complex 100mg, Zinc (pain-take only after eating food), & St. John's Wort (depression; but do NOT take if you are taking SSRIs) to build a solid base level BEFORE you start the detox. Many who have not built a solid base in advance have reported a more difficult time during detox. It took them a minimum of 1 week to achieve maximum relief level when days 1-4 are likely to be your worst WD days during detox. You may not feel depression now, but detox WDs usually results in the onset of depression until your body acclimates and can regulate itself. Building a nutriment base BEFORE detox will help lessen WDs and lessen the level of additional supplements you will need to help you cope. Waiting til you are actually in WDs to start taking supplements will mean that the supplements will be less effective and you will likely need substantially increased levels.

About Work
You should plan to take time off work to detox, usually a week. Options on work are plan to take off or call in sick with the flu, or the hybrid plan is time detox where you take last pill late the night before, go to work jittery and leave work early “with flu”---since you went home sick w/flu no one will be terribly surprised when you aren’t able to make it in most, if not all, of the following week.

During days 1-2 (and possibly day 3)
Most detoxers say it is best if you can try to sleep as much as you can during the first couple of days at least. Nyquil, Benadryl (not w/Benzodiazepine Detox!), Valerian Root, 5HTP (do not exceed 300mg daily) are types of things that may help you to sleep. Select other things from the OTC Options list as needed use other things from the list.

Days 3-5
You will likely start to stabilize. When you feel that you are starting to level off begin the L-Tyrosine/B6/D-Phenylalanine/Sublingual B-Complex w/B-12 to help w/pain and energy.

THINGS THAT MAY HELP

-HOT baths several times a day to help with aches; add Epsom Salts or vingear

-Heating Pad & warm blankets to keep muscles warm and relaxed.

-Hot Rice Socks for muscle warmers. Fill cotton socks w/rice, stretch and leave room on ends to loop and self tie sock end. Heat rice socks in microwave for approximately 2 min. Heat check & apply to achey areas.

-Keep nourished; drink lots of water: Add 1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar for body PH rebalancing & pain; and if you can, add 1 tablespoon Honey for energy

-Relaxation Exercise to help lessen muscle cramping ,pain, & restless legs syndrome, EASY exercise regimine to activate your own natural endorphins & dopamine to help w/pain, While in bed work your muscles-tighten the muscles in your entire body all at once as hard as you can---hold it for several seconds(hold breath)---slowly release muscles and breath. Do entire body 5 times and then repeat doing one area at time--both legs then both arms-then low back/abdomen area; repeat cycle/one leg-one arm, etc.

SHOPPING LIST OPTIONS TO HAVE ON HAND DURING DETOX

Print out list to shop and to use as a tool to track what you take & its effectiveness.

Soup & Frozen Meals- enough for a few days

Liquid Nutritionally Balanced Meals; e.g., Slim Fast or Ensure

Gatorade (replaces electrolytes)

Benadryl (50mg w/hydro; taper ease aide)

Robitussin DXM-helps WDs; taper ease aide

Tagamet-taper ease aide; slows absorption of Hydro

Tylenol PM(but not w/Benzodiazepine Detox!)- during WDs you can take this during the day w/o it making you sleepy

Imodium (4-6 hours after onset; first few hours let body purge toxin concentrates) [detoxers have posted that 4-6 tablets x3 daily substantially helped them not only control diahhreah, but also lessened WDs]

Salonpas Patches For Muscle Pain

Aspercreme For Joint Pain (does NOT have Aspirin in it)

Airborne-3 boxes= (4 day supply @double doses3xdaily)

Nyquil-2 bottles since you will need it both day & night for first 3-4 days (will help joint pain & sleep)

Orange Juice w/Calcium-2 (will help joint pain & helps stabilize central nervous system)

Oranges-Natural VitC and other nutrients

Apples-Natural VitC and other nutrients

Bananas-2 bunches (potassium source; eat 2-3 daily; will help joint pain &helps stabilize central nervous system)

Sweet Potatoes-great nutrient source for VitA and other things; canned or fresh to cook-can be microwaved)

Blue Berries-fresh or dried -Great antioxidant

Spinach-Leafy Salad Mix, Frozen, or Canned (Vit. A-eat as much as you can)

Mini Carrots (good VitA and fiber source)

Green Tea-great antioxidant to help cleanse your system of toxins.

Peppermint Tea & Peppermint Candy-Nausea

Chammomile Tea-Sleep

Hershey’s Dark Chocolate Bars-has antioxidant & central nervous system coping properties

Zinc 50 or 60 mg (3xdaily ONLY W/FOOD; will substantially help joint pain)

B-Complex 100 mg. (helps stabilize central nervous system)


*L-Tyrosine [avoid if already taking any SSRI RX ](Health Food Store-will help joint pain & nerves) One hour before eating start w/2000 mgs; scale up/down based on how you feel up to 4,000 mgs. Take w/B-6 to help w/absorption. It will give you a surge of physical & mental energy that helps counteract malaise feeling. If you experience "coffee jitters" reduce to comfortable level.

*5HTP 100mg 3xdaily-no more than 300 mg daily as it could create risk elevated seratonin levels[avoid if already taking any SSRI RX m]-Walmart for best price; otherwise pricey; helps joint pain & nerves)

D-Phenylalanine (Health Food Store-helps joint pain) Compliments effectiveness of L-Tryosine and 5HTP

B-6 (needed for aborption & effectiveness of L-Tyrosine/D-Phenylalaline)

B-Complex w-B12 Sublingual Liquid Drops (Walmart-Spring Valley Line-key ingredient here is the B-12 which helps central nervous system & energy level. B-12 can only be absorbed by the body through natural dietary sources, injections, or liquid sublingual-under tongue

Calcium (helps joint pain & nerves)

*St. John's Wort [avoid if already taking any SSRI RX meds]-will help w/onset of depression which will also affect level of joint pain)

Multi-Vitamin Formula (Costco/Sams/Walmart) -helps joint pain, nerves, and depression)

Multi-Mineral Formula (Costco/Sams/Walmart) -helps joint pain, nerves, and depression)

Valerian Root (Walmart-helps nerves; increase dose leves @night to help w/sleep)

Hyland's Leg Cramps-Walmart-Homepathic Supplement has Quinine in it which helps w/leg syndrome; sublingual under tongue. RX levels of Quinine available from doctor.

Fish Oil-OMEGA 3-Helps w/legs syndrome &pain

[*These products impact serotonin levels and therefore if you are on any SSRI medications do NOT take these additional supplements as it could alter your RX medication]

Mindless Comedy Movies-mental distraction aids; make sure you get 1 week rentals unless you have someone who can return them for you.

Note: Its a good idea to have Activated Charcoal & Benadryl on hand. If at any time you feel you may have exceeded a level on anything the Charcoal functions like a system sponge for absorbing toxins and carrying out toxins; it will turn stool a charcoal color. The Benadryl is an antihistamine and is sometimes given for adverse reactions to other medications. These things are almost always never needed but provided safety and security to just know they are on hand.
However, NO antihistimines if you are detoxing from Benzodiazepines Some online medical reports suggest that antihistimines (Benadryl, TylenolPM, sleep aids) may increase risk of Benzo withdrawal seizure.

None of these things will totally eliminate WDs; but, may help lessen them.

..Scotty thanks so much for this excellent post...your an angel....jufu

you are quite welcome.

Scotty, I recently posted a similar W/D plan, but find yours to be a bit more comprehensive and have "bookmarked" it for future reference, we both have mentioned that a few days off from work will be important, TRY and plan the w/d ahead off time if possible, if you have small children seek to have them take a short, (4-5) day "vacation" with someone you trust...you NEED to focus on your healing, it's hard to "fake" being, "OK" during this time, the kids will be better off and so will you!
Just wanted to throw in my 2 cents.
David

Thanks for the great info Scotty, what a wonderful resource for people to have if they decide to taper or are in withdrawls!!!!

sprawl

Scotty that is an awsome plan, I wished I had it last week!! But today is two weeks without a opiate, and I feel better today than the whole time I have been going through this. My legs hurt this morning, so I got out of my truck and walked around for 10 minuites or so and got back into my truck and they felt so much better and I was relaxed. So I found out that WALKING really does help with the "Restless Leg Syndrome" very well. But too ever it is who is Detoxing, "GOOD LUCK" and with that plan Scoty gave you it can be done!! Just do not be scared of the WD's hit them head on, and curse them if you have to, but when you start wishing for something that is when the brain usally wins and you go back, so be strong!!!

Hi Scotty,
I'm new to the board and blown away by your home detox plan. It's wonderful and many, many thanks!!! Please allow me to add a couple of things;
1. Be careful taking activated charcoal with medicine. It can effect absorbtion, even causing worstening w/d symptoms.
2. Be careful taking Benadryl and Tylenol P.M. together! Diphenhydramine is the active ingredient in both Benadryl and Tylenol P.M. which causes marked drowsiness. If your taking these together your going to have way too much Diphenhydramine in your system. Very dangerous!

Again, many thanks for a great gift!

Trishy

you are very welcome, but all i did was find it and post it...i thought it was all great advice...i got some useful info for myself...it was the simplest plan i ever came across...

good luck to all tapering and WD today!

I know this sounds like a broken record, but if your usuage didn't really spiral out of control--narcotic pain medicine that is--kratom is a great arrow to have in your quiver. I took my last med Monday, took some kratom caps that night. Today, I haven't had anything and feel just fine. I have my doctor's appointment next week, but the time off the meds is a good thing I think, knock on wood. But, seriously, no problems. Now watch me wrench my back this weekend...LOL! However, I know I may be unusual. For me, also, not dreading it helps a lot too. But good luck to all of you.
PB

i think most who find the need for this kind of list and help, are taking alot of meds due to tolerance or addiction gone wild...i would imagine, if you are only taking 3 or 4 a day, it would be easy to wean down 1/2 a pill at a time every four day, no fuss, no muss. most likely also there is a little chemical imbalance too as hydro messes with our seratonin levels. it takes a few months to get back to our own happiness levels.

as great as hydro is on pain, it also loses it's potency for many of us quickly...i am finding that pulling back for a couple days each week works...or spreading out the hours in between doses. i like to recommend that you go thru this in a most natural way as possible...stick to teas and fruits and juices...bananas and rice and toast and peppermint a little chocolate...hot tubs or bath tubs...the less synthetic chemicals you use the better...i also found stretching for a few minutes (starting with 2 or 3 minutes at first) each morning got me feeling good...i worked my way up to 10-15 each morning. it gets those seratonin levels back to normal.

alot of people recommend the kratom too. i posted some info on that somewhere on the board, like what it is and where it comes from. so that is another solution that is natural that you can use to help you thru.

thanks for pointing that out PB...the thing i don't understand about it is the part after where it comes from and how it gets here and into capsules. i looked up one sight and it seemed expensive. i could not figure out how much you would have to take. are there any sites that you know of where there are real directions for dosing? i would be too nervous to try this even tho the GNC stuff i take for the dreaded hotflashes and other herbal stuff in those capsules that all look the same and smell like hay lol! i would need blow by blow directions and testimonials...i would love to take a real long break...

Great resource of a post.

We should have a section index for this board with this kind of information summarized for quick referencing. I could print out that post and tape it to my restroom mirror.

Allow me to add-

FOR NAUSEA- crystallized gingerroot. You can get this at most health food stores or organic markets. It does wonders in settling the digestive system during withdrawals. Flavor can be a little intense, but if the ginger is fresh- the taste is like really spicy gummy bears.

And yes, Gatorade is super-important too. When dealing with diarrhea, it's critical to keep the body replenished with electrolytes and sodium potassium (important for muscle contraction and overall energy level). Gatorade is perfect for this.


Additionally GABA supplements, including Lunesta, can help with the insomnia. Even more applicable when faring through a benzo withdrawal


However, the most important remedy, as indicated earlier, is advance planning.

~A~

Is this based on the Thomas Recipe? It is definitely similar.

faerie, it has the basis of the thomas recipe...i think it has been added to immensely with foods and more supplements.

here is the REAL recipe, complete with preface by thomas himself...

"I am not a doctor, simply a long-time Rx opiate junkie who has had many opportunities to develop a way to detox. This is a recipe for at-home self-detox from opiates based on my experience as well as that of many other addicts. It is not intended as professional medical advice. It is always wise to make sure none of the recipe ingredients or proceedures conflict with medications you may be taking. Likewise, if you have any medical condition, disease, allergy, or any other health issue, consult your doctor before using the recipe.

Thanks,

Thomas"


THOMAS RECIPE

If you can't take time off to detox, I recommend you follow a taper regimen using your drug of choice or suitable alternate -- the slower the taper, the better.

For the Recipe, You'll need:

1. Valium (or another benzodiazepine such as Klonopin, Librium, Ativan or Xanax). Of these, Valium and Klonopin are best suited for tapering since they come in tablet form. Librium is also an excellent detox benzo, but comes in capsules, making it hard to taper the dose. Ativan or Xanax should only be used if you can't get one of the others.

2. Imodium (over the counter, any drug or grocery store).

3. L-Tyrosine (500 mg caps) from the health food store.

4. Strong wide-spectrum mineral supplement with at least 100% RDA of Zinc, Phosphorus, Copper, Magnesium and Potassium (you may not find the potassium in the same supplement).

5. Vitamin B6 caps.

6. Access to hot baths or a Jacuzzi (or hot showers if that's all that's available).

How to use the recipe:

Start the vitamin/mineral supplement right away (or the first day you can keep it down), preferably with food. Potassium early in the detox is important to help relieve RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome). Bananas are a good source of potassium if you can't find a supplement for it.

Begin your detox with regular doses of Valium (or alternate benzo). Start with a dose high enough to produce sleep. Before you use any benzo, make sure you're aware of how often it can be safely taken. Different benzos have different dosing schedules. Taper your Valium dosage down after each day. The goal is to get through day 4, after which the worst WD symptoms will subside. You shouldn't need the Valium after day 4 or 5.

During detox, hit the hot bath or Jacuzzi as often as you need to for muscle aches. Don't underestimate the effectiveness of hot soaks. Spend the entire time, if necessary, in a hot bath. This simple method will alleviate what is for many the worst opiate WD symptom.

Use the Imodium aggressively to stop the runs. Take as much as you need, as often as you need it. Don't take it, however, if you don't need it.

At the end of the fourth day, you should be waking up from the Valium and experiencing the beginnings of the opiate WD malaise. Upon rising (empty stomach), take the L-Tyrosine. Try 2000 mgs, and scale up or down, depending on how you feel. You can take up to 4,000 mgs. Take the L-Tyrosine with B6 to help absorption. Wait about one hour before eating breakfast. The L-Tyrosine will give you a surge of physical and mental energy that will help counteract the malaise. You may continue to take it each morning for as long as it helps. If you find it gives you the "coffee jitters," consider lowering the dosage or discontinuing it altogether. Occasionally, L-Tyrosine can cause the runs. Unlike the runs from opiate WD, however, this effect of L-Tyrosine is mild and normally does not return after the first hour. Lowering the dosage may help.

Continue to take the vitamin/mineral supplement with breakfast.

As soon as you can force yourself to, get some mild exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming, etc. This will be hard at first, but will make you feel considerably better.

Thomas



Both of these plans seem awesome. if anyone does either one, please post your results. even if you use some of the "ingredients", let us know how it works out...

not that i followed any recipe or plan when i came off hydro last year, but i gathered bits and pieces and made my own plan.

First, i tapered by cutting my dose in 1/2 from the get-go. i took 5 equal doses per day, dropping a pill every 2nd day. it was a pain in the butt to split the pills, but i managed okay. when i got to the end of the taper or 2.5mgs of hydro per dose, i dropped one dose every 2nd day. it took 30 days to taper. i had mild WD symptoms thru out that month.

1. I took a multivitamin w/iron 2x a day. morning and nite.
2. I ate at least one banana a day. I drank at least 4 ounces of orange juice every day.
3. I ate applesauce every day for lunch and a 1/2 peanut butter sandwhich with 2 tablespoons of PB on it. You could put it on toast or just eat it off the spoon.
4.I ate cereal w/milk every morning or oatmeal or grits.
i also ate lots of fruits and nuts. i craved cashews, and found out later that they contained magnesium. i ate a small dinner each nite.
5. I started stretching each morning and slowly added light excercise til i had a 10 minute routine down to get me going each morning. (i worked substituting as a teacher assistant in pre-k and k so i was physically and mentally VERY busy M-F)
6. I had trouble sleeping so i cut out caffeine (which was not a smart thing to do in the middle of opiate WD. it shot my BP thru the roof and i had WD from caffeine, that made opiate WD look like a picnic...SERIOUSLY! [i had been drinking 4 16oz coffees a day]. they put me on lexapro and i had suicidal thoughts within 3 days. i also became totally unable to sleep. SO before you start WD from your meds, make sure your caffeine intake is not going to be a problem.
7. i used "sleepy time tea" and 12.5 mg of benedryl to help me get to sleep. the trouble was, i COULD sleep, but i was passing out at 6pm and then after 4 hours i would be up. i don't need alot of sleep. i only do 6 hours or less a night, so that 4 hour nap messed me up. it eventually straightened out...
8. i also used dark chocolate. it was a treat and it made me feel good. i bought a huge bar of it and ate 1 or 2 squares a day.

i followed this for 2 months. march and april, i felt better once spring started and things turned green. it took months for my seratonin levels to get back to normal. but that is me. everyone is different. when all was said and done, i had lost 50 lbs and i felt great. my pain levels were doable and i went back to administration and got hired back full time. i also got the SYSOP job, keeping the school's computers running. so it was worth the suffering to make that change and find out where my pain levels were at.

Good luck and prayers to all who are going thru WD or who plan to. Please post. we are all here for you...this is an awesome family here!

Excellant post Scotty, one thing not mentioned, during the throes of WD, you are going to feel lethargic, we tend to avoid hygene routines, just making the bed seems like an insurmountable chore,...just go slow, make your bed neatly, force yourself to shower and wear clean clothes, do a little cleaning, this will actually take less time than you think, you WILL feel better mentally if you chore through a close to normal routine, if POSSIBLE, and you are able to stay home for a few day's, try and relax with some movies between the hot baths, you need some diversion, if you can, or or interested, grab a few magazines, movies, and just try and kick back, will help make the time go by, check in with PW daily, (great moral support) If insomnia becomes VERY problematic, PM me for my own treatment for this, (Insomnia is my worse, most dreaded WD symptom)
Thanks again to Scotty for a great contribution!
David

Just wanted to add my few cents worth, exercise really helps me soooo much to keep me in check and helps keep tolerance (and pain) down. I try to do it everyday and it seems to just keep everything "moving along" Of course make sure this is not something you jump into if you are not used to it. I also try to keep my system flushed with lots of water when I exercise. HannaJ