Opiod addiction. Need help

I really need some advice. I’ve been addicted to codeine and alcohol for about 20 years. Im now off alcohol for 3 months but finding the codeine very difficult to stay off. I’ve done 2 days but finding day 3 so hard to get through. I find the restless legs excruciating and then I can’t sleep. I really need some advice.

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I went to rehab and did a medically supervised detox and then did inpatient treatment. Got out of rehab, started IOP and daily AA meetings. I had a psychiatrist, was on the vivitrol shot and had a counselor. 3 years later I still go to AA and I’m still in therapy. Seems to do the trick for me.

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If the physical symptoms are a serious barrier to you getting and staying sober, and you’ve tried over the counter remedies and solutions for the withdrawal pain, there are other options available. Some rehab offer suboxone, which will eliminate the withdrawal pain completely. I know not everyone is a fan of suboxone, but I know I could not have gotten sober from heroin without it. The pain was too great.

Have you tried non addictive remedies for the pain? If so, has anything helped?

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I’m eventually on day 5. Finding it very difficult but hanging in there. Getting over the pains and aches but finding the restless legs and panic attacks the worst. Im hoping this time I’ll survive.

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Glad you are recovering steadily. Those restless leg kicks are the worst, I know. Try some deep breathing for the panic Attacks.

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I’ve been an opiate addict for over ten years, I tried many times to quit on my own. I tried kratom, Suboxone, methadone and cold turkey but nothing worked for me. Finally what I realized was that I was completely powerless over my addiction. The only thing that work was 3 months of rehad at crossroads. This place saved my life I highly recommend it. For some people Suboxone or methadone works to keep them sober but for me it only filled my fire. I tried the vivitrol shot and let me say it works for me I have no cravings and it’s kept me sober to this day I finally feel that I’m in reach of the light at the end of the tunnel. For those of those that struggle with this addiction all I can say is don’t give up on yourself there are ways to beat it, just keep your head up and stay focused you to can beat the odds.

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Hang in there @Beth55. I know how hard it is but it’s worth it. Try to keep your eye on the prize.

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Be very mindful to go thru a Dr my friend ended up fitting when she came off them alone. Drug support or Dr is first stop for safety. :pray:

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First, I respect your courage for coming and asking for help. It’s a huge step and deserves some respect.

Now with that out of the way, I am 54 days clean today from a serious heroin along with a general garbage can addiction. I’d do whatever. Opiates are a whole different ballgame sometimes. After time they literally alter the chemical makeup of your brain. The detox and withdrawal is because our brain literally doesn’t have what it thinks it needs.

With that being said, I will tell you what my recovery looks like with the preface that RECOVERY LOOKS DIFFERENT FOR EVERYONE! Just because someone does it different doesn’t mean it’s wrong. Different strokes and all that.

I needed medical detox and inpatient, and I strongly recommend it if possible. I have a treatment team I follow VERY closely with. Psychiatrist, addiction specialist, PCP, therapist, and peer specialist (similar to a sponsor, in long term recovery). I am on medication to help me with cravings and PAWS (post acute withdrawl syndrome). I also strongly advise at least therapy if you don’t want to take a medical approach. Getting to the root of why you started in the first place is important. If you aren’t working on the primary issue, it will continue to fester into different forms of harmful behavior.

I like to think of it this way, sobriety is a gift of life that I have given to myself. Never discredit YOURSELF and all the work YOU are doing!

You have come to the right place, the people here I have found are amazing. Keep your head up and reach out when needed!

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I dont know what to try for my restless legs or the pain. I also have rheumatoid arthritis which is being managed but some days are particularly bad both from withdrawal from alcohol and opoids.

Todays my 1 month mark off fetanyl/heroin. If the physical withdrawal is whats bothering you i would look into a in patiant rehab, they’ll more than likely give you suboxone which can be a life saver, just make sure you taper off it or you can become addicted to it. If its the mental thats getting to you, hit a meeting. Trust me you’ll feel better after. If you need any advice or help with anything feel free to message me. Goodluck man…shit gets sooo much better :grinning:

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Hey, I ain’t never been addicted to Codeine but I was addicted to another form of cough syrup and I have friends who struggled with Lean addiction. I used to dissolve Robogels into code red mountain dew and slurp that shit down regularly. It took me 4.5 months for the Dissociative cravings to leave my Body and I’ve finally got Control of my head again. From my understanding Opioid addiction is primarily based around the withdrawal symptoms and severity of how addictive the type of drug is. Dextromethorphan isn’t an Opioid but it is a synthetic Morphinan Dissociative that blocks NMDA receptors in the brain. So I can understand where you’re coming from in terms of general addiction to anything. My best bet is that Doug is right and you should be prescribed Suboxone and those are helpful for opioid withdrawals

Edit : back to the code red detail. I can’t drink Code Red anymore because of it

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I went thru the worst opioid withdrawals from heroin almost 8 months ago that landed me in the hospital with precipitated withdrawals. I was prescribed suboxone, but continued to use heroin. When I was set to see the doctor again I tried to stop heroin and take the suboxone, and didnt wait long enough. I ended up puking for 3 days before I eventually went to the hospital. My advice is to see a substance abuse doctor and follow their directions. Today I’ve been clean for 7 months and 24 days. I now take a sublocade shot that last a month. Best thing I did. Takes the cravings away, and all other withdrawal symptoms. Good luck!

Sorry, i had been taking a break from the forum, i am just now reading this…

How are you feeling now? Yeah, the restless legs were the worst for me too, and the abdominal pain. Hot baths and showers were the only thing I found that helped me personally. Some old friends of mine told me that they found gabapentin helpful, it is a non-addictive med that your dr could prescribe.