Is going off opiates easier if you don't take so much?

[Taverner]

Say the user usually takes about 2-3 pills per day. Say this same user plans to slowly go off, reducing the amount to 1-2, then just 1, then 1/2 then none...

Would this be a sound DT strategy?

A little background - I just had knee surgery a month or so ago. The doctor perscribes Percocet. Fun stuff. Only I'm now taking 3-4 pills a day just to get by. In the world of opiate abuse, that is a small amount - but I know I'm going to have to go off them soon - and the idea really kind of bothers me.

So should I start dosing down?

Or should I just go all out and quit cold turkey?

[xzyra]

1. talk to your doctor

Your doc should be able to help you get off these without too much pain

If you are afraid to talk to your doc, I would gradually go off, but you should really talk to your doc!

[Taverner]

2. I'd rather not talk with my Doc

But I'll take the gradual method.

[jschurchin]

4. Your plan should work.

Don't rush it though if you can. Reduce your dosage ever few day's (2-3) and you should be fine.

[NMDemDist2]

3. that should work fine, and IME opiate withdrawal is no worse than having

the flu, some chills and muscle aches and in a few days it's over.

so go cold turkey if you want :shrug:

[Taverner]

5. Rather not do cold turkey

I've quit smoking cold turkey as well as quit it slowly and the slow method was much more effective.

[NMDemDist2]

6. they aren't the same IMO

try cold turkey with some asprin or Ibuprofen

you'll feel crappy for a couple days then be done. If it were me, I'd be thinking I was just trying to rationalize staying on the dope any way I could (but I have an alcholic mind and it's out to kill me if I give it half a chance)

your milage may vary :shrug:

[Taverner]

7. Well I don't get the luxury of staying on the dope...LOL

I'm down to two a day right now, and I'm still feeling a little achy

I'm tempted to just go cold turkey now and get it over with...but it feels so good when I pop one so it's hard for me to convince myself :)

[Taverner]

8. OK down to 1 pill per day

Broke it in half - seems to be working, as long as I pop advil every time I get achy.

[NMDemDist2]

9. good news!

you're a better man than I, Gunga Din

:rofl:

[Taverner]

10. :) I do wonder if you were right though

Am I prolonging the aches?

It feels as if I've had a mild case of the flu for about 2 weeks now...

If I would have just gone cold turkey I would have had a bad few days, but might be clean by now..

[NMDemDist2]

11. :shrug:

I can only share MY experience. But I have detoxed from opiates more than once. AND there is a thing where in chronic pain you can set up some kind of feed back loop that gets you stuck.

glad you are doing well though

[Jack_Dawson]

12. 1 Vicodin/day for six years

I love it. I look forward to it. I enjoy it. Then it's over. One has been a manageable number for me, but probably not for everyone.

[Name removed]

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