As brutal as the physical withdrawl symptoms can be, many people echo the sentiment that its the depression that really makes it difficult to get off the opiates. The frequent use of benzo's to kick (often in massive amounts, in my case anyways) exacerbates this problem. I discovered a supplement, called 5-HTP, which is the immediate precursor to seratonin (and a step after tryptophan), that has helped me tremendously in this regard.  I also combine this with St. John's Wort, providing a mutually synergistic effect. My apetite, my sleeping, my day-to-day disposition all seem to be somewhat regulated on this regimen. There's still a very physical component (I imagine this is related more to dopamine than seratonin)--ie. the fatigue and muscle soreness (does it ever go away?) but getting your head above water is so helpful to all other aspects of recovery.

 

I would be very much interested in tools and techniques that others have used to overcome this debilitating, and long-drawn-out, withdrawl symptom.