"Narconon requires its patients to sweat up to five hours per day for 30 days and take high doses of vitamins and minerals.

 

Now I don't think this applies to 1 sauna a day..as mentioned above it may help sweat out a little bit of the toxins..but I do know a great sweat makes one feel better in general.

 

Again I don't know if you are taking anything to help with the kicking..if you arer taking valium..sleeping pills or catapress for instance maybe a sauna wouldn't be such a good idea if they made you light headed.

 

Depending on the amount of heroin you were using it can take anywhere form 48 to 72 hours or more for the worst to be over with..then there is PAWS or Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome that you need to be aware of.

 

Read about it here:

 

 

Good luck and keep us posted on how you are doing.

Sha

Strife,

CONGRATULATIONS. !

Hey, I've heard bad stuff about that Church of Scientology.  Something about how its all a big cult after your money and how people died in it. 

I don't know why I am even mentioning that, really all I wanted to say was keep posting Strife.  You'll find a bunch of really good people here for support.

,

luv,sue

Hi Strife..

 

Sorry to hear you're having a hard time..but it is a 'hard' thing that you are trying to do..especially without any medication. Glad to hear you're going to the doctors tomorrow.

 

We have some great threads here on Buprenorphine..what they are giving these days other than methadone to help with withdrawal..take a read of this thread/posts:

 

 

 

 

 

Eventually we'll get all this stuff up on the medical boards..for now hope this helps answer a few questions for ya Strife..any more that you may have please don't hesitate to ask.

 

Keep that chin up. You are right to wasant to get straight before boot camp..maybe one day you'll tell us how that came about..my support in all that you choose Strife

 

Yep Suzi Narcanon has a bad rap..with reason too I think..but then that depends on who you ask I guess. I had one friend who went to Toronto years ago and worked their program..he came back 1 month later..minud $6,000.00 and was using within the week.

 

Be well,

Sha

Here's another good theread on kicking with Bup:

 

Hey Strife- Sha hit it right on the money.  I'd suggest you read the links she posted, and then when you meet your dr., ask him if he's licensed to prescribe buprenorphine, (or subutex or suboxone, which are the brand names).  If he presribes it for you, in all likelihood you should have a relatively painless withdrawal; it will be over in 5 - 7 days.  I've been detoxed using it several times, and I was even able to go to work while detoxing,  Of course I can't promise it will work the same for you, but it does enable most people to detox from heroin virtually painlessly.  But a variety of factors can have an effect on how well it works, such as how big of a habit you have, whether you snort it or shoot it, how long you've had your habit for, etc.  And in any case, it will be MUCH, MUCH easier than trying to just kick on your own. 

 

If you're dr. doesn't prescribe it (drs. have to take a special 8 hr. course to be licensed to prescribe it), IMO, after reading the info on the various links that Sha put up, you might want to find a doctor who can detox you with this medication.

 

This link will give you a list of drs. all over the country who can prescribe buprenorphine:  http://buprenorphine.samhsa.gov/bwns_locator/.

 

IMO it's definitely the way to go for someone who is looking for a quick detox.  It really seems like it would be ideal for someone in your circumstances.  If you'd like any more info, please feel free to e-mail me at [email protected].

 

Good luck, and let us know how you're doing.

 

Marco

 

So sorry to hear that Christina..you know no matter what you choose the support is always here for you. Yes it is a hard thing to do..that is why so many of us..like you have to get up and try try try again. But it can be done so don't you give up you hear. Four more days huh and off you go to boot camp..you must be nervous (to say the least), about what's going on. It would be a serious experience going in for someone in the best of shape..but you sound like a strong lady Strife and if you have faith that you can do this I have faith that you can do this. If there is any doubt or deep rooted fear inside say something to someone before it's to late to turn back. Is there an 'opt' clause for emergencies in the forces? I would not think so but hey it's worth checking out. One day if you feel up to it I'd love to hear your story and how you ended up in boot camp in the first place..did you sign on? I seriously thought about it when younger..thinking it would help with focus and discipline...something I needed more of.

I'm trying to think what else you could use to make this detox as easy as possible..you can't get the Buprenorphine..bummer. Okay well Catapress (generic name Clonidine) helped me. Some people have a different take on them..but they did me okay. I found myself in a different sort of 'boot camp' once..jail..finally after 3 days I was given Catapress, something to sleep, and another pill for stomach cramps and diarrhea..saved me much suffering.   They usually like to moniter the catapress although no one did me..as it can be dangerous if not taken properly and there was/is a lot of abuse with this pill as well. Doesn't get you high..but people would take them to enhance their dope...more nodding they said..dangerous..not good. It's normally used for high blood pressure..which rises when we are kicking..but they found it to help with opiate type detox..I found it helped with speedy feeling and sweats. 

How much are you doing now..and true..that you don't shoot up too often may make it easier for you. Only in that you don't have to go through that whole 'relationship' with the syringe thing. I hope these last 4 days go well for you Christina. Please keep posting if it helps...

Sending you energy..prayers and lots of positive mojo. The new year will be better..stay strong,

  Despite the situation have a great night and be safe.

Sha

 

Here's a site that lists different ways to detox.

HOW BAD IS HEROIN WITHDRAWAL?

An excerpt from: Heroin, Myths and Reality by: Jara A. Krivanek pub. 1988, Allen & Unwin and a general discussion, with references of the dangers of heroin.

The withdrawal syndrome we have been discussing is what is termed 'primary' or 'early' abstinence. A substantial portion of the physical symptoms of this stage seem to depend on the activity of a part of the brainstem called the locus coeruleus. Opiates depress this area and it would therefore be expected to become hyperactive during withdrawal. The locus coeruleus is an important center in the brain's fear-alarm system, and such hyperactivity would be consistent with the marked anxiety and agitation withdrawing addicts report.

MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS

Medical consequences of chronic heroin abuse include scarred and/or collapsed veins, bacterial infections of the blood vessels and heart valves, abscesses (boils) and other soft-tissue infections, and liver or kidney disease. Lung complications (including various types of pneumonia and tuberculosis) may result from the poor health condition of the abuser as well as from heroin's depressing effects on respiration. Many of the additives in street heroin may include substances that do not readily dissolve and result in clogging the blood vessels that lead to the lungs, liver, kidneys, or brain. This can cause infection or even death of small patches of cells in vital organs. Immune reactions to these or other contaminants can cause arthritis or other rheumatologic problems.

Of course, sharing of injection equipment or fluids can lead to some of the most severe consequences of heroin abuse-infections with hepatitis B and C, HIV, and a host of other blood-borne viruses, which drug abusers can then pass on to their sexual partners and children.

THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT

CLONIDINE PROGRAMM

Clonidine is generally used as an anti-hypertensive agent, but in 1978 Gold and his colleagues reported that it could suppress or reverse the symptoms of opiate withdrawal. Subsequent work has shown that this reversal is by no means complete, but there seems no doubt that clonidine can make opiate withdrawal much more comfortable.

APOMORPHINE PROGRAMM

Apomorphine is a substance which can be administered to an addict (primarily Heroin addicts) for approximately seven days & which will allow an addict to be fully physically detoxed with little to no side effects. Indeed records show that apomorphine treatment can be ceased after seven days with no further withdrawal.

IBOGAINE PROGRAMM

Ibogaine is an alkaloid drug derived from an African shrub, Iboga Tabernanthe. Ibogaine is not a substitute for narcotics or stimulants, is non-addicting and is given in a single administration modality. Ibogaine is a chemical dependence interruptor. The majority of patients treated with Ibogaine remain free from chemical dependence for a period of two weeks to three months after a single dose. Approximately ten percent of patients treated with Ibogaine remain free of chemical dependence for two or more years from a single treatment and the same percentage return to drug use within two weeks after treatment. Medical supervision is advised.

METHADONE PROGRAMM

Methadone was originally developed by the Nazis during World War II. When the supply of opium was cut off, Nazi addicts like Goering avoided the possibility of withdrawal by instructing German drug companies to produce a wholly synthetic opiate that didn't rely on the poppy. With typical Teutonic efficiency, the chemists came up with a drug that not only worked, but also lasted a long time. As a result, Methadone has become the drug of choice for doctors trying to help users manage their opiate dependency. Heroin wears off after a couple of hours, thus requiring several hits each day. Methadone, on the other hand, lasts anywhere between 24 and 72 hours, depending on the dose taken and individual metabolism.
Methadone comes in several forms - 10mg ampules, 5 mg tablets, Methadone Linctus - 1 mg in 2.5 ml or Methadone Mixture DTF - 1 mg in 1 ml. Occasionally, chemists will be broken into and pharmaceutical methadone powder will come onto the market. This stuff is very strong, so if you ever happen to come across it, be extremely careful with how much you use, especially if you are only used to street smack.

Many users claim that the problem with methadone is that it lacks heroin's intensity. In blind trials, users who were given both drugs orally were unable to distinguish between the effects of the two drugs. Where heroin does have a real advantage over methadone is in withdrawal. Withdrawal from heroin should be over after seven to ten days. Withdrawal from methadone though can take up to a month or even longer.

DOLOXINE PROGRAMM

"From what I have been told Doloxine seems to be a somewhat psychotic way to detox. Sure a couple of capsules when you are hanging out make you feel a hell of a lot better, but the side-effects are nasty. You can't work on doloxine, your speech is slurred, your motor co-ordination is stuffed and you are generally left feeling very dopey. Avoid it unless you have no other options.

Note: Doctors usually prescribe Doloxine with Catapress which accounts for the sluggishness as well as the dopeyness".

NALTREXONE PROGRAMM

Naltrexone is a medication that blocks the effects of drugs known as opioids (a class that includes morphine, heroin or codeine). Naltrexone competes with these drugs for opioid receptors in the brain. It was originally used to treat dependence on opioid drugs but has recently been approved by the FDA as treatment for alcoholism. In clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of naltrexone, patients who received naltrexone were twice as successful in remaining abstinent and in avoiding relapse as patients who received placebo - an inactive pill.

With this method of DETOX you can be fully physically withdrawn in 6 hours and you can leave the clinic after 24 hours. Cost varies from $600 in the USA to $3000 in Israel to $7500 in Sydney Australia.

Note: Naltrexone should not be taken without detoxing first. Taking naltrexone whilst still addicted will speed the withdrawal stage & leave you in serious pain.

COLD TURKEY

This one is one of the most popular methods of detox and it's kind of like jumping off a cliff. Cold turkey is not for the faint of heart and it is recommended that you consult a physician to see if any other options are available before you leap into it.

BUPRENORPHINE PROGRAMM

This has been around since the 60's & there are more people on Buprenorphine in France than there are on Methadone. Because it is a partial agonist Buprenorphine has mild opiate effects & reduces withdrawal cravings. It is much better to withdraw from it than Methadone or Heroin and it is very difficult to overdose on it, so it is relatively safe to use! It is recomended that if you are going from methadone to Buphrenorphine that you drop down to 30 ml of methadone before going onto Buphrenorphine. The standard recomended dose is around 8 mg per day.

Above taken from:

http://www.netroad.ru/~foundhelg/Engl_her.htm

About Catapress/Clonidine:

http://clonidine.drugs.com/

 

 

 

Hi - yeah, I've done that - actually, it MIGHT help!  It seemed to have had some positive effects for me, but "give it a whack", and see how it goes.  The good news is - it only lasts for a few days, then you'll be as good as new (assuming, of course, that you acquire different friends to hang out with!).  Let me know how it went, if you'ld like . . .

 

    Vinny

 

Strife,

  If you're still reading these posts I just wanted to send my support to you.  You sure have my respect.  Going into marine boot camp.  Wow. Both my kids joined the army reserves.  They both told me all about army boot camp. 

 

And ya know, they LIKED it!!!!

 

They kept them very busy with all that physical stuff.  But in the beginning they told me it was all about waiting in lines and waiting more.

 

I've heard that excercise is the great natural high. Maybe this is going to be a good thing for you.  Just hang in there and stick it out.  Reading your posts you sound like a very strong person inside. 

 

And remember not to laugh at those loud mouth sargents who yell an inch from your face!  It's all part of their game.  ANyways thats what my kids say. 

 

And when you're all done you'll have so much to be proud of.

 

I'm sending all my positive energy to you also.  You'll be just fine!

 

luv,

sue

ps: hey don't forget to post when you're in boot camp.  Where are you going to be?