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When quitting heroin warm turkey you will be doing everything the same as if you were quitting heroin cold turkey yet with the help of 'lesser evil' pharmaceutical drugs such as Clonidine, Tramadol, and/or Valiums (or Xanax), or whichever low level opioid pain killers or benzos (benzodiazepines) that are offered in your country for anxiety and pain.

However, Clonidine, (not to be confused with Klonopin), is a non-opioid medication which can help reduce cold chills, sweats, restlessness and specifically, anxiety to a certain degree. Drug rehabilitation centers often administer Clonidine to heroin addicts during detox. And if you have access to doctors and prescriptions, then Clonidine may be your first choice.

Taking Clonidine at 1.4mg's 1 to 2 times per day will help relieve anxiety and withdrawals to a certain degree. But you will still need to remain active, taking long walks, drinking plenty of water, and taking long hot baths to relieve the cold chills. However, for most heroin addicts wanting to come off of heroin, Clonidine is not enough. Therefore, you may need the help of other, stronger medications such as Valiums (or Xanax) and/or Tramadol.

Valium is a benzodiazepine derivative drug which can be used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and most importantly, symptoms of acute opiate (heroin) withdrawal. However, although Valium is used to treat heroin and alcohol addiction, it is more so for the purpose of relieving anxiety, and not for the purpose of alleviating pain.​

​Xanax (alprazolam) is also a benzodiazepine drug and is used to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and anxiety caused by depression. Xanax is also used to treat depression as well. And although Valiums can be more effective than Xanax when it comes to heroin withdrawals, Xanax however is easier to obtain on the streets, from a friend, and of course from a doctor as well. (NOTE: Xanax is easier for most people to obtain than Valiums.)

Tramadol, also known as Ultram, is used to relieve moderate to severe pain such as back pain, neck pain and leg pains as well, also known as restless leg syndrome. And since Tramadol is an opioid drug, it will be like taking a small amount of mild heroin to provide a small amount of relief, at least for the moment. And Tramadol is easier to obtain than other opioid drugs such as Vicodins for example. But remember, the goal here is not to get high and comfortable but instead, to minimize withdrawals and maintain sanity. Taking these pharmaceutical drugs at low dosages may be just enough to keep anxiety, cramps, nausea, and diarrhea on hold, especially during the first few days of withdrawals.

You'll still feel withdrawal symptoms such as moderate cold chills and irritableness even when taking drugs such as Valiums, Xanax and/or Tramadol. But your pain and suffering will be less when quitting heroin warm turkey as compared to quitting heroin cold turkey. However, try not to use any of these meds in excess and for no more than 5 to 6 days as Valiums, Xanax and Tramadol are all highly addictive drugs. It would be best to use them only as a crutch to get off of the heroin and then start tapering down from these drugs after the first 4 to 5 days.

WARNING: Do not take both Valiums (or Xanax) and Tramadol at the same time as this can cause dizziness, slowed breathing and even respiratory failure. It’s never a good idea to take 2 central nervous system depressants at the same time. Don’t mix drugs.

If you’re going to use a pain medication along with an anxiety medication then it would be best to keep them many hours apart taking the Tramadol (opioids) during the day and then the Valiums or the Xanax (benzos) late in the night to help relieve anxiety and restlessness and possibly get some sleep. But whatever you do, don't get used to the Valiums, Xanax and Tramadols. Use them only as a crutch to relieve pain, anxiety, nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps during the first few days of detox. And start tapering down at least after the first 4-5 days - the sooner, the better.

Most addicts trying to quit heroin are able to get their meds off the streets. But if you have the funds to do so, then you can call and visit any local family doctor and ask for a prescription for these pharmaceutical drugs as these meds are available in most countries. You will have to go see the doctor and explain the situation to them in order for them to give you a prescription for any of these drugs. You do not need medical insurance for any of this. You can simply walk in and pay with cash.
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For anxiety: If you’re not able to obtain Valiums then you can also use:

Xanax (generic name: alprazolam): Xanax is a benzodiazepine drug which works by slowing down the movement of chemicals in the brain in order to cause a reduction in nervous tension (anxiety). Xanax is used to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and anxiety caused by depression. It is also used to treat depression as well.

Ativan (generic name: lorazepam): Ativan is another benzodiazepine drug which is used to treat anxiety and anxiety disorders by slowing activity in the brain to allow for relaxation.

Klonopin (generic name: clonazepam): Klonopin is another benzodiazepine drug which is used to treat anxiety, seizures, seizure disorders, and panic disorder and works by decreasing abnormal electrical activity in the brain to allow for calmness and relaxation.

For pain: If you’re not able to obtain Tramadol then you can also use:

Lortab (generic name: acetaminophen / hydrocodone): Lortab is a combination of Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone and is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducing drug and works by lowering the chemical in the brain that stimulates pain nerves. Acetaminophen is used to treat headaches, muscle achess, backache, toothaches, colds, and fevers, while Hydrocodone, an opioid based drug, works by binding to receptors in the brain and nervous system used by the body's natural pain relievers. Acetaminophen is a less potent pain reliever, but when combined increases the effects of hydrocodone. And the combination of both drugs may provide better pain relief than either drug alone.

Percocet (generic name: acetaminophen / oxycodone): Percocet is an opioid based drug which is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Percocet contains a combination of acetaminophen and oxycodone. Oxycodone is in a group of drugs called opioid pain relievers. Acetaminophen is a less potent pain reliever that increases the effects of oxycodone.

Vicodin (generic name: acetaminophen / hydrocodone): Vicodin is another opioid based drug which is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Vicodin contains a combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone. Hydrocodone is a narcotic, opioid pain reliever. Acetaminophen is a less potent pain reliever that increases the effects of hydrocodone.

Demerol (generic name: meperidine): Demerol is a opioid pain reliever drug and is similar to morphine. Demerol is used to treat moderate-to-severe pain and works by changing the way the body senses pain to cause significant reduction in pain.

Dilaudid (generic name: hydromorphone): Dilaudid is an opiod, narcotic pain reliever drug which is also similar to morphine. Dilaudid is used to treat moderate to severe pain and works by binding to certain receptors in the brain and nervous system to reduce pain.

Norco (generic name: acetaminophen / hydrocodone): Norco is also a combination drug consisting of Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone and is used to relieve moderate to severe pain.

Tylenol with Codeine #3 (generic name: acetaminophen / codeine): Tylenol with Codeine #3 is a combination of acetaminophen and codeine and is used to relieve mild to moderate pain.

There are more pharmaceutical drugs which are used for treating anxiety and pain.

There are a few ways to obtaining methadone to quit your heroin addiction. The first, being the most uncomfortable, is visiting your local methadone clinic every morning to get your daily dose of methadone juice. But all you have to do is get in, get your dose and get out. But watch out for the dealers as well; as sometimes there are dealers everywhere waiting to sell you dope, even at the methadone clinic.

The good thing about methadone clinics is that many clinics administer free to low cost dosages because they're state-run, or state funded, (subsidized by the state). (Although you may have to qualify for state funded help or insurance.) They may also charge a small, weekly or bi-weekly fee as well. But no matter how you look at it, if you’re not able to quit heroin cold turkey or warm turkey then you're much better off visiting the Methadone clinic than doing heroin, participating in illegal drug transactions, possessing illegal drugs, sticking needles in your arm, day after day after day. Life will change almost instantly.

Furthermore, at the methadone clinic, they'll drug test you from time to time to make sure you’re not using heroin while taking Methadone and thus forming a double habit. A double habit is when you’re taking your methadone dosage in the morning and then getting high on heroin later on in the day which is the worse thing to do. They will find out. And if it keeps on going then eventually the Methadone clinic will kick you out. Then you’re back to heroin, back to the streets and back to that dirty lifestyle.

Yet many addicts wish they would have gotten off of the Methadone within the first month - but they didn’t. And as a result, they stay on the Methadone for many, many months and sometimes years. That’s no way to live. ​

You would be much better off starting off at a low 30mg's to 40mg’s while tapering down 1-2mg's every 4 days (if your body can handle it). (If 30mg’s is too uncomfortable then start off at 40mg’s). But it would be best NOT to stay on the methadone for more than 30 to 40 days, or else, you'll be hooked all over again on a whole new drug. (However, if you need to stay on the methadone for a while longer to keep you off of the heroin then so be it. You can taper down, wean down whenever you're good and ready to do so). Once tapering is done and you’ve come down to 0mg's (zero milligrams) then you can jump ship onto a low mg, lesser evil opioid, a benzo, or OTC meds as well.

You may feel mild withdrawals, occasional mild cold chills, stomach cramps and possibly mild diarrhea. Or you might not feel any of those as well. It depends on the user, how bad your habit was, how low you started on the methadone, and how well you tapered down. It also depends on how much effort you’ve put forth to rebuilding your health during that tapering time.

While you’re tapering from methadone, you’ll need to be drinking plenty of water, taking vitamins, eating healthy, taking long fast walks, and becoming as healthy as you can be in order to come off of the methadone as quickly and as easily as possible. Then after taking that last jump drug, wait 36 hours and then take a lesser evil opioid such as Tramadol and watch how fast your stomach starts working properly. The idea is to wean your receptors and trick your body.

Skip a day, then take another Tramadol or Xanax. If needed, skip 2 days and do it again for only 2 or 3 more times. And if needed again, then split tablets and reduce dosage levels but try to go a few days without anything. This should help get you off of the methadone without too much discomfort. Again, it all depends on the user. You may need more or get by with less. You’ll soon find out.

To find the nearest methadone clinic in your area within the U.S., you can call the SAMHSA, the national, Substance Abuse hotline at 1-800-662-4357. Tell them what state and city you live in and then ask them to recommend a free or low cost methadone clinic in your area. Then call the clinics for details and procedures.

US: Call 1-800-662-4357 SAMHSA, (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) which is a free and confidential 24/7 referral service. Call 1-800-662-4357​
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Canada: To get help finding and locating a free to low cost methadone clinic in Canada, click here now.

United Kingdom: To get help finding a free to low cost methadone clinic in the UK, click here now.

Ireland: To get help finding a free to low cost methadone clinic in Ireland, click here now.

India: To get help finding and locating a free to low cost treatment center in India, click here now.
NOTE: Methadone may not be as readily available in India as it is in other countries

Australia: To get help finding and locating a free to low cost methadone clinic in Australia, click here now.

New Zealand: To get help finding a free to low cost methadone clinic in New Zealand, click here now.

Contact your local or national, drug treatment guidance and referral service and ask them to help you find a free, (government funded) or low cost methadone clinic in your country. (You may qualify for government funded assistance.)

Contact the clinic, get all the details and procedures and then just go. When you get there, ask them to please start you off at the lowest dosage possible and beg them to wean you down as soon as possible. Make it clear to them that you want to get off the methadone and all opioids as quickly as possible and you’ll do whatever you have to do to make this happen, which means providing negative drug test results at all times and participating in meetings and counseling sessions as well. Let them know that you’re serious about quitting opioids and turning your life around and that you’re willing to do whatever it takes to do so. And if they see that you’re serious and sincere in the matter then they just might comply.

However, if you wanted to bypass the Methadone clinic environment and become more in control of your methadone taper and use plan then you can obtain a prescription for Methadone tablets by visiting your local family doctor. Look through your local phone book and start calling local and private family doctors. Ask the doctor if he can help you quit your heroin addiction with Methadone. You'll have to be sincere and honest with the doctor in order to get the best help possible. Most likely the doctor will say yes. Make the appointment and go as soon as possible.

Most people are scared or ashamed to speak to a doctor about their heroin addiction and begin to worry about how they’re going to be treated. However, try not to worry about what the doctor or the girl at the front desk is going to think of you. They’re not there to judge you - they’re there to help you. And chances are, they’ll become very interested to see if in fact they can actually help you to quit heroin and will be more than happy to assist you in any way that they can. The first visit may cost the same as a normal doctors visit. But you should be able to pay in cash if you don't have insurance.​

Treatment is also more likely to be successful when accompanied by a family member, quitting buddy or close drug-free friend who remains involved at all times.

Again, it depends on the user, but you might want to ask the doctor to start you off on a 1 to 2 week prescription of Methadone tablets at 30mg’s to 40mg’s per day. Then explain to the doctor how you want to taper down, not how he or she directs you to taper down. Let them know that you don’t want to get hooked on this drug so you don’t want to stay on it for too long.

Again, you're going to have to start tapering down after the first 4-7 days and continue to taper every 4 days to avoid getting hooked on the Methadone. And again, try not to stay on the methadone for more than 30-40 days tops (with skipping days included), and tapering down during that time period. It's harder to quit Methadone than it is to quit heroin without quick and steady tapering. Furthermore, withdrawals from the methadone are much stronger and last much longer as well.

As mentioned above, once you’ve managed to come down to 0mg's on the Methadone, then jump ship and wait 36 hours before taking another lesser evil opioid to jump start your stomach. The good thing about seeing a local, private, family doctor is that for one, it's private. Furthermore, he can start you off at low dosages while at the same time give you low dosages of other prescribed pharmaceuticals to relieve other withdrawals (if needed), especially towards the end when you're getting ready to come off of the Methadone for good.

If at all possible, use the Methadone as a temporary crutch and not as a replacement drug or maintenance program. And in doing so, you’ll be able to quit heroin, stay clean, and turn your life around.

Suboxone also contains Naloxone, an opioid antagonist. And the Naloxone in Suboxone is there to discourage you from dissolving the tablet and injecting it. When Suboxone is placed under the tongue, as directed, very little Naloxone reaches the bloodstream, so what you'll feel are the effects of the Buprenorphine. However, if Naloxone is injected, it can cause a person to go quickly into full withdrawal.

Suboxone is a partial opioid agonist and thus may be the reason why some addicts claim Suboxone does not provide complete relieve from all withdrawal symptoms. For this reason, many heavily addicted users still prefer Methadone over Suboxone. Some users also report that while Suboxone may take away withdrawals, it does little to reduce cravings. However, studies do show that Suboxone, along with proper counseling and strategic lifestyle changes, has been proven to be very effective and successful for helping people quit heroin and stay clean or good.

Induction may work best when taking one 4mg suboxone tablet or film strip, (½ tablet or ½ film strip) and then if needed, another 2mg’s within 60 minutes. And if needed again, another 2mg’s within 60 more minutes. Stabilization can take place at 6mg’s to 8mg’s as well. Anything more may be more than what is needed for most addicts. However, serious addicts may start off at 8mg and then take another 2mg’s every hour until they reach stability. But again, a total of 8mg’s is more than enough for most addicts.

It may take 30, 40 to 50 minutes before heroin withdrawal symptoms are alleviated so you may want to spend that time in the hot tub waiting for the subs to take effect. Furthermore, many users are able to come off of heroin by just 2mg’s of Suboxone daily, for a week or two, go through slight to mild withdrawals, and still manage to make it out alive and well. They use the subs as a crutch to help them get through the worse of the heroin withdrawals and then taper from the subs, quickly and easily.

Suboxone dosages are normally taken 1 time per day, preferably in the morning. If your dose is one 4mg Suboxone tablet or film strip, then place it under your tongue and let it dissolve completely. Suboxone is absorbed into the bloodstream through the veins under the tongue.

If your dose is 2 tablets or 2 film strips then place both tablets under your tongue, 1 on the left side and 1 on the right side and let the tablets or film strips dissolve completely. If you have more than 2 tablets or strips to take, put the next tablet(s) or film strips under your tongue after the first ones have dissolved.

Suboxone takes a short time (5-10 minutes) to dissolve. Don't chew or swallow the tablets or film strips or else less Suboxone will be absorbed into the bloodstream, which may not allow it to work as well as it should and may cause withdrawal symptoms to persist. And as is the case with methadone, try your best to stay as low on the mg’s as possible on the Suboxone, not using it for more than 30-40 days or less. After day 4 to day 5, start tapering down every 4-5 days to .50mg by splitting the tablets or cutting the strips in half and quarter pieces until you get down to 0mg’s. Then you can take one .50mg piece every other day for 3-4 days, and then jump ship completely.

I've seen and read of too many cases where addicts end up staying hooked on Methadone or Suboxone for many, many months and sometimes years only to return again to heroin or remain addicted to those medications for good. As with Methadone, it would be best to use the Suboxone as a crutch to get off of the heroin and not as a replacement drug or maintenance program.

Suboxone film strips can be cut into halves and quarters for tapering. Suboxone film strips dissolve much faster and are much more tolerable as well. Do not let them place you on a long term Methadone or Suboxone maintenance program or else you'll be trapped and enslaved all over again to a whole new drug.

The goal of every heroin addict should be the same - and that is to eventually be free from heroin, all opioids and all drugs for good; to be able to wake up in the morning and feel your normal body once again without having the need to take any opioid or benzo drugs, ever again. This is true freedom.

The head of a Suboxone treatment program was quoted as saying that “Suboxone treatment has a low success rate when not accompanied by proper counseling”. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you seek some sort of drug treatment counseling from the clinic, your doctor, a professional therapist, or from your local NA meetings. If counseling is not available or affordable then having a quitting buddy by your side can help as well. Furthermore, I myself will be more than willing to help you in any way that I can. Just say the word.

To learn more on quitting heroin with Suboxone, please read my article “Quitting Heroin with Suboxone”.
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Nothing happens by itself. You have to make it happen. You have to take action! Go to the doctors office, any doctors office, and get whatever medications you can get and then do it! - Give it your best shot! And don't be afraid to reach out for help! If you're here in the U.S. then please call SAMHSA, the National Substance Abuse Services Helpline at 1-800-662-4357

Call SAMHSA and ask them to help you find any free to low cost resources to help you quit this drug and stay clean for good, i.e. suboxone or methadone clinics, counseling, support group meetings. Get whatever help you can get to help you quit heroin and stay clean for good. You can do it.

I personally have tried to quit heroin in many ways. I've quit heroin cold turkey, many times. I've quit heroin with Methadone at the Methadone clinic and with a private doctor as well. I've even been in Brookside Rehabilitation Center and the truth is, all of these methods work when taken seriously and done correctly.

However, quitting heroin is one battle. Avoiding relapse is another battle all together. On my last and final successful attempt, I had to move far far away from the dope spot, from Massachusetts to Orlando, Florida. I cut off all ties with my dope friends - total separation - and then started my life all over again from scratch.

Transforming your life isn't easy. It can become very difficult to change the person you are, into the person you need to become. It's a process which takes time, planning, and hard work. But I know for a fact that it can be done.

People change. You can change. And you can become a whole new person within a matter of months by leaving your old ways behind. I quit heroin first, then crack, then coke, then weed, and last but nor least, cigarettes. I even quit listening to that old school gangster rap music which had become a major influence in my daily life as a criminal minded heroin addict. That in itself was very difficult to do and my struggle with music went on for years. But I knew that it had to be done in order to bring about a true, genuine change in my life. Yet, none of this was easy.

The transition process was long, rough and difficult. But man, what a wonderful feeling it was to finally wake up one morning and feel my normal body once again, without the need of any drugs. No cold chills, no leg pains, no back pains, no cramps, no nausea, no nothing. No more worries about how I was going to get that first bag of the day. No more cops. No more jails. No more courts. No more fines. No more probation. No more nothing!! I love it!

I'm 45 now (2018). I haven't touched heroin, methadone or any of that stuff in over 20 years and I will never touch that or any drug, ever again in my life. It feels great to be free! It feels great to feel your normal body once again. It feels good to be alive and to live a clean, decent, healthy life. And I wouldn’t go back for anything in the world. And in order for any of these methods to work for you, then you're going to have to re-arrange your life completely. Because it’s not just about quitting heroin, it’s about changing your life; starting your life all over again from scratch. But just remember this; once you start trying to turn your life around, 'then cometh opposition, 'then cometh the dope-man'. Your dealer and your dope friends will come looking for you. Someone will show up with a bag of dope - for free.

Therefore, to ensure success, it would be best to start off by cutting off all your dope friends completely. Remove all of their phone numbers from your cell phone and change your phone number right away. If they want to quit dope then send them to my website. But if they’re not trying, nor have the desire to change, then their purpose in life is to contribute to your destruction. Therefore, in order for change to take place, total separation will be required.

Relocation can be an effective and successful strategy as well. There’s nothing wrong with relocating, and moving far, far away for the purpose of leaving your old life behind and starting a whole new life all over again from scratch. In fact, it takes courage to do so, but could end up being the best thing in your life.

Come clean. Reach out for help. Tell a friend about your heroin addiction and your desire to quit and change. Tell your mom, your dad, your brother or your sister. Ask for forgiveness and beg them for help! Once you’ve come clean, then everything will change almost instantly, and the rest will fall into place.

Be honest with everyone. For it is more important to be honest than it is to quit heroin. And believe it or not, this is very important and needful to help you stay clean for good.

Addicts have a much greater chance of quitting heroin and staying clean when surrounded by well trusted, drug-free, family members and friends. And once you've become honest, then you’ll attract good, clean, and honest people into your life. The more people who know about your heroin problem then the more people you'll have to help and support you while going through the greatest struggle of your life.

You’d be surprised to see how many people would be willing to help you once they see you making an honest and genuine attempt to start heading in the right direction. But first, you must prove to them and to all those looking on that you're going to try your best, not only to quit heroin, but to also turn your life around. Because the truth is, that's the only way you're going to quit heroin and stay clean for good - is by turning your life around.

And in the end, it won’t be the subs, the methadone, or the Tramadol that helped you quit dope. It will be you who finally said, “enough is enough”, and forced yourself to quit heroin and turn your life around. It doesn’t matter how you do it! Just do it once and for all. Get up, start planning, and start quitting now! And this time, don’t ever turn back again.

Now… repeat after me:

“I will quit heroin, stay clean, and turn my life around.”

If you’re ready to go to war, then click here now-->

Sincerely,
Jorge (George) Fernandez 
Over 20 Years Clean from Heroin 
About Jorge (George) Fernandez
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