Heroin Withdrawal and OC

[TryingToQuitASAP]

I have had 1-3 point a day heroin smoking habit for about 4 months now. Already in this time I have seen how awful this drug is. It was great at first, when I could go to a party or hang out with some friends and be way more social than usual, until I tried to quit for the first time-- As all of you know, heroin withdrawal is hell, even at my meager habit. I relapsed after my first time, used for another month, and am now absolutely fed up with the lying. None of the people I am close to even know I use--I was convinced to try it by a friend of a friend who I only see to buy from, and somehow I've managed to keep it a secret this whole time. I can't believe I've gotten to this stage. I constantly think back to the first time I used, when my only thought was "this is how god wanted man to feel," and then I think about how I no longer have any money or integrity (though my friends and family don't know the extend of the latter).

Even as I'm feeling real bad, I am lucky to say I have no desire to use more at the moment (other than the short-sighted knowledge of knowing it will end it immediately, the thought of which I refuse to entertain). I guess as far as addicts go I am in an ok situation: my friends do not use, so there is a very small chance of me relapsing unless it is of my own accord, and the people I buy from are not in my life unless I choose for them to be.

I guess it just makes me feel better knowing that there are so many other people out there who have gone through the same self-loathing and overall storm I am currently going through. My real question is this: the aforementioned friend of a friend suggested I smoke 15-30mgs of OC daily to make the withdrawals easier. I did it this morning, on day 2, and then I have read that that is a horrible thing to do, and then I read that it is good... and so on and so forth. There doesn't seem to be any real consensus, and anecdotal evidence is scarce at best regarding OC use to take the edge off heroin withdrawals. Did I bring myself back to day 1 by smoking this morning?

I know the worst has yet to come at this point, which is an awful, terrible thought, but I am ready to get through this and be done with this horrible drug and be myself again. My 6 roommates think I have the flu and are avoiding me like the plague at the moment (another lie I wish I could purge my life of).

Thanks for the help and support in advance.

[yezdegerd]

Your best bet is to stop them altogether. There is little difference from heroin and oxy. It's gonna be tough but its worth just fighting it. Is there a detox center where you are? It's a safer environment plus they can keep your bp low and keep you as comfortable as possible. I went to one in las Vegas for oc wd. They kept me for 4 days and did a 40/30/20/10 methadone taper that made it really easy

[Jasmine79]

Do not use OC to replace heroin. I know it seems Ok because they're not as illicit, but trust me, they are just as addictive.

If you cheated one time for one day, it's not the end of the world, but if you cheat more than one day in a row you pretty much end up back at square one in terms of the withdrawal.

If you need something to take the edge off, try very very small doses of suboxone, preferably under the care of a doctor.

Another thing that helped me was 5HTP (which is legal)-- but only take one pill per day. Take too much and you get very anxious.