To begin, let it be said that this is not an easy task. In fact, the easiest part is the withdrawal, which everyone knows is complete hell. But know that it's all worth it in the end.


Steps

1. Heroin, one of the hardest drugs to quit Try the suboxone/subutex approach. Suboxone/Subutex is much much better than getting on methadone. If you choose to enter the methadone program, you are basically replacing a heroin addiction with a methadone addiction. Also, in the end, methadone is even harder to kick than heroin. Taking Suboxone/Subutex will greatly help with cravings, and is much easier to taper off of than methadone. The amount of time you will take Suboxone/Subutex is much shorter than methadone as well-- Suboxone/Subutex maintenance generally lasts for 3 to 6 months, depending on the person and doctor.
   • These days, you can easily find a private doctor who can prescribe these drugs to ease a user off of dope in the comfort of his/her own home. These doctors have a special license to prescribe these medications and know how to use them.
   • If you are determined to kick cold turkey, stock up on amino acids. Protein is key here. Also, get chamomile tea, lots of water and Gatorade; vitamins and isotonic mixtures do wonders. Concentrate on your blood sugar levels and fluid intake.
   • If you can, get some clonidine (non-narcotic BP med, given by most addiction docs) or phenobarb and ativan. The last two are narcotics but are not very strong; they can take the edge off.
2. Maintain the drug highs in other, healthier ways. Right after you come off dope, you feel great, powerful, and strong -- use these feelings to your advantage. Take cold showers, exercise regularly (don't overdo it) and keep the body strong. When the going gets tough, try these tips:
   • Have a pile of bedsheets handy because the night sweats can be rough.
   • Exercise helps the body excrete all the junk inside and can regulate the metabolism.
   • When you feel bad, remember that it's just your body adjusting to the changes within. Think: is my blood sugar low? Do I need to eat? How's my metabolism? Do I need to rest?
   • Relax. Don't beat yourself up! You are doing an amazing thing and deserve some time to grow. Give yourself a break and don't stress every little thing.
3. Be prepared for the lows. After the initial period of two weeks to two months, you reach a holding pattern where things can seem boring, lifeless and dull; this time period is when most addicts relapse. You may feel depressed or rejected and not feel like doing anything.
   • You must stay busy during this time.
   • Continue to maintain a healthy diet, as well as an exercise routine.
   • Find a new hobby.
   • Put a reward system in place. Remember how much cash you were spending on that habit? A fraction of that can buy some really cool stuff! Get yourself a prize for sticking with your recovery.
   • Try NA meetings for a good outlet. The 12-step program can seem bizarre and hokey at first, but it can really help. Go to meetings; share what's going on and meet some people. This will help push you through these difficult stages.
4. Maintain your new lifestyle. Here, different people take different approaches.
   • If you are doing well, are completely clean and going to NA meetings, stick with that.
   • Some go on a methadone or Suboxone maintenance and stay with it for years.
   • Whatever you do, just keep doing all the right things. Don't neglect the diet and exercise that got you where you are. Stick with the tea and amino acids and vitamins.
   • Recognize that staying sober is hard. There are good days and bad days.
   • Remember how much you have lost to drugs and addiction. Remember those times when everything seemed to keep getting worse.

Tips

• Make a list of things you've lost to heroin and things you want back. Refer to this list whenever you have the urge to use.
• It is essential to find a support network, whether it be friends and family or other recovering addicts.
• Find a safe place to return to life. Don't go back to the same people and situations.
• Don't beat yourself up. Be proud of what you're doing.
• If you stumble, you don't have to go back full force. Pick yourself up any way you can and move on.
• Focus on your recovery and all the things that make it possible.

Warnings

• Avoid all the people and places you went to during your heroin days.
• Try your best not to give in to cravings.
• Certain things may remind you of usage, and cause you to have the urge for the drug. Try to avoid them.
• Very often, recovering addicts experience severe depression. It's a good idea to visit a therapist, or other mental health professional, if you're suffering from the disease.
• Euphoric recall will occur. You will obsess on how great another shot or line will be, and will fail to remember all of the pain and problems that follow it. Remember, only the first shot/line will be good. After that, you pick right back up where you were, and it usually gets only worse.