Heroin Addiction Support Group

Hello. I've been searching for an answer and I can't find anything on this subject.After,30 years of opiate/opioid use (oxycontin,dilaudid,fentanyl,methadone,etc.)I have tryed to come off of ALL opiates.After, detox & 28 day rehab, I felt TERRIBLE.Then, I went to my parents house and laid on their couch, in misery for 3 months.I don't understand how people say,"3 days to detox from opiates".I finally caved and now have been on subutex & suboxone for 4 years.I've had 2 different dr.s tell me that my opiate receptors were"burned out" THEN my new doctor said that it's not possible to "burn out" opiate receptors.I'm confused.I want out of this.Can someone PLEASE tell me which is true?Can opiate receptors be restored or burned out? Sorry so wordy.Thanks for reading.

The only thing I can recommend is research on the web or speak with a reputable doctor (who specializes in addiction). Look up info on "can you burn out opiate receptors". I did a quick search and found a couple of links. From what the links say, it is possible, but I'm not familiar with this.....so be sure to do your own research.

Debra, that is one reallllly good question. I think that's something I'd like to research, too. I've always understood that the opiate receptors are at least "compromised," BUT I'm NOT a doctor and definitely NOT qualified to render any definitive diagnoses here. Please come back and let us know what you find out. And please, be patient with yourself and very kind.

Hey kosteredout. Thanks for the kind words.I did alot of online research about this subject. Opiate receptors are only proteins on cell walls(just learned this)Alot of people seem to be saying that, they found amino acids to be helpful(amino acids make up proteins).There is controversy.The 2 most agreed apon are L-Lysine and L-Tyrosine preferably with magnesium & complex B Vitamins(or at least B-6).I've also heard L-Glutamine & 5-htp are helpful for some people.This advice was posted by"junior chemist" type people..LOL...we all know the type...I read further to see that these supplement can have very ADVERSE EFFECTS on people on prescription medications.( especially S.S.R.I.anti-depressants.)So please please don't start taking any of these supplements without doing your own research or asking your doctor/naturopath. I am only on suboxone now& desperate to get off of it. I bought L-Lysine yesterday and plan to buy L-tyrosine today.I'm taking (Nature Made brand) womens multi vitamins&flax seed oil too.I know that I've done some major damage by the heavy opiate use over the decades.Instead of sitting back & wishing that I'd "hurry up & die, already", I've decided to work hard at fixing this ugly problem. I also want to add that I read MOST of this information in old forums & they weren't written by medical professionals....BUT many of these people were helped by these amino acids (protein building blocks)& these other supplements. I have only had 1 year of college(plan to go back) So, PLEASE ask your doctor BEFORE trying any of this.Taking these supplements could cause drug interactions and bigger problems than already exist...sorry so wordy! May God bless each and every person who's searching....for the way outta this nightmare called opiate addiction...peace....deb P.S. Alot more information is found if you do a google search of; (opiate addiction amino acids)...Now, I have read that D-Phenylalanine OR DL-Phenylalanine helps with herion/opiate cravings....I plan to search for an EXPERT to give me the best advice as all of this information is confusing......

Post edited by: debra777, at: 03/09/2011 06:05 AM

**** Google searched "Amino Acids Benefits" I'm excited to see that amino acids can benefit MANY health problems.As, a long time mentally depressed opiate addict,I admit that I'd given up all hope.It amazes me that (there's 28 commonly known amino acids)something as simple as; good nutrition,lots of water, vitamins & nutritional supplements could be the tools that free me from this agony...I'd almost given up all hope! How can the answer be so simple???I guess if, we're mentally/emotionally ready and willing to "get right" AND we apply good, sound advice from a Naturopath/specialist that THIS MAY BE AN ANSWER...can it be? I'm so happy to find this information...it means"hope"...even tho, I'm just learning of these things,I still wanted to share...I welcome (and hope for) any input from anyone else, who's knowledgeable or interested in a more wholistic/natural approach to depression&opiate addiction....It's far too complex to tackle , alone....

Great job on the research debra! Keep us posted on the effects. I know some of us are very interested in following your progress through this. It might give someone else an answer they've been desperately searching for!

I second Sunsign's comments! Debra, I'm rooting for you in your quest to find health and equanimity in your life. Some of the proteins you mention sound familiar from years back when my son was living with me. I wish I could just call him up and ask him some of the questions pondered here, but he's in a 12-step rehab that's combined with dual dx treatment for his depression. At present, he has no freedom to purchase supplements and is under court order to seek medical help only through certain limited avenues. The most I can give him is vitamins; they'd probably frown on proteins that cross the blood/brain barrier. I have been aware for quite awhile about the negative interactions between SSRI's and over-the-counter protein supplements like 5HTP and St. John's Wort, etc. I'm not on any antidepressants anymore, but I do take one 5-HTP in the a.m. Thankfully, I've never been addicted to anything beyond chocolate (that's my poison!); however, I've battled depression for the last 9 years. My son's depression supposedly precipitated his drug use as self-medicating, so I'll be very interested to follow what you have to say here. Do exercise great caution and follow the advice of a trusted medical professional. Keep us posted!

Post edited by: kosteredout, at: 03/10/2011 12:58 PM

Thanks sunsign & kosteredout for the encouragement.This(part of) recovery is difficult because each and every medical professional that I've contacted has given conflicting advice....widely conflicting, in fact.I'm interested in WHY no studies have been done with amino acids and opiate dependance.One medical Dr.(suboxone provider)has told me to"go ahead & try it for yourself".(try AFTER much research)I'm researching medical,neurochemistry,molecular neuropharmacology sites,ect.I'm currently trying 2 different L amino acids. A pharmacist has tryed to discourage me stating"It could take more than 2 weeks , to see any results".She's encouraging me to go to a pain specialist & get back on opioid pain relievers.A neck & spinal injury led to me taking (and later abusing)these medications.(oxycontin,dilaudid,fentanyl, etc.)I do not want to be on methadone or suboxone maintanence for the rest of this life!Detox & rehab centers do not work(for me).I know that alot of people may disagree with me about what I'm doing. I have honestly, tryed & tryed to follow the system of getting clean.Nothing has worked.I'm (willingly)seeing a drug counsler ,once a week.This way, I keep the line open (for outside help/advice).The one single thing that helps, the most is devoting myself to my spiritual beliefs....NOT the belief that I was brought up with and TOLD was right...but the belief system that I FEEL is right in my heart & mind. It(getting this far) was not as easy, as LEARNING....I literally had to, learn to learn. It's hard to explain but this is an ongoing struggle that cannot be forgotten or ignored for even one day.All of the little & big things that I've been trying are finally adding up.It took a long time, too. "They" always say,"you have to really WANT it(sobriety)"...I never knew what that meant! Now, I know. It may seem small & insignificant but to me, it's everything...I learned to learn. I have such a deep desire to help other people with opiate addiction. It's such a deep problem with so many complex layers.I'm working hard on myself so that one fine day, I'll be fit to be there for other people, who suffer from this ugly and damaging affliction. I'm very thankful for the kind people on this site, who are coming together to share their personal struggles and support mine(and others). All of these" little things" really add up and are tools to fight this battle, we call life. "We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations"- Charles Swindoll-............Thanks again for being there.The support I'm receiving here really helps! I'm praying for all of you.

The more people you ask, the more opinions you're likely to get. If there is not harm or damage that can come from trying, then do what you feel is right for you. Only you will know the right answer. Keep us posted though. I find this very interesting.

Good morning everyone. Hey Kosteredout.I've been thinking about you and wondering how your son's doing. Is he happy in the program he's in now? Is he getting any real help?Also, I'd like to ask you if , the 5-HTP that you're taking is helpful to you in any particular way that you've noticed....I've wondered these things since , I first read your post.I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask.I've never had much luck with inpatient programs. I'm interested in hearing about other people&programs and their experiences. BTW, I had some odd side effects from the recent amino acid that I added to my daily supplements. My teeth & gums began to hurt & I got a "funny taste" in my mouth.I decided that I'd better stop taking it.I plan to wait for 3 or 4 days & then introduce another amino acid that I read about.....see what results come from it...if any. This is difficult.I had hoped that the mouth problems would cease with time but after almost 2 weeks of discomfort, I felt it best to stop. I'd LOVE to try SAM-e, (Nature Made brand) but it is so expensive. Has anyone tryed it and had good/bad/no results? Thanks for the encouragement Sunsign. You're so right about the opinions! I'm trying to weigh opinions with the persons experience and their intent....I mean , did the pharmacist try to discourage amino acids and ENCOURAGE opioid pain relievers because she really believes it's best for me in particular.....OR would she give this advice to everyone because pharmacology is her livlihood? This would be so much simpler if it were in black and white.It's hard to see the truth when the truth is so clouded with everyones personal angles...Oh well.....at least it keeps me busy and outta trouble.....LOL...If anyone has any experience with any particular supplements or methods of opiate cessation,I'd be most interested and grateful to hear about them....Thanks for being here for me and for all of us....This site (and its people)help alot... Also, I've weaned down from Suboxone and have not taken any type of opiate for 10 days , now....This in itself is a miracle (to me)....I don't feel really good but I do feel fair...I also have faith that things will get better. I wanted to add that because if, anyone else has been told that they have ruined their brains(receptors)I want them to know that there really is hope...even for the hopeless.

Post edited by: debra777, at: 03/19/2011 07:38 AM

Post edited by: debra777, at: 03/19/2011 07:41 AM