SG, do you think the side effects of withdrawal will be more bearable if she tapers or if she goes cold turkey?
Oh, tapering is definitely easier, side-effect wise. I don't know how much she's been taking a day, but Opioids are generally no fun to quit cold turkey. But tapering may prolong the addiction indefinitely. Best thing is to do it with the help of a doctor experienced in that area because it's not do it yourself stuff.
If she's really all out of drugs she may not be able to tolerate it without medical help. The depression can be debilitating. As can the sleeplessness. There's medication that can help with the side effects, like clonidine. Red, I think it's imperative that you confide in someone, a friend, that mentor, anyone, who will be able to monitor you, if you don't want to go the medical route yet. Someone you can call in the middle of the night, and who'll come right over. And take you to the ER if necessary.
There's a lot of sadness down that road, and as we both said Lil most people tread on it not knowing where it leads.
I really hate that stuff.
Red, let me know if there's anything we can do to help. I don't like to do it online but I'll pull my MD out of the hat for that one.
