u/DragonflyOk1504

If you’ve been on this r/ over the last week or two you’ve probably read my story. 2 year addiction 800mg today, up to 1000 at times. I was taking this much just to starve off any feeling of withdrawal, not even getting high in the second year. I quit cold turkey 13 days ago. No taper whatsoever, no Suboxone or other medical help. Just basic vitamins.

What would I do differently if I had to do it again? Absolutely nothing. Going CT and forcing myself get through those first 72 hours with zero relief was a fantastic decision. I needed to prove some shit to myself and did I ever.

Getting ready to enter my second week, well into PAWS I know that this too is just another bump in the road. I won’t relapse because I proved to myself that my mind is more powerful than this drug even when my body was begging for just a little 7 to take the pain away. Not giving in then has made me feel like I can conquer anything now.

If cold turkey is an option for you and you can afford to take the days off work, this is what I will recommend to everyone. Prove to yourself that you can do it. When it’s at its worst, remember who you’re doing it for. I know for most of us it’s our family’s, but even if it’s just for yourself. Just take it one hour, one day at a time. Much love.

I’ve spoken to dozens of people and it seems like everyone went through this. Once you’re through acute withdrawal around day 5-6 music becomes absolutely euphoric. Listening to a song getting emotional thinking “this is the greatest song ever written” and it’s just Santa Monica by Everclear.

I would like to hear who all went through this, or more importantly did anyone not? People on Suboxone did you experience this or is it just those of us that went CT?

I have a couple theories on why it happens. It’s the dopamine/reward system in your brain, after living in absolute hell for 3-4 days, firing on a different level. Also emotional sensitivity after living on a drug like 7 for so long that dulls the senses. I still listened to music while on 7 but I didn’t LISTEN to music.

I found this phenomenon really interesting either way and I’m eager to learn more. On day 12 now it hasn’t been hitting the same the last few days since I entered PAWS but man was it awesome for a while. I would love to hear others experience with this. What your method of detox was, how long the euphoric feeling lasted with music, how long you were on 7, etc. Thank you for reading.

I’m wondering what you guys are eating during recovery after your appetite. I’ve ate like shit my entire life because I have a metabolism that could be hung in the Louvre. What do healthy people eat besides chicken and rice? Just looking to replenish energy and not feel lethargic all the time because of eating once a day. Thanks for any advice.

This is the part of your recovery they don’t tell you able. The first 72 hours were hell on earth. Legs thrashing, body aching, awake for over 100 hours straight. Day 11 or 12, I’ve lost count, has been its own new hell. The euphoric feeling I felt from day 6-9 listening to music has all but faded away. I feel darkness, I feel alone, I feel empty. I’m sleeping now but it’s taking everything out of me just to get out of bed. I have no history of depression but I know that’s what I’m dealing with.

I’ve tried to keep it all motivational on here as I share my experience but I’m really struggling today. I know it’s going to take some time for my brain chemistry to balance back out. I just don’t know what to do besides force myself to get out of the house and do stuff. I just feel so lethargic. Idk, this too shall pass I guess. Much love everyone.

Nobody prepares you for the smell of a drug detox. I’ve never had a problem with BO and could go days without showing and not smell at all. Now I can shower and put on deodorant and immediately smell terrible 10 minutes later. The cost of this poison leaving the body I guess.

Tonight I went and had a beer with an old friend I haven’t seen in years due to my addiction. As a former addict himself he was very understanding and not judgmental. It took a massive weight off my shoulders discussing my problem with someone face to face for the first time.

I had been dragging mentally the last two days and felt myself falling into a slight depression. I’m so happy I did this, I feel so much better now. Sometimes it’s important to remember you’re not alone even if you feel like you are. Much love.

I celebrated one week clean yesterday and the only symptoms I was really still dealing with was moderate RLS at night and horrible insomnia. I had slept 6 total hours in a week. I finally said enough was enough yesterday, swallowed my pride and went to the ER. Let me tell you the relief I felt when they told me they’ve been dealing with hundreds of us.. I no longer felt judged in that moment.

They gave me an IV, checked my blood, ran an EKG, and sent me home with a script for 25mg hydrOXYZine. I slept 10 STRAIGHT HOURS last night. RLS was completely gone. I woke up feeling like a brand new person this morning. It’s made my mind a little foggy so I’m only going to take it at night but man do I feel like I’m ready to move on with my life now.

I was super insecure about sharing my addiction with anymore. I’ve always been a closet addict but finally sharing what I was going through was the best decision I have ever made. If you’re putting off getting medical help because you’re worried about being judged, please don’t. Go get help today. Much love everyone, stay strong.

Celebrated 7 days clean this morning but couldn’t stand the insomnia anymore. Now I’m hooked up like a lab rat with an IV and covered in EKG stickers. Their first question? “Do you want Suboxone?” Lady if I wanted that I would’ve used it during PAWS. Give me some sleep meds and get me outta here!

Update: they pumped me with fluids and prescribed me hydrOXYZine for anxiety/sedation. On the drive home I could feel my eyes getting heavy for the first time in a week. I ate and took an hour nap immediately. If you’re over 100 hours without sleep, just go to the ER. They’re dealing with dozens of us every week. You’ll thank yourself after.

I already know I’m gonna be fighting back tears typing this one. I know a few people have been following along with my updates during my journey. I’ve been sharing bits and pieces here and there but this one is going to cover everything and maybe it will help at least one person who is struggling as bad as I was and provide them a little hope and encouragement.

To set the stage I got hooked on this poison basically the day it hit the shelves. Over 2 years, taking anywhere from 600-800mg per day, probably even more at my worst. There were times I was spending over $2000 a month on my fix. When I made the decision to quit I went full cold turkey. No taper, no subs, only vitamins.

As I sit here on my porch this morning watching the sunrise, excited to celebrate one week clean in 4 hours I’m thinking about how much this week has taught me about myself and how strong I truly am. I never thought I would be strong enough to beat this addiction.

I’ll never in my life forget how hard those first 72 hours were. I don’t have to explain the acute withdrawals process, you already know. But on day 4 I took my daughter to the park and pushed her on the swings. On day 5 I went to a charity event for my soccer club. On day 6 we rested but on day 7 I went back to work. It wasn’t easy and I had to sit down a couple times but I made it through my full shift.

What I learned is most important is your motivation. What and who are you doing it for? I was never strong enough to do it for myself so I did it for my kids. They deserve so much better than the life I had been giving them. I was spending every single dollar after bills on my fix. Being able to take them on vacation every summer again like I used to is probably what I’m most excited about for my sobriety.

On day 8 I’m still struggling to get any sleep at all. However I have found when I walk down the stairs for my morning smoke and coffee, even in full sleep deprivation I have to stop and appreciate in that moment I still feel 10x better than I did coming down for my morning dose of 7. My body is still suffering but my mind is almost all the way back. I lived in a fog for two years where looking back I was in a constant state of tunnel vision. I had a deep attachment to music before my addiction that I lost that I’m not getting back into. Going through my old playlists listening to songs I used to love that I haven’t heard in years.

I’ll conclude with this. If you want to quit but you’re afraid, just go for it. This was my third attempt, the first two I didn’t even make 24 hours. The anxiety you have about what the detox will feel like is just as punishing as the detox itself. You will suffer, you will be tested, you will be tempted to go get your fix to stop the suffering. In that moment remember who you’re doing it for. Looking back I would go through that hell 10x over to give my kids the dad they deserve again.

Note: one thing that really helped me a lot after the acute withdrawals were over and I could be bothered to even look at my phone again was coming on here and helping those a couple days behind me or receiving advice from those ahead of me. Thank you so much to everyone that has supported me during this journey and provided encouragement. This community is great and we’re all in this together. Much love.

Bailey Zimmerman’s Where It Ends could lowkey be perceived as a beautiful breakup letter to 7.

Had to bury all your memories
Couldn't see what everybody sees
Red flags said I shoulda walked out that door

Went to battle for you always
Fought for you on our worst days
Then you told me that you don't love me no more

You're the best thing that ever happened to me
You showed me what true love shouldn't be
I found myself the second I gave up on us

You're the last thing that I thought I'd lose
All I ever wanted was to be loved by you
I let you back in and I gave you a second chance
And like a jet plane on a clear blue sky
Sun came shinin' down on all your lies
I got too much pride to let that happen again
So this is where it ends

Last Friday I took my last dose of 7. I was taking 800mg a day basically since the day this drug hit the shelves in 2024. I went full cold turkey, no taper, no subs, just vitamins. Today walking down the stairs for my morning smoke, still only sleeping for maybe an hour, I stopped and appreciated that even though I was 100% sleep deprived I still felt a million times better than I used to when i would walk down those stairs for my morning fix. I’m going back to work for the first time tonight. I don’t know if I’ll make it through my full shift but I’m going to try.

People have asked me how I did this, how did you make it through those first 72 hours of the hell that is the restless legs, cold sweats, etc. I used my kids as my motivation. For the last 2 years I have been spending every single dollar after bills on my addiction. I wanted to be able to take them on vacation every summer like we used to, I wanted to buy my youngest new clothes instead of giving him his brothers hand me downs, I wanted to take my daughter on daddy/daughter date nights again. I knew this suffering would be temporary and I would do it 10x over time to have those feelings again.

I’m continuing to share my story on here as I go with hopes that maybe it will touch at least one person and convince them to take that leap. I was taking way more for way longer than most people on here. If I can do it, you absolutely can as well. Stay blessed everyone, I love you all.

I just wanted to take a second and tell everyone how much being part of this community has meant to my recovery. There aren’t many people in here as deep in the weeds as I was, 800mg per day at my worst during my 2 year battle with this addiction. I’m celebrating one week clean tomorrow, no taper, no subs. Just straight white knuckled it. Coming in here and giving people advice that are a couple days behind me or taking advice from people ahead of me has meant so much for my recovery. Thank you all so much. Much love.

I was eating this shit like skittles for 2 years; 600-800mg per day. It seems like my symptoms match that of people that were taking 50mg for 2 months. I’m starting to believe the amount you took is irrelevant. Regardless I’m on day 6 and never going back. 🤘

I’m on day 6 and I’m through acute withdraws and my biggest issue right now is boredom. Still don’t have the energy to go back to work or do anything around the house. I’ve been spending a lot of time sitting in my car listening to music (listen to White Noise by Joyner Lucas if you’re struggling with insomnia) and chain smoking.

Edit: I should’ve mentioned originally that sitting in my car has always been my zen spot even before my addiction.

Whether you’re in the hell that is the first 3 days and I can help you or 2-4 weeks in and maybe you can help me. I lost almost everyone during my 2 years under this drugs spell and don’t really have anyone to talk to about something like this. I’m on day 6 myself. Send me a message and I’ll shoot you my # so we can text.

I found this song a couple weeks ago while in full addiction taking 600+mg per day. I had no idea then how much it would mean to me two weeks later when I would be awake for over 100 straight hours in full withdrawal. Something about it just helps, I don’t know what it is. If you have a real emotion attachment to music like I do and are currently in the insomnia phase I strongly recommend putting your headphones in, turn it all the way up, close your eyes and just listen to the lyrics. I hope this helps something else. Much love.

I’m struggling to hold back tears this morning. I’m thinking about how difficult those first 3 days were and how far I have come. I finally got some sleep last night after being awake for over 100 hours straight. I never thought I could beat this addiction. And if I can do it with how deep in I was, 2 years 600-800mg a day, so can you. If you’re reading this and you’re living the hell that is those first 3 days I swear to you it gets better. Do not give up! Much love everybody.

Ps. I’m doing this 100% cold turkey. No taper, no subs. Just white knuckled it. It is possible don’t let people tell you it’s not.

24 hours in I went to the vape/kratom shop a half mile from my house. Maybe they didn’t pull it off the shelf yet, maybe they missed something, maybe they’ve got something hidden under the counter for people like me. I mean I have been in that shop every single day for the last 2 years. I walked up to that door drenched in sweat, body shaking, visibly in acute withdraws off 600mg per day. I looked through the glass windows and saw the empty shelves and turned around. Maybe if I went inside they would’ve had something for me. This dude saw me so much he had my fucking phone # memorized for reward points, surely he could’ve hooked me up. In that moment something clicked I decided I didn’t want to ask. I just got back in my car and went home.

Fast forward 4 days I am so god damn happy I didn’t go in that store. I’ve learned the fear of the withdraws are just as bad as the actual withdraws. Day 3 I went to the store, I was out of breath and still visibly sick but I did it. Day 4 I took my daughter to the park and pushed her on the swings. Tonight I’m going to a charity event for my soccer club.

Every day it gets a little bit easier. Not opening that door was the best decision I’ve ever made. My point is that if I can do it, so can you. We are stronger than this drug. We’re all in this together. It gets easier, I promise you. Much love everyone.

If anyone is on day 1 or 2 and really struggling I would love to talk and help you through it. I’ve made it to day 5 off 600mg a day and I’m starting to feel so much better. I still haven’t slept a wink but I was able to get out of bed and take my daughter to the park last night and I’m going to a charity event tonight. I don’t know if I’m allowed to post my number but I’m going to. Please reach out if you’re needing advice or help. We are ALL in this together. Much love.

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I’m on day 5 of my detox. Most of the symptoms are gone but I haven’t slept more than 30 minutes total in the last 98 hours. I started my detox on Friday so I could get through the weekend and now I’m having people cover for me at work. I’m afraid to go back to work until I at least get a little sleep.