How to Deal With Post-Withdrawal Depression
Although I would classify acute-withdrawal as the worst part of opiate detox, the post-withdrawal depression is a close second…it’s HORRIBLE! I remember every time my main “kick” was over, and as soon as I thought I was in the clear, I would get slammed with the worst depression ever. It was bad enough to make me want to go back to the drugs.
In my previous post I write about PAWS and the symptoms associated with it, one of which being depression. I wanted to dedicate an entire post to just this subject, because it’s been the reason for many a relapse episodes for me. It’s so hard to struggle with 7-14 days of hardcore withdrawal only to feel like an empty, unhappy soul once all the physical stuff is over. It’s like you’ve just went through the battle of your life, and right when you’re starting to feel regular again, you’re thrown right back in, but in a completely different way. It can be very discouraging.
Throughout the years I learned a few things that helped me get through the depression which was at times suicidal. But a word of caution before I continue; Suicidal-depression is no joke. It’s a darkness that I wouldn’t wish upon anyone, and to this day I’m amazed at how I made it through some of the bouts that I did. I urge you get help immediately if you or a loved one is seriously contemplating suicide. For some it’s just a fleeting thought, but for others it’s the real deal. Don’t risk it.
Levels of depression can vary from person to person, but I’ve noticed that I’ve been able to fight off any level with just a few simple things.
#1: Get Yourself Around Some People.
I can’t stress this enough. Don’t EVER stay by yourself when dealing with depression. That is why 12-step programs work for some folks, it’s because you have somewhere to go when you’re feeling down. It’s amazing how other people’s positive energy can rub off on you in a miraculous way. I’ve had many a times when I’ve been ready to either call it quits (in life), or jump ship and go back to popping pills, but before I start whaling in my sorrows, I call a few of my most outrageous buddies and we go do something loud, fun and crazy (without drugs). Before I know it, I’m wondering what the hell I was all down for. This single act alone can be enough to pull you out of the madness, but the hardest part is actually doing it. When we’re depressed, all we want to do is lock ourselves in a dark room so we can feel sorry for ourselves. It’s masochistic in a way, yet the best prescription for being in the shitter, is the one thing we do not want to do. Force yourself! Your life may depend on it.
#2: Exercise.
I know I talk about this quite a bit, but only because it works. Exercise releases endorphins that are very similar to the drugs we’re trying to get clean from, so when you get a nice run or weight routine going, you’ll feel much better. There have been times when I’ve worked out three times in one day just to power through some God awful depression. Mix that with a good night out with some friends, and I guarantee you’ll be a different person by the time your head hits that pillow.
#3: Pray or Meditate.
This can be one of the most powerful tools in battling depression, but I’ve found that for me it’s also the most difficult. It is so hard for me to kneel and pray when I feel like crap. I’ve tried to make myself do it, but I’ve noticed that I’ll give up rather quickly. It’s much easier for me to force myself into calling a few friends to hang out, then to pray all by myself. But the funny thing is that when I do go out with my buddies, and then I come back home, I find myself very grateful and thanking God for the rest of the night. If you’re religious/spiritual, you can always call your friends and pray or meditate together.
#4: Get Professional Help.
I’ve personally never been to a therapist for my depression. My close friends and relatives are all the therapy I need to get out of my slump, but I understand that those kinds of relationships might be scarce for some of you. So, I don’t see anything wrong with having a therapist to talk to when you’re down. Although I do recommend you find the right one. It might take you a few tries, but there will always be a professional out there that matches your personality.
A Note about Antidepressants.
I’m very reluctant to suggest that you obtain any antidepressant drugs to deal with your depression. I think that most antidepressants can do much more harm than good. I’ve heard many stories about individuals who commit suicide because they were on some sort of antidepressants, and because of their substance abusing past, they end up mixing their prescription with alcohol or some other drug. That’s just a recipe for disaster. However, I am a big advocate of doing what works best for you. So, please do your own research if you or your Doctor decide that you should get on some pills. BE CAREFUL.
I hope this post helps any of you dealing with post-withdrawal depression right now. I’d also love to hear your ways of dealing with it as well.
16 comments
Thank you so much, your information was very helpful. I am the Mother of a son who is trying to get off vicodin addiction. I do not know what I am supposed to look for, nor what to do to help him. He is smoking pot to get off the vicodin. Does that help?? I can use any suggestion you have and thank you for this site!
Jerri,
Anything that can ease the pain of withdrawal helps, so the marijuana is probably helping him, but it’s definitely not the solution. When we’re going through detox, we only care about feeling better, so we self-medicate. Sometimes we get so desperate that we’ll try anything to get some relief, so it’s a tight rope that we walk when trying to self-detox. If he can stick with the marijuana, then he should be fine in a few days.
How long has he been using? Has he gone back to the drug after getting clean more often than not? These are questions that you should be asking yourself, because that way you can figure out what to do once he’s gotten that stuff out of his system. You might not know the answers yourself, so try asking him as well. It’s really difficult to tell when someone is popping painkillers. It’s not as noticeable as some other drugs.
If you think that he has a serious problem, then I would try and setup some sort of intervention as soon as possible. Addiction is a very tricky thing. He won’t stop using until he makes that decision for himself. But, you might be able to help him along. Either with regular or a little tough love.
Hello I just had a question about PAWS. I’ve been taking painkillers for about 9 months mostly oxy. I would never go over an 80 a day my girlfriend and I would actally split every painkiller we got. My question is will we be hit with PAWS hard? Or does it not matter how much you do or how long. We have been clean four days tho!!!!!
Alex,
Your story sounds very similar to the Jeff post. I’m assuming it’s you again just using a different alias. PM if I’m wrong.
Getting in a hot tub is the best thing for PAW. Everyday, three or four times if you can. Sweating in a sauna is a good way to rebalance your body as well.
I have been wanting to stop taking pain pills for awhile now and always tell myself that i will when… and make up some excuse why I can’t right now. My husband knows that I take pain pills but not to the extent. He knows about my chronic back pain and can not see me in pain so doesn’t say anything to me. He recently stopped smoking cold turkey for us to have a healthier future and I am so proud of him and know that I can quit also. I decided to first try and lower the amount I take each day (dramatically not just minimally) and then set a date to stop completely. Has this worked for you or was it better for you to just stop? I have been taking them for 2 years now and don’t know the best way. I also how long did it take for you to get your energy back? I booked marked your page because after days of searching the web your blog is the only one that gave me hope. I really think I can do it. Thank you for your blog and your time. K.
Adam,
Although I can appreciate your hesitiation to suggest anti-depressants to people on this site, I am moved to counter that so that people don’t get the idea that they are “bad” or that a person is somehow “weak” for needing them. There are some of us who suffer from hardcore clinical depression, the kind that is hereditary and dangerous. I have been on a medium dose of SSRI’s for almost 12 years. They saved my life. People who suffer from suicidal tendencies are far better off working with their doctor to find a suitable antidepressant than in white knuckling the lowest of the lows and then perhaps attempting self-destruction. If you have never personally taken them, you should be careful with your comments. For every “horror story” you may have heard regarding antidepressants, there are just as many success stories and lives that have been saved. In addition, therapy comes in many forms. This site is a form of therapy as are 12 step programs. While you are correct in advising that a person be patient and find the right match in a therapist (as there certainly are some losers out there), once a solid match is made, an addict can get more information and delve into the core of what makes the addict tick in the first place. Taking the drugs (or over drinking, or abusing anything) is a symptom of much deeper, unresolved issues. All addicts have them. Getting therapy (individual/group) on an out or in-patient basis can make the difference between quitting over and over or for good. Therapy/education, anti-depressants, and self exploration with the help of a professional saved my life and changed my thinking for the better (although emotionally painful at many times). I would highly recommend it for individuals with repetitive abuse cycles, self -esteem issues, and chronic depression. “Fake it ’til you make it” doesn’t work if one never stops faking it. A blog like this is nice (some great, caring advise), but combined with professional help and/or 12 step programs and for those who need it, anti-depressants, breaking the cycle of addiction can be even more successful and a new life can shine true. Hang in there, people. You can do this and asking for help is NOT shameful!!
I am a substance abuse, chronic depression, chronic pain, trauma survivor!
Hi Cathy,
Thanks for the comment. I hope my post doesn’t come off as blacklisting anti-depressants across the board. To be honest, I don’t feel that it does, but if that’s what you got out of it, then maybe I should reword.
I personally suffer from serious depression, especially during the winter months, I have also taken SSRI’s before. I was on Zoloft for a few months, and although it did help with the low’s, it had some negative side effects as well. Side-effects that I wasn’t willing to deal with. That’s why I hope my readers will do what both you and I mention…their research.
Everyone is different, and yes clinical depression does exist. I also agree that, as the patient, it’s our responsibility to make sure we’re doing what’s best for us, and not what’s best for the pharmaceutical companies. As long as that criteria is met, then SSRI’s are fine by me.
I also hope that I didn’t make it seem like it’s either “shameful” or “weak” to be someone that uses anti-depressants. I do, however, believe that some level of effort should be put into trying to find alternative means besides drugs to treat our depression.
Adam,
Thanks for you thoughtful response. I think you and I are on the same page. I too, think that Docs write SSRI scrips like mad (and very, very often when not needed), but just wanted to clarify that sometimes they are life savers. In addition, not all SSRIs are created equal; I had to try 3 different until I found the one that I could live with. (Which you have addressed.)
This is a GREAT site. You do offer more assistance and hope to people who are withdrawing than any doctor does. Thanks so much for that!
BTW: I haven’t seen the drug Trazadone addressed by anyone on this site. They can be a great temporary sleep aid for a few weeks until a person begins to adjust.
Thanks again for your time, caring, and research!
been on vicodin for a little less than a year. stopped and its been a week and i feel not right still. wondering when i will feel normal and not inclined to get some more pills which work great for the bone spur pain but seem to take over…..how much longer..
Hi Ric, just out of curiosity how many pills/mg’s were you taking a day? I’ve been taking about 3-10mg’s a day for about two years. I haven’t stopped yet but I’m wondering what I’m in for when I do. I really never thought it was that serious, and a lot of people on this board were taking WAY more than what I’m taking, but I’ve still experienced w/d symptoms for a day or two before I restocked, and I have no idea what it will be like when I do stop. Maybe if you’re taking a comparable amount it will give me a clue.
i was taking 2 at a time 500mg vic 3 times a day for about 10 months. i was never in pain i can tell u that but there was never enough pills and i was getting looks from the doc and the pharm people and was always waitng for 6 hours to get the max effect of intox. felt lower than low for about two weeks but im starting to feel good again big time but now that i no i can do it the temp is there to get a refill cuz i no i can do it so thats my only prob now just sayin no and livin with the pain wich is constant but not deserving such powerfull meds.
Hi All,
My 30 year old daughter has just been released on bond for faking prescriptions for Vic.
She has a 2 year old son and a clueless boyfriend that has given her money to support her habit because he “loves” her.
This is her second offense. Her court date is next week.
She says that she wants to stop and is willing to get therapy for her addiction.
Can anyone relate? I was wondering about an intervention and/or rehab.
Any feedback would be most welcome.
Nancy,
I was arrested myself back in 99′ for altering a prescription. Drug diversion programs are available. I would highly recommend that you have her take that deal instead of the jail time. The fact that she’s been arrested might be intervention enough, I’m not sure, but at least the diversion program will give her the time she needs to reflect about what she’s doing to herself. It definitely helped me. I do admit that I didn’t agree with some of the treatment that went on, but at least it gave me enough clean time to really think about my situation. When a person is that deep into a drug, when it’s that chronic, it’s difficult to think rationally. She needs some clean time, and the threat of jail can help with that. Unless she’s not afraid of going to jail, then you’ll have to consider other options, like intervention.
I have been taking 1-2 vicodin about 5 days a week for 2 years. I have multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. That is not very much at all I realize. I don’t feel addicted, I can stop at any time which I have approx two weeks ago. I am not even wanting to take any. The problem is, I am so depressed and fatigued that it is debilitating. I do have illnesses that can cause this but could it be the vicodin withdrawl even though it was not taking more than 1-2 a day? I never thought I was addicted, I still don’t because I havn’t taken more and more like the “typical” addicts. But, can I be suffering withdrawl?
Mary,
I still believe that you are in fact experiencing withdrawal. There was a period in my life when I was only using the same amount 1-2 5mg hydrocodone for about a year, and when I stopped, I still felt pretty crummy. However, it was nothing compared to the other detoxes that I’ve been through. Both dose and duration matter. Even though you’ve only used a small amount, you’ve still been consistently substituting your own natural opiates with external ones, so your internal opioid system has probably suffered a bit. No biggie, you can get back on track quick. Can you exercise? Do it everyday. How about acupuncture? Try that. Since your dose was pretty low, it won’t take much to get back to normal.
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