Expert: Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychotherapist - 1/14/2005

Question
Well, what are the w/d syptoms of stopping cold turkey?  I no longer have pain in my shoulder and don't need the medication for that purpose.  Now, it's strictly to feed the addiction, to feel normal.  If I stop cold turkey, what will the w/d syptoms be?  Thanks.
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Followup To
Question -
i have been taking vicoden pain killers for about 3 years now.  in the past 7 months though, I started to take them every day.  i started taking them for pain management but like I said, in the past year or two, it turned into an addiction.  i haven't tried to quit because I enjoy them and the high that i get from them.  i need them to function at work (i think).  i'm afraid to stop because of the effects it will have on me.  i recently went on vacation for two weeks and didn't take them and it wasn't so bad but once I got back, it was the first thing that I got.  what is the most effective way to stop.  i know that they are not healthy but more important, it seems that some of my days are dedicated to getting them...that's what made me realize that I need them.  what is the easiest way to stop and what are some of the side effects I will experience.  i think that i'm at the point where i want to quit.  please help.  
Answer -
Dear Dave,

Being addicted to pain killing drugs can be one of the worst addictions. The point is that you need to see a doctor to withdraw from these drugs very gradually.

First of all we need to know why you took these drugs in the first place. The medical condition for which you took pain killing drugs must be addressed. There are many natural ways to kill pain.

Most people with an addiction problems or with an inclination to become addicted have usually a hypoglycemic condition. This is a condition when the person has problems handling sugar and if not attended to, may develop into diabetes.

Please, go to our web site and complete the NBI at:

http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/nutrition-behavior_inventory.html

If you score high you are likely to be hypoglycemic, in which case this can be treated by going on a hypoglycemic diet. This is all explained at our web site. Hypoglycemia can also be tested by a proper medical test called the Glucose Tolerance Test for Hypoglycemia. It is different from the usual test for diabetes.

The test can be found at:

http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/testing_hypoglycemia.html

People with hypoglycemia or insulin resistance have a lowered threshold for pain. This is because of the raised stress hormone levels, that usually accompanies the hypoglycemic syndrome.

Please read:

“What is Hypoglycemia?” at our web site.

Also read:

“Treatment of drug addiction” at:

http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/treatment_drug_addiction.html

Please discuss this with a counsellor or a doctor.

I hope I have been of some help.

Jurriaan Plesman
For more articles see
Free web site at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au  

Answer
Dear Dave,

It is good to hear that you have no longer the pain in the shoulders. I can not advise to withdraw 'cold turkey', because I do not know all the circumstances of your case. This should be done under doctor's supervision.

As I said you need to go on a hypoglycemic diet and when you start to feel more comfortable, you can reduce the pain killers gradually.

Please read article:

"Treatment of Drug Addiction". that should help you.

I am sorry if I cannot be more specific.

Jurriaan Plesman
For more articles see
Free web site at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au