Does anyone know where to find any information on tapering yourself off of Opiates?

Published May 17, 2010

I have been addicted to Opiates for the better part of 3 years now. As of about a week ago, I admitted to myself, my friends, and my family, that I am indeed an addict. I can not afford to go to an inpatient rehab or detox so I am planning on doing this on my own, at home. I have TONS of support. Both online and in the real world. I am going to drug classes and seeing a therapist as well. I contacted my family doctor the other day about this and he gave me no help besides referring me to an inpatient detox (no insurance, can’t afford). When I explained to him I couldn’t afford it he said he just didn’t really know anything about detoxing or Opiate addiction. I find that strange that doctors are permitted to write prescriptions for massive amounts of Narcotic pain medicine, yet obviously do not have to have any training in the field of addiction services.
As for my question, I have been searching the net for some kind of a schedule for tapering, or weening, yourself off of Opiates and have come up empty handed. I usually take 3-4- Percocet 5/325 pills at a time. Daily I would estimate my usage as around 8-9 pills on a good day which equals out to be around 40-45 milligrams of Oxycodone per day. I realize that isn’t an ungodly high amount, but I do have terrible withdraws if I do not have them. Last week when I attempted to cold turkey them, I made it less that 24 hours.
Finally, I am basically looking for some sort of guidelines to follow for tapering off of Percocet’s and other Opiate based medications. However, any advice would be more than appreciated! And listing your sources would also be helpful.
Thank you to all who answer without degrading me for being an addict.

Does anyone know where to find any information on tapering yourself off of Opiates?

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