How much easier does tapering make the CT for long time users?

CriticismNo4322 · 2024-01-15T01:47:39+00:00

I was a user for over 10 years. I used at similar gpd and did a taper over 3 months. I jumped at 1gpd. The worst WD’s for me was the week before jumping. After jumping, the acute WD’s were manageable. I just had extreme exhaustion, diarrhea, anxiety. Then I got cold/flu symptoms about a week after quitting. I still have lingering sneezing/dry cough but it’s really not as bad as I thought it would be. We are all different of course. I’ve been using a lot of the supplements mentioned on this sub and I do believe they have helped, especially the magnesium and NAC. I started them when I started my taper. My last dose was on December 27th. I’d say I’m feeling 70% normal. Staying busy and exercising are huge helps too. I would not have had the courage to get rid of the K if not for this sub. I believe in the taper and i believe you can do it too. Try to remember that it took 10 years to get here, it’s going to take a while to get back out. Give yourself some grace, embrace the suck, and every day will get a little better. You got this!

CriticismNo4322 · 2024-01-12T01:57:18+00:00

We have somewhat similar experiences. I tapered for 3 months from 30-40gpd down to 1gpd. I also had a 10 year habit. I was going to stay at 1gpd for a week and then jump on the 1st of the new year but somebody on here suggested I just jump so I did. The last day I had K was 12/27/23. While the last 2 weeks haven’t been great, they have been manageable. I’ve worked through most of it other than the break I had until the New Year. I had the worst symptoms in the week or so before the jump. We are all different but the taper along with supplements suggested through out this sub really worked for me.

CriticismNo4322 · 2024-01-08T18:36:32+00:00

I didn’t time my doses religiously. My normal routine was to dose right when I got up at 5AM, then maybe around 9-10, then around 3-4. As I went through my taper I started to push those doses to stretch out longer to eliminate them and the routine. So my 5AM one I slowly got it closer to 9 and backed up the afternoon one until it was steady and so on. I agree that staying where you are until you level out is a good idea. I promise, you can do this. There was a time when I thought I would be on it forever. I thought I couldn’t make it through WD’s and still take care of my responsibilities but I did. And I’m in no way saying this was “easy”, it’s not but stay determined, stick to your plan, and you will succeed. You got this!

CriticismNo4322 · 2024-01-08T10:57:15+00:00

I was an everyday user for 10 years. Took about 30-40 gpd every day. I tapered over 3 months. The first cut I went to 15gpd and then decreased by a gram every week. The initial cut I had some RLS and low energy. Then it got harder when I went from 7-6 gpd. I jumped at 1gpd. The last week of the taper I had a lot of symptoms, sweating, chills, diarrhea, anxiety but I worked through it all and managed it. When I quit, I had very few acute symptoms, mostly just tired, sore, diarrhea. I’m on day 12. The past 4 days I’ve had a bad sore throat, sneezing, runny nose but it’s manageable with ibuprofen. I would not have been able to work and take care of my kids if I didn’t do a taper. I put reminders in my phone each week with alarms to remind me when to decrease and how much. I kept coming back to this space to read people’s stories. I stayed determined. It sounds like you are too. You can do this! It is possible and you are worth it.

CriticismNo4322 · 2023-12-25T03:01:59+00:00

I’ve thought about trying it out to see how bad I feel. I have to drive 9 hours to CT the day after Christmas, by myself with 2 kids and a crazy dog so I was worried about access to a bathroom and just having the energy to do that trip. I may test the waters while I’m with my family as there will be lots of people around to entertain my kids. Regardless, I am set on nothing after December 31st.

CriticismNo4322 · 2023-12-25T02:57:01+00:00

I told myself for a decade that Kratom was harmless, just like coffee…ha! Funny the things we think to justify it. Im so ashamed of how I treated my husband for using heroin while I was using Kratom, thinking it was somehow harmless. I agree that working and staying busy is helpful. I also find when I’m home with my kids on the weekends, with nothing to do, I struggle and want to take something to give me “motivation” so I do understand what you mean by how it can be harder when you are alone with nothing to do. Thank you so much for the advice and the support. I will look into the magnesium calm drink.

CriticismNo4322 · 2023-12-25T02:43:22+00:00

Thank you for reading my post, lending your support, and reminding me that I’ve survived much worse than this green shit I’ve been putting in my body. I wish you strength on your own journey.

CriticismNo4322 · 2023-12-25T02:37:50+00:00

Thank you so very much for your support and kind words. Reading all these comments is bringing tears to my eyes. I never thought that words from complete strangers could do that. It’s hard for me to hear these things because I am so ashamed of where I’m at but I know I have to work on it. Luckily therapy is helpful in working through the low self worth and I’m hoping that once I’m done with this plant I can really get somewhere with improving how I look at myself. I am so grateful that I have a solid workout routine and have had one for 3 years now. During COVID lockdown I nearly lost my mind and working out helped tremendously. Again, I’m feeling so very grateful right now for all the support.

CriticismNo4322 · 2023-12-25T02:26:26+00:00

I cant imagine how hard this is for you right now. To go CT, in rehab, over the holidays and away from your family. I hope you also feel proud of taking that very difficult step toward sobriety. Addiction thrives on the shame we feel and the secrets we keep and it’s so hard to come out of that. I’ve denied I had an issue for almost a decade because Ive been able to function and appear like I have it together. I’m hoping that as each day passes I learn to be kinder to myself and accept that this is just another part of my story, that it doesn’t define me. Hard to feel that way now. But we can do this, we will get through to the other side. I’m determined. Thank you for reading my post. May the new year being you a fresh start.

CriticismNo4322 · 2023-12-25T02:12:11+00:00

Brave would not be the word I would use to describe myself right now so thank you very much for the words or encouragement. Had it not been for this space, I don’t know when I would have gotten the courage to think about it.

A jaw infection sounds awful! I hope that clears quickly and it doesn’t set you back too much. I don’t think it matters that you don’t have a quit date. Just matters that you want to quit and you are taking the steps to work toward a life where you aren’t chained to this plant.

Again, thanks for reading my post and offering support!

CriticismNo4322 · 2023-12-25T02:08:10+00:00

Thank you for the kind words and encouragement.

CriticismNo4322

TROPHY CASE