Opioid abuse and addiction are common in the U.S. Many people try to detox by themselves without medical help. If you are addicted to prescription opioids or heroin and you’re trying to get sober, you may be searching for help to detox.
The Thomas Recipe is a popular at-home detox routine but it has many shortcomings and risks. Ultimately, completing a medical detox program is the safest and most effective way to detox from opioids. Trying to detox from opioids on your own can be highly uncomfortable, dangerous, and is likely to lead to relapse.
While the Thomas Recipe may include over-the-counter pain medicine, it does not address serious side effects like vomiting, anxiety, or severe cravings. Without professional support, these symptoms can quickly become overwhelming. In a clinical setting, family members can also be involved in the process, offering support and encouragement during early recovery.
What is the Thomas Recipe?
The Thomas Recipe is a strict at-home self-detox routine that was created by a veteran prescription opiate addict. It uses supplements, vitamins, and prescription drugs over the course of two weeks or longer to ease the discomfort of opioid withdrawal. Although the Thomas Recipe is frequently discussed and recommended in online forums, there is no documented scientific evidence that it works consistently.
How to Use the Thomas Recipe for Opiate Withdrawal
The major components and ingredients of the Thomas Recipe include:
- Taking supplements such as potassium, zinc, phosphorus, vitamin B6, vitamin C, magnesium, and L-Tyrosine can help. These supplements may reduce electrolyte imbalances from vomiting and diarrhea. They can also improve energy levels.
- Eating bananas to reduce stomach upset and increase energy.
- Taking Imodium (loperamide) to relieve symptoms of diarrhea.
- Using benzodiazepines to combat anxiety, stress, seizures, and sleep disturbances.
- Staying close to a shower and toilet.
- Beginning a mild workout as soon as possible to produce natural endorphins.
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The Thomas Recipe vs. Medical Detox
Although the Thomas Recipe might seem like a welcome solution for opiate withdrawal, there are many issues and risks to consider before committing.
- Getting all the ingredients for the Thomas Recipe can be difficult because it includes prescription medication. Many people find it hard to get a valid prescription. They may turn to friends or buy drugs online, which is very risky.
- The benzodiazepines required can be addictive and are dangerous to dose on your own, especially if you got them from a friend and they were not prescribed for you.
- It is difficult to find a supplement containing the right amounts of vitamins and minerals.
- The Thomas Recipe is not guaranteed to provide relief from all opioid withdrawal symptoms.
- The ingredients may interfere with other medications you’re taking or health symptoms you have.
- The Thomas Recipe doesn’t include supervision from medically-trained professionals.
- The Thomas Recipe doesn’t provide peer support during and after detox.
When compared with medical detox, The Thomas Recipe is less reliable, much riskier, and is more likely to result in relapse.
How to Get Through Opiate Withdrawal
Opioid withdrawal can be extremely difficult and uncomfortable, especially without medical treatment or support. Symptoms of opioid withdrawal usually start between 12 and 30 hours after the last dose and they can range from mild to severe. Possible medical complications like aspiration, dehydration, and seizures can become dangerous and the likelihood of relapse is high without medical supervision.
Although at-home self-detox methods like The Thomas Recipe, kratom, quitting cold turkey and using supplements and hydration to combat withdrawal symptoms are all frequently touted as being effective, they are rarely effective and can be dangerous to your health.
The safest and most effective way to get through opiate withdrawal is with medical assistance. Trained staff members at a detox center or general hospital (if your symptoms are very severe) can provide medical treatment with medicines like:
- Methadone
- Buprenorphine
- Clonidine
- Benzodiazepines
- Other over-the-counter medications that treat vomiting and diarrhea
- Naltrexone
- Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone)
In a medical setting, you’ll also receive clinical support via depression and mental illness screenings to reduce the risk of relapse. Doctors may also prescribe antidepressants if necessary.
After you’ve broken your physical dependence on opioids, your treatment team will also be available to help guide you through the next steps in the treatment process, which may include inpatient drug rehab, outpatient drug rehab (IOP), or sober living. Recovery support groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) can also be very helpful for people who are recovering from opioid addiction.
Professional Help for Opiate Withdrawal Is Available
Choosing to get sober and go through opiate withdrawal is an extremely brave decision and a challenging endeavor, but with professional treatment and support, living a happy, healthy sober life is possible.
At Briarwood Detox Center, we have helped countless people overcome opiate addiction with individualized medical detox programs. Our caring staff has the experience and knowledge to treat opiate withdrawal symptoms safely. This helps you feel more comfortable during treatment and lowers the chance of relapse with clinical support.
Opiate withdrawal can be hard. You may feel muscle aches, low blood pressure, or other symptoms of withdrawal.
Some people try to manage it alone, but help is available. Medical professionals use evidence-based care to make detox safer and more comfortable. You’ll also get behavioral therapies and support to prevent relapse.
These treatment options are better than using home remedies.
In the United States, many health care programs now offer help for opioid use disorder. At Briarwood Detox, we treat substance use disorder with care that includes support for family membersand community-based addiction recovery. We can help.
After opiate withdrawal detox, ongoing support is key to lasting recovery. Briarwood offers referrals to inpatient treatment with Nova Recovery Center, outpatient programs, and sober living homes. These services help clients build structure, learn relapse prevention skills, and receive therapy in a safe environment. Continued care increases long-term success and supports a healthier lifestyle.
If you’re wary of the Thomas Recipe but you’re ready for a fresh and sober start, call (888) 857-0557 today for more details. We accept most forms of insurance and we are here to help.
