Lets use this thread to share tips on making detoxes more comfortable. Detox is a scary obstacle for people who want to get sober.

first off, I think that a person should go to an inpatient detox whenever possible. Medically supervised detoxes are much safer, more successful and more comfortable. Unfortunately, not everybody is able to get into a medical detox and has to go through the process on their own. Here are my tips on detoxing from opiates:

-Go to a doctor that can put you on a Suboxone detox. This can make the process so much easier. Suboxone is a miracle pill for detoxes. It is very important to take it under medical supervision, however, because it is possible for a cross addiction to develop, just like with methadone.

-Hot showers, bathes, or steam room. This makes the fever-like symptoms more bearable.

-Drink Gatorade or Powerade if you are throwing everything up. It is easy to get dehydrated while detoxes, because of the constant sweating and vomiting. Gatorade is better than water for staying hydrated because it provides the body with electrolytes. It will make you feel better.

-Get a babysitter. Having a person around will give you a sense of safety and comfort. They can help you not use during this process.

What advice do you have for going through the detox process?

I agree with not doing it alone. I avoided inpatient detox for so long thinking I could do it myself. I tried decreasing the amount that I was using, substituted pills for heroin(thinking it would alleviate the pain), cold turkey...the mental and physical aspect of the detox process is too great to overcome on your own. If cost is an issue, I know that at least in California they have county beds at state treatment centers that are low cost. My first actual detox was at Tarzana Treatment Center, the medical care was good and I felt that i was constantly supervised (which is important especially if you are coming off of opiates). One thing i would change is the medication i was taking. (This is speaking from my own experience)...Since it was my first detox I didn't really know anything about suboxone, subutex, or methadone, so when they asked me what I wanted I took the methadone because that was the only one I had heard of at that point. What I noticed is that it didn't really alleviate the withdrawel and even after I left the detox I was still coming down off of the methadone. They say that it stays in your bones and I definitely felt that discomfort.  Also, when I left detox I didn't have a plan...I left Tarzana assuming that I was "cured" and could go back home and the desire to use would be gone. Drugs are definitely cunning, baffling, and powerful. I went back to heroin a day after i left the detox. I attempted to detox again 3 months after...I got on suboxone (which was a miracle drug)..I was still uncomfortable but all in all it wasn't nearly as bad as the withdrawel with methadone. After detox, I went into treatment for 90 days at Sober College. This is where I developed my foundation. We went to meetings, I was exposed to different 12 step fellowships, and learned a lot about recovery and a lot about myself. I think it is very important to have a plan after you detox. Go to treatment when possible. If not then start going to meetings (90 meetings in 90 days), meet people(the same sex)  get a sponsor, fellowship, and begin developing your foundation. Just remember once the physical aspect is over and done with (this is the hardest part, but it'll be over with before you know it) you are going to have the mental cravings for a while...so keep busy and don't dwell on it. It gets a lot easier..trust me, I never ever ever thought I would be where i'm at now.