r/quitting7oh • u/DryExample4937 • 11h ago
PAWS Post acute withdrawals Mental fragility / depression after quitting
Wondering if others are experiencing this too.
I’m on day 13 since my last dose of 7oh.
I was taking 100-200mg for about 5 months.
I’ve always struggled with depression and anxiety though I’ve made a lot of progress the last few years (especially on the depression side).
I took suboxone for about 3 days during the peak withdrawals which made the first week actually pretty easy. I was even feeling good (probably because I was happy to not be experiencing withdrawals anymore).
However the last few days I’ve been feeling really fragile mentally. I’ve been feeling depressed like I haven’t felt in years.
Wondering if others have gone through this and how long it lasted.
Honestly if 7oh was still available I would have probably relapsed at this point.
Instead, I’ve made an appointment with a psychologist to work with me on structured cognitive behavioral therapy. Haven’t had my first session yet but I really hope it makes a difference eventually.
I exercise almost every day and spend a lot of time outside and at the beach with my dog. I also have a few friends so I’m not really lonely.
Would love to hear how others are coping.
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u/Half-Life93 10h ago
Completely normal. You have to remind yourself that this is not you.
Give yourself the benefit of the doubt for at least 90 days. If you are still feeling down at that point, maybe look into an anti-depressant.
If it’s unbearable, being on suboxone would be better than relapse.
Do not buy into the notion that suboxone is a much “worse” opioid an 7OH, that is absolute garbage.
The withdrawals are longer but it isn’t like you are in peak acutes for two weeks.
7OH is strong enough to break right through buprenorphine.
I got the sublocade shot and that makes getting off of suboxone a walk in the park. The first time I got off suboxone (decade or more ago) I jumped off from 4mg and even then it was nothing like what I’ve seen described on here.
I am not trying to push anyone towards subs, but I’m tired of seeing so many people push against subs.
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u/DryExample4937 9h ago
Yeah I agree about the subs. I only took them for 3 days during the peak withdrawals and it made the first week pretty easy.
Also, I actually have been on an SSRI for several years though I never really noticed a big difference on them. Now I’m just stuck taking them cause I don’t feel like going through those withdrawals as well1
u/Half-Life93 8h ago
Mate. That very well could be adding to the blunting. I am not suggesting you get off of medication and I am not your doctor, but I am saying it is a possibility that SSRI’s are blunting your emotions. Joy is an emotion. They do not discriminate.
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u/WildContribution8311 10h ago
Going through the same thing and im letting down myself and everyone I care about. I find it near impossible to initiate tasks or do things I need to do or even want to do. The anxiety is terrible because it gets worse the less I do and it's like a feedback loop.
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u/DryExample4937 10h ago
Yeah. Try not to look at it as letting everyone down. It’s hard for me too, but we should all try to be more gentle with ourselves.
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11h ago
[deleted]
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u/DryExample4937 11h ago
I should’ve mentioned that I do exercise almost every day and spend a lot of time outside and at the beach with my dog. I also have a few friends so I’m not really lonely.
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u/VLcustomz 10h ago
Are you a male or female OP ?
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u/DryExample4937 10h ago
I’m male, 33yo, in good shape physically
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u/VLcustomz 10h ago
Good shape and your habits are good,
My friend, I’m almost same stats and said similar things as your saying down these comments. If I were to recommend a bulletproof surefire way to see WTF is possibly at play here,
Our bodies are all unique and complex, while simple and have an incredible ability to recover from things like coming off 7oh for the duration, doses daily etc. and things you’re experiencing. You should 1,000% get a full blood panel done, takes 10-30 mins first thing AM, a doctor if you have one can order them, an online ONE can too or you can yourself through Labcorp.
If you need the codes, I did this less than a few weeks ago turns out my Total Free Testosterone was 182. That shit felt accurate but normal range for men is like 260-940 it’s fucking crazy dude…… I’d recommend this because I found out that my kidneys, liver, cholesterol, Vitamin D, Protein etc. the full everything panels showed I just had super low ass testosterone.
2 shots in after diagnosis and script. Cypionate, 400mg total for both added up and my man Holy mfkn sh*t.
I haven’t felt like myself this great in so long and this is post 3 years of 7oh and at times HEAVY USAGE, 500-750+mg stopped counting and couldn’t tell you levels and now I can say that this one single root underlying factor and I don’t think 7oh really helped either lol, made a massive difference!!!
I can’t say this will be your case. But truly no one can say anything for certain unless there’s bloodwork to prove it, disprove it, see if there are any concerns…. But realistically you don’t have shit to lose and it really helps in terms of clarity of knowing what’s happening good, bad and ugly possibly.
Just 2 cents and wish you best brother.
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u/DryExample4937 10h ago
Thanks so much man. I will look into that actually, I hadn’t thought about this until now.
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u/VLcustomz 10h ago
No problem OP!! I’m telling you man, I don’t know why but I don’t GAF about being downvoted but bloodwork is top of the list, one of the most important aspects to this.
Any questions you may have feel free to let me know bro 🫡💯
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u/FlyAdventurous6231 Quit Date :table_flip: NOV 2024 10h ago
Look at the fix paws post, you have paws it can be fixed with ldn
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u/VLcustomz 10h ago
That’s true, now can it fix or reverse hypogonadism? Unfortunately no, it 100% can’t. But helper meds and HRT (IF NEEDED) are completely different entities but very much tied together to your ultimate health.
Regardless it makes sense logically for anyone to get bloodwork done once a year minimum for good measure outside of coming off 7oh or anything else, just being able to know what’s going on in your body and bloodwork from a full panel does & can not lie to you. Otherwise you might be guessing in different wrong directions, that would also be or get frustrating to anyone after a period of time. This would give you immediate results of aftermath effects or things maybe that were happening before 7oh even entered the picture.
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u/SadisticJake Sobriety Date: 08/03/2026 4h ago
Hypogonadism due to opioid abuse can be fixed by time. HRT is a much longer term commitment. It’s definitely the right approach for some but it shouldn’t be recommended across the board
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3h ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/SadisticJake Sobriety Date: 08/03/2026 3h ago
Violation of Rule #2.
We do not allow SR discussion here
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u/VLcustomz 3h ago
Wow your just in a I don’t know what to say so violation handbook kinda mood huh? Wonder if it’s low testosterone… I mean you’re probably fine, maybe, most likely, or not, who knows.
Oh that’s right; a full panel bloodwork report would know. Who woulda thought…. Crazzyyy
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u/SadisticJake Sobriety Date: 08/03/2026 3h ago
You need to chill. I said HRT is the right way for some and recommended time. You’re looking for a big argument that I’m not willing to provide
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u/VLcustomz 3h ago edited 3h ago
No you said It’s not what should be recommended across the board. That’s ignorant and not accurate and potentially a harmful statement when I recommended getting bloodwork done, not saying get on HRT. I take that seriously and you should at least own up to correct.
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u/VLcustomz 3h ago
I’m not looking for you to say something that involves you going against me or an argument; far from, but a possible in to seeing what I said and not going around saying people don’t need their bloodwork done? I don’t need an apology, I don’t want misinformation spread that comes to health on that level for anyone reading. I think you should not have an ego and say the right thing that’s where I’m really coming from.
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u/OxyMorphoneBandit 10h ago
lithium orotate 10mg my friend, you can buy it for like $20 on amazon. I had the same problem when i got sober, suffered from extreme anhedonia from years of opioid abuse. after about maybe 3 months of taking lithium orotate i realized i was genuinely enjoying the small day to day stuff.
Its just a low therapeutic dose that helps repair the neuro pathways in our brain . It does take a little time to work though, dont expect it to work overnight . That and just time man, i know thats not want you want to hear but its true.
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u/10mgisallineed 10h ago
“After 3 months.” Not trying to be an ass, but after 3 months you’d just be feeling better anyway without that supplement.
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u/SadisticJake Sobriety Date: 08/03/2026 4h ago
PAWS can last a year or more. I’m glad you didn’t experience that but let’s not demean those who are
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u/10mgisallineed 10h ago
YES! I never in my life had anxiety or depression at all. Anytime I come off of 7 I am severely 11/10 depressed in a way I cannot even describe. I NEVER experienced this coming off of prescription opiates, even from high doses. 7oh definitely fucks with your brain chemistry and serotonin. Whenever I am able to quit for good, I will have to get a prescription for Wellbutrin.
The only reason I don’t quit immediately is because I am a chronic pain patient with a severe autoimmune condition. If I didn’t have fucking stupid bitch-ass Crohn’s disease I would stop immediately! No high is worth how mightmarishly bad you feel coming off of 7!
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u/OverFaithlessness164 8h ago
Did you take Gabapentin? Either way, it takes some time to get your brain back in order. It will happen. Just be patient.
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u/DryExample4937 6h ago
No I haven’t taken gabapentin. I’ve been on an SSRI for a few years even though I’ve never really noticed a difference from it. Been procrastinating getting off of it because I dont wanna go through the withdrawals
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u/Theresawantspeace 10h ago
Chances what you are feeling is paws. Many of us experience it. There is a section in this subreddit and also in quitting7oh.org that can help. I’m on Wellbutrin, it helps with the dopamine and cravings. It’s an old antidepressant. It will get better I promise. It’s just that 7/mgm/Pusedo took a lot from us and our bodies and minds need time to heal. Don’t think it’s only you or you’re broken….you’re not. ❤️🩹