@1oldcarnut -- welcome to Mayo Connect. I have no medical background or training but I would seriously recommend that discontinuation of opioids should be done under professional supervision. I found some information in another discussion here that you might want to read:

Chronic Pain > Discussion - Need guidelines for long term, long-acting morphine withdrawal plan:
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/need-guidelines-for-long-term-long-acting-morphine-withdrawal-plan/bookmark/?ajax_hook=action&_wpnonce=3b5e013730

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention might be a good place to start. Here is the main page for CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain http://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/prescribing/guideline.html. It includes:

– Opioids: Guideline Information for Patients http://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/prescribing/patients.html which doesn’t include info on discontinuation
– CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain — United States, 2016 http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/rr/rr6501e1.htm This information is written for health professionals and includes some information on discontinuation, but individual circumstances vary the methods to be tailored to the person.

There was also a reference video by Dr. Hooten that was not available or was moved. I did a search and found several videos by Dr. Hooten on YouTube that might help you:

Opioid Epidemic Chat with Dr. Hooten - YouTube
-- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OaH5MdGTng

Understanding Unintended Prolonged Opioid Use - YouTube
-- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQGttgdSfqU

MCP 60 Seconds With Dr Michael Hooten on Prolonged Opioid Use
-- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCxThe3YAFo

I'm tagging other members who may have some additional information to offer. @colleenyoung, @beausonge, @IndianaScott are you able to share any thoughts to help @1oldcarnut ?

John

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