Drug Taper Pamphlet — Toronto Survival Guide (Clara AI Edition)

How this guide works

Taper Tables Supplement Support Precautions Stories Clara CTA

Taper = controlled, stepwise reductions to let your brain/body adapt. Every section starts with a quick table you can follow without reading walls of text.

Benzos (Xanax/Valium/etc.) and heavy daily alcohol can cause seizures if you stop suddenly. If you’re deep in, taper slow or get supervised help.

💊 Xanax (benzodiazepines)

Intro

Hijacks your brain’s calming system; tolerance → dependence. Do NOT cold-turkey — seizure risk.

Quick Taper Table

Starting use	Reduce by	Typical timeline
4 mg/day	0.25–0.5 mg every 1–2 weeks	8–12+ weeks; hold if symptoms surge
2 mg/day	0.25 mg every 1–2 weeks	6–10 weeks
1 mg/day	0.125–0.25 mg every 1–2 weeks	4–8 weeks; last crumbs are slowest

Supplement support

Magnesium glycinate 200–400 mg nightly (sleep, muscle)
L‑theanine 100–200 mg up to 3×/day (calm)
Melatonin 1–3 mg at night (sleep onset)
Chamomile/valerian tea; strict sleep routine; sunlight AM
Optional: switch to diazepam (Valium) for smoother cuts

Precautions: Never stop abruptly. Avoid alcohol. Keep sleep and hydration steady; schedule reductions on calendar.

Testimonial

“I thought I’d never sleep without it. Nightmares were the worst. Two months later, my dreams normalized.” — Mike, 29

Life after: Clearer thinking; no blackout gaps; natural calm returns.

“Every cut is proof your brain is healing.”

Need a custom taper and daily check-ins?

Text Clara AI — we'll track your progress together, even if you slip. +1 (416) 555-CLARA

💉 Heroin (opioids)

Intro

Mimics endorphins; quitting feels like the flu plus bone pain and insomnia.

Quick Taper Table

Starting use	Reduce by	Typical timeline
4 uses/day	Drop 1 use every 3–4 days; shrink bag size ~10–20%	2–4 weeks to reach 1–2/day
2 uses/day	Shrink each bag/line 10% every 2–3 days	1–2 weeks
Any pattern	Switch to methadone/Suboxone; stabilize, then taper	Stabilize 1–2 weeks → taper

Supplement support

Loperamide per label (diarrhea)
Magnesium 200–400 mg (restless legs)
Taurine 1,000 mg 1–2×/day (calm)
NAC 600–1,200 mg/day (oxidative stress)
Electrolytes, hot showers

Precautions: Dehydration & suicidality risk — don’t isolate. Clonidine (if prescribed) helps sweats/shakes. Carry naloxone.

Testimonial

“Restless legs were hell. At two weeks clean, I felt a freedom I never thought possible.” — Sarah, 34

Life after: Energy returns; skin clears; money stops bleeding into dope.

“The pain passes — your strength stays.”

Need a custom taper and daily check-ins?

Text Clara AI — we'll track your progress together, even if you slip. +1 (416) 555-CLARA

💊 Percocet / Oxycodone

Intro

Feels safe because it’s prescribed; dependence creeps fast.

Quick Taper Table

Starting use	Reduce by	Typical timeline
8 pills/day	Drop 1 pill every 2–3 days; use halves/quarters	2–3 weeks to 3/day
3 pills/day	Cut 0.5 pill every 3 days; delay morning dose 30–60 min daily	1–2 weeks
Any dose	Switch to bupe or methadone if taper fails	Stabilize 1–2 weeks → taper

Supplement support

Loperamide for GI issues
Magnesium 200–400 mg; taurine 1,000 mg 1–2×/day
NAC 600–1,200 mg/day; B‑complex
Electrolytes; protein + complex carbs

Precautions: Avoid ‘celebration binges’. Hydrate and sleep. Don’t mix with benzos or alcohol.

Testimonial

“Stretching the morning dose gave me back control.” — Lena, 26

Life after: Clear mornings; less clock‑watching; fewer cravings.

“Don’t chase the high — chase your future.”

Need a custom taper and daily check-ins?

Text Clara AI — we'll track your progress together, even if you slip. +1 (416) 555-CLARA

🧪 Methadone (liquid/pills)

Intro

Great for stabilization; tapering off requires patience due to long half-life.

Quick Taper Table

Starting use	Reduce by	Typical timeline
60 mg/day	Reduce 2 mg every 3–4 days (or weekly)	6–8+ weeks to reach 20 mg
20 mg/day	Reduce 1 mg every 3–7 days	3–6 weeks
<10 mg/day	Water-taper: 0.5 → 0.25 → 0.1 mg steps	2–4+ weeks; micro-cuts

Supplement support

Magnesium 200–400 mg; taurine 1,000 mg
NAC 600–1,200 mg/day
Ginger tea/electrolytes for nausea
Gentle cardio for sleep drive

Precautions: Go slow. Too fast = relapse. Track with oral syringe for tiny cuts.

Testimonial

“The last 5 mg scared me. Water tapering got me to zero without the cliff.” — Rob, 41

Life after: No clinic lines; mornings are yours again.

“Tiny drops now, freedom later.”

Need a custom taper and daily check-ins?

Text Clara AI — we'll track your progress together, even if you slip. +1 (416) 555-CLARA

⚠️ Fentanyl / 'Down' (unregulated opioids)

Intro

Ultra‑potent; potency varies wildly; often mixed with benzos/xylazine. Overdose risk is extreme.

Quick Taper Table

Starting use	Reduce by	Typical timeline
Street use	Strongly shift to OAT (bupe/methadone). Consider low‑dose/micro‑induction while still using.	Stabilize 1–2 weeks
Buprenorphine	Once stable (e.g., 16 mg/day), trim 2 mg each 3–7 days; slower <8 mg (1 mg cuts)	3–8+ weeks
Methadone	Follow methadone taper above; slower is better	8–12+ weeks

Supplement support

Naloxone kit on you at all times
Electrolytes; magnesium; taurine; NAC
Sleep discipline; gentle movement
Use Toronto Drug Checking when possible

Precautions: Never use alone. If xylazine is present, naloxone won’t fix sedation — still give naloxone + rescue breaths. Test when possible.

Testimonial

“Classic starts failed me. Low‑dose Suboxone finally stuck.” — K, 32

Life after: Steady days; lower overdose risk; plan your life again.

“Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.”

Need a custom taper and daily check-ins?

Text Clara AI — we'll track your progress together, even if you slip. +1 (416) 555-CLARA

💥 Methamphetamine / Crystal Meth (jib, ice)

Intro

Massive dopamine spikes → hard crash. No approved withdrawal med; cravings + depression dominate.

Quick Taper Table

Starting use	Reduce by	Typical timeline
Daily sessions	Cut to every other day; shorten runs; mandate sleep windows	1–2 weeks
Binge nights	Limit hours; stop 1–2 hrs earlier each session	1–3 weeks
Any pattern	Shrink line/puff size 10–20% each session	1–2+ weeks

Supplement support

Magnesium 200–400 mg (jaw/leg tension)
L‑tyrosine 500–1,000 mg AM (dopamine precursor)
Omega‑3 (EPA/DHA) 1–2 g/day (mood)
Electrolytes + real meals pre‑crash
Ashwagandha 300–600 mg (stress)

Precautions: High depression/suicidality risk first week — do not be alone. Avoid alcohol/benzos on comedown.

Testimonial

“Quitting parties was the move. Sleep came back; so did my brain.” — J, 30

Life after: Mood stabilizes; paranoia fades; focus returns.

“Skip a night, save a week.”

Need a custom taper and daily check-ins?

Text Clara AI — we'll track your progress together, even if you slip. +1 (416) 555-CLARA

❄️ Cocaine (powder)

Intro

20‑minute high; hours‑long crash. Biggest trap is the mental loop + alcohol pairing.

Quick Taper Table

Starting use	Reduce by	Typical timeline
Daily use	Move to every other day; cut line size 10–20%	1–2 weeks
Weekend use	Halve the amount; push first line later each time	2–4 weekends
Any pattern	Replace booze nights; avoid alcohol entirely	Immediate effect

Supplement support

Magnesium 200–400 mg (tension)
Omega‑3 1–2 g/day; vitamin D 2,000 IU/day
Electrolytes; protein + complex carbs
L‑theanine 200 mg for edge (non‑sedating)

Precautions: Alcohol + coke = relapse combo. Protect sleep; eat before crash.

Testimonial

“I stopped showing up to coke parties. My mind came back.” — J, 30

Life after: Energy steadies; anxiety drops; fewer urges.

“Every night you skip, your brain gets sharper.”

Need a custom taper and daily check-ins?

Text Clara AI — we'll track your progress together, even if you slip. +1 (416) 555-CLARA

🚬 Crack cocaine

Intro

Immediate, intense, short‑lived; crash drives the next hit.

Quick Taper Table

Starting use	Reduce by	Typical timeline
All‑night sessions	Buy smaller rocks; smaller hits; 10+ min between hits	1–2 weeks to halve intake
Daily use	Skip one session/day; shorten remaining sessions	1–2 weeks
Any pattern	Schedule food/hydration before/after; sleep window fixed	Immediate benefit

Supplement support

Magnesium 200–400 mg; omega‑3 1–2 g/day
Vitamin C 500–1,000 mg (general support)
Electrolytes; throat and lip care (burns)

Precautions: Crash can bring suicidality — don’t be alone. Use safer smoking kits to reduce mouth sores (infection route).

Testimonial

“Calling someone right after a hit saved me.” — Dee, 38

Life after: Sleep returns; lungs heal; paranoia fades.

“Your lungs are begging you for a break — give them one.”

Need a custom taper and daily check-ins?

Text Clara AI — we'll track your progress together, even if you slip. +1 (416) 555-CLARA

🛑 Inhalants / Solvents (glue, sprays, cleaners)

Intro

Toxic fumes can stop your heart (‘sudden sniffing death’) and injure brain/liver/kidneys — even a few uses.

Quick Taper Table

Starting use	Reduce by	Typical timeline
Any use	Stop; remove access; switch environment/peers; seek medical check	Immediate
Compulsion	Supervised care, therapy, replace ritual urgently	Weeks–months
Recovery	Cognitive + physical rehab; nutrition/sleep	Ongoing

Supplement support

Vitamin C 500–1,000 mg/day; NAC 600–1,200 mg/day (general oxidative support)
Hydration; high‑protein balanced diet
Medical follow‑up for organ impact

Precautions: No safe taper. High acute risk. Youth at special risk.

Testimonial

None

Life after: Clear thinking returns; organ risk drops.

“Air is free — keep it in your lungs.”

Need a custom taper and daily check-ins?

Text Clara AI — we'll track your progress together, even if you slip. +1 (416) 555-CLARA

🥃 Alcohol (beer, wine, spirits)

Intro

One of the most destructive: lowers inhibitions, fuels fights/risky sex/crashes, and triggers other drugs (coke lines, benzos ‘to sleep’, opioids ‘for the hangover’).

Quick Taper Table

Starting use	Reduce by	Typical timeline
6–8 drinks/day	Cut 1 drink every 1–2 days; slow under 3/day	1–2+ weeks
10–16 drinks/day	Cut 2/day for 3–4 days; then 1/day; slow under 6/day; from 4/day cut 0.5–1 every 2–3 days	2–3+ weeks
≥20 drinks/day	Switch to measured beer; scheduled doses (e.g., 1/hour while awake); drop 1/day; seek supervised detox	Custom; safety first

Supplement support

Thiamine (B1) 100 mg/day before carbs
Magnesium 200–400 mg; electrolytes
Multivitamin; protein + complex carbs
No benzos/opioids to ‘help’ — dangerous combo

Precautions: Seizures/DTs can be fatal — if shaking, confused, feverish, or hallucinating, go to ER immediately.

Testimonial

“I stopped waking up in chaos. The hardest part was evenings. Routine beat cravings.” — R., 45

Life after: Sleep normalizes; BP drops; fewer bad decisions that pull you deeper into polydrug use.

“Live to make the quit count.”

Need a custom taper and daily check-ins?

Text Clara AI — we'll track your progress together, even if you slip. +1 (416) 555-CLARA

🚭 Nicotine / Vaping

Intro

Highly reinforcing, but very taper‑friendly with NRT.

Quick Taper Table

Starting use	Reduce by	Typical timeline
Cigarettes: 1 pack/day	Patch 21 mg → 14 mg → 7 mg (2 weeks each); gum/lozenge between	4–6 weeks
Vape heavy (50 mg/ml)	Step down 5–10 mg/ml every 1–2 weeks; reduce puff frequency	4–8+ weeks
Any pattern	Swap triggers: walk/tea/sunflower seeds after meals	Immediate

Supplement support

Vitamin C 500–1,000 mg/day; NAC 600 mg/day
Exercise daily; breath work
Ginseng 100–200 mg AM (focus)

Precautions: Caffeine hits harder off nicotine — expect jitters. Watch triggers (after meals, driving).

Testimonial

None

Life after: Breathing improves within days; taste and sleep return.

“You’re not quitting smoking; you’re starting breathing.”

Need a custom taper and daily check-ins?

Text Clara AI — we'll track your progress together, even if you slip. +1 (416) 555-CLARA

⚠️ Harm Reduction & Fentanyl Reality Check

Why it’s different now: Street supply is widely contaminated with fentanyl — including fake “Xanax”, fake “Percs”, and cocaine. Fentanyl is 50–100× stronger than morphine. A few grains can kill.

Street “oxy” pills are often fentanyl presses.
Pressed “Xanax bars” = random powders + fentanyl.
“Party coke” has tested positive for fentanyl in Toronto.

Bottom line: Using now isn’t like back in the day. If you still use, test it, don’t share, and carry naloxone.

Toronto drug checking

Toronto Drug Checking Service — drugchecking.ca. Drop samples at partner sites; see results online.
The Works – Toronto Public Health, 277 Victoria St, Toronto — 416‑392‑0520.
Moss Park OPS, 134 Sherbourne St, Toronto — 416‑703‑8482.
South Riverdale CHC, 955 Queen St E, Toronto — 416‑461‑1925.
Parkdale Queen West CHC, 168 Bathurst St, Toronto — 416‑703‑8482.

Free naloxone at most pharmacies in Ontario (no OHIP card required).

Safe use basics

Never use alone; call a buddy.
Carry naloxone; learn rescue breaths.
Don’t share needles, cookers, or straws (HIV/Hep C risk).
Use safer smoking kits to avoid mouth sores (infection route).

Need a safety plan?

Text Clara AI +1 (416) 555-CLARA

Toronto Hotlines & Harm Reduction Services

Service	Contact / Address
Access CAMH / Withdrawal Services	416‑535‑8501 (press 2) — medical withdrawal & referrals
Central Access Toronto (Withdrawal Mgmt)	1‑866‑366‑9513 — 24/7 detox/withdrawal referrals
RAAM Clinics (Rapid Access Addiction Medicine)	Walk‑in help; multiple Toronto hospitals
Toronto Drug Checking Service	drugchecking.ca — drop samples; results online
The Works – Toronto Public Health	277 Victoria St, Toronto — 416‑392‑0520
Moss Park OPS	134 Sherbourne St, Toronto — 416‑703‑8482
South Riverdale CHC	955 Queen St E, Toronto — 416‑461‑1925
Parkdale Queen West CHC	168 Bathurst St, Toronto — 416‑703‑8482
Free Naloxone (Ontario)	Most pharmacies — see: ontario.ca/page/where-get-free-naloxone-kit