methadone, xanax, and vivanse

[ineedinfoplease]

Hello to all. I have not posted in a while, but I'm having additional problems with my 32 yr old son. He is on 130mg of methadone and has started taking 2 to 3 bars of xanax daily and when he is awake he is a walking zombie. He went to a psychiatrist a little over a week ago and convinced him he is ADHD and got a prescription for vivanse. The police called me last Tuesday and had him pulled over due to someone calling in on him for his driving. The officer said he gave him a sobriety test and said he didnt really seem intoxicated and had me take him home and had his ride impounded due to no insurance. Well he got his ride out on Thursday and yesterday the police had him again, but let my husband go get his ride, but instead of charging him with a dwi he only got a pi, due to him being at a gas station when they found him and he was not driving. He lives with my mother and my brother and my brother told him he cannot live there any longer and my husband will not let him live here with us. My son says he does not need any rehab help and that he can put the xanax down because he usually pulls about an 8 day zombie state and then usually goes almost 2 weeks pretty sober and then repeats the cycle again. My question is how dangerous is this mix of the 3 drugs? The sherrif duputy told me on Wednesday to prepare for him to be dead in the next 2 weeks if he does not get any help. The only free rehad here does not accept anyone on benzos because they said it takes too long to detox and of the liability. Any feed back would be helpful. Can we force him into rehab? He has a 9 yr old son that he gets every other weekend and this scares me to death. We did not let him get his son yesterday which is a blessing because he got picked up yesterday, but of course because if was only a pi he was realased around 3 this morning. I hope this is not too confusing, i know i'm rambling, i apologize.

[Jaybay]

Yes, seizures are a possibility if xanax is suddenly discontinued.  Whether those seizures result in death is anyone's guess.  It all depends on how much he's taken, for what length of time and his own body chemistry.  While it's true that addicts need to feel the consequences of their addiction (no help with rent, food, transportation, etc.) the sad truth is that death is rock bottom for many addicts.  If he dies it is NOT your fault.  It's nobody's fault but your brother's.  

Have you or any other members of your family given Al-Anon meetings a try?  It really will help you all understand what you're dealing with and also help you with your own grief and guilt surrounding his life of addiction.  I never thought I'd be a groupie either, but the meetings have been a huge help for me.  They're open to anyone whose life has been affected by someone else's drug or alchol abuse.  It's time for all of you to focus on your own lives rather than devoting so much of yourselves to your brother's.

[ineedinfoplease]

hi debbie. Thank you for posting. he did try once to get into a free rehab here, but they wouldn't accept him into detox when he told them he was also on benzos (xanax). my brother tried to make him leave all last week, but he was so out of it he couldnt get his things together and we were afraid for him to drive. but yesterday he finally did gather some of his things and he got a room for the night and my brother told him not to come back except to get more of his belongings. please pray for my mom, this is extrememly difficult for her. i've been told if he stops the xanax cold turkey that he could have seizures and die. is that true?
thank you for the prayers
deb

[ineedinfoplease]

hi debbie. Thank you for posting. he did try once to get into a free rehab here, but they wouldn't accept him into detox when he told them he was also on benzos (xanax). my brother tried to make him leave all last week, but he was so out of it he couldnt get his things together and we were afraid for him to drive. but yesterday he finally did gather some of his things and he got a room for the night and my brother told him not to come back except to get more of his belongings. please pray for my mom, this is extrememly difficult for her. i've been told if he stops the xanax cold turkey that he could have seizures and die. is that true?
thank you for the prayers
deb

[atthebeach]

hello. as you can see since you have been here we have a new forum. i am sorry to see things havent changed. where is he living? with your mom? brother?  they didnt stick to their guns last time, if he didnt get help or if he continued to use? they need to kick him out and let him hit rock bottom. at this point i think that is the only thing that will work.
the vyvanse is another stimulant. he had been on speed before and now he managed to get himself a script.
the meth and the xanax are a deadly combination. they both depress the central nervous system and the respiratory system.
too bad he didnt get picked up for a dui. when they get arrested many times the court will mandate rehab. he still wont admit to be an addict or think he needs help? it is extremely dangerous. i dont think he should pick up his son, GOD forbid there is a car accident.
my heart goes out to you. addiction affects so many lives,their addiction drains all those around them. you have to keep the faith, keep praying. the LORD is able to deliver him, but your son has to take a step in the right direction and ask for the help.
i will continue to pray
sending hugs
debbie