FINALLY READY!!! What should I expect?

Hello,

I am posting this in both forums; substance abuse and social because I need as much help as I can get...

My BF stated tonight that he's ready to quit cold turkey starting tomorrow. I'm so happy for him and proud of him!!


He's been on perc's for about 2-2.5yrs and oxy's the last year (maybe half). In total, lately, he's been taking about 100-250mg per day, depending on how he feels and what he can get. We've noticed that when he gets enough for more than a few days, he goes through them quicker because he gets depressed (and hates himself for being addicted to the pills, he says, in tun making him take more and it cycles). Without them, though, he gets extremely irritable and it's unpleasant.

To anyone that has quit cold turkey, I would like to know what to expect and what I can do to support him??


Please help if you can. I REALLY NEED ADVICE!!!

[allaboutmary]

Congrat's on him wanting to get clean !  That really is the first step.
He will feel like he has an awful flu for about 7-10 days. You might want to pick up some Imodium (immodium).  Make sure he drinks plenty of fluids. If he has trouble eating try some Ensure or Boost.  If he can get a doctor to prescribe Clonidine it will help a lot. It's a blood pressure med and most doc's don't mind prescribing it. You can look up the Thomas Recipe in the Health Pages on this site. (it will give you tons of info).   I spent a fortune on all the vitamins, and to be honest I don't think they really helped that much, but some say they do.  He is going to feel like hell, but if you can get him to take even a short walk every day it will help.
Remember.......detox is just the first part of this process.  He might have months of low energy, irritability, depression and CRAVINGS. Having a support group like AA will help greatly.
It's a long hard road, but doable and well worth it. Remind him he's going to have to be patient with himself.  He won't feel 100% for a while.
Ask him to come on this forum. He will meet some wonderful people that can relate, and get a great education on addiction.  Good luck and keep us posted.

[Mangee]

Take what allaboutmary has said and show it to your boyfriend. She knows what she is talking about and if you can get him to this forum he will find that he has an unlimited source of support. There are many who have gone through it. Some cold turkey and some not. The point is that he will learn many ways of dealing with his problem. We are not the experts but we do have down to earth experiences that will be shared with him . The people here care and that is a big plus. That, along with his resolve, will help him to start the journey and eventually help him to reach the light. I might add that I beat oxycontin cold turkey and survived. It's well worth the effort and the look on the faces of the doubters will be an extra reward.

[DOVE33]

I was reading your post I also went  cold turkey It has been only 9 Days out of 3 Yrs. The first 5 Days were unbarable. Then the 6 Day was great then the 7th day good. Then today horrible. It makes you mad thinking DAM. I thought I was done with the shakes the sweats and the tremmer's?. Today I feel like I cant stand or sit still for over 2 minutes. How long does the full effect last. Do u know. It really does not matter. Because I and head set and strong willed. I will never by the help of  GOD MY HUSBAND AND MY Kids touch another Pain killer again . Also I want to congradukate you. Sounds like your doing good. Everyday you need to be proad even if its a year or two later.

[DOVE33]

I am sorry the last post I posted was for mangee not Jester