RELAPSE

[tzt2lady]

Relapse can mean that there was something missing in our plan.   It can lay the groundwork from which we can build a new plan and achieve our goal.  If we get any days clean, it shows we mean business.   Perhaps there is a power greater than ourselves who wants us to add something to our program of recovery......maybe we need suboxone, or therapy, or both or ??????????????

The important thing is DO NOT GIVE UP.   Do NOT let addiction take your body, make your choices, tell you when you can take a vacation or play with your kids, basically just take your soul.   Lets rest if we need to but then get back up and get back in that ring and if we are knocked out again, well, we learned a few new moves to stay in the ring a little longer didn't we???

If we hit a boulder in our road, go around it and then find a new path.  They are there, the paths.  Really.

hugs to you all
tzt

[marcatj]

AMEN!

[lonote]

Amen!!

[Bug1964]

your are so right...never.....ever ever give up....It will happen for all of us.....

[Bug1964]

You know this is the best site for that....we encouage here abd you are amonst friends....we all will help you.....don't stress it.... you will be fine....just keep coming back to this forum....It will help you so much and you have so many people pulling for you..............God bless................Bug1964

[Ashamed24]

My husband is addicted to vicoden and tried numurous times to stop. He says now that he REALLY wants to quit...but he feels like it's a constant struggle. I dont understand what he is going through and it really frustrates me...I dont wanna lose my marriage. I can't take the lies. I want to help him but I dont know how......going to rehab is not an option for him. Is there anyway to help him get clean at home??  I'm trying to be patient, really I am :((

[desertgirl]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

[sumama]

Your husband is the one who has to make the moves to quit.  All you can do is be there for him.  If he asks you to hide his pills and dole out his meds, do that .  But don't give in.  It is a long hard road.  Maybe it would help him if he would check out this forum.  I know it helped me.  The pain and problem is real and he can do it at home.  Patience is a plus.  For both of you.  And a lot of prayers.  This is really a nasty drug.
Sue

[Ashamed24]

Thanks Sumama
I really truly believe that he wants to quit...but he just doesn't know the steps to take. We read and posts on this forum together. He is willing to listen to whatever advice anyone gives him. I pray everyday that God will release him from this addicition.. I am a true believer that we go through things for a reason. It's hard to understand at the time, and I just wish we had our "normal" lives back. Before this evil drug ever came into our lives.

[tzt2lady]

He can taper, lowering his dose by 10% every few days.  Type the "Thomas Recipe" into the search box above and get a list of things to help him during withdrawals.

[Ashamed24]

problem is that they are not prescibed. He's going to the doctor tomorrow, he's always delt with anxiety, and has used the viks as a mask for it. Should he be honest with his doctor about his addiction, or will he get in trouble for taking them w/out a prescription??

[Ga Guy]

Thomas recipe is inside this..

This is a work in progress...something I've been working on off and on for the last couple of weeks. It's not considered complete, but has lots of info from lots of sources. If any of the "old timers" have anything to add, let me know and I'll add it to the document. I hope to use this to post a general "how to" every couple of days or so.

Listed below are suggestions for detoxing and quitting an opiate addiction. They are just suggestions compiled from the detox plans of people that have gone through cold turkey detox before. They are just that, suggestions, and any detox plan is best when done under a doctor's care. Consult your doctor before trying any of the suggestions below.
This is prewritten for anyone who is beginning, or planning on beginning, a cold turkey withdrawal to opiates. This includes drugs such as tramadol (Ultracet and Ultram) codeine (Tylenol #3, #4), Darvocet, Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco, Lortab and derivatives),  Oxycodone (Endocet, Percocet, Oxycontin), Morphine, Demerol. Fentanyl, and Dilaudud. There are many other opiates not listed, so if you don’t see it listed, you can still use these suggestions if it’s an opiate based addiction. None of these apply to benzodiazepine based addictions. These addictions should never be dealt with by going cold turkey. Always consult a doctor for a detox plan for benzos.

First of all, opiate withdrawals are uncomfortable, but rarely life threatening. You may think you’re going to die, but most of the withdrawal symptoms are just very uncomfortable. If possible, take some time off work or schedule a week or so in order to fully detox. You will honestly not feel like doing much anyway. Opiate withdrawal symptoms usually start 12-24 hours after your last dose. But, the timing of withdrawal symptoms depends upon the drug taken, length of time you’ve been taking it, and how you react to medications. The physical withdrawals usually last 3-7 days, with days 3 and 4 being the worst. Once again, this is all dependent on the person. You can expect these symptoms. Dilated pupils, diarrhea, runny nose, goose bumps, abdominal pain, stomach cramps, sweating, agitation, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, leg cramps, general aches and pains, and sleeplessness. This list is not absolute. You may experience all of these symptoms, only some of them, or other symptoms. Again, we are all different. Below is the famous Thomas Recipe. It gives some general information along with supplements that help with the withdrawal symptoms. The only thing I would add to this list is a blood pressure drug named clonidine. It effectively lowers the blood pressure and lessens many of the withdrawal symptoms. Most any doctor will prescribe it if you’re honest as to why you need it. Discuss dosages and frequency with your doctor.

Thomas Recipe:

1. Valium (or another benzodiazepine such as Klonopin, Librium, Ativan or Xanax). Of these, Valium and Klonopin are best suited for tapering since they come in tablet form. Librium is also an excellent detox benzo, but comes in capsules, making it hard to taper the dose. Ativan or Xanax should only be used if you can't get one of the others.
2. Imodium (immodium) (over the counter, any drug or grocery store).
3. L-Tyrosine (500 mg caps) from the health food store.
4. Strong wide-spectrum mineral supplement with at least 100% RDA of Zinc, Phosphorus, Copper and Magnesium.
5. Vitamin B6 caps.
6. Access to hot baths or a Jacuzzi (or hot showers if that's all that's available).

How to use the recipe:
Begin your detox with regular doses of Valium (or alternate benzo). Start with a dose high enough to produce sleep. Before you use any benzo, make sure you're aware of how often it can be safely taken. Different benzos have different dosing schedules. Taper your Valium dosage down after each day. The goal is to get through day 4, after which the worst WD symptoms will subside. You shouldn't need the Valium after day 4 or 5. During detox, hit the hot bath or Jacuzzi as often as you need to for muscle aches. Don't underestimate the effectiveness of hot soaks. Spend the entire time, if necessary, in a hot bath. This simple method will alleviate what is for many the worst opiate WD symptom.
Use the Imodium (immodium) aggressively to stop the runs. Take as much as you need, as often as you need it. Don't take it, however, if you don't need it. At the end of the fourth day, you should be waking up from the Valium and experiencing the beginnings of the opiate WD malaise. Upon rising (empty stomach), take the L-Tyrosine. Try 2000 mgs, and scale up or down, depending on how you feel. You can take up to 4,000 mgs. Take the L-Tyrosine with B6 to help absorption. Wait about one hour before eating breakfast. The L-Tyrosine will give you a surge of physical and mental energy that will help counteract the malaise. You may continue to take it each morning for as long as it helps. If you find it gives you the "coffee jitters," consider lowering the dosage or discontinuing it altogether. Occasionally, L-Tyrosine can cause the runs. Unlike the runs from opiate WD, however, this effect of L-Tyrosine is mild and normally does not return after the first hour. Lowering the dosage may help. With breakfast, take the mineral supplement. As soon as you can force yourself to, get some mild exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming, etc. This will be hard at first, but will make you feel considerably better.

[Ashamed24]

Thanks a lot for the advice....have you tried this recipe and if so, did it work for you?

[shelby74]

tzt - honey everytime I see this thread I think you relapsed!  ugh!  Scares me.  Change the title would ya?? lol

[sumama]

Dr. Phil always saye "you can't fix what you don't acknowledge"  He might want to talk to his dr and let him know what he is taking.  That would be a big step.  There are confidentiality laws so I don't think he can get into any trouble.
Hang in there
Sue

[Ashamed24]

Thanks Sue

We can only take this one day at a time......you all have been a big help. It's almost like I am going through this addiction myself. I feel like I can't be happy until he is happy ;(  I hate seeing my husband suffer.

[princ]

The help shared without prejudice or assumptions via judgements is what keeps each of us closer to beating this and we will. Each of us owns our recovery but without someone who understands by our side I am not sure that would get there. Dr. Phil would be proud...thanks everyone for your shared comments

[AMetamorphosis]

God Bless you for acknowledging your husband's problem and being there for him.
Keep loving, keep believing !

My Mom stood through my Father's alcohol addiction & they recently celebrated their 42nd anniversary.

I'm envious of your husband for having a supporting spouse ...

Peace

[Ashamed24]

God Bless you too.....I pray that God surrounds you with loving supportive people.

Thanks for sharing the story about your parents....that is very inspiring for me to hear that!!

:)