Some advice for Oxy withdrawl

[mariehart]

I would really appreciate some help and advice concerning my husbands addiction to Oxycotin.   He has lived with severe back pain for most of his life and has ended up additcted to Oxy a couple of times.  The addiction nearly killed him 6 years ago. (we werent together then, but I have heard that he was hospitalized and in Rehab for quite a while)  After that he did not touch any meds until about 8 months ago, when his pain increased and he had a high pressure job that required physical stamina.  (He has since lost that job I believe in part to his overuse of Oxy) He is now addicited again; he is trying to taper off instead of quit cold turkey.  He has been in the process for a couple days now, he sleeps contstatnly and has no personailty when he is awake.  I understand that - what I need some advice with is how to know if he needs outside help.  I dont want him to end up as bad as he was years ago when his family had to take him to the hospital.  AND.. how will I know if he cant get off of the oxy, and maybe isnt being honest about it?  I realize I'm out of my league with this and I'm trying to read as much as I can and get some advice from people who have been there.  Any help is appreciated.  Thank you~

[Jaybay]

He really needs medical help with a taper plan and, as Back2Me mentioned, comfort meds to help with the acute high blood pressure and anxiety of withdrawal.  Gnarly also makes a great point that you need to be holding the meds and doling them out evenly throughout the day.  Your husband is going to be out of it for a while.  Since he's still able to sleep, he's not in serious withdrawal yet.  There is also a terrible mental side to withdrawal that can last for several weeks if not months depending on how long the person was actively using and at what dose.  Severe depression and anxiety are very common.

Home detox rarely works for long.  Your husband has been through rehab before, so he knows he needs to actively work a recovery program to be successful.  If he refuses to go the NA/ AA route, make him an appointment with an addiction therapist after Thanksgiving.  Make it a condition of your continued support.  Detox is only the beginning of addiction recovery.  If he refuses recovery care, that pretty much tells you all you need to know about how serious he is about getting well.

[throwindatowl]

have a heart to heart with your husband. Let him know you are there for him not against
him. He knows that Im sure you sound understanding. Tell um you want to help him and not to be to proud to ask for help from you, or a professional. Give him a pat on the back tell him hell be ok. I wish I wouldve had a loving wife by my side during the tough times. Oh well we are all not blessed that way. I did have a loving family to help me so no complaints here. Has he checked this site out? Addicts listen to addicts and sometimes only addicts...How can someone thats never walked in your shoes give you any advice you know. Its like a guy giving a pregnant women advise, just dont work that way. Gnarlys got so much great advise-read what this guys got to say.If he can taper his quitting will be much easier on him and you. Wish you and him the best!!!

[gnarly_1]

HI Welcome to the forum....well you came to a good place to seek help....so he's tapering
if so you should have control of the pills it works best that way you can dole them out
and give him only what the taper requires ..most addicts cannot do this correctly them selfs
this may take some time you want to alow about 3 days in between dropping doses
this gives the body a chance to adjust if you need a good taper I can send you one threw the messenger we no longer post them in the open forum due to rules...the main thing is to not yo/yo your dose up and down stick with a taper and dont move your dose up a day later because your not feeling well....it would be helpful if you could get you husband to come on here so we could help him first hand...if not we will work with you many wifes come here doing the same thing you are...try what I suggested hopefully he will be open to you having control of the meds post back also let us know how much he's taking
will wait to here back from you.....Gnarly  

[Back2Me]

How much was he taking. Maybe last time he had blood pressure issues because when you stop your BP can shoot way up. It causes sweating and hot flashes. Maybe you could take him to the doc and get him some clonidine. It helps with wd symptoms and BP.