Addiction to benzos and opiates

My boyfriend had a car accident about a year ago.  After his accident he became addicted to pain killers.  He is no longer prescribed so he gets them illegally.  He has also had a problem with xanex for about 5 years on and off.  About 5 months ago he got clean and was clean for 1 1/2 months.  He just confessed to me that he has been taking them again (about 15 or less xanex and 15 or less lorecettes a week).  He does not currently have insurance and we are in the process of applying for financial assistance, but it will take some time to receive.  Can you tell me how he can safely stop taking them?  I understand there will be side effects, but I just don't want it to be life threatening.  Please let me know how we can safely detox without a medical professional.  Are there over the counter medications/vitamins he can take to reduce the changes of him having a seizure?

[IBKleen]

Hi,

There is no danger in stopping the pain medication cold turkey, unless he has other health problems---however, the Xanex should be tapered as there is a risk of seizures.

Since he has been down this road before then he knows what he is in for. He will have flu like symptoms for 5 or 7 days and he needs to just make himself comfortable, push fluids and get some food in when he can. Hot baths, or showers if he prefers, will help will the aches and light exercise helps with that as well.

What is he going to do for pain control? What is he going to do to stay off of the drugs?

[sudie58]

this is a very difficult one, i also was taking codeine and benzo , and you really do need professional help to come off them, is there no way you can see a dr. xanax is not easy to come off, and its not to be advised to try cold turkey, doctors usually change you to valium for a taper, and you do need medical help to do that, im sorry not to be more helpful,but it would be wrong and probably dangerous if you just stopped them, i hope others may have some ideas for you to get some medical help,(im in the uk), best wishes