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Daughter and Hydro's
My 18 year old daughter has an addiction to hydrocodone. it started innocent because "everyone" was taking them, and now she can't stop and its starting to effect her life. she wants to quit, but wants to be discreet about it as not many are aware she has a problem. I have heard several things, vitamins, niacin, lots of water, ibuprofen...if anyone has some advice for me, please let me know.
For me it was - no matter how hard I tried I couldn't stay clean. I didn't have any success until it got so bad that I quit trying -- I literally said "That's it. I give up. I can't do this anymore." That's what finally worked for me.
Thank you so much for all the advice. she has been with me today, we went and got a good multivitamin, niacin, sleepy time tea, and a body cleanse. she said she doesnt feel to bad right now, and feels better being here with me when she isnt at work instead of going back and sitting at her apartment. she seems to be excited about getting free from them...I can only hope! she also said she would come join the forums here too :)
My strong advice would be to not take this lightly. There is a STRONG inclination to think that once the hydro is out and the wd's subside that it's a done, never to be repeated, deal. WRONG. That is so wrong that it would be impossible for me to overstate it.
Getting clean is the easy part. As hard as it can be, it's the easy part. Staying clean is the impossible part. I had so many hydro relapses (after getting past very tough wd) that I've lost count. I cannot explain the brand of insanity that allowed me on one day to be literally dancing with joy because I had made it off them, and not two weeks later to willingly take "just one" as a reward for how well I had been doing. It is without a doubt insanity, but it's a kind of insanity that's been experienced by every single Recovering addict/alcoholic. It simply goes with the territory.
Honestly, your best bet is to put her into rehab. I rather doubt you'll do that, since a) you're trying "to be discreet about it"; and b) nobody thinks rehab is necessary until things get really bad and it's the last hope. I spent over 3 years trying to get/stay clean on my own without success - I kept relapsing and it kept getting worse and worse and worse.
Assuming you're not ready to seriously consider rehab, there are a couple of things that can really help. First, both of you should read everything about addiction and Recovery that you can get your hands on. A few to start with are: END YOUR ADDICTION NOW, by Charles Gant; SECEN WEEKS TO SOBRIETY, by Joan Larsen; THE MOOD CURE, by Julia Ross; and STAYING CLEAN AND SOBER, by Miller and Miller.
Take a look at information about Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome ("PAWS"), which is responsible for the vast majority of relapse. A piece for Gorski & Miller's STAYING SOBER is available on-line at: http://www.tlctx.com/ar_pages/paw_part1.htm
Finally, it will really help your daughter if you make frequent, but random drug screens a condition of her continued involvement with you/the family. That may sound harsh - and she may scream "don't you trust me?" - but it's a HUGE help. Such screens were one of the conditions of my being allowed to return home to my wife and kids after rehab.
I initially thought it was a good idea only because it would give my wife the piece of mind of knowing for a fact that I wasn't using -- I mean I "knew" I wasn't going to use (right?), but how was she to know for sure that I wasn't??? I was quite suprised to find that the primary benefit of the screens was to ME. I can't tell you how many time the certain knowledge that even using "just once" would land me on the street saved me from using the one that always leads to a thousand. I honestly don't think I would have made it past the first year without the screens.
Addiction is cunning, baffling and powerful. Do not underestimate it no matter how sincere your daughter seems or how much will power you think she has. Neither sincerity nor will power are worth much when it comes to addiction.
CATUF
Getting clean is the easy part. As hard as it can be, it's the easy part. Staying clean is the impossible part. I had so many hydro relapses (after getting past very tough wd) that I've lost count. I cannot explain the brand of insanity that allowed me on one day to be literally dancing with joy because I had made it off them, and not two weeks later to willingly take "just one" as a reward for how well I had been doing. It is without a doubt insanity, but it's a kind of insanity that's been experienced by every single Recovering addict/alcoholic. It simply goes with the territory.
Honestly, your best bet is to put her into rehab. I rather doubt you'll do that, since a) you're trying "to be discreet about it"; and b) nobody thinks rehab is necessary until things get really bad and it's the last hope. I spent over 3 years trying to get/stay clean on my own without success - I kept relapsing and it kept getting worse and worse and worse.
Assuming you're not ready to seriously consider rehab, there are a couple of things that can really help. First, both of you should read everything about addiction and Recovery that you can get your hands on. A few to start with are: END YOUR ADDICTION NOW, by Charles Gant; SECEN WEEKS TO SOBRIETY, by Joan Larsen; THE MOOD CURE, by Julia Ross; and STAYING CLEAN AND SOBER, by Miller and Miller.
Take a look at information about Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome ("PAWS"), which is responsible for the vast majority of relapse. A piece for Gorski & Miller's STAYING SOBER is available on-line at: http://www.tlctx.com/ar_pages/paw_part1.htm
Finally, it will really help your daughter if you make frequent, but random drug screens a condition of her continued involvement with you/the family. That may sound harsh - and she may scream "don't you trust me?" - but it's a HUGE help. Such screens were one of the conditions of my being allowed to return home to my wife and kids after rehab.
I initially thought it was a good idea only because it would give my wife the piece of mind of knowing for a fact that I wasn't using -- I mean I "knew" I wasn't going to use (right?), but how was she to know for sure that I wasn't??? I was quite suprised to find that the primary benefit of the screens was to ME. I can't tell you how many time the certain knowledge that even using "just once" would land me on the street saved me from using the one that always leads to a thousand. I honestly don't think I would have made it past the first year without the screens.
Addiction is cunning, baffling and powerful. Do not underestimate it no matter how sincere your daughter seems or how much will power you think she has. Neither sincerity nor will power are worth much when it comes to addiction.
CATUF
see if you can get her a script for clonidine (well, at 18 she'll have to get it herself).It's a blood pressure med that has been proven to help with opiate withdrawl symptoms and many of us here have benefited from it. Also search the forum for "thomas recipe" which has a number of suggestions that will help.
Good luck and keep us posted..let's get her off these things for good, NOW.
Jim
OK, well let's keep in touch then. Wow, sounds like a cycle going on re: addiction. Your daughter is young so she definitely has that going for her. I have been chatting with this other person about stuff as well and just want to pass this suggestion on... regarding addiction, or in my view anything, avoid "why" questions and "should" statements. Most of us, especially addicted people, don't know why... and most of us, as well as addicted people, already know what we "should" do...getting advise of what we "should" do doesn't help..."offering a suggestion" is a much more effective way to support someone...for example, instead of saying "you should excersize to ease your withdrawal symptoms", you may want to say something like..."I wonder if excersizing would help your withdrawal symptoms?...I read this guys blog on the forum and he said it helped his"...just a suggestion. PEACE
That would be awesome jack629, this family has seen a lot of turmoil over addiction and I never thought this would be a problem with her. we just lost my nephew to suicide from drug related problems and it scares the **** outta me! I am also raising my brothers three kids because of addiction....
I sent her the link :)
I sent her the link :)
I have an 18 year old daughter as well...She is the first one to ever confront me regarding my addiction to hydrocodone. Not that I feel good about putting her in such a position but I sure am proud of her and admire her courage to confront me...she knew SOMETHING was wrong and flat out asked me if I was using "drugs". One thing she knows is that although I may just be silent about something, I won't lie if she flat out asks me a direct question. Withdrawal is SO hard, especially the first week...even after that, it's still hard. all those things you mentioned can help and DEFINITELY have her read stuff here because she will find the feelings she is having are not unique to her. My daughter is in college and has an interest in helping people. She may be interested in being a resource. I will not speak for her but would ask her. She will be home for Thanksgiving next week. I am going to tell her about this forum...maybe your daughter would benefit from someone her age who has been on the "other side" of addiction...that is, living with an addict. PEACE.
Depending on how many she was taking and for how long will determine how her withdrawal symptoms & detox will take. My advice is to have plenty of Immodin on hand as well as advil or tylenol. A lot of warm baths & showers will help too. Sleepy time tea to help her sleep. The first 3 -5 days are the worst. However after the physical symptoms get better then there are the mental ones.
I'm almost 3 weeks off of vicodin & I am very depressed & lethargic.
Your daughter is fortunate to have you to help her. Good luck.
I'm almost 3 weeks off of vicodin & I am very depressed & lethargic.
Your daughter is fortunate to have you to help her. Good luck.
Is she going cold turkey? All the things you listed will help. It will take a week or so for her to start feeling better. Keep reading on this forum it will answer alot of questions. Everyone here is so great and helpful.She will need all the support she can get. This is not an easy thing to give up.
When she is done with detox she will still have cravings to deal with. Have her come on the forum it will help her get thru. Mary
When she is done with detox she will still have cravings to deal with. Have her come on the forum it will help her get thru. Mary
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