How to taper off banging oxys

My boyfriend is an addict and is in great need of trying to quit, but do to circumstances it has to be done at home.  He's not in this alone his mother and I are here no matter what it takes to help him help himself.  Hopefully when I show him this site you will meet him yourself,but if he's not comfortable joining I would still appreciate any advise and help that I can pass onto him.  He has had his addiction for years upon years has done rehabs but wasn't in good places in his life.  This is the time for him.  His addiction really started after he was in a serious accident, he actually died then was in a coma was suppose to be a vegetable if even lived.  Luckily you would have no idea of this if you met him.

But the addiction he bangs over 200 if not close to 300 of oxy multiple times a day plus orally takes xanax or calaunapin (don't know how to spell). If oxys not availble it's delatas, perk, or whatever he can get.  He also has started drinking heavily whiskey.  He goes in and out of the heaviness of it all trying to quit on his own.  His mom is now living with us we have all had the sit down together and he is trying very hard not drinking is going ok but his terrified of withdrawal from the oxy.  One of his scares is coming down too fast and having a seizure, which is a possibility due to his TBI from the wreck.  I'm not exaggerating his addiction in the least bit he has OD a few times the hospital even told his mother that if he continued on this path he would be dead soon.  I've known him for ever but we have just gotten together in the last five months.  He has turned blue and quit breathing on me within about 3 mths of us living together.  But has come a long way his day use to consist of banging sometimes falling out with the needle in his arm sitting somewhere or sleeping wake up same thing over and over.  

Now he bangs morning afternoon and night sometimes middle of night but not to the point of falling out just to not be sick he's currently at about 200 am 80 noon and 80pm to 40 or 80 if needed middle of night.  Needing help on how to taper down and other things that can help with the withdrawal.  And any advice of how to get off the points which the way he talks about the needle is an addiction all in it's self.  Would appreciate any suggestions to pass on to him.

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

Well -  You are right. If he doesnt stop you will be burying him soon.  I need to think about specifics   - - just wanted to touch base and let you know that people here do pay attention. He should quit the needle first. Thats a biggie. And you are right - its an addiction in itself. Out of curiosity - does he share needles? I dont want to go into detail right this second - - but hep c is of course a concern. I already had to do the chemo for that stuff and its no fun at all. See if he can put the needle down and just do the narc's for a short. At least thats where I would start immediately. Let him chew the suckers up if he has to - just get him headed in a different direction,. Then you will be able to work on everything else a lot more easily. If he doesnt want to look at the forum - ask him why? Its just a screen full of people pretty much like him in many ways....and a lot in others. - - -  - - - -  you can PM me anytime that you wish ..... and good luck to everybody - - dont stop quiting - -

[sway1]

i agree with eagle on that 100%. a while back, just having a needle made me want to put something in it. get rid of the needles. that's a good place to draw a line. his buzz won't be as intense, and may last longer, meaning he won't need to use as much. but, you and mom can't do this for him. only he can. until he wants to stop, there's not much you can do. protect yourselves. don't enable him anymore. i wish you all the luck in the world. keep posting.   sway

[Dezdon]

Yes, the act of the needle and the act of snorting are an addiction in themselves. You have got to talk him to talking the meds oraly first. Then try to taper down at that point. You need a plan, write it down on paper.
  I also never say this on this forum, but if it he trying and wants to get clean and is a afraid of the w/d's, Suboxone in this extreme case may be a viable option to start with. Like i said, I usulay dont recomend any maintance programs, but this is a seriose case, he needs help now and FAST. He's in a VERY bad place right now. He absolutly needs help.

[slapperman]

Very sorry to hear about your situation. You came to the right place. Your boyfriend has to want this 100% or it is a lost cause. If he does not see the damage he is doing to himself and those that love him and want to better all involved by getting sober then you must protest yourself because it will only get worst. My advice is he is in way deep and without a in patient rehab I don't know if going CT will be possible unless he is very devoted and strong enough to overcome the WD he will be facing. You will never ever ever ever hear these words come out of my mouth but I think Suboxone my be a good option in this case. (i am currently on sub and do not like to recommend it) You need to read the health notes about the pro's and con's of suboxone as well as look into a plan for going cold turkey using the Thomas recipe and make a decision. If you choose the suboxone route use the web to find a Dr. in your area as well as an aftercare that is a must for your situation. what ever you choose I wish you the best of luck and God Bless

my heart goes out to you and your family
Joe AKA slapperman

[ourfurture]

Thank you for your advice.  Will look into all your guys advice, and he just filled out his personal info so hopefully he will be on here soon.  I can't believe this site exist it is wonderful.

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

Slapperman is close to target on this one also....I agree with him with only maybe slight modifications....I still think you need to get him to do the oxy's orally as soon as possible. Dont start on totally clean until you can do that......if he can do them orally for a very short while without the needle - he wont be putting up with any withdrawal symptoms and will ease into treatment more easily. At that point sub might be an excellent choice for him. Would be very nice if you get him to register and check us out. With the extended release of the product orally it will last a lot longer and he can taper the dose down a bit. And the needles will be out of the equation. He is lucky to have you and mom - - but you may have to get tough for a short - - - not tell him to hit the door tough ...... just reasonable - - remind him that each time he slams them - unless he has a butterfly started in the vein he is probably (I am assuming that he isnt phlebotomist) damging the veins with his technique. That makes any and all further blood testing and medical procedures requiring established IV's to be quite a lot more difficult.........for anything at all.  Start with the easier challenges and take small steps so he doesnt get spooked. You dont want to need a surgeon to establish an IV if he needs medical help for anything.

[loserlady2]

My husband was a avid needle user for 20 years banging cocaine or anything else he could get his hands on!He was just explaining how the Needle is an 'ADDICTION'' in itself,and i was like 'HOW'????When you are that deep into you really dont give a **** whether you live or die! I just asked him how he put the needle down and he said just from loosing his 'KIDS,HARLEYS HIS SELF EVERYTHING HE SAID 'IM DONE'! He said it depends on the person and the demon inside tells you too just do it and we can handle it this time you"ve just got to say ''NO''!!!!!He said its the hardest thing he has ever conqured and still is drug free8 years now.I asked him if he ever gets the urge and he said yeah,it gets better with time but it will always be there.He said to just put the 'RIG' down and change your habit,start eating them......then wean down........he is not just in it for the pain my husband said he likes the feeling of the 'IMMEDIATE RUSH'',AND ALSO THE THRILL OF PUTTING THE NEEDLE IN HIS ARM.YOU HAVE TO DO THIS SLOWLY''!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I HOPE YOU ALL THE BEST AND JUST BE CAREFUL.............YOU CAN DO THIS IF YOU TRULY WANT IT......ITS NOT GOING TO BE EASY BUT WE ARE ALL HERE FOR HIM,ALSO WE ARE ALL PRETTY KOOL PEOPLE TO GET TO KNOW!GOOD LUCK WE ARE HERE FOR YOU BOTH,

[slapperman]

the needle thing I know nothing about please follow the above suggestions they seem to be right on the money.

again GODBLESS and good luck you can do this. I am praying extra hard for you

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

Everybody here is on your side and will attempt to provide the best answers according to their own experiences. As in many things, the real answer probably lies in a multi directional approach. Baby steps. You dont want to get him totally uncomfortable and spook him. start slow and easy - work up to complete and total honesty. And advance through steps to sobriety......whether its slow taper, brutal (but fast and survivable cold turkey), or a short term course of sub or meth with a taper, or even sub maintainance for a while.  You just need to work on it at its own pace which can be quite different for everyone.   And best of luck again....cant wait to see him here.  If he even hates us, the computer does turn off.................

[mtgoat911]

set up an intervention, by using paid professionals or use an na or narcanon member, sit down with him and say "if you continue using, i will......" force him into tx,
as long as the addict has people taking care of them they will comtinue using, he needs inpatient tx, and i am not one of these peoples who tells every addict to go into tx
but i am living with a deadly disease from using oxies iv, i also know how difficult it is to walk away from the needle because i did it 2004, banging dope is an addiction within itself
i could suggest you read a book called "no more letting go" no time for that, if he has insurance you can take him to the er and they will place him in a hospital, if you do not have insurance do not go through mental health or er, instead call voc rehab and set up an appointment, then your vocational rehabilitation counselor at voc rehab will help find a suitable tx center
if your not motivated to do that, seek help at a narconon meetings, make him goto na and ask people after the meeting where he can find suitable tx in your area, you have plenty of options, with iv use there is a need to act immediatly
if you cannot find the phone number for vocrehab send me a private message i will get it for you

[anewwoman]

my 18 year old son was banging roxies too, he said putting the needle in his arm was as much of an addiction as the roxie. Suboxone really helped him.