Hydrocodone Abuse and Withdrawal

I just found out the truth regarding the amount of hydrocodone a friend has been abusing and any feedback is welcome, needed and very much appreciated. I have had some experience with this myself but not the same.
My friend has actually been abusing the hydrocodone for about two weeks, quickly getting worse. It started with ten 5/500's a day. It quickly increased over the first ten days but has drastically gone up over only the last three days when he got his hands on 10/325's. He has taken twenty five of them yesterday and twenty five the day before and about thirty today. So over all it has been fourteen days with a very rapid increase. From ten to twenty of the 5/500's in the first week. The second week has been from twenty of the 5/500's all week to 25/30 of the 10/325's over the last two days and today. Can I cold turkey him or will he get really sick? Again, I have had experience with very long term abuse myself then cold turkey hell with a little help of suboxene. I also abused myself for a short time, 10 days or so,  at about ten or fifteen 5/500's a day. I had almost no w/d's after the ten days but major hell the first time of the prolonged abuse. Anyone have an idea what I can expect with my friend and the best course of action?

[ready2help]

You don't say what you friend wants to do - this would be a central consideration to anyone making suggestions.

[needguidance49]

He wants to stop completely. That is why he just came clean with me and actually gave me the rest of the pills. He came to me. I left him alone about it. I promised to stay with him until he's through it and I will. He has addiction problems in the past, including long term hydrocodone but never this amount for so short a time. We are mainly curious how bad the w/d's will be so we know how functional he will be and if his symptoms will be noticeable to anyone. Work considerations etc...    

[needguidance49]

Is there anyone out there that would have an idea about my question? Any suggestions/experience would help tremendously. Thanks...

[enemy48]

That's a lot to c/t.  I did it from 20+, but couldn't taper myself and had no one to help me.

If he gave you the pills, count them, and spread them out, so that maybe he can c/t from a much lesser dose.

Educate him on what to expect.

Put him on this forum.  If he wants to stop, he'll talk to us.

That was a rather rapid increase in such a short time.  I know I took a lot, but over time.  Isn't he scared?

[JDRMinSD]

It is a lot to c/t from at once but he's also only been on them for a couple of weeks, which MIGHT make it better (I don't know, I'm guessing so plesae don't quote me).  At any rate, if he wants to stop them stop.  If you need a couple of days to taper then help him do that then stop.  No matter what, the first couple of days will suck but the sooner he starts the sooner he'll be through the worst.  

He's lucky to have you as a friend.  Stay strong for him, it's really hard at first!

Good luck.  I'd HIGHLY suggest that both of you post on here.  There's great people with lots of empathy, understanding and advice which will help a lot

[needguidance49]

Thanks for the feedback guys. He's taken a couple of days off work so we do have a few days to see how bad it gets. This is day one, about 24 hours, and he just has an upset stomach and headache but not too bad. He is getting depressed about his breakup. I think that was going to happen regardless. Like I said earlier, I am an addict and had two completely different experiences this hydrocodone so I'm not sure what to say. They do say that if you are an addict it's harder but the two weeks durations is on his side. I actually called a rehab hospital that confirmed that but the amount and the rapid increase will make it worse but again, the fact that it was only two weeks..it shouldn't be hellish. I want him to go on a forum which he has, but it's in Germany. He speaks English but it's not good at all and he can barely write it. He's working here for a German company for a couple of years and only got here a couple of montys ago. Thanks again!!!

[needguidance49]

I forgot to answer, yes he is scared having had w/d's from other substances. He's scared half out of his mind. I can read and speak German and he is talking with a couple of people on a site in Frankfurt. They're giving him good support. I just read their latest post and also said it might not be that bad because it was only two weeks and said exactly what you guys said about possible having to taper. They said don't offer any until it seems he's really bad. Only taper is it's totally necessary as it might not be.

[JDRMinSD]

I'd say once he's stopped then you don't give him any period.  If it's 24 hours then he's on his way and let him get through it.  Giving him one now will only set him back.  He'll get Restless legs (banans and hot soaks help a TON), diarrhea, insomnia, etc.  But if you stay strong for him, that will help him a ton.  It seems that from my own experience and others on here, the first 3-4 days are the worst, then it starts to get a little better each day.  A few days off work is good but after those few days, get him up, moving/exercising, etc and he'll feel better.

Maybe the being sad about the breakup will be helpful.  If he's like me he might have been supressing those emotions with the pills and as they start to come out, he'll start to deal with them and feel better.

He should be afraid to post on here, we all speak perfect English and still make all kinds of mistakes...it's a forgiving and welcoming group!  

[needguidance49]

Hey,
Thanks for your comforting words. He really can't write English at all and I think he has a hard time in German. :) He's actually gotten a little worse, sweats here and there but still not too bad. I knew about exercise, bananas, hot showers, etc. from when I went through it really bad. I also have the right amino acids and vitamin B I've already been pumping into him as well as tons of water. He slept fine last night but I have a feeling tonight may be a different story. I only allowed him one cup of coffee early and that was it. The rehab said over the counter sleeping pills for a few nights would not be bad but no valium or any type of stronger drug. Do you agree with that...that over the counter would be OK?
I think going through the pain of the break up and dealing with it will be good. Every time I became addicted it was behind a break up with a woman so I know where he's at. The pain can be so intense you just want to do anything to make it go away. We've been talking it through and he has been on the German blog as well. Thanks again for your support. I hope and pray he sleeps OK. That was something I really struggled with for some time and actually do when drugs are not involved. It *****...    

[JDRMinSD]

I have to say again, he's really lucky to have you there, someone who can really understand what he's going through and help him.  I think the OTC sleeping pills (most of which just have generic Benadryl in them) should be fine...

You're a good friend and I know that's going to huge for him going forward

[needguidance49]

Thanks for the compliments on being a good friend. I'm always obligated and want to help someone in the position having been there myself. It wouldn't matter who it was, even my worst enemy. I couldn't turn my back on anyone in need of help with that. He's doing pretty good till now anyway. Minimal w/d so far. The last time I experienced it it wasn't till the third day till it really hit me. I don't want to scare him but I did let him know there may be a couple of little valleys ahead.
Thanks again for your support and guidance. I really, really appreciate the help.