I want to help my son get off vicodin!

[snoozieQ255]

My 36 year old son is coming home tomorrow and he has asked me to help him through an at home detox off of vicodin.  I guess he occassionaly uses oxycoton but primarily used vicodin.  I think this is a 3-4 year addiction, escalating to the point of popping up to 20- .75m vicodin at a time.  That sounds unbelievable to me, but I am certain that is what he told me.  We plan to go "cold turkey" as he has lost his job, and we have no money and no insurance for him to see a doctor for help.  I have called our local hospital ER, and they said if he gets in a bad way, I can take him in there as they can't refuse anyone for un-ability to pay.  I have heard you could have a heart attack or stroke, and or seizures.  Can anyone help me with advice on what to do?  I have heard the first 4-5 days is the worst.  I plan to have gatoraide and lots of fresh water for dehydration and tons of prayers!  As the day gets closer, the more afraid I am for him, and me, as well.  I would appreciate any advice or help!!  Please...

[movienut]

I weaned off without any problems really, but as some have told me I wasnt addicted I was dependent. He has to have willpower and want to be normal again. Its his fight with the devil and his alone, support can only go so far. He can do it and is lucky to have you.

[snoozieQ255]

Oh trust me, suboxone or whatever the heck it is...is DEFINITELY not in our plan!  Someone just wrote me that as a suggestion.....I'm sure it has or must help some people, but I have seen postings that say..".Help I am addicted to suboxone!"  No...the closest thing to a drug that we used is clonidine and I understand it is basically a high blood pressure medication. I got all the suggestions on the Thomas recipe and something for nausea.  It seems to be helping, but I don't think clonodine is  addictive, at least I certainly hope not!  Our goal is to get off any of that kind of thing!!!!  Thanks for your help, and information.  It sure sounds like I could have a long road to travel before this is over.......My son has returned back home, and that is a worry...but he does have a loving wife (actually his girlfriend of 10 years he has lived with, but by now I think of her as his wife) who wants  him to be clean as much as I do, and he SAYS he is done....I guess only God knows for sure?  I am keeping in touch daily with him and her for his progress.  I have to admit he sounds good and positive and is actually making decisions that make much more sense than before.  I do know in my heart if he isn't doing it, it won't be long before I will know for sure.  I'm trying to be positive...

[windowsca]

Hi again, I understand seeking pain management ~ as a last resort ~ for cronic pain after an accident, but I've been watching your post since the beginning and don't recall that being the problem.  Also, at the beginning you wanted to get him off drugs, not replace them..If you look up Suboxone, on any drug info online site, before you ever get to the info, there will be several advertisements for "Detox for Suboxone"  I don't know what drug they use to detox from the detox drugs, but this is not a good sign.  Don't go there.  Don't let him stay in an "I need drugs for whatever" rational his brain is conjuring up at the moment - this is why it is sooo stressed to get aftertreatment - behavior modification.  Hang in there!

[LateAugust]

Here's my news flash....   Suboxone is NOT a miracle magic wand.   IF  it is used in conjunction with intensive in patient and out patient  treatment -  rehabilitation and on going after care,  it can allow you to focus on recovery.  However if you think all you have to do is take Suboxone and all is right in your world,  IMHO you are sadly mistaken and will pay the price at some point down the road.....   Please do not misunderstand,  I think when all other drug addiction  resources have been exhausted   and  you have done a lot of research   AND you have an intensive drug addiction treatment plan in place, Suboxone can assist some people in their journey to recover.....  it is one of many tools   that can help opiate addiction.    Unfortunately there is no easy way out of addiction........    and you should try all and any avenues available to you to stop the destruction.

PS  I am the mom of an addict,  been there, done that,  more times than I care to remember.....  if  I can help you in anyway  please let me know....  also you can read my bazillion posts of what I have experienced with my child.   My best wishes to you and your son.  I truly understand your heartache   and   to some degree his pain as well.

[davo919]

look into SUBOXONE or SUBUTEX use to have a oxycontin promblem myself for 5 years was in a bad car reck.  SUBOXONE is what i take its great you can carry on in your life with no pain or withdrawls just make sure you do not mix methadone.  if your son is addicted to opiods the suboxon works beatifully. it reallly save my life. no withdrawls or pain its almost like magic. the drug is not half or even close to methadone cause it really does not make you high in any way only if you are addicted to opiods should you take it though.  look it up on the internet and thers doctors everywhere the only promblem with it is they are starting to become exspensive but soon in the fall of this year they are making a generic so it should be cheaper. Good luck trust me i know what he is going threw its like having the flu multiplied by 10. but the SUBOXONE takes all of that AWay

[windowsca]

Hi!  Glad to see you're hanging in there!  I found the info you already have to be accurate at http://www.rxlist.com/catapres-tts-drug.htm  It is possible that it's phsycological.  Mind over matter proves effective in all kinds of clinical trials over and over again.  One more reason, I'm such a proponent of holistic treatments.   Hope this helps and good luck!