My 62 Year Old Parents and Methadone

[RoleReversal]

Hello all.  I am terrified right now of what may become of my loving parents.  They have been addicts my whole life, but in the past few years it has escaladed primarily to oxycontin. I just found out that about 2 months ago they decided to pull the oxys and do so by taking methadone.    All of which was on their own and NOT administered by a physician or clinic.  It seems dad had them down to 20mg a day and low and behold his "connection" ended and now both of them are going cold turkey.  Besides the insane amount of money they would spent on the drugs....you would never know they were addicts.  I alway knew, but they would never listen to me when I told them that eventually this will catch up to them.  Truth be said I feared every morning that I would get a call saying one of them is not breathing.  The good news...it is day 8 and they are hanging in there.  The bad news..my mother is really taking the brunt of this.  One minute she is ok, the next she is almost violent.  She is tormenting my father and he is taking it pretty well.  They have been married 42 years and the best of friends. They have been taking Xanax to ease the jitters and assist with sleep, but I am afraid when the Xanax runs out, what next.  I am their biggest supporter and finally convinced my mother to see a doctor on Tuesday.  I have begged her to be honest with him, but I am doubtful.  If indeed he will prescribe her something I am afraid she will abuse that as well.  Dad is doing damn good.  Eating, sleeping, and determined to kick this one too.  My question....will the xanax hurt them while they continue this quest for freedom?  I am so fearful because of their age (both 62) that their cold turkey/xanax method might hurt them more than help.  I really appreciate any feedback and wish each of the very best.  I told my parents how lucky in an odd way that they have each other to help get throught this because I could not imagine anyone being alone during such a horrific event.  I have also started pumping them up with vitamins, fluids, milk thistle and a daughters love so I suppose we will see.

Thank you.

RR

[sway1]

not good. mom has pockets, right? someone really should go in there with her. that's what i have to do lest the demon take over, and it will, at least in my case. ironically, the same dr i had help me get off opiates, gave them right back to me. granted, i was in need of them for pain, but geez! he never batted an eye. what a fickle world we are living in. the thistle and vitamins are a good start. let me know if you need....whatever you need. peace sway

[RoleReversal]

Hi SophieShine.  Thanks for the comment and yes, I know the Xanax is addictive I take it for my anxiety when needed.  As for mom--she is allowing us to go, but not in the room.  It has been years since she has seen any doctor for even a cold so I don't want to push her too hard, but if indeed she comes out with some bull**** I will be walking back in.  Thank you for responding.  They are on day 9 and things are looking preety good.  

RR

[SophieShine]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
You are in good hands with sway! I just wanted to warn you that xanax is VERY addictive and can not be stopped CT. I don't really know if they're taking it to help the wd's or if they're taking it on a regular basis?
Something else, if you don't trust your mom, can't you have s/o going to the doctor with her? or can't you call the dr to warn him/her?, just an idea...
Best of luck to you. xoxoxo. sophie.

[RoleReversal]

Hi sway1--ironically I got that recipe today and the most they would take from me is the multivitamin and the thistle, but I am working on it. They have never been ones for incorporating anything healthy.  I would love to hook them both up to an amino IV if I could...Thanks so much for responding.  I have been told 20mg is too much to come off cold turkey and I think I am most concerned about their hearts or seizures, stroke all of the above.  So far so good I suppose.  Thanks again.

RR

[sway1]

no red meat(trust me on that one)water, green tea, raw fruits 7 veggies, multivitamin in gelcap form plus mineral supplement, fish/flax seed oil, omega oils, SAM-e; 500 mg twice a day, l-glutamine500 mg 2 or 3 times a day, valerian, melatonin(only works in the dark), 1200-1500 mg milk thistle per day,split doses. i am not quite that old, but i understand the toll it takes as we age. you are on the right track for sure. this is stuff i researched and tried myself. as for drugs, i would try clonidine.1-.2mg a day, vistaril, 100 mg 3 times a day, maybe have some phenergan on hand for nausea, like 25 mg 3 times a day, and our all time must have, immodium(not kaopectate. sugary snacks not good for the first 3 weeks. but please do your own research. i am getting close to 50 y/o and this was good for me at least for the first 3 weeks, then you change up a few things. best of luck whatever you decide. i hope they succeed. peace, sway