Need help detoxing off Percocet

[Im_stuck]

My husband has been taking some form of narcotics for the last 3 years. He had a lot of medical problems. So began the journey with oxy, hydrocodone and Percocet. I believe he is addicted. How can he detox off this at home?

[Julia M Aharonov, DO]

I am so glad that your husband is ready to quit opiates, but the road ahead is not easy. Most find withdrawals too much to handle and go back to using.
In case you are curious, it takes us about three to four days to get a patient off of any opiate, and feeling well.  The only viable way to do it yourself is to taper the pills down in a consistent manner by spreading the time between each dose by an hour every day, until it is only once at night, than cutting the dose in half.
See if your husband's doctor can write him a prescription for some Requip for restlessness, Neurontin for anxiety and malaise, some Flexeril or Soma for a few weeks for muscle spasms and maybe some Seroquel low dose, for sleep and Klonopin which will be helpful for sleeplessness and anxiety. It will make his withdrawals easier as he tapers off.  Valerian and Magnesium is sometimes helpful remedies over the counter.
The residual symptoms of insomnia and depression can last another few months. Thus, it is not easy, but it gets better and better over time and you can look forward to a drug free healthy energetic you in the future. When you take opiates for a long time like your husband has, the body's physiology has been altered. The central nervous system has created a multitude of opioid receptors that all are screaming for endorphins (opiates) to fill them, but the body has now forgotten how to make them by itself.  It will take time - two to four weeks at least, for the receptors to downregulate (for the brain begin to heal) and to start making its own endorphins. Brain heals pretty slowly, so it may take him as long as a couple of months to get rid of feelings of sluggishness, restlessness and depression. The best thing you can do is make sure that he takes good care of himself, eats healthy food, stays hydrated, keeps active and busy. Staying away from sugar, soda, and simple carbs is also important. It is not good not consume caffeine at least 6 hours prior to bedtime.
Take a look at my blogs about options for detox and recovery. You may also take a look at my clinic website where I also have my blogs and a lot of other info about drug addiction and recovery. Look especially into the blog and the info on Naltrexone therapy after getting clean. It really improves the chances of staying clean for good by cutting down physical cravings. Look into my clinic website as well. All this can be done by clicking on my name in blue.

[Pantx]

Hi, It is totally possible to detox at home. It will not be fun but there are medications and such to help with this.  I cannot provide the exact medical advice but I had to detox following a lengthy period of medical conditions. I also want to make sure I clarify something.  Addiction is where someone abuses a substance and Dependence is where the body becomes dependent on a substance as in the user develops a need for the drug due to long term use (versus abuse) with that said treating addiction is not exactly the same as treating dependence so its important to know which he is dealing with.  It is also important to know if he is wanting or ready to stop using.  It may be a good idea to have an open conversation between you, your spouse and his PM doctor or PCP to determine if there is still a medical need for the drugs (i.e. continuing medical issues) or if he has simply developed a tolerance where detox while result in only a short term discomfort level.  Sometimes patients with chronic pain expected to need long term opiods go on "medication vacations"  For instance, I only use opoids if my pain levels reach a certain degree and I never use for more than a week. What I will do is rotate to another medication that is non-narcotic. A really good pain management doctor is valuable for this.  Have his PCP evaluate him to make sure he is medically able to detox at home or whether or not he needs a medical detox based on drug intake levels and current health conditions.
If he detox's at home you need to check his vitals 3 x a day for the first week (Blood pressure) Blood pressures will usually spike at onset of detox.  usually doctors will prescribe PRN medications to administer if blood pressure gets too high. They will also provide medications most of the time to keep him comfortable and an anti-siezure medication if he is at risk for siezures or DT's.  I do not recommend a sudden cold turkey detox without discussing with his doctor.  Note, I am not a licensed health care professional.