I am concerned about my niece who is 16.

[Path61]

I have a niece who is now 16. She has been taking Oxycodon for a little over a year now as a script for pain that apparently Kaiser won't be able to do anything about until she is 18. I'm not sure what the dosage is, but she is taking 8-12 pills a day and even wakes up in the middle of the night to take them. She had to go without for three days while waiting to be able to get a refill not long ago and complained that she was in constant pain, achy all over, nauseaus, shaky and couldn't sleep. Can someone please put my mind to rest that those aren't classic signs of withdrawls? Her father is self involved, not fond of women in general (and so not inclined to listen to any of his sisters) and apparently he is drinking again. He is also of the opinion that if someone is bothering him, give them drugs until they shut up. Sounds harsh, but it is true. He not only refuses to see that anything might be wrong with his daughter, but actually has tried to get the doctors to increase her script. What can we do??? They live one state away, so it's not like we can monitor either of them and unfortunately there is no one else in the house.

[dominosarah]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but yes that is the classic symptons of W/D.  I am sorry she has to go thru that with her father.  Sounds like he has his own set of problems.  Is there anyway she could come and stay with you for awhile and you could talk to her about what is going on??  Im sorry i dont have any answers for you.  Just know there are alot of people on this forum that care and more will be on tomorrow to offer some advice.  You sound like a very caring aunt.  Please keep us posted.     sara

[hydro1205]

If she is taking 8-12 pills a day and has been taking them for over a year she is addicted.  It can take just days for some people to become addicted and if she is taking that many, in my opinion, there is no doubt.  Those are typical symptoms of withdrawal you listed, sorry to say.  I do not know of any advice to give you other than the above poster about waiting for others in the morning.  I am going through a rough time right now from pill withdrawals and it is hell so it is hard to think.  I hate to hear that at 16 the pain is so bad to require such high doses of narcotics. Have you tried expressing your concern to her father?  It sounds like that might be difficult.

[Path61]

Having grown up in the 60's & 70's (respectively) most of us had an idea, I was just kinda hoping we might be wrong. My sister was the one that figured it out first after listening to our niece whine about it at a recent family reunion. Her and her other half both took her aside and told her that she was addicted and the symptoms she'd had weren't from her condition, but from an addiction. At 16 with a father that basically promotes drug use I don't think it's a stretch to guess she's already forgotten that conversation. Her father isn't about to let her come visit any of us for any length of time. She's the only one of a half dozen or so kids he's fathered during his half dozen marriages that he still has custody of and he's not about to let her "be influenced" against him by "women who are always trying to put the emotions off on him" (his words). Yes, he has issues. But she shouldn't have to pay the price for his self-absorbtion. Sorry to vent, I/we just feel so useless and helpless. She is an intelligent, pretty girl that is supposed to be protected from things like this by her parent, not pushed further into it.

[dominosarah]

This is a really tough situation for all of you and you are right as the one who is getting hurt the worst is your niece.  I do know there are child service agencies out there and that could be an option.  Sounds like you all may be a threat to her father as you have all caught on to the situation.  I really hope you find some answers.  This is really tragic.  Wish i could be more help.               sara

[Path61]

Thanks Sarah! I know this isn't the personal hell most of the folks in here are going through, but it's still good to know folks care. Hopefully someone in the morning (someone who isn't staying up til all hours worrying) can come up with some fresh ideas. We hate the thought of going to Child Services and such (she probably wouldn't speak to any of us for God knows how long), but if it saves her even a little of what some of these other folks are going through... Gonna try to get some sleep now. Thanks everyone! I really didn't expect responses so quick and supportive.

[dominosarah]

Addiction affects the whole family and we have members on here that arent addicts themselves but someone in their family is.  I would risk having her mad at you for awhile instead of waiting until she is my age 47 and going where has my life gone.  I will check this in the morning.  Sleep well.                sara

[Path61]

Any fresh advice or ideas on how to approach either a 16 yr old or her willingly blind to it all father about an additiction before her addiction truly begins ruining her life before it has had a chance to really begin?     molly

[dominosarah]

Hi  i didnt forget about you just havent been home most of the day.  I am sending a couple pm's to some people that may have an answer or be able to help you.  Sorry i took so long to get back to you.             sara

[Path61]

No problem! the problem isn't going to disappear and until we figure out what to do, life goes on. people gotta work, etc. I'll just keep checking back and doing what research I can make time for.  -Molly

[broknbck]

Oxycotin is such a strong script to be taking at home on your own. especially someone so young. there are so many teenagers over dosing and dying on them lately. the problem with oxys are they take so long to start working and then they only last maybe
2 1/2 to 3 hrs. it is very easy to forget that you took one because they take so long to start working. like 30- 45 minutes. i only took them for a month but had trouble sleeping also. and would have to take them in the middle of the nite.

Find out the doctors name and ask to talk with him and explain the situation and your concerns. maybe she could be given something else? is she never going to get better? what is wrong with her? how can a doctor not think someone will be addicted after 1 year? unless she does not tell him how often she is taking them. like every day and during the nite.

[detoxnow]

Hi,
just read your post. Sorry to hear about your niece and so young to b addicted. Oxycontin is no joke and she should really try to get help soon.  I pray for her to see that this  addiction  will not be good 4 her if she does not rcv help.  Have you ever thought about trying a rapid detox program? Can cost$ but heard really works!    take care and hope everything works out for your niece!        DN

[ochooked]

I checked into the rapid detox and found the prices vary from 9K to 18K to go through it.  They put you to sleep and then give you  meds to clear the neurons in your brain of the opiates.  You feel weak for a few days but apparently aviod the worst part of W/D's.  The other option is much cheaper but can be more dangerous if the addict is not totally committed to quitting - -that is Suboxone ---  It helps the addict to avoid the hardest part of the W/D process but can become another drug that is even harder to quit than the opiate you are seeking to get free of.   I have found that if you use Suboxone, you can only stay on it for 21 days while you taper off of it.  Anything longer and you become hooked on it.   I am personally just toughing it out by using the taper method and getting help from people on this site.  It is not so pleasant but very doable and I avoid the really hard crashes like are associated with C.T.   I am on a 14 day taper and my quit date is Aug 3rd.  Very important to commit to a quit date and then just suck it up.  Also very important to get rid of all extra drugs that are in the house --- otherwise they will call to you from where they are :) and the temptation to "take just one" is more than most addicts can resist.   Anyway, just my two cents in here -  - -good luck to you.   Ochooked