Dealing with young children during detox.

[luciddreamrgrl]

I have 2 more days before I start my Vicodin Detox. My 7 year old son will be staying with my mom for the first two weeks. I don't want to subject him to my withdrawals because the last time it happened to me, I was not only very sick, I became very violent. I even put a hole in the bathroom door. I was angry and crying for the whole 2 weeks. It was awful. My son doesn't deserve to see me that way. Part of what made me decide to quit was realizing that when I run out of my meds early or can't take as much for the day, I find myself treating everyone around me like dirt. Him included.

Anyways, I told him that I would be very "sick" for about 2 weeks and he was going to stay with grandma and grandpa. He immediately became very upset. I didn't think it would be such a big deal since I have been hospitalized for my medical condition multiple times. I have also had 3 surgeries all requiring months of down time. This time was different. Maybe I was just more sensitive to his reaction this time because of the circumstances but it broke my heart. He was crying and said, "I hate it when your sick. I don't want to be away from you for 2 weeks". I told him that I would be sick and not able to get out of bed to play with him and take care of him. I told him that he would have more fun over at grandma's house. This seemed to make things a little better.

Does anyone else have any advise about dealing with young children during detox? Is there anything else I could say to put his mind at ease?  How honest should I be with a child his age? I wasn't sure if I should have said mommy wants to stop taking medicine or just tell him I am sick.

[dominosarah]

That's what grandmas are for!  I love being one!

[Joangy30]

Congrats on taking the first step!! Both of my children went to gma s house for a week while I go thru withdrawals. Like you, I didn't want them to see me sick! It's no fun being away from them but they really wouldn't understand. We are lucky to have a safe place for them to go. Good luck!

[LeaAnn807]

I also think you are doing the right thing.  I really want to give you props for making that decision.  I couldn't have taken care of my kids alone during my at home detox.  The other times I was in treatment, so it was hard then too, but I didn't have to worry about wigging out in front of them.  Lots of people don't have anyone to help with kids, so this is a great thing!  You can do this!!!!!!  Please keep us updated!

[dominosarah]

I think you are doing the right thing here.  No sense in taking that chance of treating him bad.  Going thru wd's is very emotionally draining.  I was lucky as i didnt have small children around.  Make sure to keep us updated on how you are doing.  We are open 24 hrs a day,365 days a year!  You can do this!!!       sara

[luciddreamrgrl]

Yes, I am doing outpatient rehab. I'm not quite sure how it's going to work. I have my first appointment on Wednesday. If they tell me to go inpatient I am willing to do that but for now I'm planning on doing this at home.

I told him that I would be ok. That I was going to be sick like I was in the hospital all those times before but that he would be able to come visit if I was feeling up to it and that I would call him every day. I just really really don't want to treat him badly.

thanks for the response :)

[dominosarah]

Many times kids associate sickness with death and it is very scary for them.  Make sure you call him daily while he is gone.  That will ease his mind also knowing that you are there and okay so to speak.  At his age it is really hard to tell him exactly what is going on.  Just reassure him that he will be coming back and you ARE going to be okay.  Are you going to be adding any recovery care to the mix here?