Does medical detox work?

[teebee1]

I have been taking up to 8 7.5 Lortabs almost everyday for about 10 years. I have had numerous broken bones and surgeries through out the years and have always had pain pill to get me through. I never got addicted to them, until my arm reconstructon surgeries. There were three alogether. After one would almost heal up, there would be another one. I figured it would be like before, I take the pain medicine until the pain was gone, then throw the rest out. Only this time the pain did not go away, only got worsse, because I use my arm a lot. I'm right handed and that's the arm that's messed up. My doc said I would probably have to take them the rest of mjy life.
Anyhow, I decided not long ago, I've had enough. I tried to taper, but wasn't too successful. So I decided to check into detox, which is where I am right now, since yesterday. So far, the only symptons I've had is some anxiety and naseau. I 'm kind of worried, though. Yesterday, they gave me 20 mgs. of methadone, and 20 again this morning. I told my doctor that I don't want anymore, as I;ve heard really bad things about it, so he put me on Librium instead.
Does anyone know if you can withdraw from just that much methadone? I go home in two days, and am worried that I'll go into withdraws all over again once I leave here. Thanks for any advice you can give me.

[hollydolly4485]

Suboxone is soooo much better than methadone. Suboxone blocks your opiate recepters and also most importantly completly stops withdrawls while you saftly detox. I was addicted to oxy's and percocet and went through de-tox and went to suboxone. Detox will work if you want it to. I know it's sooo scary but it'll be worth it once you're threre.

[teebee1]

Even Suboxine scares me. so far, detox has been really good for me. I just hope the withdrawals are almst over by the time I get out. I know 4 days is not long to be in detox, but I've had hardly any  signs of withdrawal since I've been in. I've felt pretty good actually. I just have the feeling the boom is going to be lowered on me the minute I walk out! Guess if that's the case, I'm just going to have to be strong and suck it up.
I'll let you know how it is once I get out.
thanks for you support. really need it right now.
Let me know if you ever need anything. I'll be here.

[Jebs317]

Hi,
  My first detox was in a hospital.  I also didn't want to take sub or anything else that I could get addicted to.  They gave me catapres.............it helped a lot.  I think it is a blood pressure medicine?? not really sure, but I know it helped a lot.  I had a great experience while in detox and met some wonderful people.  It was the first time I realized that there were other people going through exactly what I was going through.  I learned a lot too.  They required us to go to 4 NA meetings a day.....some had speakers and others were group therapy experiences.  It helped a lot.
I relapsed after 30 days.......I only went to a few meetings when I was at home.
Now I have detoxed at home (18 days) and I think aftercare is what I am missing.  
Good luck to you..........I am glad you are there and getting help!
Kristen

[teebee1]

I was scared before I wnt to detos too, but it was the best decision for me. I'm glad I did. It has been relavtiveley painless. I haven't really met anybody here, as there doesn't seem to be many people here on this floor. I actually have a private room o\at the end of the floor, and as I walk around, I see that most rooms are empty. I'm in a little known detox that's in a private hospital. What scares me now is leaving. I don't know what knind of withdrawals I'm still going to suffer, and I have to deal with my family when I get home. I'm almost contemplating getting a hotel room for the next couple days just to see how I will be handling it. that will make a total of 6 days clean. any idea howl long the withdrawals will last. As of now I fell as if I'm not in withdrawals at all. but I know that will change after I'm off all the meds they've been giving me to curb them.
jow dod you feel when you got out?

[LeaAnn807]

I applaud you for going into detox!  That is great, and it's something that alot of people are unwilling or unable to do.

To ease your mind a little......When I did inpatient detox, the doc never let anyone leave until the WD symptoms had subsided.  They should keep you until your vitals are stable and until you are over the worst of the WD.  That said, the emotional stuff will still be there when you go home.  There's no way around that.  Going to meetings will help a lot.  Keeping in touch with your doctor will also help.

My point is that you should let your doc know if you aren't feeling well enough to go home when he gets ready to send you.  That could be a BIG mistake!  I also do not think that the 2 Methadone pills you were given will cause any WD for you.  You should be fine as far as that goes!  

Good luck to you!

TH

[Jebs317]

I can totally remember that feeling of fear when I left detox.  My experience was that the medicine they gave me in detox helped with the withdrawals so much....that when I got home, I felt worse than I did when I was in there.  I don't know why.....but I didn't want to take any scripts home with me......and they had offered them.  I just wanted to try it on my own.  Don't get me wrong.........it felt great to get home, but I just didn't have a lot of energy.  This time, detoxing at home, I suffered bad the first few days.........but now I feel great.  Still fighting the lack of energy, but that's pretty normal.
Find out if they are going to send you home with anything that will help with withdrawals.  They may have you come in each day to get enough for 24 hours??  I have heard of that too.
If your family isn't being supportive....that will make it hard.  I definitely like the idea of a hotel room...........a place to stay where you feel comfortable, but not all the way home yet.
Do you have one friend or family member that will stay with you and be suppportive?  That would be a huge help.  
My advice while you are there is to learn as much as you can.  Ask for recovery workbooks, information about addiction..........anything that you can read will help  you learn more and also keep busy.
One thing I found out is that the Addiction nurses and doctors that I met were awesome and incredibly willing to help!  Talk to them and/or counselors if they are available at the hospital.
Good luck and you are right where you should be!  I am proud of you!!!!
Kristen