how long before withdrawals happen

[studiogirl]

I have an old friend who just admitted to me that she was prescribed pain killers for a skiing injury.  She had kept it secret becausea year ago she suffered from a crystal meth addiction so she knows its not advisable to be taking narcotics.  its only been two days that she has been taking the pills (I think vicoprofun) but she is definitely taking more than prescribed.  Before this she had been sober over a year.  
My question what is your opinion on how long she can abuse this before she starts to experience withdrawals when she stops? I told her if she stops now or by tomorrow she should be okay but not to keep taking them over a week time.
it would obviously be best if she just stopped but I can tell thats not going to happen so i want to give her realistic info on when this will become a problem that might include withdrawals.  I am hoping this will help.  It doesnt help for me to start preaching to her becuase she just thinks I am acting superior to her due to my addiction problems.  
thanks for answering

[studiogirl]

thank you both for your words, i know I keep saying that but they really do make me feel so much better
It does make sense and I will have to just wait and see.
Today I watched someone almost die in the hotel I work at.  They had no pulse for a few minutes and had to get shocked 3 times and then they came back.  The person seemed young, maybe early 40s.  I dont know if it was drug related or not but it hit me very hard. It was all very graphic. It just sort of reminded me that I really need to take care of myself right now.

[seeksolice]

Sounds like my story, i was addicted to meth and came off it about 3 years ago give or take before I took up the opiates.

For me, when I began the opiates a while back, it actually caused me to relapse on meth. The relapse was short lived and I went back to opiate use which is where I am today. I totally agree with worried's statement above about meth and opiate use and their similarities.. Meth is not physically addictive though, and opiates are- so a meth addict getting onto opiates is going to have this false sense of security regarding the physical part of it, thinking they can just quit whenever, just like meth. But it is not so.

Sounds like shes probably in trouble considering her problems with meth. Meth literally chokes your brain of its "happy" receptors because when you're high all you feel is happy and euphoria, it basically rapes your natural hormones... thats why the come down on meth is so depressing and crappy because those hormones are all used up and they havent had time to replenish. Recovered Meth users experience either anxiety or depression because of the reduction of dopamine and seratonin- it is for this reason that I believe recovered meth addicts are extremely vulnerable to opiate dependence, because opiates give you that false dopamine and seratonin kick as well- along with euphoria. I hope that made sense??

For the recreational opiate user, you can successfully use and not have the same meth come down- so its really easy to continue using, not being aware of the physical dependence risk.... then boom, your addicted.

all you can do is prep her for the hard times ahead, and wait and see. I really hope she recognizes her risk for dependence though. Its very high

[road2recovery]

You have to move on if u ever feel like it will mess with your own sobriety....you are a good friend, but she knows what she is doing ..When she clamped up about it, then you know that is denial......
Don't mess up what you already have to save her....You have come to far..I still deal with those things once in a while, and make sure i am at arms distances...
U tried!!  makes you a great person.
r2r

[studiogirl]

Her brief period was two days.  She has completely clamped up about it so the discussion is over for now.  I am a little worried about my own sobriety if i try to help too much because she doesnt want to admit the potential problem.
thank you everyone for caring

[worried878]

crystal meth and opiate addictions are extremely similar...as is cocaine....there is a difference and u would need to study neurotransmitters to understand the difference but they both affect dopamine receptors to the "nth degree",,,if u study the pathways then u understand why meth and cocaine are not as physically addicting as narcotics but i wont go there..still/even most narcotic addicts will tell u it was the mental component that made them relapse,,,both drugs hit the same receptors but in a different avenue.....prior addictions/even alcohol/make u prone to become addicted to narcotics in lightning speed!...may take a non-user of any substance years and an x cocaine abuser or an alcoholic only weeks/or less to become an addict...because the drug/substance feeds their nuerotransmitter definciency

[dominosarah]

Oh my that was my DOC.  They are sneaky little pills and will rob you of everything.  Try and get her on this site.  Keep talking to her.  I am here if you need anything.    sara

[road2recovery]

The good thing is she is talking about it....AT least she told you how many she took , etc..That might mean something..At least i hope so...If she took 6 at one time , we both know that is a problem, but she said "brief period"...What time frame is that?  Was it 6 to get to sleep, plus some during the day?
Since she is being honest with you, I would keep talking to her...
I know someone that was addicted to crystal meth, she went to jail, and got clean...She was in a car wreck and got on oxy's...She said it was harder to get off of that then it was meth...I don't know, but I think she is headed straight into traded addiction....
Hopefully you can get her to come here and see the pain and struggles, and also the success stories..
you are a good friend!!
r2r

[GoingToMakeIt]

That would be excellent advice. As you know, this site helps so much. As far as how long to become dependent, if she is popping 6 at a time, it may be too late. She already sounds hooked again. The longer she takes them, the harder the withdrawals. Wish her luck.

[studiogirl]

thank you all for your response.  She is in real pain i think.  Her leg was injured while she was on vacation in Europe. I dont live near her so I cant tell how bad it is.  I know I cant make her stop or anything but she asked me how long it takes for her body to become physically dependent and I wanted to give her the right answer.
She is definitely taking more than prescribed.  Before I knew i told her that I looked up to her becuase she got over the meth addiction awhile ago and never looked back.  Then, she said"shows what you know, the past two nights I took 6 vicoprofen in a brief period". She says its helps her to sleep through the pain. I am definitely going to tell her about this sight and we will see if she uses it.

[GoingToMakeIt]

The sooner she stops the better it will be for her.

[road2recovery]

I understand about the preaching part...lol.  Is she is real pain??  IMO if she is in real pain and takes as directed, she should not have any trouble..But knowing she has addicting qualities, then u know what will happen if she doesn't stop...and i am sure she does...What a good friend studiogirl   you are, but you know she has to do this herself..

If she is in real pain, then if i were her friend, i would direct her to this forum, and i am sure crystal meth and opiate addiction are not the same?? But i never did that so i don't know...She really needs to know how opiates have no gender, etc....
wishing u and her luck
r2r

[jerrip]

If you have had addiction problems then you know no one but her can make up her mind to stop.  I know it is hard to sit by and watch...but until she asks for help she won't take it.  If it were me I am so stubborn I would probably take a few extra just because I can...Know what I mean???  Jerri