I want to help my son get off vicodin!

[snoozieQ255]

My 36 year old son is coming home tomorrow and he has asked me to help him through an at home detox off of vicodin.  I guess he occassionaly uses oxycoton but primarily used vicodin.  I think this is a 3-4 year addiction, escalating to the point of popping up to 20- .75m vicodin at a time.  That sounds unbelievable to me, but I am certain that is what he told me.  We plan to go "cold turkey" as he has lost his job, and we have no money and no insurance for him to see a doctor for help.  I have called our local hospital ER, and they said if he gets in a bad way, I can take him in there as they can't refuse anyone for un-ability to pay.  I have heard you could have a heart attack or stroke, and or seizures.  Can anyone help me with advice on what to do?  I have heard the first 4-5 days is the worst.  I plan to have gatoraide and lots of fresh water for dehydration and tons of prayers!  As the day gets closer, the more afraid I am for him, and me, as well.  I would appreciate any advice or help!!  Please...

[snoozieQ255]

Thank you and BETTER DAYS 01!  You two are AWESOME to write and tell me of your advice, it is soooooo reasurring to know there are others who have done this at home, as I have been so frightened.  When he called to tell me I was dissapointed and sad for him, and yes, angry too....but I love him with all my heart, and then when he called again and asked me to help him here at my house (he lives in Idaho, I live in Washington) I then knew he is REAL about getting off it.  If not, he would have stayed there and continued..how would I ever know?  My husband leaves tonight to drive over there and they will return tomorrow early afternnoon, I am reading all I can in the meantime so that I can help as much as I possibly can.
I wish the BEST for both of you, and as a Mom would say, "I'm so proud of you both!"

[flmagi]

During the first 5 days of withdrawals, you may not know how to deal with him, it will be hard. He will be on an emotional roller-coaster. Don't get upset if he gets a little nasty....he doesn't mean it, it's the drugs talking. After the withdrawals there can still be some emotional stuff, depression etc. If it lasts to long (over a month) or gets to severe, have him go to a doctor for some anti-depressants.
Also don't expect him to "be all better" after the withdrawals. There will be good days and bad days, this can go on for a month. There will be the serious mental battle to fight for a long while.
I highly recommend you get him on this forum for support and any questions he may have. There's nothing like other addicts to truly understand what he will be going thru. But this forum would be great for any family members who want to understand addiction so they can help him along the way.
Good luck to you both.

[snoozieQ255]

Thanks so very much for taking the time to write, I am just floored at all the wonderful responses...this has been so helpful to me.  I am definitely going to try and find the detox tea and some of your other suggestions.  I will have my little home detox center ready when he gets here tomorrow.  I am trying to be prepared for the pain and depression that follows, but still I know it will be very hard for me to see him that way...but anything that will get him off this stuff will be worth it in the end.  Thanks again, and congratulations to all of you who have made it..you must and should feel so proud of yourselves!

[snoozieQ255]

That really is good information, because yes, I probably would have thought, "oh, after the first 5 days, you should be all better now."  Good to be prepared for all that he has ahead to face and I am sure the depression is going to be a huge part of it.  He does have a lot of family here for support too, so I think it will all go good in the end.  I can't imagine someone trying to do this with no family support!!    Thanks

[Mandapanda17]

Hi!!
I'm not sure if anyone mentioned this, but please read through the health pages on this forum, over in the right hand lower corner of the page, there is TONS of info about herbs and things that help with withdrawal at home! Your son is so lucky to have a mother like you! My mother helped me in a similar way recently, I started my treatment today and she was the one who paid for me to go :) Your son will definitely need your help & support for months & years to come probably. This type of addiction doesn't just go away in a week or two, the mental part can last a vary long time with some people~read in the health pages also about PAWS. And you are SO right, keep praying it really does help. My husband and I prayed a lot today together and I know its helping me. Best wishes to you and your son! ((oh, tell him to get on here for support if he wants to! Its a great place!))♥

[snoozieQ255]

Thanks so much for the information about the health pages, I am new to all of this, and haven't navigated much around the web-site, but what all you good people have told me so far, has been so wonderful!
I'm glad you pray for yourself, my daughter (gee, does this sound familiar) had a long, long, addiction to meth and tried everything!!!  She finally wanted her life back so bad, she got so low feeling, she tried all the rest and finally started getting on her knees and praying, and I'm telling you...that was what worked for her.  She said from the day forward she had the strength and will power to leave it behind and go forward with her life. I'm not meaning to say she didn't have alot of really rough days, because she did, but before that she would give up and give in, this time she had the strength to say NO to the devil inside her!  She and her husband and their daughter are buying their first home and her life has turned around 100% in the past 3 years since she has been "clean"   I guess this is my second experience with addiction....this is a little different, but addiction is addiction, they all have the very same negative outcome on ones life.  I know my son will make it, just like my daughter did.