My Son is addicted to Vicodin and wants my help...

[Need2Know80]

My son has decided to be honest with me - and told me he is addicted to Vicodin and needs my help to get off that drug. He has been taking it for almost a year - he told me...he thinks if I come to the city where he lives and stay with him for one week to help him go through any and all withdrawals that he can kick this addiction.  IS it dangerous for us to attempt to do this without medical attention or not...especially if he has not been taking HIGH dosages of this drug? Please tell me what all is involved in the "withdrawal process" (for most people) I'm sure it varies for each individual. Any advice will be appreciated. I have never done drugs and am doing research on the internet so I can get to him tomorrow....thanks again.

[cathy5841]

glad to be able to help you.  please in the future if you need anything just send me a pm.  i so understand about a child being addicted..and have plenty od addict experience with my own addictions...many prayers for you both.

[Need2Know80]

Thank you for referring me to the PAWS articles under the HEALTH pages!! I have read them and saved them.... I will watch for these symptoms and pray to GOD my son got off that drug in time to have not done an extreme amount of damage to his brain functions.  Thank you again!! I so appreciate your advice!

[cathy5841]

so happy for you...hope fully it wont happen, but check out the paws articles so you know the signs.....they are in the health pages

[Need2Know80]

I just want to sincerely say "thank you all" for your advice regarding my Son when I posted (Need2Know80)... he & I went through the 'process' and he is OFF that awful drug now and he is SO grateful to be done with it!! He is now 'running everyday, exercising regularly, eating a very good diet'... and FEELING AWESOME like he use to!! He had always been "health conscious' and when he was sucked into this Vic vortex - he allowed it to take over his life and STEAL who he really was.  He feels like a NEW person and is now thinking clearly, making really good decisions and choices and realizes now what "addiction" can do to a person.  Thank you ALL for your comments and advice, we so appreciate it!!

[SuboxoneAddict55]

If I were you and this is just my advise...I was on vicodin for 10 years, I dont know how much your son has been taking but the safest thing is to take him to the Emergency Room, at worst they will give him a clonodine patch its used for high blood presure but it helps with withdrawl symp SO MUCH! Please do not try it with just you and him, you never know!!! Please go to the ER ....

[corey411]

Sorry about your son but it is good he came to you and is admitting that he has a problem. I was addicted to 10-12 vics a day for almost 7 years and have gone through the physical wds about 10 times and its basicly like a severe case of the flu which lasts anywhere from 4-8 days. You have diarrhea. sweats, chills, are unable to sleep, restless leg syndrome and anxiety. You can do the physical wds without medical attention but it's usually not enough to stop your using. He should try to get some counseling and educate himself on addiction through NA or AA. If you look in the upper right of the forum you will see health topics. Click on this and read/print out Thomas Recipe, PAWS( post acute withdrawl symptoms) and the amino acid proticol. These will help him and you alot. I would encourage him to check out this forum and read some posts and maybe post himself. There ais alot of support here and people will help him through it and let him know what to expect. It is not as easy to get off these as one might think(even the addicted person). But it can be done. Best of luck to you. I know how hard this is as my son was addicted to heroin and has been clean for 3 1/2 years. God bless. Corey

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

How much and how often was he taking the hydro?  Look at mid page right hand side and find the Thomas Recipe...and the Amino Acid Protocol ..... these are great and they do help a lot...........probably wont escape all the hurt - but it does help. Science tells us that only two classes of drug will kill from withdrawals......barring any underlying health conditions. Those two classes are alcohol and benzodaizepines. Keep doing your research. Knowledge is power here. And best of luck to you.................................