Niece needs help!

[Csplat48]

I have a 22 year old niece that has been addict to oxycontin for the past 6 months. How can we help her? She wants help but is scared and we have never experienced this before. Cold turkey is what the family wants her to do. What can we expect, withdrawls, side effects, etc???? What is NA? She has a good family support but she is engaged to the man who is suppling her with these pills. We have removed her from his home. Any help would be great at this time! concerned Aunt D

[fishman10]

She has to lose the boyfriend not an option. She has to really want to quit not an option. She has to have much family support as possible. A complete change of environment is a big plus. God is a big plus. All I can say is its a tough battle she will have to change the way she thinks because the drugs are doing the thinking now and the only thing that will really change that is a lot of time and behavior therapy is a major plus. Been there done that. Clean time is the key.

[bmdad]

Removing her from his home isn't going to do much if she plans on going back to him. In order for an addict to get and stay clean they have to cut off any and all ties that have to do with their drugs. If she's thinking that once she gets through withdrawals she will be okay to move back in with him she's in for a big surprise. It will be a matter of time before she's right back at it again. She has to realize that we are powerless over our addiction and there's no way she will remain sober if her fiance is still using. Sobriety takes hard work and it doesn't just end once the withdrawals all over. The physical withdrawals are the easy part. The real work starts after that. It's a lifelong battle. That's where NA comes into play.

How do you know she wants to quit? Did she come to you for help? Are you sure she's not just saying this because she knows it's what everyone wants to hear? What is she saying about her intentions with her fiance and his use?

Is there any way you can get her to come to this forum? The support here is amazing!

Have you considered mentioning inpatient rehab? That is always the best route to go but I realize it's not always an option.

Sorry for all the questions. The more we know the more we will be able to help. I just find it hard to believe that she really wants to get sober if you had to remove her from her fiance's home. It could be that she just doesn't understand the power of addiction.

[Me1025]

Oh Boy! Others will be along soon that can better answer your questions than me, but I will tell you what I know from my experience. I myself just came off a very high dose of oxycodone and oxycontin and for me the withdrawals were: restlessness, anxiety, severe body aches, nausea, insomnia...well in short the a bad case of the flu. But again varies for everyone based on the time she's been taking it, amt taken, etc...

NA is narcotics annoymous which is a support group for recovering drug addicts. They are free and will offer her much needed support.

I would rec'd to her that she get on this forum and start posting if she feels comfortable doing so. Everyone here is great and will really help her through the detox process and give their input on aftercare. Again I'm only 6 days into it, but everyone here has pulled me through.

She and your family will be in my prayers, God bless!