Aa
Son is on oxy
My son checked into a low cost detox last Sunday & stayed 2 days & checked himself out-claimed he didn't like the food or his roomate. He says he's quit. He says he's been through diahrea & is having cold sweats, lots of underarm sweats, headaches, body aches. I haven't seen this-just his word. This should be his 7th day of detox. He doesn't live with me. How can I tell if he's really detoxing or pulling my leg? In how many days can I give him a drug test & it should be clear if he's really quit?
I want to believe him, but have my doubts. He has no money or a job-but I'm afraid the drug dealer(girlfriend's cousin) may give him 'a loan'.
Thank you.
I want to believe him, but have my doubts. He has no money or a job-but I'm afraid the drug dealer(girlfriend's cousin) may give him 'a loan'.
Thank you.
oxy is a hard one to come off, i'm sorry to say he is prolly still using if he seems ok after 7 days, i was on it for only 2 months and i am on day 22 and taking norco to help and still cant really sleep,eat,drink anything and and completly drained, i have to stop and rest for 2 minutes walking to my mailbox and its only 100 yards away. you might want to take him to your family doctor and spill the beans to see if he can precribe something to help him.and also if he is not living with you, you might ask him if he will come stay with you for a month or so while he go's through withdrawals. but remember if he does not want to stop nothing in this universe will make him or help him for that matter. best wishes, i wish my mother was as concerned, she says i get what i deserve.
I can honestly tell you i was in this exact situation a month ago.
I started the long opiate battle when I was 21 when I got into heroin, then kicked that cold turkey well used pot. Then at 22 a few months away from 23 I have no idea how it happened but all of a sudden yet again i find myself using pills in a daily manner just to maintain normality. There is nothing more depressing then while everyone else is out planning for other peoples christmas gifts you are making sure you have enough oxy contins to appear normal through the holidays with your family. I was a heavy heavy user and all illegal no back pain prescribed medications to explain my actions. I knew what opiates did and knew how they made you feel and allowed it to overcome me. So after 2 christmas's 2 thanksgivings, 2 easters etc etc I decided that yet again it was time to kick this evil addiction. My mother who will never know how much I really love and respect her has had to deal with both of my serious addictions. Each time I joked with her that her house was my private rehab clinic, and she knew hell was on my tale when I arrived each time. The mood swings, the lieing, and the physical symptons broke her heart but she knew I was merely going through a horrible experience. Your son has to want to quit that is all there is to it. If he is still an addict and has no desire to quit well he will steal, lie, manipulate others till he can achieve his goal. These pills can make a person seem ugly, and spiteful but it is a cruel world we live in at times. The best thing you can do is limit his cashflow, if you chose to drugtest him prepare yourself he is going to probably become livid with you and even use vulgarity. That is just the addiction. I am so sorry that as a parent you have to deal with this and you wanting to help is great it really is. Unfortunately it needs to be him here posting not you. All you can do is lock your doors, never keep cash around, do not loan him cash. THAT IS KEY. He will tell you he needs 100 dollars because he wants to get clean and then disappear for 2 days living his happy addiction life. You just need to close every opportunity he has to manipulate the situation to gain these drugs. Then when you hit rock bottom a light appears maybe just maybe it is time to quit, I have nothing, I have nothing to show for the thousands of dollars I have wasted. This is stupid and I need to change. Until then things are not going to be pleasant. This last addiction I went through was the longest one I have engaged yet it was 2 years averaging 80mg of oxy contin per day. I then found a new connection that lead me to methadone for the last 8 months of my addiction when I saw that my bank account had went from 9,000 dollars to just under 1,100 I pretty much slapped myself across the face and said take a look at yourself idiot. I knew if I was going to even beat the addiction I would need to taper it down. The biggest problem with people when they taper they expect to still feel some kind of high as if normal is just not enough. You have to want this, my dearest mother could not make me and if Jesus Christ himself came to me in those days of addiction I would of merely pushed him aside and ate a pill first before talking to him. I had 70 mg worth of methadone when I said screw this I am tired of planning my weekends around my dealer. I deleted his # from my cell, told my partner in addiction that I was going to be unavailable for some time and that it was time to get clean. He chose not to at that point and well that is his problem not mine. I tapered the 70mg of methadone to the last week only eating half at a time so I could get sleep and avoid the worse of sweats. When I finally went cold turkey I could not believe how well the tapering worked. I only suffered depression, burning in my arms, and managed to avoid sweats, diarrhea, lack of sleep. I will have to say the tapering method was a God send if your son is a heavy user like I was cold turkey will be too much of a burden and he will relapse. So as a parent all you can do is deal with the horrible attitude and limit his cash flow. The only way your son will quit is if he wants to that is all there is to it. If you have any questions please-please feel free to contact me I guest speak at my local rehab clinics and I know how hard it is to deal with this situation. Your caring and worrying reminds me so much of my mother it hurts me to remember what I have put her through. But! This Christmas I to will get to worry about and only about what I to will be getting others for gifts.
I started the long opiate battle when I was 21 when I got into heroin, then kicked that cold turkey well used pot. Then at 22 a few months away from 23 I have no idea how it happened but all of a sudden yet again i find myself using pills in a daily manner just to maintain normality. There is nothing more depressing then while everyone else is out planning for other peoples christmas gifts you are making sure you have enough oxy contins to appear normal through the holidays with your family. I was a heavy heavy user and all illegal no back pain prescribed medications to explain my actions. I knew what opiates did and knew how they made you feel and allowed it to overcome me. So after 2 christmas's 2 thanksgivings, 2 easters etc etc I decided that yet again it was time to kick this evil addiction. My mother who will never know how much I really love and respect her has had to deal with both of my serious addictions. Each time I joked with her that her house was my private rehab clinic, and she knew hell was on my tale when I arrived each time. The mood swings, the lieing, and the physical symptons broke her heart but she knew I was merely going through a horrible experience. Your son has to want to quit that is all there is to it. If he is still an addict and has no desire to quit well he will steal, lie, manipulate others till he can achieve his goal. These pills can make a person seem ugly, and spiteful but it is a cruel world we live in at times. The best thing you can do is limit his cashflow, if you chose to drugtest him prepare yourself he is going to probably become livid with you and even use vulgarity. That is just the addiction. I am so sorry that as a parent you have to deal with this and you wanting to help is great it really is. Unfortunately it needs to be him here posting not you. All you can do is lock your doors, never keep cash around, do not loan him cash. THAT IS KEY. He will tell you he needs 100 dollars because he wants to get clean and then disappear for 2 days living his happy addiction life. You just need to close every opportunity he has to manipulate the situation to gain these drugs. Then when you hit rock bottom a light appears maybe just maybe it is time to quit, I have nothing, I have nothing to show for the thousands of dollars I have wasted. This is stupid and I need to change. Until then things are not going to be pleasant. This last addiction I went through was the longest one I have engaged yet it was 2 years averaging 80mg of oxy contin per day. I then found a new connection that lead me to methadone for the last 8 months of my addiction when I saw that my bank account had went from 9,000 dollars to just under 1,100 I pretty much slapped myself across the face and said take a look at yourself idiot. I knew if I was going to even beat the addiction I would need to taper it down. The biggest problem with people when they taper they expect to still feel some kind of high as if normal is just not enough. You have to want this, my dearest mother could not make me and if Jesus Christ himself came to me in those days of addiction I would of merely pushed him aside and ate a pill first before talking to him. I had 70 mg worth of methadone when I said screw this I am tired of planning my weekends around my dealer. I deleted his # from my cell, told my partner in addiction that I was going to be unavailable for some time and that it was time to get clean. He chose not to at that point and well that is his problem not mine. I tapered the 70mg of methadone to the last week only eating half at a time so I could get sleep and avoid the worse of sweats. When I finally went cold turkey I could not believe how well the tapering worked. I only suffered depression, burning in my arms, and managed to avoid sweats, diarrhea, lack of sleep. I will have to say the tapering method was a God send if your son is a heavy user like I was cold turkey will be too much of a burden and he will relapse. So as a parent all you can do is deal with the horrible attitude and limit his cash flow. The only way your son will quit is if he wants to that is all there is to it. If you have any questions please-please feel free to contact me I guest speak at my local rehab clinics and I know how hard it is to deal with this situation. Your caring and worrying reminds me so much of my mother it hurts me to remember what I have put her through. But! This Christmas I to will get to worry about and only about what I to will be getting others for gifts.
There is no way possible you can detox a person in 6 days that has been using high doses of opiates for years. Back in the day when insurance would pay for inpatient detox at some very nice facilities it was as least a 28 day stay and longer if the treatment team thought the person needed more time. And yes it is true they would use methadone small doses just to keep the patient comfortable and it also involved proper nutrition and cognitive therapy. Where they would teach the patient coping skills to use to prevent relapse as well as on site NA/AA meetings that would be mandatory 3 times daily. There were certified alcohol and drug counselors for one on one discussions, On Sundays would be called family day, All members of the family were welcome to come and visit with the patient for hours if they so wanted, When you had been weened off the opiates and were feeling 80% better they would release you to an after care program, Because detoxing a person does not prevent them from relapse. They were encouraged to find a sponsor they could call and also attend 90 meetings in 90 days. If you were able to complete these requirements your chances of continued sobriety was much better.
Now if you have insurance like an HMO they will only authorize a 6-10 day stay at best, They may treat with clonidine and possibly Librium to keep the patient calm, some may even use small amounts of methadone. They attend AA/NA meetings constantly and you are discharged, They do not seem to care with after treatment. As the patient is still dealing with cravings for the drug and may even develop depression as the brain has forgotten how to produce the feel good chemicals like the serotonin and dopamine, and endorphins. So the patient suffers. They should visit their PCP and ask for an antidepressants suck as Lexapro as it works on GAD, generalized anxiety disorder and something to sleep like Rozerem or Lunesta something that is non narcotic, As I have heard of patients not sleeping or weeks to months. I'm talking about a full nights sleep not 1-2 hrs a night. Your normal sleep pattern will return in about 3-6 months. I hope you realize that they are suffering from an Chronic Treatable Opioid Disease of the Brain, But there is additional help with a new drug called buprenorphine also called Suboxone, for valuable information on this medication visit www.naabt.org and order the free kit and CD for a greater understanding of what to expect and what options your loved on has to remaining sober. Suboxone is not like Methadone it does not cause euphoria, it fills the opiate receptors with Buprenorphine and naloxone, so should the patient slip chances are they will not feel any euphoria in fact the drug keeps the cravings and allows them to return to a normal life in 1-2 days at most. For your families sake get the CD it free what have you got to lose. God Bless both Families.-------------NOAH
Now if you have insurance like an HMO they will only authorize a 6-10 day stay at best, They may treat with clonidine and possibly Librium to keep the patient calm, some may even use small amounts of methadone. They attend AA/NA meetings constantly and you are discharged, They do not seem to care with after treatment. As the patient is still dealing with cravings for the drug and may even develop depression as the brain has forgotten how to produce the feel good chemicals like the serotonin and dopamine, and endorphins. So the patient suffers. They should visit their PCP and ask for an antidepressants suck as Lexapro as it works on GAD, generalized anxiety disorder and something to sleep like Rozerem or Lunesta something that is non narcotic, As I have heard of patients not sleeping or weeks to months. I'm talking about a full nights sleep not 1-2 hrs a night. Your normal sleep pattern will return in about 3-6 months. I hope you realize that they are suffering from an Chronic Treatable Opioid Disease of the Brain, But there is additional help with a new drug called buprenorphine also called Suboxone, for valuable information on this medication visit www.naabt.org and order the free kit and CD for a greater understanding of what to expect and what options your loved on has to remaining sober. Suboxone is not like Methadone it does not cause euphoria, it fills the opiate receptors with Buprenorphine and naloxone, so should the patient slip chances are they will not feel any euphoria in fact the drug keeps the cravings and allows them to return to a normal life in 1-2 days at most. For your families sake get the CD it free what have you got to lose. God Bless both Families.-------------NOAH
Hi, I just wanted to pass on some of my own experience. My husband is on day 8 of detox. He just got out of a 6 day detox program. He was on large quantities of Oxycontin for a couple of years. He has not been able to sleep, has body aches, and is just about jumping out of his skin most of the day. He threw up the first day or two at home, I could definately tell he was suffering. It just seems to be tapering off a bit now. I also wanted to let you know that you can get drug tests at Meditest.com, you need to do the extended opiates hair follicle test. Some of the other ones don't show the oxycontin because it is a synthetic drug. They are very helpful and informative there and can probably answer your questions.
I also just wanted to say that I agree with all of the other responses, that he has to want to get it for himself, not for anyone else, or it won't work. Alanon is an awesome place to go and get help for yourself. I think that if you think he is using, he probably is. These addicts are unbelievable liars, (sorry guys). All that matters is the drug.
Good luck.
I also just wanted to say that I agree with all of the other responses, that he has to want to get it for himself, not for anyone else, or it won't work. Alanon is an awesome place to go and get help for yourself. I think that if you think he is using, he probably is. These addicts are unbelievable liars, (sorry guys). All that matters is the drug.
Good luck.
I'm sure the detox place didn't use Suboxone or give him anything else. It sounds like maybe they're still getting drugs off this drug dealer cousin, but they have no money. I am buying a few groceries for them, but they are behind on their rent & other bills, so they may be losing their apartment.
What is this buprenorphin? Is it ok to use? I really can't afford any of this, but might consider it if it works & he agrees to go to a half way house(which he's dead set against). I don't want him living with us till he's completely clean.
He had wrote some bad checks, so this may come back on him soon & he'll be detoxing in jail & hopefully, the prosecuter can arrange for him to go to a center in Ky. & get clean instead of jail.
He started using something at about age20. He went to his 'family doctor' for back pain & he prescribed Ultram, which I've read is addictive. Wish I'd known more about drugs back then-guess I was stupid & the last couple of years, I've been in denial.
He also says he's got a terrible taste in his mouth now-what would that be from-another drug or maybe some withdrawal from oxy?
He claims he feels bad, but I can't tell if he's lying-I'm not good at telling.
Yesterday should've been day 7-I just can't tell.
Thanks all of you:)
What is this buprenorphin? Is it ok to use? I really can't afford any of this, but might consider it if it works & he agrees to go to a half way house(which he's dead set against). I don't want him living with us till he's completely clean.
He had wrote some bad checks, so this may come back on him soon & he'll be detoxing in jail & hopefully, the prosecuter can arrange for him to go to a center in Ky. & get clean instead of jail.
He started using something at about age20. He went to his 'family doctor' for back pain & he prescribed Ultram, which I've read is addictive. Wish I'd known more about drugs back then-guess I was stupid & the last couple of years, I've been in denial.
He also says he's got a terrible taste in his mouth now-what would that be from-another drug or maybe some withdrawal from oxy?
He claims he feels bad, but I can't tell if he's lying-I'm not good at telling.
Yesterday should've been day 7-I just can't tell.
Thanks all of you:)
It is true many have gone through detox at home and it isn't easy, However the chance of relapse is very high. What age do you think he was when he began using. I ask because if he has only been using for a short time the odds are in his favor. If he has no drug coverage go to www. PPA.com, look for the name Montel Williams. This is a legitimate drug assistance program. Trust me.
Very sorry to hear about your son. You did read correctly, people have detoxed from Oxycontin on their own, but it takes a long time and is very uncomfortable. Your son would be showing signs of withdrawal, like having the flu, sweaty, diarrhea and a significant lack of energy. He may not be on Oxy now but it's possible he's on something f he feels that good. Unless they put him on Suboxone but I don't think so.
Everyone is right - he will have to want to be off drugs before he will be successful. No addict can get clean for someone else. He is very lucky to have you to care - you will need to be there when he finally hits bottom and decides he wants help. Oxycontin on the street is very expensive, about 10 dollars per milligram so a minimum of 10 and as much as 80 dollars per pill. So he can't afford to buy it.
Stay strong, perhaps attend alanon to get support from other family members in your situation. You are a great mother and he is lucky to have you.
Everyone is right - he will have to want to be off drugs before he will be successful. No addict can get clean for someone else. He is very lucky to have you to care - you will need to be there when he finally hits bottom and decides he wants help. Oxycontin on the street is very expensive, about 10 dollars per milligram so a minimum of 10 and as much as 80 dollars per pill. So he can't afford to buy it.
Stay strong, perhaps attend alanon to get support from other family members in your situation. You are a great mother and he is lucky to have you.
There are a lot of us on here who have detoxed from Oxy on our own. The BP med you mentioned is clonidine..I used it, as did many of the people on here. It really helps. We really don't mean to scare you. In fact, you are a wonderful woman to be so concerned for your Son. We just know (because we are just like your son), that him checking out so soon probably means that he's not clean. I agree that Methadone is not the way to go. The withdrawals from it can be many times worse than the Oxy. Does he have insurance? Can you afford a Suboxone program? Your first chore is to see if he's in fact using again, and make help available to him when he finally agrees that he wants it. Be ready to offer choices when he gets to the point where he's ready to get clean. Educating yourself, along with Alanon meeting, will help you help him.
You all are scaring me now:(
The detox was the Salvation Army's Harbor Lights program. There was a doctor who prescribed blood pressure & muscle relaxer meds, but I think that was all. No other drugs. I thought the methadone was also unsafe-that you could also get hooked on it.
I will order this CD-it sure can't hurt.
I thought I had read that others on here had detoxed on their own from Oxycontin-maybe not...
I will check out the Alanon meetings.
Thanks.
The detox was the Salvation Army's Harbor Lights program. There was a doctor who prescribed blood pressure & muscle relaxer meds, but I think that was all. No other drugs. I thought the methadone was also unsafe-that you could also get hooked on it.
I will order this CD-it sure can't hurt.
I thought I had read that others on here had detoxed on their own from Oxycontin-maybe not...
I will check out the Alanon meetings.
Thanks.
Mom, It is almost impossible to detox off Oxycontin without close medical attention, Did this detox offer a taper from the drug using Methadone? The fact he checked out AMA, means that it was much more than the living conditions. I am sorry to say that your son who is suffering from a CHRONIC TREATABLE OPIOID DISEASE OF THE BRAIN, which can be managed and or controlled as with any disease such as diabetis. To access information on the disease and out patient treatment options you should go the following website for some good information. This will also help you get a better understanding of the meaning of addiction, it is www.naabt,org and click on the icon you feel will be most helpful for you. I recommend you order their kit that comes with a CD you pass on to your son for him to view in privacy, Some consider this a form of intervention. All the love in the world will not get your son clean. He must ask for help. I hope the above information gives you some understanding of this disease.--------------------------NOAH
I hate to say this, but he;s only gonna get clean when HE wants to get clean. I thought he was younger and living at home when I said to test him. At 25, he's gonna have to come to grips with all of this himself. The best thing you could do is to attend an Alanon meeting, educate yourself on this disease (yes, it is a disease), and in turn educate him. Have you looked into Suboxone? It's just one option you may want to consider. I wish we could give you a better answer to your problem, but the answer has to be found by him, not you.
No, he doesn't live with me. He's 25 & on his own. I think he was taking more than small amounts of oxycontin. I will check out the drug tests-do I just google in at home drug tests? I'd just like to know if he's lying to me.
I wish he were still young, but he's not.
Thanks.
I wish he were still young, but he's not.
Thanks.
Does he live with you? Here's my take...if he's living with you...you have every right to drug test him. My guess...he's back using. Could he be finished with the withdrawals and be clean? Yes, depending on his usage. If he's taking small amounts, he could get through wd's in a couple/three days. If it was enough for him to need detox, then he'd still be suffering some even at a week. Buy a drug test from the internet (most of the drug tests i drug stores are a simple 5 panel..and, may not pick up Oxy). Make him test every week. Put your foot down. Stop this while he's young.
It depends on what he is using that you be able to tell if he is clean. Some drugs stay in the system longer than others.
Are you sure that you want to drug test him? He may not take to that very well.
I can say this though..if he checked out after 2 days and said the food and his roommate were the reasons?..then he didn't get it. Those should be the LEAST of his worries.
I am sorry that you are going through this. I know it is heart breaking. There is only so much you can do. He needs to WANT to get clean. Pushing him into it, or expecting him to do it won't work.
That is nothing against you. He has priorities right now, if he is using.
Please keep posting and ask any questions you may have. You will get other opinions here.
Take care of yourself.
Are you sure that you want to drug test him? He may not take to that very well.
I can say this though..if he checked out after 2 days and said the food and his roommate were the reasons?..then he didn't get it. Those should be the LEAST of his worries.
I am sorry that you are going through this. I know it is heart breaking. There is only so much you can do. He needs to WANT to get clean. Pushing him into it, or expecting him to do it won't work.
That is nothing against you. He has priorities right now, if he is using.
Please keep posting and ask any questions you may have. You will get other opinions here.
Take care of yourself.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Addiction: Substance Abuse Community
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
If you think marijuana has no ill effects on your health, this article from Missouri Medicine may make you think again.
Julia Aharonov, DO, reveals the quickest way to beat drug withdrawal.
Tricks to help you quit for good.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
