son withdrawing from oxy

[freeradikal]

Today I discovered a series of withdrawals from my bank account.  One was done before I had even gotten out of bed.  I contacted my bank and they initiated an investigation.  Then I called my son and asked him if he or his gf had been out today.  Within minutes he admitted he had been taking my debit card and buying oxys.  He realized the problem he's created for himself and says he's committed to breaking the habit.  He does sound sincere at this point.  He said he was hoping I'd find out so I could stop him.  The pattern of bank withdrawals had only begun about 2 weeks ago.  He says he has only been buying and using them regularly for about -3 wks, . He was buying a couple of 80's a day during that time.  There were some days he didn't use any but kept going back to it within a couple of days.  I need to know, based on the amt and duration of his usage, what withdrawal symptoms he is going to experience so I can help him any way he can.  He suggested I buy him a 40 (or whatever) to give him in a day or so when the withdrawals get bad.  I'm not inclined to do that at all.  I'm of the opinion that since he's only be using them regularly for 2 0r 3 weeks, he should be able to manage.  Does lots of water, and excercise, help?  I need help.  Will he be able to go to Christmas dinner without all the family seeing what he's going through?  

[islandcat]

Oh Wow your story is just like mine. I am trying to remain calm. Please listen to everyone on here and get medical help for detox. My son has been on oxys and percs for well I dont know for sure but his behavior tells me over a year. He has stolen money and jewelry from all the family. Recently I noticed my bank card shows regular $80 withdrawal, hmm the amount an 80mg costs on the street. He has lied and stolen so much from me, his behaviour has been erractic, abusive. He detoxed fully once, 5 days on my couch sleeping, sweating. I spoon fed him chicken noodle soup and forced him to take water, I had no idea what was going on, he said he had the flu .  I have a 5 year old living with me who does not need this. and the last straw was stealing my bank card. I had no choice but to put him out after 18  months. It broke my heart, winter, no money and no place to go. He would not consider help, after all he didnt have a problem, right!!  He stole last year, got his head cracked open and overdosed in the hospital while on morpine a kind friend gave him oxy, he had to be resuscitated.   After a cold nite walking the streets to keep warm he broke down and called his Dad. I got him to an addication centre but they put him on an oxy detox program, well he is in his glory, now someone is buying his oxy for him. His Dad is paying for it and doling it out. Tomorrow we go to the Dr. with him and want another program.  I dont want you to go through this but you have to bring on the tough love. I am sorry if I am coming on strong here but have been in tears for 2 months and now I am just plain angry. He will not be here for Xmas dinner, he wont come anyway as he is mad at me.  I will cry a lot Xmas Eve and probably all day Xmas but for now at least he is warm. His Dad is just learning about all this and is tougher than me but if he doesnt decide to truly clean up its only a matter of time before that door will be shut on him as well. I pray for him everyday.

[troubleinohio]

juju- im so glad to see you posting here! I am so glad your dad and you found this site! It can save your life. Please stick around and read as much as you can here and learn. We are here for both you and your dad - day and night! You can do this! Keep posting, too.

[gnarly_1]

hey dude...welcome to the forum where glad you stoped by to look for help ..and you will find it here there are many here who have walked in your shoes and know exactly
what its like some are short term users otheres like me have had addictions that have spanned a lifetime ...this is a safe place to shair what ever your feeling weather it be blessings or pitfalls you wont be judged only givien honest advise on how to get clean
myself ive got 65 day sober today I just waked off a 10+ yr pain pill habit that ended
in 6 1/2 yrs of methadone addiction....you dont want your life to turn out like mine
your taking your first steps to recovery ...your lucky to ketch this thing in the begining
it will be alot ezer to break free off if your being honest about your use 160mg of oxy is alot where you just eating them or sniffing them?? eather way you have time on your side..as for your withdrawals your probably going to feel like you have got a really bad case of the flu but keep in mind it will only last a few days the 3 and 4 are usuly the ruffest but once you hit day 5 things tend to start getting better...hot baths helped me alot keep a tub ready you may need to soak a few times a day ..be ready to not sleep for a wile this is very common also but in time it will return to normal also
tell yourself I CAN DO THIS and keep telling yourself that your going to need to here it
alot to break free of this thing....also get comfortable with a saying.."you just got to be ok witout being ok for a wile" the symptoms come and go but at times it can get alittle intense your mind can be your best asset or your worst enemy use positive
thinking to strengthen your resolve to quit ...never give in...you got to want it bad
and if you do what your trying to do is very doable but its going to take some work on your part...if you believe in god nows a good time to pray I found that helped with the withdrawals alot and at 3am hes all you got...keep posting on your progress threre are lots of us here that will walk it out with you post often and check back you will find alot of people that will try to help and most of us have been exactly where you are so we understand please dont give up your young nip this thing in the bud now
and go thew life enjoying it to its fullest not in some drug induced fog...good luck to you I will pray for your success  your new friend Gnarly  

[10356]

Hi juju.. welcome to the forum.. doing more will not help you, all it will do is give away another day another piece of yourself to your addiction.. You can stop right now today. the wd will be as bad as you make them in your mind as our minds are very powerful.. You may not want to quit you may have thought you were Happy but is Happiness having to steal from your Dad ? In advanced addiction your life gets even uglier.. I now have hep c and stage 3 kidney disease thanks to my addiction.. I have also given a son up for adoption. thanks to my addiction. I have lost many years and have endured many hardships thanks to my addiction.. you see that feeling is the bait.. soon you will need more to feel the same and how do you supply this ? then most move to Heroin as it is cheaper. a junkies life.. is of stealing lying abuses.. then the possibility of death.. all for a feeling ? Just clamp down hard stop now.. Can you imagen being chained to your addiction for decades.. not being able to get up in the morning without feeling sick.. never being able to plan long trips as you are to far away from your drugs.. and where has your mind been lately.. only thinking of the next high and how to get the cash.. This is know way to live.. Hot showers a lot of them.. they sell a product called hylands restful leg for rls. melatonin for sleep and benadryl for the runny nose and stuff.. You can do this and I would do it now as we do not get many chances to get it together early in our addiction.. I wish you well and Thank the good spirits that you had spoken to your dad.. You may of just saved your own life.. lesa

[BornofOsiris]

I dont think she meant he was taking 80 mgs at a time, more of 80 mgs in a day. Just dont buy him any! If it is true that he has been taking them for a few weeks then CT is verrrrrry do-able. Christmas dinner would be a no no for him most likely cause when you're going through w/d's all you do is, vomit, diahrea, bad temper, sweat chills, the works....Have you looked at the thomas recepit and the amino acids protocoll on the right hand side of the page? Dont buy him NO MORE! I dont know how old your son is but I am 20 years old and I was addicted to hydro and oxy for about 1 1/2, and the hole i put myself was insane, and no one should ever have to go through that...keep posting and let us know wasup...and yes exercise and drinks tons of water. Much love

Dallas

[juju1988]

juju is my son, who I have posted here about the problem we've run into.  Just wanted to clarify who the comment above was from.  that was his first post here. Thanks for all the support so far and to come.
alan

[juju1988]

hi it is me the addict anyone whos ever been one knows howcontrolling the drugs are even to a point where i would i could actually justyify stealing money from my own dad jus for it i feel like if i do jus a lil today that tomorrow will be betterfor the with drwals i do wanna quit i was kinda happy my dad found out it was kinda of a relif plz relpy an tell me if or wut i can do

[worried878]

I agree..if he has told u the truth and used only a few times a month til the last 3 weeks..he will be fine physically on Christmas day...Mentally he may want the drugs for a while..

I went back to work after stopping a 4 yr addiction where i used daily and back to work day 5 to a stressful job..worked out even day 1 of detox..this is do-able but it is not physical wd he will need to be wary of in this case.  Stealing is advanced addiction behavior as a rule. I am a nurse and was taught when doing an evaluation of someone,,,,add a few more "daily drinks and a few more smokes to what the patient admits to using..Most also fib on their drug use//it is the norm in substance abuse...no one likes to appear as "bad" to peeps, specially not their parents.

Keep him close by...u will know how he will feel and if he used 80 mgs daily for 3 weeks and only occasionally for a while before that...there should be very little if any wd to speak of in someone so young.  He will survive it.  Take care of urself as well
Merry Christmas

[dominosarah]

There is a lady on this site who has dealt with her sons and their addictions.  She has always said to support them in their recovery, not their addiction.  Please keep posting here and talking with us and show your son this site too.  He may feel pretty rotten over Christmas but getting off these pills is alot better than using.  Have a Merry Christmas.....we are always here 7 days a week 24 hrs a day.        sara

[salsinator]

I agree with the above comments.  Depending on when your sons last dose was, I suspect that he will be in full withdrawal by Christmas dinner - which means that it will most likely be noticeable by others.  The good thing - if there is any - with withdrawal is that you can always play it off to the flu because the symptoms can be very similar.  Aches, stomach issues, runny nose, and generally feeling like crap.  The main withdrawal will be over within 3 -5 days, but I suspect the worst part will be taking place on Christmas day - so he may not be to happy on Christmas.  Unfortunately, a dose as high as his is pretty substantial - I have gone CT from a dose like that - even higher - and it is not fun.  Take the advice that the others have given and stick with your son, make sure you know where he is during the whole time.  Tell your son about this site - he may find help here like the rest of us have.  Best of luck to you.

[troubled26]

I am sorry to hear about your pain, and also the pain your son is in.  I am not a doctor, but a recovering addict.  I am pretty sure he was more than he admits, not so much because he is a liar, but denial is a huge part of addiction and he believes what he says.  It takes a process to get up to the oxy 80, or an overdose is a possibility.   Please do not give in to the taper off suggested, taking it just makes you want more because not his body feels normal and right.  If he gets very anxious and ill, there are treatment centers you can contact.  They are not all inpatient and they usually have medications that can ease some of his discomfort..  There is always hope.  He will get through this.  Alanon would do you some good, and AA or NA would do him some good.   Good Luck and God Bless, he should be better.

[jstntime]

I'm with troubleinohio on this one.  A couple of 80's per day after 3 weeks use???

I was already an addict when I started oxy's and it still took me over 2 years to be able to take 160mg per day.

I'm sure not saying it can't be done faster than that but 3 weeks?????  No way.  Your son was opiate tolerant before the oxys or has been taking them much longer.

Wishing you the best, we all feel for your situation,

bob

[troubleinohio]

ehh,, I hate to be the one who doesnt believe...but someone whos stealing and buying 80's has probably been doing them longer. 80 mg is a very high dose and it can kill people who have little or no tolerance yet. It happens everyday, people overdose and die. I cant imagine a beginner using 80 mg of oc.  Can someone help me out here? Can you buiild a tolerance that quickly in just 3 weeks? It just doesnt sound right to me.. in any event, he can do this CT if he really wants to quit.  If he doesnt want to quit then there isnt much you can do but pray and wait he does before its too late. as for WD's themselves...they usually are 3-5 days for the worst. Get him some Immodium or Pepto for the diarrhea that will come,  some OTC pain reliever liek Advil or whichever one he prefers/can use,   some bananas for potassium,  lots of water. Have him take hot showers/baths and use a heating pad for the aches and pains. Light exercise is good if he can do it. Some can manage and do it, others cant get out of bed.  A sleep aid may be needed as insomnia and RLS is a bad WD symptom.  Good luck to you, and keep us posted.

[freeradikal]

Thanks,
alan

[bmdad]

If he has is being honest about only using every day for about 3 weeks he really shouldn't have to bad of withdrawals. He won't be feeling 100% but it should be manageable. Sometimes the mental anguish can take a tole though. I came off a big vicodin habit after being on it for about a year before I had back surgery. It took me about 3 days for the worst of the physical part to be over. Day 4 seemed to be the turning point in which I started feeling better by the day. Oxy is a much stronger drug but being the short amount of time he has been a heavy user, he may be okay. Everyone is so different when in comes to withdrawals so it's really hard to say for sure. If you aren't wanting anyone to find out you could always say he is coming down with the flu and that's why he is feeling so bad. It's a excuse many use while withdrawing as the symptoms are somewhat similar, just more severe.
I'm so happy he felt comfortable enough to admit his problem as admitting to a loved one is one of the hardest things to do. It just goes to show that he wants help. It is going to be tough to watch him go through this and it will take strength on your part to not cave in order for him to feel better. It can be a very touchy situation so make sure you are there for him every step of the way. You have to be stern, yet show him love and support. You don't want to push him away by yelling at him if at all possible. I'm sure he realizes the mess he is in. Hopefully this was all caught soon enough to where you two together can make it through. I would recommend getting him to come on here for support. There are some wonderful and caring people on here that will not judge. I would also get him in to some NA meetings. Aftercare is key to a successful recovery. You may also want to go to some meetings also so you know what you are dealing with. No one can come close to understanding addiction unless they have been there. I respect you for reaching out for support to find the best ways to go about all of this. Please post as much as you need. Everyone will bend over backwards to help you and your son through this. There are a few others on here that have helped their child through a addiction. Hopefully they will see your post so they can let you know what to expect. You guys may be able to help each other through this whole process.
I wish you and your son the best of luck! Please let us know if you need anything at all!!
Brian

[freeradikal]

Thanks for your replies.  He said he had done them before occasionally... couple of times a month basically.  But got into it heavier just recently.  I hope this is true.  I'm his dad actually, mom passed away two years ago.  You've reinforced my feeling not to help with a taper.  I really think he hasn't been doing them heavy for very long so I guess you're saying it's not dangerous to him to withdraw cold turkey.  What prediction can you make about how he'll feel on Christmas Day.  Will he be able to hide the symptoms?  

[worried878]

I agree with domino..i know it is late and i dont get on here early much but i hope u post again

ur son is showing manipulative behavior//addicts do this when the web is weaving around their thought processes...asking u to buy him drugs illegally may be a manipulation...dunno

just remeber that the drugs take over an addicts brain...we become someone whom we r not..getting the drug becomes more important than food or water

I am not insinuating ur son is a liar nor a thief..but it is amaz8ing what drugs can make someone do..I know he is ur baby///kids will always be our baby no matter how old they r...just remeber//or educate urself then evaluate....that ur son is not ur son u know if he is addicted to a drug or substance...it doesnt mean anyone failed,,only that u need to beware and i hope he is being totally honest with u

peeps lose themselves in this disease...we do things we would never do normally..I am a professional with a masters degree...go to church every sunday..I cringe to think of the peeps i associated with during my active addiction..I say 'active' cos addiction does not go away as a rule...an addict in active adiction is the most manipulative person u can meet cos their brain will work as it needs to to get its 'food' which is drugs....

My friend just was released for an attempted suicide/she is an addict....she was going right back I knew...not gonna say what i did or did not do, but protecting those who r still under this web,,is alot of work..u need to let him do most of this work..

[dominosarah]

Dont fall for getting him anymore.  I have a feeling he has been doing this for awhile if he is already at the point of stealing.  I hope i am wrong.  As worried said read thru the health pages and educate yourself on addiction.  He is lucky to have you as family support is very helpful.  Let us know how it is going.........sara

[worried878]

DONT!

He is at an easy cold tukey physically if he is being honest with u...his body is used to going a day or 2 without..now is the time he should LET GO

As a rule manuevers like stealing etc do not occur until later than addiction...does he have another cash supply other than ur bank card?  If he does he does not need to be control of it...u need to find a meeting near u and escort him to an AA or NA meeting...this is not childs play...he will learn that if only by listening to where this leads peeps...and it is no where good...no

If he goes a day or so without//taking even a small dose of narcotics will only serve to cause him to want more..with addiction it is all or nuttin...and all in this case is not a positive "all"  feeding even small amounts of narcs after he stops will not help....take a close look at what he is doing..if his girlfriend uses//she has to go unless she quits as well...this is a disease for some..he can not be around those who use right now

Read thru the health pages..there r natural supps and aminos that can help him with aftercare and exercise as a component to recovery..u need to understand is brain and the sider web growin around it right now...read the thomas recipe, the article on dopamine and addiction, read and learn..Understanding is the key to helping

Ur son is very very lucky to have u as a mom