Help for Son

[motherwhocares]

My son who is 20 came to me recently and told me about his addiction to lortab. He didn't start taking them to help with pain (no prescription); a "friend" gave him one to ease his anxiety. And we all know how it turned out. He wants off of them and came to me for help to wean. I'm self employed, no mental health insurance and unsure of what to do. He started seeing a counselor recently and I believe that is what prompted him to come tell me. he lied to counselor about the amount he is taking a day but the counselor told him to taper himself over the next 4-6 weeks to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms. he currently takes 9 blue ones a day; takes 3 at a time. But I'm not really sure how to taper him. his counselor is out till next week. he needs some type of schedule, I would think. we have also considered detoxing in a program but i dunno. appreciate any help or guidance. thank you!

[sooners181]

I must be Honest. Fire your counselor. Find another one. My experience as long as I have them around I will abuse them. My suggestion is there are places that accept clients without insurance. There are state funded programs available. You will have to make some phone calls. Tapering off drugs does not work for me..... Best Wishes

[Mr_Black_715]

I am in the same boat as your son. The deference is that I am prescribed 60 mg of hydro each day by the VA. I tell myself that I am doing as the Doc says so what harm can it do? Well to answer your question, and to be clear, I am know Doctor.  

I have been successful tapering from 2 at a time, six 10mg, to one and 1/2, three times a day. That is one and 1/2 in the morning, one and 1/2 at lunch and then one and 1/2 at night (Close to bedtime) so that I can sleep without pain. I would suggest cutting down by halves each month until he is able to get by on 1/2 three times a day. Finally cut out the lunch dose for a month.

This is just my personal advise, form someone that has taken hydro many times a day for over five years.

[IBKleen]

Hi & Welcome,

Tapering is tough and in order for it to be successful it would be best that you held them (hide them) and dose them out according to the schedule. The withdrawal itself is uncomfortable but very doable.

If you read the welcome post at the top of the page you will see that it is a violation of our guidelines to provide taper schedules. They should be followed by a doctor.

Also at the top of the page you will find the health pages. In there is the Amino Acid Protocol and The thomas Recipe. They both contain supplements that will help ease the symptoms. Be certain that he stays hydrated and eats when he can. It is important that he stay healthy during the process. It should be about 5 or 6 days that he will have "flu" like symptoms and then he will start to feel better.

Once he is through the physical withdrawal I suggest he get into a support group, such as NA. If he returns to his old friends and his old places, he will not have the tools to "Just say no". this is a life long battle and not something that will go away once he puts the pills down.

I am glad you found your way here and you are helping him. Stick around and ask as many questions as you need to. The members are very helpful and will guide you through this.

Best to both you and your son.