Pain Pill Addiction: Methadone Detox Facts

Question: Help someone!! my husband is trying to stop his pain pill addiction that he has had for 3 or 4 years.?

(Posted by: tafaye on 2007-04-10 09:22:58)

Friday 4.9.2007 he started going through withdrawls. I can't stand to see him like that. He has to go through this to get off of the pills. It didn't take him long to break and get more. His addiction has gotten so bad that I have to go and get his check on Friday's. I don't mind and I do see this as a change for the better. How can't I cope with this without throwing up my hands. I know it is an addiction and he has to handle this himself but, please realise I didn't ask to be put in the middle of it all either. I do love him and I am trying to help but, I also have a family besides him to care for. (2 girls) When I try my hardest seems that is when he is his worst. any tips? anyone? 4.13.2007 he is to have surgery (fusion in his neck) He told me that he is goibg to cut back sloely because he is tired of depending on them and he hates that he let this happen. though it is alot of hot air because he has lied so much I never know what is truth and what is a lie. He gave me his pills so I could give him 4 a day as perscribed not 7 to 10 like he takes. Yesterday morning I gave him his 4 for the day (because he asked) and I said "don't ask for more tonight. Well he called me at work yesterday afternoon and told me to bring him 8 more and I told him no and he started yelling at me and said either bring me 8 or the whole bottle. After thinking I took the whole bottle and threw it at him and told him "I am through with this and am over the whole situation. I know he needs my help but truely what has he done for me? If his pay check hits his hands on Friday it is gone before he gets home.

Posted by: redrumdrive on 2007-04-10, 10:09:22

I am a recovering addict who was addicted to pain medication for over 10 years. In January of this year, I stopped taking my meds and went into severe withdrawals. They were so bad that I ended up in the hospital for a week. My blood presure was 210/ 190, my heartrate was over 200, I had severe shakes, convulsions, dizziness and the worst part was the halucinations. After my detox, I went into a treatment program for 7 weeks. Understand that addiction is a disease, and this disease kills people. It also destroys families and ruins lives. The first thing you need to do is to stop enabling your husband by doing things for him to make it easier for him to use. You need to let him know that you will no longer accept him continuing using. He must want to get better, as he is the only one who can control if he uses or not. Stopping the use of drugs for an addict is nothing that can be done without help. He needs to get into a reputable treatment program and he needs to detox under the supervision of a doctor. You need to make it perfectly clear that you will no longer accept his using and must make an ultimatum to him, either he gets help, or you leave. You must be that forcefull with him. If you continue to live with him using, it is only going to get worse. I know if I did not get the help when I did, I would not be alive today. You need to educate yourself on addiction and if you truly love him, do whatever it takes to get him into treatment before something truly bad happens. Good luck, I am living proof that there is hope for an addict.

Posted by: Zappa Fan on 2007-04-10, 09:39:13

Well, there are a few questions that need to be asked first. Is he trying to do this cold-turkey and has he been to a doctor? Your husband could need re-hab to help ease him off his addiction. Cold turkey might work for smoking and other habit forming vices, but it can be downright dangerous when it comes to drug addiction. I won't get into the medical reasoning but if you do a search on the internet there is tons of information. A stint in re-hab will give your husband the help he needs and also give you a much needed mental break, as it sound as if you are at the end of your rope. Coping with this type of addiction is not easy. Hope this helps and TALK TO A DOCTOR!!!

Posted by: stellabluz on 2007-04-10, 09:41:06

He is addicted not to the pills, but to the feeling of well being they give. I would say his level of serotonin is low, and maybe taking sintetic serotonin pills could help a lot. You can order them at manipulation drugstores.

Posted by: Jillary von Hämsterviel™ on 2007-04-10, 09:59:39

Its his problem, by 'helping' you are enabling... he has to want it for himself... the best you can do is be kind and offer to show him some pamphlets where he can seek professional guidance... you arent qualified to deal with this problem, people are trained for that . what you need is to get yourself into some 'i live with an addict classes' show him by example that you figured out what you neede dto do, and you did it. in my opinion, if you love someone, let them go. when he fixes his problem and decides taht his family is more important than an addiction, youll know. i say sit down and tell him, here is how it is. if you buy illegal drugs, ill leave. If you speak to me cruelly Ill leave. Then do it.