Hello. I just found out that a friend of mine has been addicted to pain killers since 2002. He says he takes them to keep from being depressed. This addiction has lead him to debt. He basically will buy anything he wants to, and doesn't think about the consequences. He says that the painkillers give him that feeling that everything will work out. I was aware that he USED to be addicted, but he told me that he quit months ago. Just tonight, he told me that he is still using them. He says that he has prepared himself for the withdrawals, and that he is stopping tomorrow. I have never known anyone that has been addicted to painkillers, and I don't know what to do or say to him. I definately want to help him, but he has to want to help himself. We have been talking about joining a gym, and were planning to do so tomorrow. I am hoping that he is serious about kicking this habit. I just want to know what I should and shouldn't do as far as helping him goes. I am sure this can be a very serious addiction and I want to make sure I do everything I can to help him, and not push him to it. Any suggestions?
<Labluvr>
Posted
By the way, this is really Lab. For some reason, it's saying I am logged on, yet asks for a guest name when I post. Gotta love them computers!!
quote:Originally posted by Labluvr: Hello. I just found out that a friend of mine has been addicted to pain killers since 2002. He says he takes them to keep from being depressed. This addiction has lead him to debt. He basically will buy anything he wants to, and doesn't think about the consequences. He says that the painkillers give him that feeling that everything will work out. I was aware that he USED to be addicted, but he told me that he quit months ago. Just tonight, he told me that he is still using them. He says that he has prepared himself for the withdrawals, and that he is stopping tomorrow. I have never known anyone that has been addicted to painkillers, and I don't know what to do or say to him. I definately want to help him, but he has to want to help himself. We have been talking about joining a gym, and were planning to do so tomorrow. I am hoping that he is serious about kicking this habit. I just want to know what I should and shouldn't do as far as helping him goes. I am sure this can be a very serious addiction and I want to make sure I do everything I can to help him, and not push him to it. Any suggestions?
I would not suggest that he do this without medical supervision. He needs to admit himself to a psychiatric hospital and be monitored. Withdrawal from an addictive drug can lead to cardiac arrest among other things. Please encourage him to get the help that he so desperatley needs.
"Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish" Euripides
Posts: 9270 | Location (City, State): New places equal new faces. | Registered: Sun April 06 2003
quote:Originally posted by Labluvr: Hello. I just found out that a friend of mine has been addicted to pain killers since 2002. He says he takes them to keep from being depressed. This addiction has lead him to debt. He basically will buy anything he wants to, and doesn't think about the consequences. He says that the painkillers give him that feeling that everything will work out. I was aware that he USED to be addicted, but he told me that he quit months ago. Just tonight, he told me that he is still using them. He says that he has prepared himself for the withdrawals, and that he is stopping tomorrow. I have never known anyone that has been addicted to painkillers, and I don't know what to do or say to him. I definately want to help him, but he has to want to help himself. We have been talking about joining a gym, and were planning to do so tomorrow. I am hoping that he is serious about kicking this habit. I just want to know what I should and shouldn't do as far as helping him goes. I am sure this can be a very serious addiction and I want to make sure I do everything I can to help him, and not push him to it. Any suggestions?
I would not suggest that he do this without medical supervision. He needs to admit himself to a psychiatric hospital and be monitored. Withdrawal from an addictive drug can lead to cardiac arrest among other things. Please encourage him to get the help that he so desperatley needs.
Excuse me?? Like I said, I have never personally known someone that has been addited to painkillers, so I do not know the severity of the problem. That is why I am asking. If you are a member, why don't you sign on and make yourself known. If you are a troll, then **** off.
~*~Labluvr~*~
My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dogs already think I am.
quote:Originally posted by Bonskeep: Don't pay any attention to that one Labluvr. Is it lortab that your friend is addicted to? Lortab is very dangerous.
Lol, thanks Bons! He is addicted to vicadin. I suggested that he seek professional medical attention, and he said that he didn't think he needed to. He says that he can shake it himself. I am planning on talking to him face to face this weekend and I am going to do everything in my power to get him to agree to get professional help. If he refuses, I have no idea what to do. I guess I won't be able to do anything. He has to have to want to help himself. He did tell me that withdrawals last about 72 hours. I guess he has quit 2 times before, but ended up relapsing. Like I mentioned before, this is all completely new to me!!
~*~Labluvr~*~
My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dogs already think I am.
quote:Originally posted by Bonskeep: Don't pay any attention to that one Labluvr. Is it lortab that your friend is addicted to? Lortab is very dangerous.
Lol, thanks Bons! He is addicted to vicadin. I suggested that he seek professional medical attention, and he said that he didn't think he needed to. He says that he can shake it himself. I am planning on talking to him face to face this weekend and I am going to do everything in my power to get him to agree to get professional help. If he refuses, I have no idea what to do. I guess I won't be able to do anything. He has to have to want to help himself. He did tell me that withdrawals last about 72 hours. I guess he has quit 2 times before, but ended up relapsing. Like I mentioned before, this is all completely new to me!!
You are right. He has to want to help himself. It is just so dangerous for addicted people to try and quit on their own without medical supervision. I hope that he takes your advice. He will be in my thoughts.
"Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish" Euripides
Posts: 9270 | Location (City, State): New places equal new faces. | Registered: Sun April 06 2003
Wow, LL...I also had a friend who was addicted to Vicodin...not a good thing and extremely hard to get off of. I don't really feel comfortable discussing this on an open forum, but if you'd like to PT me, I'd be glad to elaborate..
Posts: 14048 | Location (City, State): Indiana, USA | Registered: Sat September 06 2003
quote:Originally posted by Bonskeep: Don't pay any attention to that one Labluvr. Is it lortab that your friend is addicted to? Lortab is very dangerous.
Lol, thanks Bons! He is addicted to vicadin. I suggested that he seek professional medical attention, and he said that he didn't think he needed to. He says that he can shake it himself. I am planning on talking to him face to face this weekend and I am going to do everything in my power to get him to agree to get professional help. If he refuses, I have no idea what to do. I guess I won't be able to do anything. He has to have to want to help himself. He did tell me that withdrawals last about 72 hours. I guess he has quit 2 times before, but ended up relapsing. Like I mentioned before, this is all completely new to me!!
You are right. He has to want to help himself. It is just so dangerous for addicted people to try and quit on their own without medical supervision. I hope that he takes your advice. He will be in my thoughts.
Thanks Bons, your thoughts are greatly appreciated. I really hope he takes my advice also. I will keep you posted...
~*~Labluvr~*~
My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dogs already think I am.
quote:Originally posted by CrystalK: Wow, LL...I also had a friend who was addicted to Vicodin...not a good thing and extremely hard to get off of. I don't really feel comfortable discussing this on an open forum, but if you'd like to PT me, I'd be glad to elaborate..
I am sure it would be hard. I will pt you.
~*~Labluvr~*~
My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dogs already think I am.
That is really a shame, but not uncommon. Lortab,vic,lorac, all have the codiene in them depending what mg you get is he on 10? That would be bad because the only other ingred is tylenol, which hurts the kidneys, so you get hyper then sleepy. as I have been reading you all are right you cant make them stop they have to want to, and do need medical attention. Please tell your friend dont do it alone, you may not have a friend if they do it that way, seek a DOCTOR! A good source of help will always tell you the same thing ....... hope this has helped! Kia
quote:Originally posted by Kia: That is really a shame, but not uncommon. Lortab,vic,lorac, all have the codiene in them depending what mg you get is he on 10? That would be bad because the only other ingred is tylenol, which hurts the kidneys, so you get hyper then sleepy. as I have been reading you all are right you cant make them stop they have to want to, and do need medical attention. Please tell your friend dont do it alone, you may not have a friend if they do it that way, seek a DOCTOR! A good source of help will always tell you the same thing ....... hope this has helped! Kia
Kia, I am not sure what mg he is taking. He says that it's the opiates that is what makes him addicted. He says he is slowly weening himself off of them. He will not take my help or anyone elses help. I have pleaded and pleaded with him.
~*~Labluvr~*~
My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dogs already think I am.
Labluvr, I just read this! I am so sorry to hear about your friend but here is something you must understand. You cannot help him..he has to be willing to accept help from you or anyone and it seems he is not ready to do that. My friend's son is adicted to painkillers and has been in detox 2 times and is currently undergoing detox again. Unfortunately, the tylenol in those meds is almost as bad as the narcotic in that it kills the liver slowly but can kill him nonetheless. Be there for him and support him BUT I can tell you froj firsthand experience--an addict can sap the life right out of you...and the sad thing is, they do not intend to do it or understand what it si they are doing..I do not intend to be mean, but I have worked with addicts, had experience with it in friends and sad to say, one of my dearest nurse friends is currently hooked on Demerol. It hurts so much to watch them slip downhill and not be able to help. Sometimes, all we can do is pray, trust and be there for them when they reach bottom. Do not plead with him as it only adds to his controlling of you and others. BTW, I believe hydrocodone and not codeine, is the active narcotic in Vicodin..Sorry for any typos didn't recheck my typing.
Posts: 698 | Location (City, State): central Md. | Registered: Thu December 04 2003
Thanks Whisper. I spoke with him yesterday, and he told me that he took the rest of the week off of work, so he can concentrate on breaking himself of this addiction. He said that he can't go through it at work because it leaves him feeling very tired and anxious. I don't know how he is doing as of now. Thank you for the advice though. I refuse to let him drag me down.
~*~Labluvr~*~
My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dogs already think I am.
go to webmd.com and look up withdrawal and see what it can tell you it is a wonderful site and a wealth of information. or go to ask jeeves he can answer almost anything. I wish you well. I went threw withdrawal of alcohol with three friends it was not pretty and they said some pretty nasty things. If I can be of help let me know
Hey Dandy! Lots has happened since I posted this. My friend is now going through treatment at a clinic here in Iowa. He goes every morning and they give him a pill (methodone??). He has to check in with them every day. He will be doing this for at least a year. He is very happy and is slowly getting his life back together. He decided to do this on his own. I guess he just was ready. I am so happy for him! Thank you for your concern!
~*~Labluvr~*~
My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dogs already think I am.
