Detoxing

You say her doctor is aware. Does that mean she's getting medical oversight? Detoxing can be downright dangerous on some drugs, and gradual withdrawal is often necessary. I'd look for a doctor who can advise you on the best and safest approach.

Yes... I worked in the field of Addiction for several years.

It entirely depends on the meds he was on, what the dosage was and for how long. For some, detoxing is lethal (seizures, stroke, heart attack, death)... for others merely VERY dangerous (seizures, brain injury, homicidal rage, or suicidal depression)... for others merely VASTLY unpleasant (simultaneous vomiting and diarrhea, inability to stay still, panic/fear, insomnia, hallucinations, rage -but not homicidal-, depression -but not suicidal-, agitation, blinding headaches, irrational behavior, and sometimes up to several days/weeks of sleep). For each detox EXPECT all the vast unpleasantness... but you're very very lucky if that's all you get.

For MOST detox patients the first 72 hours are the worst... for medical detox patients these are the ones where they're in restraints to keep them from killing themselves or someone else, and have to be on certain types of meds to prevent seizures/ aneurysms/ death. For merely medically supervised detox (aka the danger group... but not the lethal group) the first 72 hours are also the worst... but they usually either aren't in restraints or are only in them the first 24-36 hours.

For non-medical detox (aka no risk of death, just vastly unpleasant), guess what? The first 72 hours are also the worst.

AFTER the 1st 72hours... you're looking at approximately a month of hell (one reason why inpatient treatment tends to be about a month long). Then after that first month of acute withdrawal, you will have PAWS (Post-Acute- Withdrawal-Symptoms... which is otherwise known as the mental and emotional rollercoaster, as a persons brain chemistry BEGINS to return to normal, with a few physical side effects thrown in for fun... but mostly mental and emotional) and then the next 2 years will be very VERY hard.

Rx drugs are frequently more addictive (harder to kick), and more dangerous than street drugs. Plus they're "sanctioned by society"... so they tend to be easier to get back on because the "stigma" isn't as attached to them as with street drugs.

Your mother may not need medical detox, but to find out PLEASE have her evaluated. Bring all of her prescriptions with you. Search out hiding places, and make a list of absolutely everything she has been on, & what the doses are. If possible, check with all the local pharmacies. Many Rx abusers have multiple doctors and multiple pharmacies... which is a series of felonies. Do, please, also look into residential treatment programs. Any good one will offer a free assessment (and from working in the field, I can tell you... NOT everyone is an addict, or addicted. They DO tell people when they think there isn't a problem, when the problem can be handled on an outpatient basis, and when they think a problem should be handled on an inpatient basis.

There also tend to be specific support groups set up for Rx abusers. Both through NA and through some treatment facilities.

Best of luck to you all,
R

I am glad to hear that your mother is attempting a detox, but am sad to say that this is not the place to seek advice about what may happen during the detox. The medications your mother was on will determine what the effects of going off of them will be. Some of these medications, when stopped suddenly or not weaned properly, can cause seizures, heart attacks, respiratory distress, even sudden death. I know the cost of a hospital detox program is daunting, especially with your father just having major surgery, but most insurance companies will cover a portion of it. They have these programs set up specifically so that people are able to stay well during detox, and suffer the least amount of side effects. People who successfully complete a program are less likely to relapse and go back to taking the Rx medications. If you are adamant about doing this yourself, then you need to consult a good doctor - not the one who was prescribing her all of these medications - on the best way to proceed. Contact your local AODA chapter for recommendations, they are always happy to help.

Good luck to you and your family - I pray that all works out well!

My dad went thru detox about 8 yrs ago. He suffers from migrains and was on a type of morphine and other meds (pain killers) for about 25 years. When he started seeing a new doctor, the doctor said he couldn't believe that my dad was still alive with all the meds he was taking. I didn't live at home anymore, but visited often. These are some of the symtoms that I saw and that my step mom talked about. Depression, sleeping alot especially at first. Mood swings - violent, sadness etc. Pain - depending on what she was taking, she has probably felt "numb" for some time. As the meds wear off, she will come out of the fog and feel things she hasn't felt in a long time. Certain parts of her body might hurt. My dad was very emotionally fragile. He didn't want to be around anybody. He didn't want to do anything. He didn't even want to get up to shower and brush his teeth. It was really hard for almost an entire year. Make sure you have support and a GOOD doctor that can help you.

Hi J.,

Depending on what she was on will determine a lot of this. Any psychotrophic meds/antidepressants have horrible side effects whether you're on them or trying to come off. Make sure you wean her very very slowly. Some recommend taking it down one pearl a week (when you open the capsule there are 1000 little pearls...) to avoid MOST side effects. My strongest recommendation is to see a naturopath because they understand how the body works as a total entity and not just working with symptoms and body PARTS....We detoxed my Mom from 13 meds, one of which was an antidepressant....she was never depressed. It was simply a side effect from another drug. The behavior was unpredictable but we did get through it. It took about 6 months for her to get back to normal...BUT she did get back to normal.

God bless,

M.

I don't know the exact side effects but I do know what it does to people to be on these drugs and I so wish there was a way to get ALL these doctors put away that give this stuff out like candy. I have a friend who died from addiction in her early 50's and know of at least 3 others in the same place. It's more common than you think and most of the blame goes to the doctors who give it out. Of course the ones on it have to take some responsibility but if they didn't get it given to them in the first place it wouldn't happen so easily. I do hope you mom does well, get medical help from a GOOD doctor to monitor her, and I hope your dad does well too.

Sorry to hear about your mother. My husband's grandmother was addicted to pain medication, etc. She is doing better, but it has taken many years to get to the point that she is at now. I really hope that you reported this doctor. He is contributing to addiction and hurting people and their families. This doctor shouldn't be in practice! Best wishes.

Everything Riley said. Listen to that. this is a VERY dangerous situation. good luck and God bless

Riley, you rock. Great advice from an obviously experienced person!

I just wanted to add my support for you in this situation. I'm so sorry that everything has hit you all at once, but stay strong and please keep up posted on your mom's progress.