Opiate Withdrawal: Methadone Facts

Question: How can i help someone going through opiate withdrawals?

(Posted by: Aozora on 2008-11-15 20:04:09)

I decided to help a family member get off drugs. He is a type I diabetic and middle aged with other health problems so that makes it more difficult. Is there anything I can do to help them be more comfortable and make sure they are not in need of medical attention? His insurance does not cover detox so it has to be done at home. Serious answers only please. Thanks. It's heroin. I've been through this before with him, not fun >. < Trainspotting's one of my favorite movies. I'm just looking for something to help with the anxiety and nausea. It's too late. They've already started. He tried to get some pills to take and gradually reduce but it didn't work out. It's my dad, btw. He's been through this 100's of times and I'm really getting tired of it. I'm looking for an affordable detox place : (

Posted by: indigo on 2008-11-15, 20:20:01

Well.... um.... it depends on the opiates, but be ready for anything from him being nasty to flat out hallucinating. Opiate withdrawl blows. Make sure you keep on top of the diabetes, and testing his sugar..his body is going to be very unhappy comming down off of this and you need to make sure it doens't make the diabetes worse. Also, be prepared for him to yell, scream, kick things and freak out for more drugs... watch Trainspotting, Ewen McGregor detoxes from heroin (an opiate) at home... pills aren't as bad unless he's flat out doing morphene. Usually, opiate withdrawl is miserable, but non-lifethreatening. If he gets violent, hallucinates, or his breathing / heart rate speeds up or slows a lot dial 911. They'll have to watch him at a hospital. Depending on the opiate, it's going to take anywhere from 24hours to a week to get it out of his system. Opiates create psycological cravings more than physical - he'll THINK he's desperate for the drug even though it's physically out of his body.... this is because opiates block pain sensors. You feel GOOD! on them. But once you stop taking them, your bodies endorphins take a lot of time (relativly) to start up again...little things like, stubbing your toe or an old injury HURT like crazy. He thinks he's in MUCH more pain than he really is. I would google or wikipedia whatever drug he's on - there should be some good info on what specific withdrawls are like, and how long it stays in someone's body. Good luck. Remember to duck! edit: wow.. good luck.... I'm not sure what you can take for the anxiety ect... especially as a diabetic. That's one for the doctors... I know people who've had good luck with methadone as a long term solution to heroin problems... it might be worth a try.

Posted by: Jay D on 2008-11-15, 21:54:55

Going cold turkey is a b*tch. Is there anyway you can get an MD to give him oral liquid morphine and over a few weeks slowly reduce the dose until he is free? Clonidine is useful for reducing some of the side effects of withdrawal. The nausea can be controlled with scopolomine patches.

Posted by: LINDA W on 2008-11-16, 09:57:39

I have met the similiar problem before -- still a little bit annoy,here healthinsurance-onlinetips.info/ health-insurance-for-free.htm is a good resource that help me out.