BeginAgain

Hi britt. As you read through these threads you will find a wealth of info on different methods of withdrawl and the symptoms. Additionally, you'll find suggestions for dealing with the symptoms to make them a bit more bearable.

He will have withdrawl if dropping suddenly from 20 vicodin a day. No doubt about it. Expect restless legs, insomnia, body aches, sinus symptoms, agitation, anxiety, stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea, sweats, chills and possibly rebound pain in his knee. About all you can do is treat the symptoms with over the counter meds unless he is willing to go inpatient somewhere. In a detox environment they can give him other medications to offset some of the symptoms and begin to provide education, counseling and support for ongoing recovery from addiction.

All that being said. Addiction is about alot more than the physical dependence and withdrawl. It's about learning to live with life on lifes terms. He will need support..lots of it. Personally I believe very strongly in 12 step programs and the peer support they provide. People who have been through the same. Some people say it isn't "for them" and they get through it without the support and guideance of an outside group or 12 step program. It may take some time to find a group he feels comfortable with and can relate to. Believe me, those rooms are filled with people from all walks of life and all types of addiction. There are also online meetings. Most internet home sites have groups and chat. You can find NA support meetings there too. When you go into a chat you may find that people are just goofing off...but if you speak up and say you are hurting or need help someone will answer and they will listen.

I encourage you to have HIM post here about his feelings and symptoms. He'll get alot of feedback and support. So will you. If you haven't already cut off the sources of the medications. Some people go back to the doctors where the meds were prescribed and ask for help getting off them. Some will be very understanding and help with a taper program or some other support & suggestions. Even if your doctor won't..you can find one who will. There are doc's that specialize in addiction medicine. They are usually internal medicine or family practice doc's that receive specialized training in addiction and may have special certifications and licenses. My personal physician is a recovering alcoholic and an addiction specialist.

Sounds like from your post he is three days into his cold turkey detox. The physical symptoms usually peak in 3-4 days..but it may be longer. It varies. Be conscious of the fact that even after the physical part subsides, it will be some time before he feels like himself again. Anxiety..a feeling of wanting to jump out of your own skin, insomnia, depression, moodiness, crying, lack of energy and compulsive thoughts of using may hang on from a few days to a few weeks. For me it was about 3 weeks before I was feeling near my old self and still the thoughts of using pop in unexpectedly like an unwelcome visitor. They can be tough to deal with. This is where the support comes in. It's helpful to have someone who understands to talk to BEFORE you pick up that pill bottle again. Someone who can "talk you down" when needed.

I appologize for the legnth of this post, but I wanted to try and be as comprehensive as possible. I'm sure there are things I've left out. There will be others along to provide more support and advice. It is much quieter here on weekends than through the week. Rest assured..there is life after this and it gets much better. Just takes time and patience. You just have to hang on until that better time comes. No matter what, always know that whatever is happening...this too shall pass.

One more thing..with all the hours he works he may need to take a few days to feel better if possible. It's hard to keep going when you're sick and anxious and old patterns tend to lead us back to old behaviors. Work was very hard for me the first few days back and some days I still have trouble getting focused. I'm now 50 days clean after a relapse.

Best of luck. We'll be here if needed.