Need Help for Alternative Ways for Detox for Drug abuse

[Faith]

I have a friend that came into the office that this morning asking for
help. He has been on Lortab pain medications for years and the doctors
will just keep giving him Rx for months at a time. He will take 120 within a
month.

Just a little hx. He has brain cyst that's benign and isn't growing but he does have headaches
related to the pressure. He needs to have a shunt put in to drain the
fluid but they only give him a 50/50 chance of nothing major happening such
as a stroke etc. He is afraid to have it done. He's had this for I know at least
2-3 years.

Dan has just recently trying to get his life back in order after making a big
mistake a few months ago by leaving his significant other of 5 yrs and moving
in with a women he met at work (which was a big mistake as they had nothing
in common). He's left this person and moved back in with Rhonda before
Christmas and trying to makeup for the mistakes he's made.

Dan doesn't have any insurance or money for Rehab Center. We have talked
this morning about trying to help him at home and getting outside counseling.
I know there are vitamins/minerals that they give with detox and was wondering
if anyone could help and any other advice could help. Today is his second day of
coming off of drugs and he is beginning to feel it. I told him I would help in anyway I could.

Faith

 

[penumbra]

Some things that might help:

*B-12 (sublingual form)
*Milk thistle!!! (pretty much ALL prescription drugs build up in your liver, and liver toxicity makes you feel bad all over)
*Lots of water to flush out the system.
*Tell Dan to try Cayenne capsules for the pain. Works great, but you have to take it every few hours, WITH food!!!

Hope this helps!

 

[Faith]

penumbra, thanks for the advice will past it on.
I have seen liver detox tea's in the health food store's do you think that
would help?

Do you know how much of the milk thistle and B12 to take and how often? Also
on the cayenne pepper about how freequent?

Sorry, I'm just not too familar with alternative medications but have been
trying to learn more.

I think we can all help him over this as long as he is willing
to try and right now he is. This morning he was very depressed and feeling like
there wasn't any use in living. We sent him home from work since he's not had
anything in 2 days and going to have someone with him at all times.

One thing I've read is to get a lot of exercise so can sweat a lot, and if possible
use a sauna but I suggested possible hot baths. But told them to be sure
and drink a lot of fluids so as not to get dehydrated. Also to be sure and
eat a balance diet 3x day.

Remember Dan in your prayers along with Rhonda and others that may be
helping him through this rough time. He is really a nice guy and has a lot
of potential. He's just gotten hooked on pain medications like so many
people do and the doctors just keep giving it. That really upsets me when
doctors just try to mask the symptoms and not get to the root of the
problems.

 

[Mineymoe]

If he can find a MD that will give him IV mega doses of Vitamin C, (50,000 - 75,000 mg)he can detox fairly soon.
Otherwise, he can take Vitamin C powder, about 1,000 mg per hour will do the job. He should research to know what to expect.
If he can find a medical grade ozone generator (maybe ebay) he can treat the cyst by doing ear canal insufflations.

 

[AddisonRose]

Faith, Hydrocodone is extremely addictive as you know. If your friend is wanting to quit, he should be talking to his doctor about withdrawing slowly from the drug. It is not something you just quit taking after taking 120 tabs a month for a while -- severe withdrawal can occur.

His doctor can help him reduce his dosage until he can come off without problems. It will be easier on his body too.

Any silymarin/milk thistle product will help to detox the liver. B12 needs to be taken with Intrinsic Factor or find a B12 with the Intrinsic Factor added. IF carries the B12 from stomach to the intestines where it is utilized. Without, the B12 will just sit in stomach. I would just follow the label to be conservative.

He needs to stay away from processed foods, and white sugar/flour/rice. Stick to raw or lightly steamed vegetables, fresh fruit and cold water fish or lean white chicken, and take flaxseed oil daily.

 

[Beetree]

Seizure?

Ever heard of a Grand Mal Seizure? Ask the folks at drug treatment centers. With drawing from drugs can be very dangerous. My neighbor had a seizure just from quitting alcohol. Most of the time they give patients something like valuim etc. to get them past the dangerous point. The brain is a very funny thing. It does not like to have electrical SURGES!

 

[teefleur]

Your friend needs to be under the care of a doctor! He is already medically at risk, and detox is a major shock to an addicted body!

Also, many areas sponsor free or greatly reduced (sliding scale fee) clinics for detox. For his sake - and for yours - (as legal problems could arise if his detox/intervention should go awry) - PLEASE SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP!

 

[It'sJustMe]

I agree with those saying that this kind of de-tox is not something to be done at home, alone. Seizures can occur at any time, leading to all kinds of other serious issues. IMHO I would tell Dan to get to the ER right away and tell them what he is attenpting to do and have them give him something to hold him over until he can get to his doctor. It's Just Me

 

[Faith]

Thank you all for your advice. It is very much appreciated. Yes, professional help seems to
be the way to go and that's what I had told them yesterday but the main problem there is the ability to pay. I search yesterday for some help and everyone wanted at least $100 an hour and that is for outside counseling. The main thing I worry about with him at home is
the brain cyst. I don't want this to cause him more pressure to cause the headaches to become worse and the posssiblity of a seizure. (yes, Beetree I know what a Grand Mal seizure is I've taken care of a lot of people with seizures but thank you for the reminder, I had considered it and did let the family know of the possiblity).

Right now its hard to know exactly how bad his headaches are because he's been on
so much drugs. I know a couple of weeks ago he had a really severe one here at the
office at the time I didn't know he was taking any RX drugs. He took a couple of advil I
know at the time and we turned off the lights in my office for relaxation and he finally
got some relief.

I appreciate all your help. I haven't heard anything this morning awaiting till his mother-in-law comes to work to find out how things went last night. I'm still going to try to find him
some help. I did find out after I had posted that he has come off of the drugs in the past
with Rhonda and her mother helping him at home. It was only after he left Rhonda and
was in a very bad situation that the headaches became worse and he went back to
the doctor and they started him back. Once you have the taste of drugs in your system
it is hard to kick the habit.

Continue to pray for Dan and his family.

Thanks once again you folks are the greatest,
Faith

 

[teefleur]

Faith, your friend needs help for BEHAVIORAL problems - as well as professional medical help. I don't know where in OK you are, but some of these links may be helpful. You said, "I didn't know he was taking any RX drugs." That speaks VOLUMES. You don't know this guy at all and you should NOT be taking on responsibility for his care. And neither should his girlfriend or family. First step should be Emergency Room.

Best of luck to all...

http://www.health.state.ok.us/program/hivstd/CD/Resource Directory/oklahoma_county_resources.htm

http://www.health.state.ok.us/program/hivstd/CD/Resource Directory/tulsa_county_resources.htm

http://www.addictionca.com/contact2.htm?state=Oklahoma

 

[Faith]

teefleur, thank you for the links. I have printed them out and will pass them on.

No I'm not taking responsiblity for Dan. I'm just trying to offer a little advice and be there for a shoulder to lean on and talk to. When someone is reaching out for help I will try to help all I can. As far as the family goes this isn't the first time that they have ever had to
deal with someone on Rx drugs. Rhonda's father had to go into Rehab for tx and another
family member several years ago. So they have had experience with Psyche problems and don't have a lot of confidence in psyche doctors and meds.

Yes, we are trying to find some counseling for him and Rhonda. I have stressed this to
them from the very beginning that he needs to get help. Just trying to find an affordable
counseling service.

Thank you once again for your help,
Faith

 

[teefleur]

Faith, if you notice on the things you printed out, many of the services are FREE.

Dan's loved ones would benefit from Al Anon. It's not just for families and friends of alcoholics. Dan needs a different kind of treatment right now - and psych help at this point AIN'T IT!

The loved ones need to learn how to modify their OWN behavior - how they react to the addict. Whole different ball game. Al Anon is free too. Meetings every day/night EVERYWHERE. Just look up AA in the local phone book and call. They'll direct you to nearest Al Anon meetings.

The loved ones CANNOT - repeat - CAN NOT "fix" Dan. Dan has to "fix" himself.

Best to all of you and keep us posted. (((Faith)))

 

[homepark]

If he shows up at a hospital ER in withdrawl, I do think that it would be hard for them to turn him away. Once admitted, the social workers can try to get him into a rehab that will accept whatever his local health dept is paying these days.

 

[monkeyface]

Look in the phone book and call the different rehab centers in Ok. My daughter went to one here in Utah that was covered by the state for about 8 months to get off meth. There are programs that will assist him, it's just finding it. Good luck.