Please explain withdrawal...

[blue_eyes18]

Hey everyone,
Could someone please tell me about the process of withdrawal? I am wondering how long it takes to get over it. Is it like a month? I am confused about these dates cause I have read bits and pieces but can't really find what I need to know.
I am not asking this for myself, but to understand someone else and what the heck they are going through! Their personality seems so off right now!!!!
When will he be back to normal?!!!!

[namommy]

The length of time depends on what they are withdrawling from. Also, the symptoms depend on what they are coming off of. Maybe it would help if you could let us know.

[blue_eyes18]

Oh, sorry. I left it all out. I was just upset when I wrote it. He used to shoot up heroin, and he is on methadone maintenance. He shot up for like 4 or 5 years!!

[Stargirl]

blue eyes
I was addicted to oxycontin which is a synthetic heroin. I will help u out as much as possible. I did it for 3-4 years and the withdrawls where horrible. Right off the bat i will tell you the best thing to do is to be supportive of him. He is going to seem way out of whack with everything that is going on and look and feel very sick. When I came off oxy I could not function at all for at least a week or two. I couldnt eat, sleep, sit still or do anything. I didnt know whether I was coming or going and I was just completely miserable. My family had no idea what I felt like and it was very hard. I didnt sleep normally for about a month or two. I used methadone also but was given only 2 5mg tablets of it which i used in 2 days. That was all though. My best advice is for him to get off the methadone asap because that is also addicting if he is taking it to get high. Methadone is harder to come off of and is worse for your body. This is why when I asked to get on it when I was going through withdrawls the doctors would not give me more than 2 tablets. Methadone maintenance can last up to 2-3 years or more sometimes and its almost like you're still on drugs because you have to take something everyday just to get through the day. Try and suggest him maybe weening himself off of it like taking one a day for a week, then half a pill a day for a week, than a quarter of a pill for a week, than a quarter every other day until he feels he doesnt need it at all. That is what I did this time after I relapsed and it worked well. Just a suggestion. He may not want to do this at all but it might mean he doesnt want to fully quit the drugs. Like my ex he didnt want to quit doing drugs all together he just wanted to be able to control his use.....NOT POSSIBLE. If you have any more questions feel free to ask. I know how helpful it is being an addict and having someone understand somewhat how you feel. -star-

[blue_eyes18]

Thank you Stargirl!!!

[servicejunkie]

Most opiates are somewhat similar in duration of withdrawles if the use is heavy. The only exception to the rule is methadone. If he is comming off of methadone, the symptoms can exist for two or three times as long or longer than with other opiates. Its great that he has somebody like you to support him in his recovery. I would suggest checking out the naranon board for some support for YOURSELF. I know I put my family through hell. Hopefully he is just as willing as you to reach out for help.

[blue_eyes18]

Hey Servicejunkie~
Thanks for your reply! No, I wish he was as willing to reach out for help, but really, he'd rather just hide away most of the time and not let anyone help him. He thinks it is pitiful and doesn't like people seeing him looking or feeling sick. I don't guess a lot of people really do like everyone seeing them, but he should not feel so bad about it because I WANT to be there for him. I wish he would stop being so hard headed!!!