Dangers of prescription med detox
All is not as it appears.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Thurmont, Maryland
Posts: 51
Dangers of prescription med detox
I didn’t know what forum to put this in so please move it to a forum that will offer me the best help.
Hello good people,
I could use a little help. I've had and was fortunate enough to overcome my own addictions, so I understand the way our body and mind becomes part of a terrible lie that keeps us in bondage. To keep this short, "I love my parents" but my Mother is 72 yrs. old and has been addicted to prescription drugs for many years. My father is 73 yrs. old and a rigid former marine that believes he knows everything about everything. He wont take a pill for anything because he believes pain is all in your head. I believe that deep down they love each other. Neither one of them can live without each other, but it's a cold, extremely dysfunctional relationship.
I could easily type a book here explaining the extent of their dysfunctional, but to give you a hint… They're like George's parents on Seinfeld only worse. My Father is a perfectionist with little compassion about her addiction and my Mother is currently in a hospital for a legitimate neck operation. My Father has been telling her and everyone else that he's taking her off all of these drugs as soon as the hospital releases her. He's been told this could be very dangerous (not by a doctor) and the detox could kill her. He wont listen and I fear he'll try it.
I live an hour away from them and the rest of the family lives a slight bit further. He wont listen to any of us but I honestly think its time that the immediate family got together with both of them and confront the situation the most compassionate, factual way we can. First, I doubt if their insurance would cover a detox program if my mother chose to seek help. They cant afford it out of pocket. My father needs counseling himself about a few things but that's another story.
We all live in Maryland. I've Googled the net for prescription drug addiction facts (FDA, NIDA, SAMSHA) from reliable sources, but none of them touch (in depth) on the dangers of detoxing from medications. We have no idea what she's taking other then heart medicine. She's doing the switch doctors game and they're all giving her something different. She asks my sister in law for some of her meds, you may get the picture.
If you have a link to some reliable information that explains the dangers of detoxing incorrectly, or suggestions about anything else, its greatly appreciated.
Mark
Hello good people,
I could use a little help. I've had and was fortunate enough to overcome my own addictions, so I understand the way our body and mind becomes part of a terrible lie that keeps us in bondage. To keep this short, "I love my parents" but my Mother is 72 yrs. old and has been addicted to prescription drugs for many years. My father is 73 yrs. old and a rigid former marine that believes he knows everything about everything. He wont take a pill for anything because he believes pain is all in your head. I believe that deep down they love each other. Neither one of them can live without each other, but it's a cold, extremely dysfunctional relationship.
I could easily type a book here explaining the extent of their dysfunctional, but to give you a hint… They're like George's parents on Seinfeld only worse. My Father is a perfectionist with little compassion about her addiction and my Mother is currently in a hospital for a legitimate neck operation. My Father has been telling her and everyone else that he's taking her off all of these drugs as soon as the hospital releases her. He's been told this could be very dangerous (not by a doctor) and the detox could kill her. He wont listen and I fear he'll try it.
I live an hour away from them and the rest of the family lives a slight bit further. He wont listen to any of us but I honestly think its time that the immediate family got together with both of them and confront the situation the most compassionate, factual way we can. First, I doubt if their insurance would cover a detox program if my mother chose to seek help. They cant afford it out of pocket. My father needs counseling himself about a few things but that's another story.
We all live in Maryland. I've Googled the net for prescription drug addiction facts (FDA, NIDA, SAMSHA) from reliable sources, but none of them touch (in depth) on the dangers of detoxing from medications. We have no idea what she's taking other then heart medicine. She's doing the switch doctors game and they're all giving her something different. She asks my sister in law for some of her meds, you may get the picture.
If you have a link to some reliable information that explains the dangers of detoxing incorrectly, or suggestions about anything else, its greatly appreciated.
Mark
Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: SAN DIEGO, CA
Posts: 379
Sane -
I'm a newbie here, so I don't have much advice to give. Welcome to SR. I'm sure someone will be along shortly.
In the meantime, there is a great sticky thread at the top of the alcoholism forum about quitting and what to expect. I would read that from top to bottom. It sounds to me that your fears are well founded. Perhaps you could find an addiction specialist (easier said than done, I know) who could meet with your father. There are medications that can help with withdrawal, and going at it alone at your mother's age and health could be VERY dangerous!
Best of luck -
TinLizzy
I'm a newbie here, so I don't have much advice to give. Welcome to SR. I'm sure someone will be along shortly.
In the meantime, there is a great sticky thread at the top of the alcoholism forum about quitting and what to expect. I would read that from top to bottom. It sounds to me that your fears are well founded. Perhaps you could find an addiction specialist (easier said than done, I know) who could meet with your father. There are medications that can help with withdrawal, and going at it alone at your mother's age and health could be VERY dangerous!
Best of luck -
TinLizzy
All is not as it appears.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Thurmont, Maryland
Posts: 51
Thanks! I'm on a search but it appears the few warnings I'm finding are rather vague. I'll look at your suggestion. I wish I could find something that would scare some sense into both of them, but I wont give up.
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,599
Hello and Welcome,
Unfortunately, I don't think we can give you that kind of information here. You really need to talk to your dr to get the facts you need. I am sure it is worrisome to have your mother in such a situation and you might find it helpful to check out the Friends and Families of Substance Abusers forum on this board. You'll find lots of support there.
Unfortunately, I don't think we can give you that kind of information here. You really need to talk to your dr to get the facts you need. I am sure it is worrisome to have your mother in such a situation and you might find it helpful to check out the Friends and Families of Substance Abusers forum on this board. You'll find lots of support there.
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