Safe to take low dose Ativan during first few days of opiate withdrawal?

4 Oct 2010

Hi 3catgirl,
Yes it is safe, just don't over do it! Are ye sick girl? Let us know how you are doing.

sweetlemon

4 Oct 2010

Hi, thanks for the quick response. My stepson is in his third day of withdrawal from opiates of various kinds... until we can get him into treatment am trying to find some way to at least calm his nervousness.

4 Oct 2010

Call the doctor and ask for clonidine aka catapres, it may help, I am not sure if you can take both the ativan and the catapres at the same time. Pharmacist will know, ask.

4 Oct 2010

Hi catgirl. How old is your stepson? Did he suddenly stop taking the opiates? If so, the Thomas Recipe as sweetlemon suggested may help him a lot. Since he is already 3 days in to this, a slow taper off is of no use now. You may as well stick it out with him and get through this as painless as possible. Please get him Advil, ImodiumAD, the ativan will help, hot soaks in the tub, change cotton T's often, keep him warm, and push as much water and gatorade as possible. The more he sweats and urinates the faster the meds will be out of his system. It is critical he stay hydrated. A dark calm environment, deep breathing techniques to help calm panicking, and lots of moral support. It's also important to get counseling. It will help to understand why he started using the pills and help prevent relapsing. If his condition worsens or he doesn't seem to be improving, please take him to the doctor. You are a very caring stepmom for seeking this help for him. Please come back for support and I will keep your family in my prayers.

My very best wishes,
chris

5 Oct 2010

Hi. Thanks for the guidance on using this forum. Didn't realize the requirement to add you folks as friends before I could send private messages. Thanks to every one of you who have been so kind and so candid with your quick and thoughtful responses.

7 Oct 2010

My son about the same age, went thru this a few times. I might add to be watchful of when he feels normal and well again. That seemed to be the time that they forget how horrible the withdrawal is and if he is going to start again it will be when he feels good again and thinks he can do it somemore because he knows what to do about withdrawal to minimize it. The more terrifying the withdrawal is the better he will remember it but hopefully he has been thru enough. Good Luck.

18 Oct 2010

with out a doubt having a benzo to take while trying to kick the dragon is very imprtant to your sucesss it will ease your mind and help you to be calm unfortunatly it wont help with any pains

30 Dec 2011

YES YES YES!!! just be very careful not to become additicted. I an in 3rd day of heavy heavy use of opiate withdrawl, before Ativan I was crazy out of my head, did not sleep for 5 whole days, paced nearly 24 hours a day. After Ativan there is glorious sleep and blissful calm. Good luck and you can achieve this!