[mashik777]

Yesterday a doctor called me and told that my husband stole prescriptions from him and uses it under different names to buy Vicoprofen. He told me that the pharmacy has to report such cases to DEA and that my husband can go to jail. My husband told me that he was abusing Hydrocodone-Ibuprofen / Vicoprofen 7.5/200 mg for the last few years. He was trying to quit, but then started again about a month ago. He started from 5 day and now taking 30-40 pills a day!
What should I do, how can I help him? Every time I speak to him, he admits that he has a problem. He promises to quit, but when I find out something new. I never know if he is on med or not. In addition he is an alcoholic and drinks a few shots of whiskey or vodka or mixes it with a beer every day. He also smokes mar. on a daily basis. Please help!!! I don't know what to do ;-(
Please let me know, where to go, what to do! How to help him!!! Thanks a lot to everyone!

[babydaddy724]

Wow 30-40 is a lot... I dont think a taper would work with the pills at this point because his doc caught him... I dont know what kind of trouble he is going to be in for stealing the presciptions, if he goes to jail he will have no choice but to detox... If he manages to stay out of jail I would recommend suboxone. He can get his life back on track while managing his addiction.

[Freedom4me]

Mashik,
He has to want to quit. It sounds like he may not have a choice at this point. If he is drinking, smoking pot and taking 30-40 pills a day he has a serious problem. Is rehab an option? His detox is not going to be a picnic and he will have to detox froma all of it. I think he probably needs a counselor too to understand why he is doing this to himself. You need to take care of yourself and decide if this is the kind of life you want to lead.

[tired2]

Originally Posted by mashik777

Yesterday a doctor called me and told that my husband stole prescriptions from him and uses it under different names to buy Vicoprofen. He told me that the pharmacy has to report such cases to DEA and that my husband can go to jail. My husband told me that he was abusing Hydrocodone-Ibuprofen / Vicoprofen 7.5/200 mg for the last few years. He was trying to quit, but then started again about a month ago. He started from 5 day and now taking 30-40 pills a day!
What should I do, how can I help him? Every time I speak to him, he admits that he has a problem. He promises to quit, but when I find out something new. I never know if he is on med or not. In addition he is an alcoholic and drinks a few shots of whiskey or vodka or mixes it with a beer every day. He also smokes mar. on a daily basis. Please help!!! I don't know what to do ;-(
Please let me know, where to go, what to do! How to help him!!! Thanks a lot to everyone!

Your husband needs serious help as you already know.Not only has he broken the law by stealing a perscription pad and been caught.This is a very serious crime.He can very well end up in jail.Should he end up doing jail time he will also have to deal with serious w/d's.I would try to get him into a rehab program which will help get him off the pills and alcohol.Hopefully the courts will see he has a problem and has seeked help.What happens from that point will be up to the courts to decide.

Good Luck,

[ARTIST658]

Dear Mashik,

My heart goes out to you. I don't think we have enough information to clearly help - is your husband WILLING to get clean? You said he admits to a problem, but that is only one part - the next part is whether or not he is willing to do what he needs to, in order to get clean.

This combination of drugs is dangerous - and can easily be lethal. He needs help. This is not a detox that I would suggest he try to do alone. In my opinion, it's best to do this in-patient in a detox facility - is he willing to do that?

In the meantime, there IS help for you. There are 12-step programs, like Naranon (or Alanon) for those affected by another's drug/alcohol use. They can provide YOU with a lot of support and help, as this situation is bound to make you feel crazy. Addiction is a FAMILY disease - everyone around the addict is affected by it.

The legal problems are serious - but I can't help but see that the drug and alcohol problem is far worse. If your husband is willing to take the steps toward confronting his disease and getting clean, he is far more likely to fare better in the legal system.

Besides, if he is arrested, he will be confronted by a sudden horrendous detox, cold-turkey, in a jail cell. That should be enough reason for him to try to do it safely (and more comfortably!) through a detox facility - BEFORE an arrest.

Please keep posting - we'll help however we can.

God bless,
Ruth

[mashik777]

Everyone thanks for help!
I spoke to my husband, and he says that he will do the detox or go to rehab, he is scared that he can end up in a jail, but I'm scared that he can be dead any minute. I knew about his problems for years, I didn't know that it was that serious, and I always believed in him. I guest I never had a drug addiction and was so stupid... and didn't have courage to do something so he would go to rehab.
He is really scared to tell his employer that he has a problem and needs to leave his job for 6 weeks. He thinks he will loose it, since he works in a really small family business. He is the only one working right now and we have 2 small children. But for me it doesn't matter if he will lost his job. I prefer that he will lose a job other his life!
Can anyone recommend any rehabs? Thanks...

[ARTIST658]

Dear Mashik,

I don't know where you live, to recommend any treatment center. If I were in your shoes, I'd call your family doctor to ask for his/her recommendation. First thing he needs is a "detox" facility - which may or may not be the same place as any longer term treatment center. I'd look for a detox that will provide some meds to ease the withdrawal symptoms - as some will not dispense them. [They usually dispense them just for the first few days, then taper them off.] The detox facility should be able to give you a list of treatment centers in the area.

So grateful to hear that he is willing to get help. I'd suggest you take the action needed now to find a detox, and not put it off. As addicts, we quickly "forget" the consequences of our actions... and any delay could lead him into more denial.

Please keep us posted...

God bless,
Ruth