[farii]

Hi everyone-I'm a new member, and after trying like mad to research this, I found this forum. My husband has been taking vicodins for oh, about 7 years now. He admitted about 2 years ago he was addicted to them, told me he was going to stop, but it obviously didn't happen. I never knew then how many he was taking, or how often. It came up again about a month ago, when he said he hadn't stopped taking them, how he was spending too much money on them, etc. That was fine in my mind because he was telling me, and he wasn't hiding it anymore. He said he didn't want and couldn't go to rehab, (he has custody of his two older children, plus we have a 5 year old, I'm pregnant, we're in the middle of buying a house, and I don't work) and that he wanted to work through this himself, with NO ONE in the family knowing about it.

Okay, now here's the scary part. He was taking 25-27 a DAY. 750's mostly, but 500's sometimes as well. Six at a time, every few hours, all day. This (taking them heavily) has been going on for probably over two years. He has problems with kidney stones, and a bad shoulder, and vicodin is the first thing a dr. prescribes for him.

My question for you is: I never really noticed any withdrawl symptoms--he said he felt a little uncomfortable a few days after he "quit", and he was kinda sweaty this past weekend, but he "quit" taking them over a month ago. No mood swings, no nothing. I find it hard to believe that stopping that many so abruptly would cause no withdrawl at all. That's why I wonder if he really stopped or if he's lying about it now. Yesterday, I noticed a 750 missing after I returned home--I had them in the cupboard, and forgot to put them back in their "hiding spot" after I counted them. He was sleeping on the couch, and was in the same position when I came home, so I figured that he didn't touch them. My mistake. Now he says last night that his "friend" must have counted wrong. The reason I haven't gotten rid of them yet is that I can't flush them, and (honestly) I can give them to a friend that has back problems--he's just been away on vacation.

He gets really mad at me when I question him about it, esp. the other day, when he was like, totally spaced out, and I couldn't help but ask. We fought for the whole day about it. He told me I should trust him because he said he was done taking them, and he meant it. I would love to believe him, but something tells me he's not being truthful. Taking 25+ vicodin a day should cause SOME sort of withdrawls, if not serious, shouldn't it?

[Cats Meow]

Yep, he's hiding his use from you, W/D's are a fact of life when a opiad user quits, it doesn't matter how big and tough he is or his health constitution, he took a lot of a long time, he will get the symptoms, and they are always very bad the first three days and it takes 7-10 days to start feeling normal again.
The only way not to get sick is to take an opiad of some kind.

[farii]

Thanks for the reply--I kinda figured that's what I was going to hear. I even remember saying something to my best friend about it--about how he never really had any symptoms, and at first I thought it was really cool he got through it okay. Now, however, I'm stuck. I don't know if I should say something to him, and risk the GIANT fight, or let it go. I really can't do that, cause its gonna literally kill his liver eventually--not to mention other things.

[mpvt]

Ask him to look into suboxone!!!!!! He can take suboxone and it will take away all his cravings and withdrawl symptoms thereby allowing him to keep working. Once he gets to the right dose (takes a couple days usually) then he can work on getting his life back on track.Once he's ready the doctor and he can set up a weaning scheduale and detox slowly.If you think he might try that then goto www.suboxone.com and there you will also find a doctor locator.Good luck and I agree with the other poster, if he didn't go through withdrawls then he's still abusing them....Dave

[farii]

He won't do the suboxone, because he's already made it very clear he dosen't want anyone to know, including the dr. Does everyone go through withdrawals? I understand that everyone has different symptoms, but I always go back to the fact that its hard to believe he was taking that many, and only said he felt a little uncomfortable. He even made a comment a few days after "quitting" that he was suprised he felt as good as he did. Could this be true, or am I being naive?

[farii]

Just had another thought--he also makes comments to me about how he never realized how unmotivated the vic's made him, and how he never realized how much they were messing things up. Could the lack of w/d symptoms be associated to the fact that he started taking Paxil, Xanax, and Wellbutrin a little before he "quit" the vicodin?

[i don't know what to do!]

I am living in the same situation, except my husband is taking hydrocodone. He had 5 kidney stones last year and thinks it is ok. because he was prescribed them. He would run out and started stealing from our parents, housekeeper, etc. to get them. He lied about everything. He also began drinking heavily. We have a 3 year old and a new baby. It is so hard to confront him because he is sooo defensive. When he tries to stop, he gets soooo low, I'm afraid he might do something to himself. He "says" he has been clean for a month , but now when he is in a good mood, I question if he is taking pills! I feel crazy! I'm so sorry you are going through this. Try to help him seek treatment. My husband won't because we are both teachers and he is embarrassed that someone will find out.Good luck.

[Cats Meow]

Farii, if he really quit, especially cold turkey he would have been in the bathroom on the toilet 15 times a day, diarrhea is the single most unavoidable symptom, even taking an antidiarrheal. The AD's and benzo's will help relax him a little, but not enough to reduce his symptoms drastically. Everybody who quits feel like they're going to die, it's absolute hell, even if you take 3 pills a day, you can't stop a 25 pill a day habit and still stay on your feet.
Watch his bank debits you'll see. You can buy a drug test at the pharmacy, it'll tell you for sure, after all he has nothing to hide right?
Quitting is super hard. Good luck with him.

[lyds]

Originally Posted by Cats Meow

Farii, if he really quit, especially cold turkey he would have been in the bathroom on the toilet 15 times a day, diarrhea is the single most unavoidable symptom, even taking an antidiarrheal. The AD's and benzo's will help relax him a little, but not enough to reduce his symptoms drastically. Everybody who quits feel like they're going to die, it's absolute hell, even if you take 3 pills a day, you can't stop a 25 pill a day habit and still stay on your feet.
Watch his bank debits you'll see. You can buy a drug test at the pharmacy, it'll tell you for sure, after all he has nothing to hide right?
Quitting is super hard. Good luck with him.

Everything Cat's Meow said is true. I can't add anything to this reply.

I pray everything works out soon and that your husband realizes what he is going.

Blessings!

[farii]

Well, here it is: I finally mustered up the courage to confront him about it. Told him I didn't believe him, and asked him if he would take a home drug test, ($30 @Rite Aid-already found it) to give me peice of mind. He refused, saying that that $30 will save our axx next week when we need gas, and that he has his pride and I should just believe him. VERY defensive. He would not take it. I told him I wasn't doing this to make him feel stupid, but he still refused. I think he's getting them (or some sort of painkiller) from one of his friends, but I can't prove it.

My best friend said he's obviously lying, which I believe, too, because of the fact he won't take the test. Funny thing is, a few of them that I had in the cupboard came up unaccounted for, but for the most part, they were all there. He even told my best friend how happy he was that he quit taking them, and goes to the store and buys ibuprofen for arthritis, cause his shoulder is really hurting him now. I'm confused--and if I bring up the test again, it'll cause another fight. I'm thinking about an ultimatum--you take the test, now, because our marriage depends on it--but is that fair? I mean, its not fair what he's doing to me, but should I play hardball if he is, too? I dunno, I don't know how to handle it. He's also lied to me a lot lately, about other things--that really doesn't help things, either.

[farii]

I forgot to add, too, the fact that when I asked him about his withdrawl symptoms, he never answered me the first time. The second time we were fighting, and he said that he felt like ********************, but never told me about it. I never noticed anything out of the ordinary. As a matter of fact, about a week or so after he "quit", he was acting strangeone night, and kept falling asleep standing up. He was making toast, and fell asleep with the butter knife in his hand. I kept asking him what his problem was, and all he would do it get mad and tell me he was tired. Then, he fell asleep mid-conversation, and again while he was eating in his chair. Every time, his mouth was hanging wide open, and his eyes were all wierd looking--one time he had one eye open a little, one closed, and I laughed at him, cause he looked funny. He didn't find it funny and got mad at me. He hasn't acted like that since, no matter how tired he is, but it just makes me wonder....

[farii]

Funny thing: Just checked his prescriptions. Everything is accounted for (paxil, wellbutrin) except the xanax. There's 8 more missing than there should be. This prescription is supposed to last him until the 30th, and he only has 9 left. Hmmmm......

[Cats Meow]

Hi Farii, cats out of the bag, he knows you're on to him, it'll be interesting how he'll continue to hide his use, maybe a revelation on his part will be forthcoming, it's just too obvious, it's something you can't hide if you're looking for it. It really sounds like he's moved on to stronger meds, especially because of the nodding out, but also because of the lack of W/D's.
You're going to assume he's using until he proves to you otherwise, he can be defensive all he wants and play the trust card, but hey, that works both ways, an innocent person has nothing to hide, he should want to prove his sincerity and you wrong and make you look stupid. It's not about the money for the drug test, except that $30 will buy a couple more pills, you could buy the test rip up the receipt in front of him, then you're stuck with it, now prove to me you're clean. If you do a test, make sure it tests for all opiades, some are selective, he could even be on methadone or buprenorphine, you want to c.y.a, if he's hot for something not tested for your stuck looking like a fool. I don't know about an ultimatum, all the time users choose drugs over love and marriage, it's up to you if it's worth it. People give up relationships too easy. If you do prove he's using, what then, will it change anything? I guess only you know, I hope you get this worked out.

[adaiku]

Dear all,

I'm new here and was just reading this forum. farii and "idontknow...," I really feel for what what you are going through... let's just say that I've more or less done the same thing to my loved one (and more than once, I'd imagine). Maybe this will be helpful:

Right now I'm 10 days into my latest opiate free phase of life, having spent a month tapering down from a very long run of heavy use. With the help of supplements, hot tubs/sauna, daily exercise, and most of all an ultra supportive wife I was only in complete, non-functional misery for three days, went to work (gritting teeth) on the fourth and on, and now I guess am fine except for the killer back pain, waking at the crack of dawn, big time fatigue and low motivation. All said, though, I'm smiling and must admit the world seems a bit clearer.

One... if anyone wants to know the specifics of my cold turkey regimen, please email me. I'm no professional, but would be happy to help if I can.

Second... I was really only able to face the prospect of stopping by completely admitting to what was going on (this took months!), giving my wife my cell phone, cash, bankcards, etc., and not going anywhere alone for the first five days. On days 1-3 I was (jokingly, but very seriously) begging for a little money to end my suffering ("just for a day..."). That was, thank goodness, denied, and I came to my senses each time after a while.

Point is, the humiliation of not stopping on my own, of using my family's resources, of simply hiding part of myself was so great that I would have never fessed up if I could have lived with avoiding it in any way any longer. I was really scared of being judged or seen as a failure. In all other aspects of life I think I'm a kind, honest, upstanding, professional, determined, successful (blah, blah...) person, but in this one I played/manipulated every angle I could, sucked up everything extra (and more) I found, etc...

Sorry, but no matter what you think, opiate addiction (a real, physical thing, not a moral problem) runs you, you don't run it, reason with it, or anything else (though all the time while using I thought the other way around). The feeling from the drug exists to keep itself alive. In general, I told my wife, if you suspect something is wrong, it probably is (no matter what "I" say).

I guess what I really want to say is... someone for me created the environment where I could recognize what I was doing and see that what I thought was controlled was really not. From one point of view, I probably should've been dropped long ago, but thank god someone didn't give up on me. That gave me confidence. But past the anger, it took time and a lot of love, acceptance, and patience (not tolerance, though... ).

I don't know if that helps or not, but hang in there and I wish you all the very best.

[Painful_Fate]

FARII: I totally understand your concern with your husband's addiction. I hope that I can help alittle along with everyone else (Cat's Meow is super helpful...props).

Withdrawls are going to happen. They can present themselves only a few hours after the last dose has been administered. You could easily develop dependance on opiate medication after only taking it, as prescribed, for a week. It's unbelievable but it happens. Withdrawls are indeed a fact of life when you are a narcotic addict. Period.

I used to be an addict to Vicodin/Norco. I was going down that spiral for three plus years, taking three to four times the recommended dosage. The reason I state this information is because every addict will react the same way when confronted and will do the same thing when narcotics are present in the household no matter who they belong to. Whenever I was confronted about taking them or any claim that I had quit, my first instinct was to become defensive. Anyone who was actually being honest wouldn't react that way. It's human nature to become defensive when you're guilty. I was living proof of that. When you have an addict in the house and medications start disappearing, it's usually that very addict who is taking them. I did it. Usually without ever contemplating the consequences. If I could delay the withdrawl and get "high" just one more time, I could of cared less who suffered. It's horrible but remember...that man in your life is not your husband. He's an addict. A different person altogether.

I'm getting the feeling that he is getting a supply from someone. If he did quit, you'd have living proof. There's no way, other then Suboxone or continuing narcotic use, to avoid the diarrhea, sweating and insomnia that comes with quitting abruptly. He's been on them for quite some time...his W/D will be easy to spot, trust me.

I really hope that he's not lying. I wish I could tell you that he's a special circumstance, a person that won't suffer from W/D. I can't. With his automatic attitude towards your request for a drug test is clearly a sign of defensive guilt. I'm sure he reacts the same way ANYTIME you bring up drug use. I did the same thing. I would avoid the subject as much as possible, even trying the change the subject when it was brought up. The only time I would talk about it at all is when I was high and had more pills to fall back on.

I don't know how to get him to realize his problem and face it. From what I read, he's denying Suboxone out of fear the word will spread. Honestly, he's too afraid to lose that "connection" for more pills. Once the doctors know he's being treated for opiate addiction, that bridge will burn quick. He has a serious problem and since you're as concerned as you are, you're getting to the point where you've reached the limit. Maybe if he's informed on just how much HIS addiction is affecting YOU, it'll be the ice-breaker for him to finally seek assistance. To lose the person in his life that loves him and to watch as that relationship falls apart because of his actions SHOULD be more then enough for him to realize the problem at hand.

My prayers are with you and your husband. It's so very hard but with love, motivation and a clear understanding of what is going on, there IS a light at the end of the tunnel.

Take care!!!

[farii]

First off, I apologize for how long this is, and appreciate you taking the time to read it.

Thank you, everyone, for all the support and advice you've given me. Here's an update. About 3am yeasterday morning, he was throwing up, sweating, shaking, along with diarrhea, the works. He said it was from his shoulder. (Occasionally, so he says, his shoulder gives him migraines, which make him sick) After logically thinking about it, I knew what it was, and was instantly angry. I didn't say anything to him about it all morning, (he called into work) but called my best friend and told her what was goin on.

Later on about noon, I counted his xanax while he was in the tub. There were 5 left. Yesterday there were 9. I couldn't take it any longer, and told him what I thought this "sickness" was, brought up the drug test again, (which he refused, again) and told him he'd take it if our marriage depended on it. Please, make me feel stupid, prove me wrong, please. After arguing for an hour, it finally came out that he was, in fact, lying to me. His explanation, though, was he thought he could do it, and he didn't take anything for 3-4 weeks. (but yet had no w/d's? right.) Then he told me he took a methadone Friday, and another one a couple weeks ago. A friend of mine supposedly gave him a couple tylenol 3's, but that's all he took to produce this w/d. No way. I may be naive when it comes to pills, but in order for him to have w/d's the way he did, he took his last pill either Sunday during the day, or somewhere around there, right?

We ended up going to the hospital-his dr.'s office was closed Mondays-where he told them he had only been taking them for about 3 months, and that the dr. prescribed them. Had I been in the room then, (was waiting for my mom to get my son) I would've made him tell the truth, but that didn't come out till we were already outta there. While in there, they gave him a shot of Dopamine and Ativan, first. That apparently didn't relieve any symptoms, so they gave him a shot a Valium. Then some anti-nausea agent they use for cancer patients, cause he still felt sick. After that he felt a little better, but before they discharged him, they gave him another big dose of Ativan, and he was so messed up, he couldn't even walk. He got a prescription for Librium. They wheeled him to another room to wait a little while, and his head was bobbing a little, he was talking really loud, and flirting with this one nurse-quite obviously. When I said something about that, he said he was just being nice. Right. I was so mad when we left, (not about the nurse, the situation) I didn't have a nice thing to say. I thought, well, geez, next time this happens, we can come here, he can get all messed up--didn't say messed, but you get the idea-and everything's fine till the next time.

I don't know what I'm going to do. He's still lying, he won't tell the dr.--he says he will but I guarantee he'll have some excuse. I'm pregnant, have a 4 yr. old, and his kids drive me nutz. Oh, did I add we're supposed to be closing on a house this Friday??? All this stress is not good for the baby, or any of us for that matter, and I'm so mad at him right now, I can't say anything to him. I'm not mean, but I'm not talking really, either. I'm so hurt and mad that he lied (and is still lying) like that to me, I couldn't hold his hand yesterday, give him a hug, or tell him he was going to be okay. I knew I should've, but I couldn't. I just didn't feel sorry for him at all. I don't know how to get past that anger. Anyone that's been through this similar situation, please help--I don't want to splot up my family.

[farii]

First off, I apologize for how long this is, and appreciate you taking the time to read it.

Thank you, everyone, for all the support and advice you've given me. Here's an update. About 3am yeasterday morning, he was throwing up, sweating, shaking, along with diarrhea, the works. He said it was from his shoulder. (Occasionally, so he says, his shoulder gives him migraines, which make him sick) After logically thinking about it, I knew what it was, and was instantly angry. I didn't say anything to him about it all morning, (he called into work) but called my best friend and told her what was goin on.

Later on about noon, I counted his xanax while he was in the tub. There were 5 left. Yesterday there were 9. I couldn't take it any longer, and told him what I thought this "sickness" was, brought up the drug test again, (which he refused, again) and told him he'd take it if our marriage depended on it. Please, make me feel stupid, prove me wrong, please. After arguing for an hour, it finally came out that he was, in fact, lying to me. His explanation, though, was he thought he could do it, and he didn't take anything for 3-4 weeks. (but yet had no w/d's? right.) Then he told me he took a methadone Friday, and another one a couple weeks ago. A friend of mine supposedly gave him a couple tylenol 3's, but that's all he took to produce this w/d. No way. I may be naive when it comes to pills, but in order for him to have w/d's the way he did, he took his last pill either Sunday during the day, or somewhere around there, right?

We ended up going to the hospital-his dr.'s office was closed Mondays-where he told them he had only been taking them for about 3 months, and that the dr. prescribed them. Had I been in the room then, (was waiting for my mom to get my son) I would've made him tell the truth, but that didn't come out till we were already outta there. While in there, they gave him a shot of Dopamine and Ativan, first. That apparently didn't relieve any symptoms, so they gave him a shot a Valium. Then some anti-nausea agent they use for cancer patients, cause he still felt sick. After that he felt a little better, but before they discharged him, they gave him another big dose of Ativan, and he was so messed up, he couldn't even walk. He got a prescription for Librium. They wheeled him to another room to wait a little while, and his head was bobbing a little, he was talking really loud, and flirting with this one nurse-quite obviously. When I said something about that, he said he was just being nice. Right. I was so mad when we left, (not about the nurse, the situation) I didn't have a nice thing to say. I thought, well, geez, next time this happens, we can come here, he can get all messed up--didn't say messed, but you get the idea-and everything's fine till the next time.

I don't know what I'm going to do. He's still lying, he won't tell the dr.--he says he will but I guarantee he'll have some excuse. He even got mad at me last night when I told him he wasn't going to take the xanax anymore--he said the dr. prescribed it, I have to take it.

I'm pregnant, have a 4 yr. old, and his kids drive me nutz. Oh, did I add we're supposed to be closing on a house this Friday??? All this stress is not good for the baby, or any of us for that matter, and I'm so mad at him right now, I can't say anything to him. I'm not mean, but I'm not talking really, either. I'm so hurt and mad that he lied (and is still lying) like that to me, I couldn't hold his hand yesterday, give him a hug, or tell him he was going to be okay. I knew I should've, but I couldn't. I just didn't feel sorry for him at all. I don't know how to get past that anger. Anyone that's been through this similar situation, please help--I don't want to split up my family.

[farii]

oops, sorry about the double post....

[adaiku]

Hi, farii. Your situation and experience at the hospital seems really rough, even though I'd say that admitting to anything period is probably progress. Withdrawals from opiates are HORRIBLE, but rarely life threatening (unlike wd's from Alcohol and Benzos). Why a hospital would pump anyone full of the stuff you mention (and top it with Librium!!! my god... isn't that usd for Alcohol dependence) I don't know. I'm not an MD, but can tell you from experience that Clonidine (a non-psychoactive blood pressure med) takes care of much of the anxiety and physical symptoms AND IMHO poses much less of an addiction risk than Ativan, etc.. That, a bunch of Immodium, lots of fluids, and as much exercise as one can take. The worst is over in 4-7 days. Remember that.

And, if he's willing, I'd say please talk to a professional (generally not hospital ER staff, whose main interest I'd say is in stablizing a situation ASAP) as it sounds like you have a lot at stake. Best of luck.

[smoke454]

hrdrocodone is vicodin...just like percocet is oxycodone as well as oxycotnin(just time released oxycodone). dont think that just cause it has a different name that its not the exact same thing.

[Woodstock1969]

First off, very good advice from Adaiku & other's.
Farii after reading your post's, and speaking from experience, I would'nt rule out the possibility that your hubby might be dabbling in something else too, like Heroin! Did'nt the hospital take any blood test before giving him all those other drug's? There are people that take it a step futher, Heroin is the ultimate pain relief. Anyone who's addicted to narctic pain relief, and-or educated on the subject know's this to be true. In some place's heroin, cocaine, etc. are easier to get a hold of than a prescribed drug. Especialy if the addicted person has burned all his bridges with too many priscriptions too often, eventualy pharmacy's catch on to it, and when his name come's up for yet another script they will lable him as a narcotic pain pill abuser, after that he will depend on opp's (other people's pill's). eventualy those conection's run out. Last stop street drug's! Just a head's up, Dont mean your hubby is there yet. Seem's like you have come to he right place for help on the matter. Wish I would have had this avenue of help when I was going through it...in the 1970's oh p.s. find another hospital!!!

[farii]

Hello again-Yeah, I've had some concerns in the last week, but nothing substantial until yesterday. My sister in law and I took the boys to see Shrek 3-which is really cute btw. She picked us up, and on the way, said that her husband, (my husband's brother) wanted her to ask me what he was on yesterday. I was at work, and they came to get my youngest to play with my nephew. She said he was all messed up, mouth hangin wide open, slurred speech, and that he was in no condition to be watching our son. Well, up to this point, I hadn't told them what was going on, as he didn't want anyone, not even his brother knowing. I told her the story, and she said his brother would say something to him, as it really wasn't a secret to them. They had noticed something wasn't right months ago. He would come over to their house and fall asleep mid-conversation, and they had had many conversations about him, wondering what he was on all the time. He mentioned methadone to him at one time, but I'm assuming that he made it sound like it was a one time thing.

The day I was at work I came home and his eyes were all messed up, but when I asked him what was wrong, he said he was just stoned. (marij.) Yesterday, I talked to my best friend, and she mentioned how wierd he was acting when him and a friend of ours came over to her house looking for my garden tool. I slowly brought that into a conversation, and he said he went over to talk to her boyfriend, but that our friend never walked over there. (she's female) First off, the boyfriend was gone all day, and he didn't remember our friend being there with him. He had to call my best friend, and ask her. !!!!!!?????!!????!?!?!?!?!?

Okay, now he has had the shakes ever since Monday at the hospital, (mostly his hands) but as far as anything else, he threw up the last time on the way to the hospital, and after taking the Librium, he said his w/d symptoms subsided. He has spaced the Librium out so well that a 5 day dose has lasted him 6, and I believe he still has some left. He says he waits until he starts to feel the stomach ache, and takes one. I have a really hard time trusting him, and with what was said to me yesterday about how messed up he looked Saturday, we just fought when I brought it up. Instantly defensive--which again, as a natural human instinct, would prove guilt. Marijuana dosen't do that to him, could the Librium?? I want to give him the benefit of the doubt, but its hard, esp. when I don't know if he's lying or not. He did consent to a drug test whenever I wanted, but don't know how well that'll work at $30 a pop--and he knows it.

What do I do? I feel like an unsupportive wench of a wife, when I should be understanding. I have so much resentment, not only from this, that makes me this way--how do I get over it, and try to help him?????

[farii]

Originally Posted by Woodstock1969

First off, very good advice from Adaiku & other's.
Did'nt the hospital take any blood test before giving him all those other drug's? find another hospital!!!

I wasn't in the room the first half hour as I was waiting for my mom to pick up my son, but he never said anything about them taking blood. He just told me he had gotten two shots. (Which was the Dopamine, and the Ativan) Yeah, I was pretty angry that they messed him up all over again, and sent him on his way...

[adaiku]

Hi, farii. Sorry to hear that your struggles are continuing.

Confusion, lack of coordination, etc., are definite side effects of Librium. You can look it up on this site. This, with MJ and who knows what else, would sure make a mess of me. I'm still surprised he was given this...

And Dopamine??? Does you husband have a preexisting heart condition? Why would you want to raise bp with someone who is detoxing from opiates? Were they confusing opiate wd's with alcohol wd's? Can anyone tell me this?

Personally, if it were me and I was taking 25 Vic 750's or 500's a day, I would be much more worried about the extraordinary amount of acetaminophen (tylenol) I was ingesting and the damage it would do to my liver, etc.. I would get this tested sooner rather than later. IMO it is very serious.

If I could just echo Woodstock, I'd find a new hospital / good doctor asap.

best wishes

[mpvt]

He definately sounds as though he's abusing benzo's.What concerns me even more is that benzo's mixed with opiate can slow one respitory system. So much so that they actually die in their sleep.Remember Anna Nicoles son, same thing.He needs to be in a rehab or detox but he has to want to do it for the right reasons. All to often we addicts try to quit because we love our wives and kids and we want to stop so that we don't hurt them anymore.Unfortunately this is honourable but it's also the wrong reasons to try and quit.The addict really has to quit for themselves and that can take along time to come to grips with.The only thing I can suggest to you is not to cover up for him anymore (if you were covering for him).Let him know everyday how meesed up he looks and that you really hate the kids to see their daddy all messed up.I have 3 boys and I know that even though they were young and I was careful, they saw me messed up or sleep for 16 hours and wake up this screwed up.It's a long haul Fraii and in the end it's up to you weather you want to stay.Good luck to you and let us know how your doing.

P.S. Any chance you could get your husband to come online and have a talk with us?????......Dave

[farii]

Originally Posted by mpvt

He definately sounds as though he's abusing benzo's.

Are benzo's his anti-depressants??

The only thing I can suggest to you is not to cover up for him anymore (if you were covering for him). His brother and sis-in-law know now, and he's taking matters into his own hands. i.e-he wants to call the people we think he's getting the pills from and threaten them. Police. etc. Don't know if that's such a great idea, as I was thinking about calling them myself, but don't know if they should be contacted at all.

Let him know everyday how meesed up he looks and that you really hate the kids to see their daddy all messed up. If I tell him how messed up he looks, he gets mad and we argrue. However, I still let him know.

Good luck to you and let us know how your doing. Thank you for the support, I really appreciate it. :0)

P.S. Any chance you could get your husband to come online and have a talk with us?????......Dave

I've told him about this site, and how I've been getting advice, but for him to come on here, even if he did, he would say he quit. He did get mad at me a couple times when I would compare some stories on this forum to our situation. His reply would be, "I don't care what some lady did, I'm not her.

[farii]

I just wanted to clarify something. When I said that his brother and sis-in-law know now, and that he's taking matters into his own hands, I mean his brother. His brother wants to make the calls.

[lebre56]

you may not want to, but you give him an ultimatum....he either seeks help and you will be there for him or you will leave him because you cannot live this way anymore...then he will have to make the choice FOR himself and not for anyone else...some people HAVE to hit rock bottom. constant game of cat and mouse must be draining you dry, babe....YOU NEED to step up and then walk away and let him choose....sorry to be brief...arm in cast so one handed, but totally feel you...take care...bre

[farii]

Originally Posted by lebre56

you may not want to, but you give him an ultimatum....he either seeks help and you will be there for him or you will leave him because you cannot live this way anymore...then he will have to make the choice FOR himself and not for anyone else...some people HAVE to hit rock bottom. constant game of cat and mouse must be draining you dry, babe....YOU NEED to step up and then walk away and let him choose....sorry to be brief...arm in cast so one handed, but totally feel you...take care...bre

I did do the ultimatum thing with the drug test. He refused it at first, but then that's how he got it all out about still taking stuff. I don't know if I could do the other ultimatum. Stepdaughter is in the hospital for other things right now, he's going through this, I'm pregnant, we're getting ready to sign on a house, and we have a 4 year old. My stepson also lives with us, too. We've been through so much that it seems like if I give up now, everything else we went through, (and trust me, it was NO picnic) was for nothing. I just don't know how much more I can take, and not knowing if he's lying or not kills me.

[lebre56]

can you stay at friend or relatives house for a few days and make him THINK that he has no choice. makes my heart ache for you and you do need an emotional break from this very bad situation.