Couple Overdosed on OTC Valium, Xanax, Lyrica, Codeine and Anti-Psychotics in India

[Rybee]

A British couple were found dead from a suspected overdose involving the heavy use of drugs such as Valium, Xanax, Lyrica, Codeine Syrup and Anti-psychotics, which were purchased 'over/under the counter' in India.

I'm a tad sceptical about the accuracy to some parts of the claim, since it was reported in the Daily Mail. However, it has also been published in many other papers and also reported on national news networks.

Obviously it's a very tragic story, but I do find his bragging about the use of such drugs on his twitter feed a tad annoying and attention seeking. I really dislike people who brag about drug taking on social media. I mean, if you enjoy it, that's cool. But just enjoy it in your own time and place. It's just a pet hate of mine. Second to people who constantly check themselves in to their gym on Facebook every time they go, just to make a point that they go to the gym. For what it counts, their usually the one standing around in the mirror whilst avoiding any weight lifting or cardio exercise.

Codeine under the counter here. With Valium, Xanax and Lyrica. WIinning.

One prescription in India (after you have told the doctor what to write will take you faaaaaar....

Also, good luck when it comes to quitting, #xanax.

In India I have eaten an incredible amount of benzos. So Americans can stop showing off with your Xanax talk. They're really not all that.

It's not who you know, it's who you've done blow with.

...Drugs aren't the problem. Not having them is.

The story and actual cause of death still seems a bit shady at the moment because there hasn't been a full post-mortem/toxicology test carried out yet. I've had friends travel out to Asia and say how easy it was to buy Xanax, Valium, Etizolam as well as Codeine Syrups in pharmacies, and obviously harder drugs on the street if you wanted to.

Full story available here.

 

[neversickanymore]

I saw this.. sad story.. im kinda inclined to think suicide, but thats just a hunch.

I hope the people that love them find peace eventually

 

[Crankinit]

Don't want to click the Daily Fail (and still think we should create a megathread for it), but seems like a shame. Especially since codeine + benzos + lyrica is a pretty shitty high to die for, and they went all the way over to India only to spend all their time in their hotel room, popping pills, probably blacked out for a bunch of it, and then eventually dying. What a waste. I mean yeah he does come off as a bit douchy, but it's pretty easy to do that if you're necking benzos like candy, the way they disinhibit you. He was probably blacked out for a bunch of those tweets.

Can anyone recognize the books on their bed? I'm curious about what they were interested in enough to take to India to (try and) read before they got buried under all the pills.

 

[Rybee]

I saw this.. sad story.. im kinda inclined to think suicide, but thats just a hunch.

I hope the people that love them find peace eventually

So do I, which is a big shame because I guess it hints at the heightened possibility of potential prevention? I'm not sure why, but I do think it was a suicide pact... I think it's because there were 2 people in the room and there's no report of either of them raising any kind of alarm or distress signal - and unless a pact was made, I can't fathom out why they couldn't/wouldn't be able to alert anybody in the hotel.

Different circumstances, I know, but when I was changed from Morphine to Oxycodone I stupidly misread the dosage instructions and accidentally overdosed... though because the Oxy was orally ingested, it allowed me sufficient time to call for an ambulance, be assessed at home by paramedics, be taken to a hospital for a full assessment and then be monitored after the administration of Naloxone.

It just seems strange that both would die because of an accidental overdose from 'going too hard' without either of them being able to raise the alarm/scream for some kind of help?

Don't want to click the Daily Fail (and still think we should create a megathread for it), but seems like a shame. Especially since codeine + benzos + lyrica is a pretty shitty high to die for, and they went all the way over to India only to spend all their time in their hotel room, popping pills, probably blacked out for a bunch of it, and then eventually dying. What a waste. I mean yeah he does come off as a bit douchy, but it's pretty easy to do that if you're necking benzos like candy, the way they disinhibit you. He was probably blacked out for a bunch of those tweets.

Can anyone recognize the books on their bed? I'm curious about what they were interested in enough to take to India to (try and) read before they got buried under all the pills.

Other articles state that the couple had been travelling around India for 3 months and overdosed in a 'Romeo and Juliet Style Suicide Pact in Despair at India's Poverty'.

Re: the books, I'm not absolutely sure - but I do know that they were out in India teaching English, so they could well be textbooks of some sort.

Though, interestingly, the girl's step-father has come out and stated that:

Alex was unquestionably anti-drugs and was doing her best to reduce James’ dependency on anti-depressants. The big surprise is that they both died.

It’s a mystery what happened with Alex. The notion that she would overdose is difficult to comprehend - we’re puzzled.

They were having a fantastic time in India. They had a very deep interest in other cultures and were very philosophical folk. This wasn’t a holiday - it was a prelude to seeing the whole of India and other countries.

That said, I don't want to speculate any further as it's not fair to do so without knowing the real facts of the case and the real reason behind their actions, it's a tragedy to have happened and I genuinely grieve for the friends and family.

I know I've whinged about the lack of OTC medications available here in the UK but I guess this story depicts why we enforce our drug laws in the way that we do. God only knows what would happen if we started selling Valium & Xanax in the supermarkets next to headache pills... Then again, I guess you don't really need OTC drugs in particular to carry out a suicide.


So very, very tragic to have ever happened. I hope their friends and family can find peace in due time.

 

[Screaming_Skull]

Well this is sad, kinda disrespectful to post the other pics at the bottom I think... And I could be wrong but the picture looks really freakin' familiar at the graduation, kinda like I may have seen it on here before...

 

[neversickanymore]

Another possibility is that one of them ODd so the other committed suicide.

 

[Erikmen]

Very sad though.

 

[Crankinit]

I know I've whinged about the lack of OTC medications available here in the UK but I guess this story depicts why we enforce our drug laws in the way that we do. God only knows what would happen if we started selling Valium & Xanax in the supermarkets next to headache pills... Then again, I guess you don't really need OTC drugs in particular to carry out a suicide.

What's there to whinge about? Iirc you guys have some of the best otc availability to recreational drugs in the western world.

 

[Toz]

Codeine + benzo + lyrica is not a good combination and I could definitely see it leading to demise without tolerance to said substances. Always tragic when people OD but it's no ones fault but their own. This should not lead to tighter restrictions because people in actual pain should not have to suffer because of a misstake an addict did.

 

[Crankinit]

Codeine + benzo + lyrica is not a good combination and I could definitely see it leading to demise without tolerance to said substances. Always tragic when people OD but it's no ones fault but their own. This should not lead to tighter restrictions because people in actual pain should not have to suffer because of a misstake an addict did.

You're getting ahead of yourself. I don't think anyone is suggesting the codeine (or lyrica, for that matter) are the main culprits, and most Western countries have codeine freely available to some degree). The problem is the benzos, which are substantially more addictive and dangerous than codeine, and certainly shouldn't be available with that kind of ease.

 

[Erikmen]

That´s very strange as the entire OD process takes longer and involves vomiting and other situations.

Also it´s unlikely that they both died at the same time and through the same process. Everyone is different and the reactions will also be connected with sex, weight, health status among so many other factors.

I believe something is missing in that scene.

Nevertheless, it´s real sad. I only hope the best for their families who may be wondering how something like that happened.

 

[Erikmen]

Another possibility is that one of them ODd so the other committed suicide.

It´s not that easy though..

 

[Crankinit]

That´s very strange as the entire OD process takes longer and involves vomiting and other situations.

Also it´s unlikely that they both died at the same time and through the same process. Everyone is different and the reactions will also be connected with sex, weight, health status among so many other factors.

I believe something is missing in that scene.

Nevertheless, it´s real sad. I only hope the best for their families who may be wondering how something like that happened.

I don't see why not, the disparity would probably work against them - if he takes enough to OD, she definitely does. He was probably completely wasted and just popping pills/drinking cough syrup like candy, she followed his example, he takes enough to OD, she definitely does the same, they both pass out and never wake up. Or maybe it really was a suicide thing. Either way you're right, it's sad and a huge waste of two lives.

 

[Toz]

You're getting ahead of yourself. I don't think anyone is suggesting the codeine (or lyrica, for that matter) are the main culprits, and most Western countries have codeine freely available to some degree). The problem is the benzos, which are substantially more addictive and dangerous than codeine, and certainly shouldn't be available with that kind of ease.

It's almost impossible to OD on benzos alone (you really have to take alot more than what is required to get high, even with tolerance). Benzodiazepines are pretty harmless drugs that unfortunately cause severe physical/mental addiction that would not be that much of a problem if they were not controlled. They are very inexpensive drugs so nearly everyone could afford to sustain their addiction unless pushed to very extreme limits. However I think the problem here was that the couple either wanted to die, or just didn't care. Either way it's sad but there is no one/nothing to blame except themselves.

 

[Erikmen]

From my experience it´s almost impossible to OD unless you really make an effort to make it right.
Very unlikely to happen with benzos alone as posted above. It would have to be done with alcohol but still, one may vomit unconsciously
It´s very sad indeed. The situation as it was presented seems to be strange as if something was missing.

 

[Screaming_Skull]

Something does seem to be missing about this, but when I get home I'm going through the Lounge to look for that graduation picture,really is familar think one was a Bluelighter...

 

[technohippy]

Something does seem to be missing about this, but when I get home I'm going through the Lounge to look for that graduation picture,really is familar think one was a Bluelighter...

Holy shit I think you are right, i really really recognise that image, I am sure I have seen it posted.

 

[Screaming_Skull]

I know I'm right then! Reseaon I remember it is because I thought he is was very handsome, and he had written me and my finacnie at my graduation above the picture I think, and now he and his wife went to India to teach english...gonna go look through now...moderaters feel free to help look so we can have a shrine for them on here...and it's a lot of pic threads to go through.

 

[Parabolan]

Not that i in anyway recommend this practice, and since you guys have mentioned benzos, back in my heavy benzo addiction days "or years for that matter", and at the peak of my use, i used to take 30 mg of alprazolam, 300 mg of diazepam, and whatever bromazepam or lorazepam i had back then ALL on daily basis.. try to imagine trying to go clean after 4 years of such abuse!

 

[Erikmen]

It´s very difficult to imagine. Specially if you have them all mixed. It starts to define who you are and you simply don´t function without them.
I´m not talking about withdraw but trying to live a different life, mentally and physically challenged. I don´t mean it in a good way. Well, it certainly wouldn´t work for me once that made who I was and how I processed stuff while working, loving and living in general. Ne, can´t imagine it.